For only a brief time, Himalayas turn from a sturdy enigma into an adorable fairytale land, as the aftermath of the rainy months brings autumn season in India. In the two months of autumn, from late September to early November, the washed-out atmosphere leaves the Himalayan terrain with clear skies and bewitching shades of yellow and orange.
Although an unpopular opinion, but take it from the experts that October and its bordering months make up one of the best times for trekking in the Himalayas. Traversing the slopes of a dreamy wonderland, nipping the air while relishing the crisp distant view of pinnacles is the picture to expect on a trek in October in India.
The season of fall is also the time when all the treks that remain closed either in winter or rainy season are accessible. Thus, autumn is the perfect time for planning a trek adventure in the Himalayan states.
Though there are countless treks to think of, contemplating them only makes it harder to choose. So, skip that part with this list of best autumn treks in India for you to include in October; each a beauty on its own. These moderate-level treks include ones from Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim, serving the best experiences of the Himalayas in autumn.
Trekking through unpaved trails, green thickets, open meadows, and rugged landscapes; passing through rivers and waterfalls, witnessing locals and their unconventional ways, while camping and experiencing the stunning landscapes of Himalayan peaks behind rolling ridges makes the Rupin Pass Trek an ultimate pleasure for all.
This trans-Himalayan trek is a cross-over journey where for a while you may be pushing yourself up on the steep ascends and suddenly find yourself frolicking in the meadows. Every turn taken on the Rupin Pass Trek uncovers a whole new experience which makes it one of the best Himalayan treks for adrenaline junkies.
To reach the top of the knife-edged Rupin Pass, trekkers undertake a mind-boggling journey tracing along the Rupin River and passing to remote regions like Jiskun, Saruwas Thatch, & the hanging village Jakha. The Rupin Pass trek is of about six days and reaches an altitude of around 15,250 feet (4,650 metres).
The most sacred river in Hinduism, Ganga, originates from the snout of the Gangotri glacier called Gaumukh or Gomukh. The trek to this point is one of the most rewarding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas region. The GomukhTapovan trek follows Bhagirathi River, headstream of the Ganga River, unveiling some unforgettable landscapes of the Great Himalayas.
The trek begins and ends in the holy town of Gangotri, with a route that passes through verdant jungle, and lovely open lands, taking you to the magnificent valleys surrounded by some giant Himalayan peaks. The highest points in the trek, Gomukh-Tapovan, remind the littleness of our mundane lives as we get the bottom-to-the-top view of two massive summits of Gangotri region, the Shivlinga peak and Bhagirathi sisters peaks.
Gomukh Tapovan treks open up a trail with rocky patches, moraine crossings, steep ascents, gradual rises, and glacier walks. The religious essence of this place also attracts many Hindu devotees from across the country.
Kedar kantha is indeed one of the most popular winter treks in the Himalayas, but people miss out on the calmness it has during autumn. The top gives a clean and clear 360-degree of Himalayas and deep lush valleys canvassing the landscape into serenity. The continuous soothing wind keeps appreciating the will of hikers until you return to the base camps.
The 10 kilometres of up-trek traverses through rich thickets and opens up into an open alpine meadow at its highest point. From there, trekkers get the rare perspective of rolling Himalayan peaks from a matched height. The campsite along the trail offers some marvellous settings for you to relax and enjoy the company of your fellow trekkers.
Moreover, it is best to do this Himalayan trek in October as the Kedarkantha ascend puts-up less difficulty in the month of October than winter months, making it a perfect trek done with family, especially with children. Completing this trek surely brings a sense of achievement.
Brahmatal trek is one of the few moderate level trekking destinations in India where you get a wonderful 360-degree view of the Himalayan summits. The trek is named after a small pond named Brahmatal down the summit which remains solitary from the world. Brahmatal peak top is an extended summit ridge that creates a beautiful roll for an absolutely perfect photograph.
While the view from the top is an absolute beauty, the trek is also much more adventurous. The trail follows a dense thicket of rhododendrons and oak trees that only opens up in the campsite regions.
The summit point, also called Jhandi top, is the centre point of the extended ridge from where you get a view of numerous notable peaks of Kumaon and Garhwal regions. Also, the clear skies after monsoon make autumn the best time to ascend this staggering place.
Mt. Trishul and Mt Ghunti stay as a companion throughout the trek while other peaks like Mt. Mana, Mt. Neelkanth, and Mt Chaukhamba emerge as soon as you reach the top. Brahmatal is also one of the treks that allow camping much closer to the peak.
Ali Bedni Bugyal trek is a unique trail full of mountain beauty and bewitching autumn landscapes. From late September to October, the meadows are bright, clear and the sight is filled with beautiful colours. This trek is easy to moderate thus it is a perfect family or kids favourable trek. The meadows are surrounded by Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti which is very beautiful to watch. The trek is a must for mountain lovers as the Bedni Top has a view of the Chaukhamba range. It is also one of the halts of Nanda Devi Raj Jaat Yatra, a religious fair which takes place once in twelve years in Uttrakhand. It is also surrounded by coniferous forest and a small lake known as Vaitarani or BediniKund further enhancing the beauty of the area. The Nanda Ghunti and Trishul mountains offer Tarpans along with a small temple adding to the religious beauty of the place. BedniBugyal is also one of the main halts for the Roopkund trek and provides an excellent place to camp at high altitudes in the Garhwal region.
Just the sight of the world's third highest mountain, Kanchenjunga, and perhaps the clearest one, on the Goecha La trek, is enough to make one want to do this Himalayan trek in October. Present in the north-eastern state of India, Sikkim, the course of this trek leads the traveller through the Kanchenjunga National Park which is included in the UNESCO list of the world heritages and some rather secluded Sikkimese villages that are located beyond the doorways of the Himalayan gorges. One can always get some peeps into local culture and traditions in India while on a trekking trip.
Some of the major attractions of this trek include the spectacular view of sunrise on the Kanchenjunga mass, especially ViewPoint 1 and Dzongri. The clouds and mountains give the horizon for the sun to rise and set in the sky.
The trek also goes through Samiti Lake, an alpine lake with crystal-clear water, especially after rains in autumn, which reflects the image surrounding mountains. The Goechala trek normally begins at Yuksom and it is a major trekking route with the major halt destinations being Sachen, Tshoka, Dzongri, Thansing, Lamuney and Goechala. It usually lasts for 10-11 days; tourists visit suspension bridges, monasteries, and have a rest near waterfalls and mountain streams.
The Kuari Pass Trek, also known as the 'Lord Curzon Trail', begins from SeluBagar and winds through villages like Ramni and Jhinjhi, where you can witness the vibrant culture of the Himalayan tribes. The trek in the Garhwal Himalaya is a popular adventure, offering a unique opportunity to experience India's tallest mountains, such as Mt Nanda Devi, Mt Dronagiri, and Mt Hathi Parbat. The trail ascends to Jhinjhi village, where you can visit a Ganesha temple and then Pana village, offering panoramic views of peaks like Nanda Ghunti and Chaukhamba.
The Kuari Pass is the pinnacle of the trek, offering an unrivalled view of the surrounding Himalayan ranges. The trek is suitable for beginners due to its well-defined paths and gradual elevation gain, making it an ideal introduction to high-altitude trekking. Kuari pass makes it to the list of best autumn treks especially for its breathtaking vistas at every turn during the months of fall. Camping in locations like Chitrakantha and Khullara meadow with Mt. Dronagiri in the background further enhances the trek's appeal.
Though Chopta Trek is known for its lush meadows that transform into a serene winter landscape akin to Switzerland, the autumn beauty here is overwhelmingly beautiful too. The thrilling Chopta-Chandrashila Trek passes through the stunning rolling landscapes of the Garhwal region of Dev-Bhoomi Uttarakhand. Starting near Sari village, the trek passes through Chopta and Tungnath before reaching Chandrashila Peak. It is the part of Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary that offers a breathtaking view of the surrounding Himalayan peaks, making it a photographer's dream.
This journey not only offers an unforgettable Himalayan adventure but combines natural beauty and adventure with spirituality. Also having the world's highest Shiva temple, Tungnath, a part of this trek, binds this expedition in a spiritual string. Chandrashila trek, though challenging you with some steep 600-ft ascent, is not extremely demanding for most of its parts. And it still manages to give you an awesome view of some of the most notable mountains in Uttarakhand, such as Nanda Devi, Trishul, Kamet, Dunagiri, Chaukhamba, and more.
The trek route is finely paved and has a stop for snacks and drinks in the middle. The soaring avifauna and wavy meadow grass in autumn make it a perfect trek for biophilias and birdwatchers. We recommend starting early on this trek for a stunning sunrise from Tungnath.
DayaraBugyal, a breathtaking meadow in Uttarakhand, is a popular trekking destinationfor autumn. Starting from Barsu village, the trek offers picturesque trails with amber-hued meadows of autumn and dense forests of maple, oak, pine, and bamboo. The hike is easy for beginners and offers stunning views of the Greater Himalayan range, including peaks like Bandarpunch, Kala Nag, and Bhagirathi. The first campsite, Barnala Meadow, features nomadic settlements and a serene skiing track in winter. At an elevation of over 10,000 feet, Dayara Bugyal offers stunning views of the Gangotri range, with summits like Srikanth, Jaonli, and Draupadi Ka Danda within reach. The meadows are known for their vibrant display of alpine flowers, especially during summer. The trek continues to Lambi Dhar, where it descends through dense forests to the valley floor, crossing the river Dodigad before reaching the beautiful Dodital Lake. DayaraBugyal is known for its natural beauty and religious significance.
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