Trekking is an adventure activity that has the right amount of adventure in it. It is a great activity to start nature exploration. Trekking through forests, deserts, and mountains, the feeling of being ‘out there’ has a very unique flavor. Trekking if done at some chosen destinations can bring a deep sense of relaxation and satisfaction for you.
Trekking is a great way to connect with nature and its beauty. There is something indescribable about the way the night sky looks in the Himalayas. Although the Himalayan range is an abode to some of the best trekking places in north India, India is blessed with so many diverse terrains and landscapes that offer the most rewarding trekking trails to experience.
When it comes to trekking, the main criteria for consideration is the difficulty of the terrain. Not all treks are equal and not all treks are for everyone. Trekking has the right amount of adventure for budding thrill-seekers.
10 Best Trekking Places in India
We have prepared a list of the top trekking places in India where you can experience the most exciting and rewarding trekking trails. The following list will include treks for all skill levels and treks with different landscape features.
Trek to Chandratal Lake
Without a doubt, Trek to Chandratal Lake is one of the most beautiful and adventure trekking trips in India. Among the available Himachal tour packages, this trek is considered one of the most famous treks for tourists seeking adventure.
Chandratal Lake is located in Spiti Valley and there are several routes to reach this beautiful lake. The shortest routes to Chandratal Lake can take around 8 hours starting from Manali and sometimes it can take half the usual time if the weather conditions are favorable and trekkers are experienced.
Reaching the lake after trekking through the gorgeous snowy treks with beautiful mountain range surrounding them is a reward in itself. The beauty of the Chandratal Lake is something to behold. Many photographers and tourists are attracted to this Lake to capture their experiences.
If you wish to know the one trek in North India to try, then Chandratal Lake Trek is one of the most famous trekking places in India.
Best time to trek: May - October
Trekking difficulty: Moderate difficulty
Also Read: Magnetic Hill in Ladakh
The Hampta Pass Trek
The trek to Hampta Pass starts from Hampta Village in Kullu and ends in Chatru village in Spiti Valley. The trekking trails are around 34 kilometers and it takes around 5 days to complete this trek. Hampta Pass is a very popular trekking place in India among trekking enthusiasts from around the world. You can reach the highest altitude of 4,400 meters above sea level.
The Hampta Pass trek offers some of the most beautiful scenic views that will stay in your memory for a long time. You will come across the snow-covered mountains, valleys, deodar forests, and rich flora and fauna along your way. Once you reach Lahaul-Spiti you will start seeing the barren rugged terrain.
The best thing about this trek is that the Chandratal Lake is also on its way and Camping at the lake in Himachal is an experience worth having. Hampta Pass is one of the best trekking places in India which is great for novice trekkers with the moderate difficulty of trekking.
Best time to trek: Months of May, June, September & October
Trekking difficulty: Moderate difficulty
Also Read: Places to visit in Shimla
Markha Valley Trek
In North India, Ladakh is an adventure destination for trekkers and motorcycling explorers. This rugged land is surrounded by both the Himalayan and the Karakoram mountain ranges. The vast landscapes and panoramic beauty of this land attract thousands of tourists from all over the world.
The trek starts from the village of Chilling located at a height of around 3,100 meters. The highest elevation that you will experience is 5,200 meters in the village of Kongmaru La. This trek is challenging but it is one of the best adventure trekking trips in India.
The tour operators in India offer a lot of Leh-Ladakh tour packages that are catered to all travelers. For the trekkers, there are several different trekking trails throughout Ladakh to excite them. However, the Markha Valley Trek is one that stands out. It is one of the best adventure treks in India because of the many great sights that you see on your way.
As you trek, you come across several river crossings, monasteries, green pastures, and local villages. For the photographers, this trek is an amazing experience to capture the beauty along the way. You can also visit the local villages where you can get a glimpse into the unique lives of the villagers.
The most unique attraction on this trek is the Hemis National Park which is popular because the highest number of snow Leopards in the world are found in this area.
Also Read: Bike Tour to Leh Ladakh
Chembra Peak
Kerala is one of the best trekking places in South India. Usually, people only know about the trekking trails in the northern parts of India but the South is much lesser known for trekking. However, there are plenty of satisfying trekking experiences you can have in South India as well.
The lush green hills of Kerala are full of attractions such as waterfalls, grasslands, and waterfalls. Among these attractions, the trek to Chembra Peak is one of the favorite places for trekking for the people in South India. This trek is slowly gaining popularity and gives a great view of the Wayanad hills of the Western Ghats.
Chembra Lake is a heart-shaped lake with is one of the best attractions on your journey. You will pass through the natural scenes of indescribable beauty on the tea gardens and tropical forests on your way to the peak. This trek is around 7 kilometers long and it can take around 6-8 hours to complete depending on your hiking speed.
Best time to trek: December - February
Trekking difficulty: Moderate
Also Read: Things to do in Leh Ladakh
The Kudremukh Trek
This is another gem of a trek located in the Western Ghats of South India. The word ‘Kudremukh’ means the ‘Face of the Horse’ which somehow resembles the shape of the peak. The view that you experience on your trek is worth watching. You will experience some of the lushest and greenest areas in India.
The mystical look of the green hills and valleys is something out of this world. The Kudremukh Trek gores through the rich bio-diverse areas with hundreds of species of plants, animals, and insects which are rare. Many species that are found here are being photographed and studied.
This trek takes around 2 days to complete and the trek is around 21 kilometers long. For most people, it is an ideal weekend destination to experience nature closely. This trek still is quite untouched by over-tourism and it is one of the best trekking places in India.
Best time to trek: March-May
Trekking difficulty: Moderate
Also Read: Paragliding Places in India
The Rupin Pass Trek
The Rupin Pass Trek is popularly considered as one of the most scenic trekking trails in Uttarakhand. This 52-kilometer trek will bring a variety of different scenes of natural beauty. As you trek higher, you will find panoramic views of the majestic mountains surrounding you. This trek starts from Dhaula village in Uttarakhand and ends in Sangla village of Himachal Pradesh.
The trek will take you through glaciers, forests, and waterfalls that are great natural attractions for you to admire. The Rupin Pass Trek is a challenging trek that requires you to have a good pair of hiking shoes and basic trekking gear.
You will reach an altitude of 4700 meters above sea level and the climb is steep at some areas of the trek. There is a little bit of challenge where an average trekker might struggle a bit. However, it is quite doable if you can put in a little bit of extra effort.
It can take around 8 days to complete The Rupin Pass Trek which makes it a difficult trek only a few will take. The scenic natural attractions that you will encounter will make it worth all the effort. It is clearly among the best adventure treks in India.
Best time to trek: Months of May, June, September & October
Trekking difficulty: Difficult
Also Read: Solang Valley
Dzongri Trek
North-East India is often ignored when choosing a trekking adventure. This part of India is beautiful culturally as well as in terms of the natural beauty it offers. There are several trekking areas in North East India. If we have to choose one of the best trekking places in India specifically for North-East India, then Dzongri Trek comes on top of our list.
Dzongri Trek is a 5-day long trek start and ends at the same point known as Yuksom. The trek is around 21 kilometers long and the maximum height you can experience is 15,000 feet from sea level.
The trek shows the beautiful scenic views of Dzongri La Peak and the popular mountain of Kanchendzonga. The trek is full of many attractions such as several national parks such as Kachendzonga National park, waterfalls, and forest areas. This trek is a little bit challenging for beginners because there is the time needed for acclimatization.
Best time to trek: April – June, and October - December
Trekking difficulty: Moderate
Also Read: Things to do in India
Rajmachi Trek
If you are a beginner and you need a great trekking experience, then one of the most popular things to do in India for beginners is in Maharashtra. Rajmachi is located near Lonavala at a distance of around 14 kilometers. On this trek, the maximum elevation you can reach is 3000 feet from sea level.
The trek is around 14 kilometers long with the major attractions of Manaranjan & Shrivardhan forts on the way. You can cherish some of the best views of the valley from these forts. On your trek, you will go through the forest areas with waterfalls and temples along with many old Buddhist caves.
This trek is a great experience for a beginner who is starting his/her trek for the first time. You can take two different routes for this trek. One starts at Lonavala and the other one from Karat. This trek is quite easy to navigate because of various markers placed around the area.
Best time to trek: June-September
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Also Read: Places to visit in India
The Sandakphu Trek
This is another great trekking place in India located in the state of West Bengal. The Sakdakphu peak is the highest point in the state of West Bengal. For the trekker’s this is one of the great trekking experiences to have.
This beautiful trek is around 45 kilometers long and takes around 9 days to complete. Among the trekking enthusiasts in West Bengal, Sakdakphu is one of their favorite places for trekking. The trek is full of beautiful views of Mount Everest and the Kanchendzenga from the height of 11,000 feet. You will also find many bio-diverse lands of rare species of flora and fauna.
Other popular attractions on your way are the Valley of Poison (because of the poisonous flowers) and the Black Pond which is considered sacred by the Buddhists. Both beginners and experienced trekkers can find this trek to be a fulfilling experience.
Best time to trek: April - May, and October - February
Trekking difficulty: Moderate
Also Read: Things to do in Rishikesh
Chokramudi Trek
This beautiful trek is a great trekking destination for beginners and trekking enthusiasts. The trek is located in the beautiful town of Munnar. One of the greatest features of this trek is that it is available throughout the year.
The trek takes around 7 hours to complete and is a great weekend destination. The trek takes you through the beautiful rivers, forest, and tea plantations surrounded by green hills.
You can start your trek from near Chokramudi mountain. You will find the beauty of an unprecedented view from the highest peak in the entire Western Ghats known as Anamudi. The maximum height you can reach on this trek is 2000 meters above sea level.
Best time to trek: All year
Trekking difficulty: Easy
Also Read: Secret Places in Himachal
Conclusion
These were the best trekking places in India which provide the most amazing trekking experience in terms of the natural beauty it offers. We have not included the famous Roopkund Trek because of the damage caused due to over-tourism.
Every tourist destination is prone to damages that are caused by us. Tourists should be aware of the delicate balance of nature and try not to cause any harm to the environment or plants and animals.
It is common sense that you should not litter in the forests and places of natural beauty. But still, some people continue to throw plastic and other non-biodegradable items in the forest. This continues to be a challenge for the people trying to preserve the beauty of these trekking destinations.
If you are planning a trekking trip then do consider any one of these options for your adventure. Some of the listed trekking destinations might not be the most famous trekking places in India, but they are the best in terms of giving you a satisfying sense of adventure.
This article is originally published in TechTravelHub
