Himalayan Treks

Valley of flowers national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, situated at an altitude of 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, located in Uttarakhand State known for its most captivating meadows and endemic species of Alpine flowers. The park, open from June to September, offers a fantastic panoramic view with a vibrant green background, landscapes, skylines and cascading waterfalls. This valley was discovered by Frank S Smythe in the year 1931. Nature lovers, botanist, photographers, mountaineers all come to the valley of flowers from across the globe. The clouds, the high-altitude mountains and abundant waterfalls make this place a perfect go. As the clouds start coming down, you can barely see the enormous glacier to the right of and below. While you could spot a lot of familiar flowers, you will also witness some never before seen varieties of alpine flowers. For most of the year, the valley lies coated under layers of snow. It only opens up for nature enthusiasts in summer & monsoon. It's a paradise with beautiful and rare flowers everywhere. A base camp is a place named Ghangharia, where you can stay in hotels or tents. These are just functional accommodations without any luxurious frills. Once you enter the valley, the fragrance of flowers will quickly give you relief from tiredness. The valley in itself is 4-5 km inside and there are many points to enjoy the views. This is a good trek for those interested in bird watching, botany and nature in general. The beauty of the "Valley of Flowers National Park" and "Shri Hemkund Sahib" cannot be expressed in words and hence we recommend this at least once in a lifetime experience. read more read less

Har ki Dun, which means Valley of Gods, is situated deep inside Govind Pashu National park. Rich in flora and fauna, the trails are quite often covered in different shades of orchids and other wild flowers. The area was made popular by the Doon school master Jack Gibson after his Banderpunch expeditions. Har Ki Dun Valley is a cradle-shaped hanging valley in the Garhwal Himalayas. It is surrounded by snow-covered peaks and alpine vegetation. It is connected to Baspa Valley by the Borasu Pass. Har Ki Dun is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Western Himalayas. From Har ki Dun one can see the entire North Face of Swargarohini (6,252 m) peak. The legends associated with it say that Swargarohini is the path to heaven that was followed by Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata. Though, the same story is also associated with the Swargarohini steps seen from Satopanth Lake, which lies ahead of Badrinath. Har Ki Dun trek is a classy river valley trail and it has never lost its charm to trekkers all over the world. Walking through the widespread valley, the remote villages, local lifestyle, culture and hospitality are not to be missed. The sunrise and sunset at Har Ki Dun needs special mention. Ample amount of snow makes it a compelling choice. Walking towards Marinda Tal/Jaundar glacier on the exploration day ignites the adrenaline in an adventurous mind. A winter wonderland and trekkers delight, the Har Ki Dun Trek is a stairway to heaven that will make you fall for its beauty. The thing that makes it an alluring trek is its accessibility both in summer as well as winter season. Har Ki Dun catchment area is a  major source of Yamuna River System and a main source of the largest tributary of Yamuna, the Tons river. ( Har Ki Dun and Ruinsara Nallah forms the beautiful Tamosa river near Osla. Tamosa flowing beside Taluka and below to Sankri merges with Supin River near Jakhol. Rupin and Supin combined together at Netwar forms the Tons River). This glacier carved spectacular valley is an amphitheatre ringed up by high spurs of rocky Himalayan range. Summer and monsoon brings life to this National park area and remains snow-covered in winter. Accessible for a longer duration of the year and Tea-Houses at Taluka, Seema and Har Ki Dun are compelling factors for many beginners to explore this route. Other attractions include the temple at Osla which is dedicated to Duryodhana, it was built by the inhabitants of Saur. It is about 13km from Sankri which lies on the steep mountain trail to Har Ki Dun. It is a 5,000-year formation of wooden chambers that are carved elegantly. This trek is heaven for nature lovers, adventure seekers and also shutterbugs. You can even spot various species of birds that thrive in this region. A mixture of exploration and adventure, trek and capturing some thrilling pictures on the trail is an experience of a lifetime.   read more read less

One of the best places in India to enjoy the beauty of the mighty Hiamalayas. Pindari Galcier is located in the Bageshwar distict in Kumaon region state of Uttarakhand. For those who want to try their hand at adventure, this is the right place to do it. Best thing about this trek is the terrain is without litter and crowds. Traversing through thick forests with Pine, Rhododendron and Oak trees also you can enjoy crossing revulets along the way. The trail to the glacier takes you through a string of picturesque villages, Khati is the last inhabited village on the trail. Waterfalls, hanging valleys and jagged cliffs greet you at zero point where the trek ends. read more read less

The Deoriatal-Chandrashila summit is one of the most beautiful Garhwal Himalayan treks that you can start with. Trekking through dense jungle trails, the snow-capped mountains are truly something to watch. The Chopta Tungnath and Chandrashila trail goes through the scenic beauty of the place on each step of the trek. The forests bloom with rhododendrons and beautiful green grassland. Reaching the summit, you can experience the gallery of stunning snow peaks all the way and a spectacular view of the Himalayan peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kedarnath and many more! The Chandrashila summit trek, is considered as one of the easy to moderate level treks in the Indian Himalayan region, located in Uttarakhand. We recommend this trek to all nature lovers. The trek is easy but needs preparation beforehand for beginners. Also called the Mini Switzerland of India as the beauty of the green plain mountains on the top will make you feel like heaven on earth. read more read less

Another jewel of the Himalayas which is a favourite among the trekkers around the world is the Brahmatal Trek. Trek to Brahmatal, a lake where Lord Brahma is said to have meditated as per mythology is one of the few treks which are possible in the months of winter when most of the trekking routes are closed. Brahmatal trek is an easy to go winter trek offering almost all you can think of in a winter trek destination. Brahmatal trek is a great winter option. The trail of this trek is entirely covered in snow and is paradise for snow lovers. The uneven terrain, the beautiful landscapes and sprawling forests and a mesmerizing view of the Himalayas. Never ending ridge lines, high altitude lakes, majestic peak views and fresh snow on the trail are compelling propositions for the Brahmatal winter trek. During winter, weather normally remains clear and the panoramic beauty of the surroundings is unmatched. Adequate amount of snow is another reason that this is getting popular in recent years. In spring the trail is bountiful with Rhododendron blossoms while the last patches of snow start melting. Since Brahmatal hasn't attracted a lot of crowds, it is still majorly untouched and serene. read more read less

Trekking in the Himalayas is always a lifetime experience, with mixed feelings, strenuous, but in the end a wonderful experience with lots of memories. The scenic landscape changes its nature gradually offering a visual delight to the trekkers. The horizon is filled with the infinities of the sky and a unique tranquility surrounds the atmosphere. You can hear the sound of the wind and feel the true power of nature which is otherwise lost in a hustling city life. All you feel at that moment is completely ‘humbled’ in front of Mother Nature. The route of the Hampta pass through delightful alpine pastures, snowfields offers magnificent views of peaks such as Mount Indrasan (6221 mtr), Mount Deotibba ( 6001 mtr ) and the other side of the valley known as the Spiti Valley in Lahaul District . The trail has a rich flora and fauna with forests of cedar, fir, walnut, oak etc. and colorful birds. read more read less

Kedarkantha Trek is one classic gem of winter treks in Garhwal Himalayas that never stops to attract trekkers with mesmerising views along the climb up to its summit point. There are a total of 13 peaks of the Himalayan range visible from the Kedarkantha peak. There are many mythological stories surrounding Kedarkantha. It is believed that the temple Kedarnath was originally located here, but while disturbed by the villagers, the Pandavas went away from the place to the present Kedarnath location. Local people believe that the place is still the residing place of the lord. Based in Western Garhwal in the Uttarakashi district, the Kedarkantha Trek is known for being one of the easy treks of the country which can be attended by people who are inexperienced trekkers and have no knowledge of prior trekking. This trek is easily accessible any time of the year and gives trekkers a different serene experience in different seasons. In winters this trek is spectacularly beautiful, also what it is famous for. The trek passes through the Govind national park and gives you ample time to soak in the vast beauty of this reserved area. The view from the top offers a spectacular panorama of the region all around. Other lesser known peaks of the Supin Range, villages located nearby, valleys of Himachal and Garhwal. From the top of the Kedarkantha Summit, you can also view the Dhauladhar range of Himachal Pradesh, The Rupin valley, Har Ki Dun valley and views that go down to the dense settlement of Purola. You will get to see Godly peaks like Swargarohini, Black Peak, and Bandarpoonch during Kedarkantha and come back absolutely thrilled and refreshed. The best time to do Kedarkantha Trek (for snow) is December to February. The highlights of Kedarkantha trek are: The beautiful campsites, snow-covered pine forests, 360-degree view of the mountains, Saud Village (traditional way of life without modern technologies), Juda Ka Talab is a mesmerising pond, surrounded by lush pastures, and forests of maple, oak and Morinda spruce trees and the chance to stand on top of one of the easiest trekkable peaks in the Himalayas. With charming and captivating sights of snow capped Himalayas, the verdant greenery, lush landscapes, myriad collection of flora, frozen ponds, to the sights of mesmerizing peaks, this trek has all the delightful marvels that a trekker wishes to experience and view in his journey. However physical fitness is required where one should be able to jog for at least 4 kms in 30 minutes before committing for the trekking tour. As the altitude rises, the air becomes thin and people need to carry backpacks too, which can all be very difficult, without proper physical fitness. The trekkers are rewarded with magical views, exhilarating experiences and delightful moments!   read more read less

Stok Kangri is the highest mountain in the Stok range of the Himalayas in the Ladakh region. The peak is located in Hemis National Park, at 6153 metres (20187 ft) above sea level. The peak is located in Hemis National Park, 12 km south-west of the trail-head in the village of Stok and around 15 km southwest of the city of Leh. Despite its high altitude, Stok Kangri is a popular trekking peak in Ladakh. This is the world's highest treckable peak. This is a really good tracking peak in summer but in winter it becomes difficult to climb. This trek embraces deserted surroundings and offer its trekkers the opportunity to experience complete peace of mind. Travel to Leh - Ladakh will always be a cherished experience. The monasteries leave you speechless. But it is advised that one should take complete rest for the first 48 hours after reaching the city as its located at high altitudes and the levels of oxygen is low hence your body needs time to adjust to the environment. Besides monasteries, it's famous for the Magnet Mountain that is one of the popular tourist attractions. The mountain has magnet elements due to which your car will start moving on its own even if it is out of gas. Pangong Lake is also a famous lake to be visited at the outskirts which is half in India and has its other Half in China. The lake changes its colour at every hour of the day. To watch the clear water of the Indus River is simply an experience in itself. If you visit Leh don't forget to shop at the Tibetan market and also don't miss an opportunity to see the palace. read more read less

Satopanth Tal (Lake) is a hidden treasure of Uttarakhand, Situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand state. The Satopanth Tal has the summit at an altitude of 4600 meters ( 15100ft ). The trek to this unique place begins at Mana Village (last village of India) near Badrinath. Many people believe that Hindu holy trinity of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva take a bath here on auspicious days. Satopanth Lake is roughly in between 3 giant peaks Mt. Chaoukhamba, Mt Neelkanth, and Mt Balakun. This same route that the Pandavas took during their journey to heaven at the end of Mahabharata. Throughout your journey, green mountains, deep blue sky and innumerable glaciers will accompany you. During night weather is good if the sky is clear and moonlight on peaks made them more beautiful. This unique lake remains under snow from the end of September to end of June. read more read less