Trekking in India

Trekking has remained men's passion from the day he took his first step on the earth. He always ventured out of home and his natural surroundings to explore something new, a world that was not known to him. There is not much to trekking except your belief in your abilities to fulfill your dreams. You may require a rucksack that can accommodate a sleeping pad, a sleeping bag, one or two utensil, some clothes (not more than the bare minimum), some essential medicines and ration.

More than anything else, India is a paradise for trekking due to its vastness, natural beauty and diverse topography. The Himalayan region is the best place to hit the trekking trail during your vacations in India. February/March are the best months for low-altitude trekking in the Himalayas. For high-altitude trekking, the best months are April/May. The months of July and August receive heavy rainfall and, therefore, these months are not recommended for the amateur trekkers. The best months for trekking in the Western Ghats are from December to April when the weather is clear and lush greenery surrounds the region.

Major Destinations
Trekking destinations in India can broadly be divided into two major areas: the Western Himalayas covering the states of Himachal Pradesh, and Uttaranchal; and the Eastern Himalayas covering Darjeeling region of West Bengal, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

Western Himalayas
The major trekking areas of the Western Himalayas are Garhwal and Kumaon regions in Uttaranchal. The areas around Gangotri and Yamunotri have quite a good number of popular treks. Nanda Devi is another famous trekking option and most of the area comes under Kumaon region.

Major treks of Uttaranchal
  1. Gangotri (3,046 m) to Gangotri Glacier (6,500-7,000 m)
  2. Tapovan (4,463 m) to Shivling (6,543 m)
  3. Gangotri to Kedartal (5,000 m)
  4. Gangotri to Yamunotri via Dodital
  5. Har-ki-Dun Trek
  6. Pindari Glacier Trek (Bharari 1,524 m to Zero Point 4,000 m)
  7. Roopkund (4,800 m) Trek from Gwaldam (1,950 m)
  8. Curzon Trail from Gwaldam to Tapovan
  9. Nanda Devi and Milam Glacier Trek
  10. Darma Valley Trek
Major Treks of Himachal Pradesh


  1. Jalori Pass (3,350 m) Trek from Narkanda
  2. Pir Panjal Trek (5,000 m)
  3. Bahrmaur (1,981 m) to Manimahesh Lake (3,950) Trek
  4. Lahaul Treks
  5. Darcha to Padum (Zanskar)
  6. Manali to Chandratal (4,270 m)
  7. Udeypur to Bhagga Valley
  8. Sangla (2680 m) to Chitkul (3,450 m)
  9. Manali to Manikaran to Pulga along Parvati River
  10. Bara Boulder to Sangam
  11. Mudh to Spiti
  12. Kaza to Comic (Spiti)
  13. Manali to Lahaul and Spiti
  14. Solang Valley to Beas Kund
  15. Dhauladhar Treks beginning at Dharamshala, Baijnath, and Palampur
Eastern Himalayas Major Treks of Sikkim
  1. Monastic Trek: Pemayangtse-Sangacholing-Khecheopalri-Dubdi-Sinon-Tashiding-Ralang
  2. Rhododendron Trek: Naya Bazar-Hilley/Soreng-Varsey-Dentam-Pemayangtse
  3. Kanchan-Dzonga: Yuksum-Bakhim-Tsokha-Dzongri-Thanghing/Bikbari-Zemathang/Chaurigang-Goecha La/Rathong Glacier-Yuksum
  4. Coronation Trek: Rumtek-Sang-Yangang-Rabongla-Tashiding-Yuksum
West Bengal (Darjeeling and Around)
  1. Darjeeling to Phalut via Sandakphu
  2. Singalila Trek, starting from Manebhajang
  3. Ramman-Bijanbari Trek