Northern part of India is blessed with the majestic Himalayas, lush green valleys, sparkling rivers, and breathtaking landscapes. Trekking in North India offers an unparalleled experience for adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers. Whether you are a seasoned trekker or a beginner, the Himalayas have something for everyone.
In this blog, I will take you through some of the most beautiful trekking places in North India. Along with the mesmerizing views, you will also find detailed itineraries for each trek, making your adventure planning easier. However I also have to conquer many Trek listed below so experiences will be shared later. So this blog will only provide you information and itinerary.
Table of Contents
- Hampta Pass Trek
- Valley of Flowers Trek
- Roopkund Trek
- Kedarkantha Trek
- Chadar Trek
- Spiti Valley Trek
- Markha Valley Trek
- Pin Parvati Pass Trek
- Kuari Pass Trek
- Har Ki Dun Trek
1. Hampta Pass Trek (Himachal Pradesh)
The Hampta Pass trek is one of the most picturesque treks in Himachal Pradesh. It connects the Kullu Valley to the Lahaul Valley and takes you through lush green meadows, towering snow-clad peaks, and barren landscapes of Spiti.
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start from Manali and drive to Jobra. From Jobra, trek to Chika through the forest, surrounded by pine trees and streams.
- Day 2: Trek from Chika to Balu Ka Ghera, which is known for its sprawling meadows and views of Dhauladhar Range.
- Day 3: This day includes crossing Hampta Pass, a challenging section, and then descending into the Lahaul Valley. Stay overnight at Shea Goru.
- Day 4: Trek from Shea Goru to Chatru, where the Spiti and Lahaul Valleys meet. You will see the dramatic shift in landscape here.
- Day 5: Drive to Chandratal Lake, known for its crystal-clear water and scenic beauty. After spending time at the lake, head back to Manali.
2. Valley of Flowers Trek (Uttarakhand)
Famous for its colorful meadows, the Valley of Flowers trek is perfect for nature lovers. The entire valley comes alive with a variety of flowers during the monsoon season, making it one of the most beautiful treks in North India.
Best Time to Visit: July to September
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start the journey from Haridwar and drive to Joshimath, which serves as the base for the trek.
- Day 2: Drive to Govindghat and start trekking towards Ghangaria, a small village nestled in the mountains.
- Day 3: Trek to the Valley of Flowers and explore the vibrant meadows filled with various species of flora. Return to Ghangaria for an overnight stay.
- Day 4: If you want, you can trek to the sacred Hemkund Sahib, located at a height of 4,300 meters. Return to Ghangaria.
- Day 5: Trek back to Govindghat and drive back to Haridwar.
3. Roopkund Trek (Uttarakhand)
Roopkund, also known as the “Skeleton Lake,” is a high-altitude glacial lake surrounded by mystery. The trek offers dense forests, beautiful campsites, and thrilling ridgelines. This trek is also famous for its challenging nature.
Best Time to Visit: May-June and September-October
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start with a drive from Kathgodam to Lohajung, the base for Roopkund Trek.
- Day 2: Trek through the forests to reach the village of Didina.
- Day 3: Continue trekking to Ali Bugyal, a massive alpine meadow with 360-degree views of the Himalayas.
- Trek across more meadows and ascend to Patar Nachauni, a base for the Roopkund summit.
- Day 5: Climb to Roopkund Lake and witness its mysterious beauty. After exploring, descend back to Bhagwabasa.
- Day 6: Trek back down to Lohajung and rest.
- Day 7: Conclude your trek with a drive back to Kathgodam.
4. Kedarkantha Trek (Uttarakhand)
Kedarkantha is one of the most popular winter treks in India. Don’t get confuse yourself with Kedarnath Temple, it is Kedarkantha. The trek takes you through dense pine forests and offers stunning views of snow-capped peaks, making it perfect for beginners.
Best Time to Visit: December to April
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start from Dehradun and drive to Sankri, the base village for the trek.
- Day 2: Begin the trek through pine and maple forests to reach Juda Ka Talab, a scenic lake.
- Day 3: Trek further to Kedarkantha Base Camp, with spectacular views of the surrounding snow-covered mountains.
- Day 4: Start early for the Kedarkantha summit and enjoy panoramic views of the Himalayas. Descend to Hargaon for an overnight stay.
- Day 5: Trek back to Sankri and drive back to Dehradun.
5. Chadar Trek (Ladakh)
The Chadar Trek, also known as the Frozen River Trek, is one of the most unique treks in the world. Walking on the frozen Zanskar River in Ladakh is a surreal experience, with the dramatic snow-covered landscape all around.
Best Time to Visit: January to February
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Arrive in Leh and spend the day acclimatizing to the high altitude.
- Day 2: Drive to Tilad Do, where the trek begins. Walk on the frozen river and reach Gyalpo for your first camp.
- Day 3: Continue walking along the frozen river to reach Tibb Cave, a natural shelter.
- Day 4: Trek to Naerak, where you will see the famous frozen waterfall.
- Day 5: Retrace your steps and return to Tibb Cave.
- Day 6: Trek back to Gyalpo along the Chadar (frozen sheet of ice).
- Day 7: Finish the trek and drive back to Leh.
6. Spiti Valley Trek (Himachal Pradesh)
Spiti Valley, often called “Little Tibet,” is a cold desert region located in Himachal Pradesh. The valley is known for its stark, barren beauty, ancient monasteries, and rich Tibetan culture. Trekking in Spiti takes you through high-altitude passes, rugged landscapes, and remote villages. Spiti is ideal for those seeking a unique trekking experience with a cultural blend.
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Begin your adventure with a drive from Manali to Kaza, the capital of Spiti.
- Day 2: Spend the day in Kaza to acclimatize to the high altitude. Visit the iconic Key Monastery, one of the largest and oldest in Spiti, and the nearby Kibber Village, one of the highest inhabited villages in the world.
- Day 3: Start your trek from Kaza to the village of Langza, famous for its fossil-rich landscapes.
- Day 4: Trek to Komic, one of the highest villages in Asia, and Hikkim, where you can send a postcard from the world’s highest post office.
- Day 5: Descend to Demul Village, another beautiful hamlet known for its eco-tourism efforts. The trek takes you through stark yet stunning Spiti landscapes.
- Day 6: Trek to Lhalung village, home to one of the oldest monasteries in the region. The Lhalung Monastery is revered for its intricate frescoes and ancient Buddhist relics.
- Day 7: Trek to Dhankar, which houses the famous Dhankar Monastery perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the confluence of the Spiti and Pin Rivers. After exploring, return to Kaza by vehicle.
- Day 8: Conclude your Spiti adventure with a scenic drive back to Manali.
7. Markha Valley Trek (Ladakh)
The Markha Valley trek is one of the most scenic treks in Ladakh, offering views of arid landscapes, rivers, and the towering Kang Yatse peak. You will also experience Ladakhi culture during the trek.
Best Time to Visit: June to September
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Drive to Zingchen and begin the trek to Yurutse, passing through beautiful barren landscapes.
- Day 2: Cross the Ganda La pass and descend into the Markha Valley.
- Day 3: Trek through the valley along the Markha River to the village of Markha.
- Day 4: Continue trekking to Thachungtse, a high-altitude grazing area.
- Day 5: Trek to Nimaling, with stunning views of Kang Yatse Peak.
- Day 6: Cross the Kongmaru La pass, the highest point of the trek, and descend to Shang Sumdo.
- Day 7: Conclude the trek with a drive back to Leh.
8. Pin Parvati Pass Trek (Himachal Pradesh)
The Pin Parvati Pass trek is an adventurous trek that connects the lush green Parvati Valley to the barren Spiti Valley. This trek offers an extraordinary range of landscapes, from dense forests to high-altitude deserts.
Best Time to Visit: July to September
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start with a drive to Barshaini and trek to Kheerganga, known for its hot water springs.
- Day 2: Trek through forests and meadows to reach Tunda Bhuj.
- Day 3: Continue trekking along the Parvati River to Thakur Kuan.
- Day 4: Climb higher to Odi Thach, a vast meadow with stunning views of the surrounding peaks.
- Day 5: Trek to Mantalai Lake, the source of the Parvati River.
- Day 6: Climb further to the base of Pin Parvati Pass.
- Day 7: Cross the high-altitude pass and descend into the Spiti Valley.
- Day 8: Finish the trek at Mudh village and drive to Kaza.
9. Kuari Pass Trek (Uttarakhand)
Also known as the “Curzon Trail,” the Kuari Pass trek is a stunning trek offering views of prominent peaks such as Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, and Kamet. The trek is rich in flora and fauna and provides an exceptional view of the Himalayan range.
Best Time to Visit: April-June and September-November
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start with a scenic drive from Haridwar to Joshimath, which serves as the base for the Kuari Pass trek.
- Day 2: Drive to Auli and start your trek to Guling. Pass through oak and rhododendron forests with the Himalayas as your constant companion.
- Day 3: Trek to Tali Top, a beautiful campsite surrounded by dense forests. The views of Mt. Nanda Devi is mesmerizing from here.
- Day 4: Kuari Pass via Khullara and enjoy panoramic views of the Nanda Devi, Dronagiri, and other peaks. After spending some time at the pass, return to Tali.
- Day 5: Trek back to Auli and drive to Joshimath to conclude your adventure.
10. Har Ki Dun Trek
Har Ki Dun is a cradle-shaped valley in the Western Himalayas, offering enchanting views of snow-clad peaks and alpine meadows. It is also known for its cultural significance, as it is believed to be the route taken by the Pandavas to ascend to heaven.
Best Time to Visit: April to June and September to December
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Drive to Sankri, a picturesque village that serves as the starting point for the trek.
- Day 2: Drive to Taluka, followed by a trek through dense forests and riverside trails to Seema, a small hamlet.
- Day 3: Trek through meadows and pine forests to reach the beautiful Har Ki Dun valley, offering stunning views of Swargarohini peaks.
- Day 4: Explore the valley and enjoy the surrounding beauty before trekking back to Seema.
- Day 5: Trek back to Taluka and drive to Sankri to complete the journey.
Beside the above 10 Trekking places, North India also contains some other beautiful and mesmerizing trekking destinations which are best fit for the beginners. I may now add on some more trek itinerary for my beginner trekker who are now ready to explore the Hills of India.
- Beas Kund Trek (Himachal Pradesh)
The Beas Kund trek is a relatively short trek near Manali. It offers stunning views of peaks like Hanuman Tibba and Friendship Peak. The trek takes you to the source of the Beas River.
Best Time to Visit: May to October
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start from Manali and drive to Dhundi, followed by a trek to Bakarthach, a high-altitude meadow.
- Day 2: Trek to Beas Kund, the glacial lake from where the Beas River originates. After enjoying the serene views, return to Bakarthach.
- Day 3: Trek back to Dhundi and drive to Manali to conclude your adventure.
- Triund Trek (Himachal Pradesh)
The Triund Trek is a short and easy trek near Dharamshala, perfect for beginners or those looking for a weekend getaway. The trek offers beautiful views of the Dhauladhar range and Kangra Valley.
Best Time to Visit: March-June and September-December
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Start from McLeod Ganj and trek to Triund, passing through forests of oak, deodar, and rhododendron.
- Day 2: After enjoying the sunrise and views of the Dhauladhar range, trek back to McLeod Ganj.
- Nag Tibba Trekking (Uttarakhand)
Nag Tibba, meaning the “Serpent’s Peak,” is a lesser-known trek in Uttarakhand. It offers spectacular views of Bandarpunch and other peaks in the Garhwal region.
Best Time to Visit: October to April
Itinerary:
- Day 1: Drive to Pantwari village and begin trekking through forests to reach the Nag Tibba Base Camp.
- Day 2: Hike to the summit of Nag Tibba and enjoy the panoramic views. Afterward, descend to Pantwari and drive back to Dehradun.
Conclusion
North India offers a diverse range of trekking experiences, from easy weekend treks to challenging high-altitude expeditions. Whether you seek scenic beauty, cultural experiences, or thrill, these treks have it all. Make sure to choose the trek that fits your skill level and time, and get ready to explore the pristine beauty of the Himalayas!
Each trek has its own unique charm, offering a chance to connect with nature and test your endurance.
And still you want to know more details about these Trekking places and want to contact me for more info. you can go through my contact me page or you can also get connected on my socials like Instagram and Youtube.
As always, I am your trekking guide whether you know me or not. So, Happy trekking!
Also Read: Wonderful Places of Kerala One Must Visit