Which are the best treks for summers in India? Is this the question hovering in your mind and have no idea which would be the best choice and where to go? It’s never easy to choose a trek when there are a plethora of picturesque destinations throughout India. There are mighty Himalayan peaks in the Northern region, breathtaking mountains in the northeast, magnificent Sahyadri in the west and serene Western Ghats and Nilgiris in the south. Picking up the right choice from these varieties of options for summer is a cumbersome task. There are also numerous other factors like duration, weather, terrain and topography, which makes it even more difficult for a trekker to decide. So, I have put down a few splendid treks from throughout India to help you choose the best trek for the summer.
But before plunging on to the treks, you should know how to choose the right trek. To choose the right trek, keep these three factors in mind.
Markha Valley trek is the most sought after trekking destination in Ladakh. The trek will take you through the picturesque arid cold desert valley from where you will get the scenic view of Ladakh and Zanskar Ranges. Markha Valley trek is also known as tea house trek as you get accommodation in the Parachute Tents.
The features which give this trek a unique fervour are Hemis National Park, deep river crossing sections, Buddhist Villages and Rocky Canyons. This trek also involves crossing two passes Gandala La (15748 ft) and Kongmaru La, (17,060 ft). With such varied topography, Markha Valley is one of the best summer treks in India.
Best Season: The best time to Do Markha Valley trek is from mid-May to early September.
Nestled at an altitude of 16207 ft Goecha La is one of the best Himalayan treks in Sikkim. It is known for the grand view of the mighty Kanchenjunga and 14 other peaks. Another attraction on this trek is Samiti Lake, with still water. The reflection of Mt. Pandim in the lake, especially in the morning is a treat. The scenic trail passes through the lush green Kanchenjunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, rich in a variety of flora and fauna. It is a delightful walk through the wooden log trails of this forest. If you are looking for best trekking route in India, Goecha la is the one.
Best Season: Mid-March to May and Mid-September to November is the best time to do Goecha la trek.
Har Ki dun is one of the most beautiful treks in Uttarakhand. It is a cradle-shaped valley with a variety of flora and fauna and accessible through the high altitude Govind National Park. The valley is surrounded by lush green meadows, dense pine forest and offers a scenic view of the Himalayan peaks of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch and Black Peak. During the trek, you can spot black bears, wild boars, barasingha and the colourful Himalayan Monal, the state bird of Uttarakhand. The changing scenic vistas of Har Ki Dun Trek are the major attractions of this trekking expedition.
Best Season: April to June and September to November is the best time to do Har Ki Doon trek.
If you want to trek on lush green meadows and reach a high altitude glacial lake in just 4 days, Bhrigu lake trek is the best trekking destination. Bhrigu Lake is a high altitude glacial lake located at 14,009 ft near Manali in Himachal Pradesh. The lake changes its colour every week. Sometimes it’s completely frozen, at times royal blue. At other times green. The highlights of the trek are its high altitude alpine meadows, which you get to see from the first day of the trek. These lush green meadows stretch far and wide with a panoramic view of the Himalayas. From these meadows, you can glance at the famous Hanuman Tibba and Seven Sisters Peak.
Best Season: May to October is the best trekking season to do Bhrigu Lake trek.
Hampta Pass trek is one of those treks where there is a sudden change in the scenery. The scenery changes from lush green meadows to barren land to pass full of snow. From the pass, you have a splendid view of two sides. On one side is the lush green Kullu Valley and opposite to it is the Lahaul valley. Added to this are its beautiful campsites- the lush green meadows of Jawara campsite, the picturesque riverside camp of Balu Ka Ghera, the oasis Shea Goru and Jobra on the side of the vast forest.
If you are looking for some summer adventure near Manali, Hampta Pass trek is definitely a great choice for trekking in Indian Himalayas.
Best Season: The month of June, July, September and the first week of October are the best months to enjoy one of the best trekking routes in the Himalayas.
Gaumukh Tapovan Trek is a different trekking experience. On this trek, you get to see rare scenic views which you don’t see on other treks in the Himalayas. View of Mt. Shivling from the Tapovan Campsite is one among them. It is a rare sight because you can see stunning Mt. Shivling from head to toe, standing tall in front of you.
Another highlight of this trek is magnificent Gomukh glacier, the second largest glacier of India. It is the source of the holy river Ganga and is nearly 24 km long and 8 km wide. Passing this glacier is an experience of a lifetime. With those rare views and second largest glacier, Gomukh Tapovan is definitely one of the best adventure treks for trekking in the Himalayas.
Best Season: May to mid-June or September-October is the best time to do this trek.
Kedartal is a high altitude glacial lake located at an altitude of 15,600 ft in the Garhwal Himalayas. Trek to this lake is an arduous one hence require a considerable amount of fitness. Still, it’s worth as it gives you a magical hiking and trekking experience.
On this trek, you get a magnificent view of the snow-capped Himalayan Peaks of Mt Thalay Sagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Mandar Parvat, Mt Jogin and Mt Gangotri. View of peaks from such a close distance is what you won’t get on the other treks. Adding to the beauty of this trek is the trail through majestic pine forests. This trail opens at high altitude pasture land where you can see a herd of sheep grazing. The diverse scenic views, mighty Himalayan peaks and the lake itself make this a stunning trek in India.
Best Season: The best time to do this trek is from mid-May – mid-June or September – October.
Located at an altitude of 12,772 feet, Beas Kund is a high altitude alpine lake near the bustling town of Manali. It is believed that the great saint Rishi Vyas used to take his daily bath in the lake. It is possible that the name of the lake has been derived from the word Vyas.
This trek is located at the base of numerous Himalayan peaks – Friendship Peak, Shitidhar Peak, Ladakhi Peak and Hanuman Tibba. It is the place where mountaineers begin their expedition to these peaks. Just below these massive mountains are the lush green grasslands of Dhundi and Bakharthatch. Due to its easy level and short duration, it is a perfect choice for beginners during summer.
Best Season: May to July and September to October are the best months to do Beas Kund trek.
Dayara Bugyal is one of those treks, which is a delight in both summers and winters. In summer months, you trek on lush green meadows of Dayara whereas in winter these meadows are covered with a thick layer of snow. It is considered one of the most picturesque alpine meadow treks in India.
Bugyal in the local language is known as “High Altitude Pasture Land”. This high altitude pasture land stretches far and wide with a splendid view of the Himalayas on its side. Traversing through the meadow, you come across the mighty Himalayan peaks- Gangotri peak, Srikanth peak, Bandarpoonch and Black Peak.
Dayara Bugyal is an excellent choice for summer due to is close proximity, lush green meadows and easy trail.
Best Season: This trek can be done around the year except for monsoon.
Summers can be a compelling time to head to the mountains and find your own adventure, and these treks mentioned above can be the right way to give you that kick start.
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