From Gen Z to Millennials, everyone loves trekking. When it comes to India, every peak or top of a mountain is beautifully designed and crafted by nature with snow, surrounded by lush green forests, hilly rocks, endangered species, trees, and flowers. Every Indian wants to take part in this adventure and thrill, which will create lifetime memorable experiences for them. Here are the top 5 destinations mentioned below:
- Valley of Flowers Trek: It’s a UNESCO-declared World Heritage Site, spread over an area of 87 sq km in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and divided by two cores, one is the Valley of Flowers and the other is the Nanda-Devi National Park. This was accidentally found in 1931 by three British mountaineers, and they named it the Valley of Flowers. A beautiful, mesmerizing valley unveils vibrant alpine meadows, gushing waterfalls, and snow-draped peaks. Valley of Flowers is a monsoon trek, offers a breathtaking rain-washed landscape, accompanied by the Alaknanda. It is a pleasant walk through lush greenery, streams, and hillside hamlets. “The Forest Research Institute in 1992 recorded 600 species of angiosperms and 30 pteridophytes in the valley and surroundings, discovering 58 new records for the valley, of which 4 were new for the Himalayan state.”
The best time to visit is July to September.
Route: Dehradun-Govindghat via Joshimath-Ghangaria-Valley of Flowers.
- Hampta Pass Trek: Named after the Hamta village, Hampta Pass works as a corridor Himalayas between the Chandra Valley in Lahaul and the Kullu valley of Himachal Pradesh, India. Situated at a height of 4270 m (14039 ft) in the Pir Panjal range in the Himalayas, this thrilling passage connects the lush green valleys of Kullu with the arid landscapes of Lahaul and Spiti. Standing at the top of the pass, Deo Tibba, Mt. Indrasen, and Hanuman Tibba are some visible peaks. In this trek, trekkers are expected to complete their journey through a diverse range of landscapes, from dense forests of pine and oak to vast stretches of alpine meadows dotted with vibrant wildflowers.
The best time to visit is June to September.
Route: Manali to Joba, followed by a trek from Joba to Chika-Balu ka Ghar- Hampta Pass.
- Har Ki Doon Trek: Also known as the “Valley of Shiva,” located in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. The valley is beautifully surrounded by alpine vegetation and is extremely rich in Flora and Fauna. This valley also offers stunning views of Jaundhar Glacier, Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini Peaks I & II, and the Black Peak. Trekking through these forests, explorer can collect their thoughts while viewing oaks, pines, and deodars lining their routes, proving to be a charming setting. Har Ki Doon Trek starts from Sankri, which is a small town found inside the wildlife sanctuary called Govind National Park, and goes on to other beautiful villages such as Taluka, Osla, Dhatmeer, Dharkot, and Gangad. Regarding this trek, a mythological belief suggests that the Pandavas from the Epic Mahabharata followed this route to Swargarohini Peak to reach the heavens.
The best time to explore this trek is from May to June and September to November.
Route: From Dhatmeer trek to Gangaad- Kalkatiya Dhar via Osla- Har ki Doon.
- Kashmir Great Lake Trek: As the name suggests, this trek covers the seven great lakes of Kashmir: Vishansar Lake, Krishansar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake, Gangabal Lake, Nundkol Lake, and Yamsar Lake. This is a seven-day trek, starts from the northeast of Srinagar, covers a total distance of 74 km, and reaches altitudes from 7,800 ft to 13,750 ft. This location is the home for flora and fauna. Trekkers encounter a wide variety of vibrant blooming flowers like daisies and blue poppies, as well as wildlife and migratory birds. They need to cross high-altitude passes like Gadsar Pass, Zaj Pass, and Nichnai Pass that offer unbeatable views and make the journey more thrilling.
The best time to cover this is July to September.
Route: Srinagar to Sonmarg-Nichnai through Shekdur-Vishansar- Gadsar via Gadsar Pass-Satsar-Gangabal Lake through Satsar Pass-Narang via point-Srinagar.
- Kolukkumalai Peak Trek: Located in Munnar, in the state of God’s own country, Kerala, popular for the world’s highest tea estate, standing at a height of 7,735ft. The tea factory here, which started in the early 1900s, still uses ancient methods for its production. It offers wide scenic destinations, including Neela Kurinji View Point. This trek is also famous for the sunrise experience. Visitors also get a chance to see Common Blackbird, Grey Wagtail, Hill Myna, Nilgiri Langur, Indian Giant Squirrel, Saffron, Silver Oak Trees, and Neela Kurunchi.
The best time to cover this is April-May and June-September.
Route: Kolukkumalai is only accessible by jeeps because of the rugged terrain. Walking up this route is not permitted. Jeeps are available from the town of Suryanelli, and it takes you about 2 hours to reach the drop-off point. Kolukkumalai Sunrise Trek can be divided into two sections as mentioned below:
- Trek up to the Kolukkumalai Sunrise View-point.
- Walk downhill from the Sunrise Viewpoint to the Tiger-faced Rock.
