20 Best Himalayan treks you can take this summer!
Are you too looking forward to the summer season with great eagerness? For the snow to melt? For the life to revive again?
Me too!
The snow will begin to melt in the mountains, once again, reviving the beautiful flora it had hidden beneath the frozen ground. The long hibernation of birds and animals in the mountains will finally end.
Everything that had come to a standstill because of winters will be thawed in the pleasant summer sun. The weather will become pleasant, less chilly than it had been in winters. The winds will be less brutal with a puff of summer breeze. And so with the sunshine and the great bursts of leaves growing on the trees, life will begin all over again with the summer.
If you have had enough of snow already and waiting for mountains to be lush again with the greenery, book your seat for the first summer batches of your favorite treks.
1. Hampta Pass
Region: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 4,200 m
Grade: Easy
Days: 5 days
Why this: For the everchanging landscapes. The trek takes you through two contrasting valleys- the lush green Kullu and arid Lahaul Valley. Chandratal, the moon shaped lake on the last day is the ultimate reward.
2. Rupin Pass
Region: Dhaula, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 4,632 m
Grade: Moderate
Days: 8 days
Why this: For its double waterfall and various surprises packed on the trail. The trek ends in Sangla Village which is as mesmerizing as the trek.
3. Kedartal Trek
Region: Gangotri, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 4,750 m
Grade: Moderate
Days: 7 days
Why this: Kedartal is a beautiful glacial lake fed by the snowfall over Mt Thalay Sagar (6,904m), Meru (6,672m), Mt Bhrigupanth (6,772m) and other surrounding peaks. Trek to this beautiful lake while enjoying a pristine and uncrowded trail.
4. Goecha La Trek
Region: Yuksom, Sikkim
Max. Altitude: 4940 m
Grade: Moderate-Difficult
Days: 9 days
Why this: Camping in the foothills of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The flora and fauna in this weather is at the peak of its absolute charm which is why it makes it one of the best seasons to trek to Goecha La.
5. Pin Parvati Pass
Region: Himachal Pradesh and Spiti
Max. Altitude: 5,298 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 10 days
Why this: To get away from the hustle-bustle for a long time. Pin Parvati takes you through an experience that is equal parts mesmerizing and challenging.
6. Vasuki Taal Trek
Region: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 4,880m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 8 days
Why this: This challenging trek makes you walk on glaciers where you get the stunning views of Shivling, Thalay Sagar, Meru, and Bhagirathi i,ii iii. The flora and fauna of the region are not to be missed.
7. Bhrigu Lake
Region: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 4,267 m
Grade: Easy
Days: 4 days
Why this: 14,000 ft in just 2 days. Bhrigu Lake is really for millennials who want to achieve greater heights in lesser time.
8. Beas Kund
Region: Manali, Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 3,700 m
Grade: Easy
Days: 3 days
Why this: Bakarthach, the blissful campsite, is just one of the 12 reasons to trek to Beas Kund. You will get tired of counting all the peaks that are visible from there.
9. Buran Ghati Trek
Region: Janglik, Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 4,590 m
Grade: Challenging
Days: 8 days
Why this: For mountaineers who want to take their trekking feat to the next level. Trek to the Buran Pass and rappel down to the other side. This trek has it all.
10. Bali Pass
Region: Uttarakhand
Max Altitude: 4,950 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 8 days
Why this: Because this is the most virgin trek in the Uttarakhand region. The beauty of this trek is bewitching. It offers the amphitheater views of Swargarohini peaks 1 & 2, Banderpooch and Kala Nag or Black Peak. The main attractions also include meadows of Debshu Bugyal, a beautiful alpine lake of Ruinsara, and Yamnotri Temple.
11. Stok Kangri Trek
Region: Ladakh
Max. Altitude: 6,152 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 8 days
Why this: Stok Kangri is one of the most thrilling trekkable peaks in the Ladakh region of the Himalayas. With stunning views of the Zanskar range to the South and the Karakoram range to the North, the Stok Kangri trek is as astounding as it can get.
12. Dev Kyara Trek
Region: Sankri, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 4,100 m
Grade: Easy
Days: 7 days
Why this: Unarguably the best valley trek in Uttarakhand, the Dev Kyara Trek is an offbeat trek that lies parallel to the Har ki Dun trail. With over 20 waterfalls, monumental meadows, meandering rivers, and a stunning campsite at the base of Mt. Ranglana, the Dev Kyara Trek is out of this world.
13. Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek
Region: Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 4,480 m
Grade: Moderate
Days: 6 days
Why this: With a varied trail of diverse flora and fauna along with fantastic visuals, the trek to Deo Tibba Base Camp is one of the best near Manali ideal for both beginners and experienced trekkers.
14. Baraadsar Lake Trek
Region: Western Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 4,600 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 8 days
Why this: By far the best alternative to the Roopkund Trail, the Baraadsar Lake Trek of Uttarakhand is the best ridge walk in the country with panoramic views of the Garhwal range of the Himalayas in the East and the Kinnaur range to the South. The Lake lies beyond a thrilling summit which shares its border with Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
15. Parang La Trek
Region: Spiti, Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 5,580 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 12 days
Why this: A perfect and legendary crossover trek from the arid landscape of Spiti to the emerald blue high altitude lakes of Tso Moriri in Ladakh across the mighty Parang La Pass. The Parang La Trek is an adventure-packed trek that must be there on every trekker's bucket list.
16. Kang Yatse 2 Trek
Region: Ladakh
Max. Altitude: 6,250 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 12 days
Why this: Rightfully known as the Throne of Markha valley, the Kang Yatse 2 trek is for experienced trekkers only who wish to push their limits. Taking you across the culturally steeped Markha Valley Trail, the summit offers you unparalleled views of the Ladakh, Zanskar and Karakoram range of mountains.
17. Satopanth Lake Trek
Region: Mana, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 4,350 m
Grade: Moderate
Days: 8 days
Why this: Located near the last village before the India-Tibet border, the Satopanth Lake Trek is for adventure lovers who wish to explore the raw beauty of this trek that takes you to the holy lake of Satopanth where Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh are believed to meditate.
18. Kalihani Pass Trek
Region: Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 4,850 m
Grade: Moderate
Days: 8 days
Why this: The best trek near Manali, this trek takes you to Kalihani Pass with legendary views of Mt. Deo Tibba and Mt. Indrasan. The trail takes you across lush meadows with a wide variety of flowers which makes it the Himachal's version of Valley of Flowers. The trek up to the Kalihani Pass over glaciers and moraines makes this trek truly astounding.
19. Auden's Col Trek
Region: Gangotri, Uttarakhand
Max. Altitude: 5,490 m
Grade: Difficult
Days: 16 days
Why this: Unarguably one of the most challenging treks in the Himalayas, the Auden's Col trek is not for the faint-hearted. The trail takes you across spider-wall cliffs, narrow trails, alpine meadows, rough moraines, crevasse infested glaciers, and multiple high passes. This is an adventurer and a thrill seeker's paradise.
20. Pin Bhaba Pass Trek
Region: Himachal Pradesh
Max. Altitude: 4,915 m
Grade: Moderate
Days: 8 days
Why this: A stunning crossover trek from the lush green shepherd's trail of Kinnaur to the stark opposite barren trail of Pin Valley in Spiti, the Pin Bhaba pass trek is an impressive trek with a varied scenery that will steal your heart along with a taxing Pin-Bhaba pass cross making it one of the most glorious treks in the Himalayas.
You can compare the treks based on difficulty grades keeping in mind your endurance and past trekking experience.
Summers is all you should wait for because bookings are open! ;)
