From towering Himalayan peaks to sprawling meadows dotted with wildflowers, the best treks in India offer enchanting forest trails, picture-perfect campsites, and lush green valleys adorned with vibrant wildflowers. Snow-studded peaks and ethereal glacial lakes in turquoise and emerald green add to the breathtaking landscapes. Trekking in India is an unparalleled experience. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned trekker, the Indian Himalayas present some of the most picturesque trails complemented by majestic mountain vistas.
The Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, and Ladakh cater to trekkers of all levels, offering a plethora of options to explore the best treks in India.
If you are a beginner, there are easy beginner-friendly treks with stunning mountainscapes and dreamlike forest trails. For adventure seekers, India boasts of thrilling high-altitude, and crossover treks, climbing to an altitude above 15000ft.
While the list of the best treks will be endless, stunning views of the Himalayan peaks, adventurous and diverse trail experience, along with easy accessibility qualify these 10 treks as the best treks in India.
Let’s delve further and discover the best trekking places in India to explore in 2024. Each trek unravels unique and exquisite landscapes and boasts the prettiest campsites, mesmerizing summit views and captivating trails.
Here is a list of the 10 best treks in India
- Dayara Bugyal Trek
- Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
- Goecha La Trek
- Rupin Pass Trek
- Sandakphu Trek
- Roopkund Trek
- Buran Ghati Trek
- Valley of Flowers Trek
- Pin Bhaba Pass Trek
- Great Meadows of India Trek
1. Dayara Bugyal Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 4 days/3 nights
Difficulty Level – Easy
Altitude – 11870 ft./3617 m
Dayara Bugyal in Uttarakhand is one of the best treks in India for beginners. Dayara Bugyal is an all-year trek as it offers distinct experiences across the seasons, all charming and unique on their way. Summer in Dayara welcomes trekkers to a lush green spread of alpine meadows dotted with tiny wildflowers against the formidable backdrop of stunning Himalayan peaks. Gangotri Ranges, Bandarpuch, Kalanag, and Shrikanth appear right in front of you. A picture-perfect sight that you wish to capture for a lifetime.
The trail begins in the remote village of Barsu surrounded by snow-studded Shirkanth and Gangotri ranges. Dayara Bugyal remains comfortable throughout the year. Navigating Dayara Bugyal In winter becomes trickier. The lush green meadows remain enwrapped in a dreamy white cloak as snow covers the entire Dayara Bugyal.
Explore Dayara Bugyal in summer to witness the riot of colours as wildflowers bloom throughout the trail. Plan the trek in winter if you wish to experience snow in abundance.
2. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek
Location – Kashmir
Duration – 8 days/7nights
Difficulty Level – Moderate
Altitude – 13800 ft./4206 m
Touted as one of the prettiest treks in India, the Kashmir Great Lakes (KGL) trek takes you to awe-inspiring glacial lakes, mesmerising valleys, and dreamlike campsites and landscapes that remain etched on your mind and soul for life. Kashmir Great Lakes is one of the best treks in India you must not miss.
The trail offers an epiphanic moment as you navigate from one campsite to the next, with the views getting increasingly beautiful. Trekking in Kashmir is an experience that truly exemplifies why it is called ‘Heaven on Earth.’ Every step you take, every pass you cross, and every meadow traverse brings immense joy and contentment for embarking on a journey to Kashmir Great Lakes.
It is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque treks in India, and if you’re looking for a must-do trek with magical landscapes between July and September, the Kashmir Great Lakes has to feature on your bucket list.
3. Goecha La Trek
Location – Sikkim
Duration – 8 days/7 nights
Difficulty Level – Difficult
Altitude – 15100 ft./4602 m
Goecha La Trek in Sikkim fascinates you with a spectacular view of India’s highest peak, Mt Kanchenjunga.
Categorized as a difficult trek, suitable for experienced trekkers, the trail traverses enchanting forests with rhododendrons sprouting in vibrant hues. Goechala turns into a colourful forest with age-old rhododendrons blooming in most parts of the trail in spring. With rhododendrons blooming in shades of pink, red, white, and yellow, the entire path turns into a riot of colours between April to June.
Trekkers admire Goecha La for panoramic views of not just Mt Kanchenjunga but also 14 other summits apart from these magical sunrises and sunsets.
4. Rupin Pass Trek
Location – Himachal Pradesh
Duration – 7 days/6 nights
Difficulty Level – Difficult
Altitude –15250 ft./4648
Rupin Pass trek is one of the best treks in India suitable for seasoned trekkers. If you’re seeking an adventurous yet serene mountain trail, Rupin Pass Trek is the answer. The trek starts in the remote village of Jiskun, taking you through dense forests and up to the majestic Rupin gully. The thrill of crossing the pass at 15,250 ft and entering the Kinnaur grasslands is unparalleled.
This high-altitude trek showcases dense forests, green landscapes, and awe-inspiring sceneries in abundance. Rupin Pass presents a stunning contrast of green and snowy landscapes and is one of the most adventurous yet beautiful trails in India. The highlight of this trek is the magical three-stage waterfall.
5. Sandakphu Phalut Trek
Location – West Bengal
Duration – 6 days/5 nights
Difficulty Level – Easy
Altitude –11950 ft./3642 m
Sandakphu takes you to the highest peak in West Bengal and offers the grandeur of the world’s tallest mountains from the summit. One of the most loved treks, Sandakphu features on the bucket list of trekkers of all ages.
Sandakphu offers the view of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest, along with Lhotse and Makalu, the world’s fourth and fifth tallest mountains. While the sight of Everest mesmerises you, Sandakphu is renowned for the magical Khanchnejunga massif, popularly known as Sleeping Buddha.
Sandakphu is one of the few Indian treks to experience a tea house stay and undoubtedly the best trek in India with beautiful villages.
6. Roopkund Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 8 days/7 nights
Difficulty Level – Easy
Altitude –16470 ft./5020 m
Roopkund Lake and the skeletons present around the lake have intrigued many adventure seekers to embark on this difficult trek in Uttarakhand. One of the most popular treks in India, Roopkund Lake is located in Chamoli district in Uttarakhand.
The trek is full of adventure, mysteries, mountains, and exotic meadows. The tales of mystery begin right at the base camp in Lohajung. Locals in the village will engage you in intriguing theories about the human skeletons around the Roopkund Lake. Roopkund Lake remains frozen for most of the year and is surrounded by rock-strewn glaciers. The lake is around 2 meters deep and requires you to walk on a steep descent to reach the back of the lake.
Roopkund trek trail winds through the spell-binding Bugyal of Ali and Bedni. As you traverse a thrilling Junairgalli, your hunger for adventure is fulfilled. You will also chance upon the majestic Mt Trishul from Ali Bedni Bugyal.
7. Buran Ghati
Location – Himachal Pradesh
Duration – 8 days/7 nights
Difficulty Level – Difficult
Altitude – 15000 ft./4572 m
Buran Ghati trek has to be on your list if you are looking for a trek that offers you a complete package of snow, meadows, mountain ranges and thrilling passes. Buran Ghati is a perfect trek with an amalgamation of diverse landscapes, splendorous campsites and a demanding yet mesmerizing trail.
“Thrilling pass, magical landscapes, lush green meadows, adventurous trails and snow-studded peaks are the highlights of this trek. It is special, yet different. Every time you embark on a journey to Buran Ghati, it presents you with exotic and diversified landscapes. “I have led quite a few batches to Buran Ghati and have experienced something exclusive each time and returned home with unforgettable memories,” says Himanshu Singla, Founder of OWLS.
The trek passes through a dense forest trail covered with pine and oak trees. Buran Ghati spans over 8 days, including travel to and from the base camp. Trekkers encounter exotic Himalayan flora, pass through culturally rich ancient villages and soak in the exquisite sceneries throughout the trek. The hike to the sacred lake of Chandranahan is delightful for all adventure enthusiasts.
8. Valley of Flowers
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 6 days/5 nights
Difficulty Level – Easy
Altitude – 14,107 ft/4300 m
Best Time – June to September
Valley of Flowers Trek is one of the most coveted treks that opens Pandora’s box of dreamy landscapes for trekkers. An entire valley engulfed in exotic flowers, blooming in shades of pink, yellow, white, purple and more welcome you to the Valley. The gleaming Himalayan ranges act as a stunning backdrop against the valley of flowers.
As soon as monsoon arrives in the state, the valley springs to life and a vast expanse is dotted with flowers in vivid colours. Add the charm of a lush green forest, in addition to cascading waterfalls and gushing streams in abundance.
While you are lost in the captivating valley, a thrilling surprise is in store as you navigate a thrilling yet surreal climb to Hemkund Sahib. The trek experience is enhanced when you traverse a steep ascent to reach Hemkund Sahib.
Valley of Flowers trek is a paradise for nature lovers, anthophiles and photographers. The valley boasts rich biodiversity and houses more than 600 species of exotic flowers. Orchids, Poppies, marigolds, daisies, and primulas are a few of the flowers that bloom in advance, presenting a spell-binding view for the trekkers.
9. Pin Bhaba Pass
Location – Himachal Pradesh
Duration – 9 days/ nights
Difficulty Level – Difficult
Altitude –16100 ft./4907 m
Pin Bhaba Pass is an exceptional trek that offers stunning and diverse landscapes, making it one of the most dramatic pass-crossing treks in the country. From the enchanting forests of Mulling, the grasslands of Karah and the rare river delta of Phutsirang, each day of the trek unravels a unique and breathtaking experience.
Pin Bhaba Pass trek offers a spectacular view of the Pin Valley in shades of pink set against the stark mountains of Spiti and the lush green Bhaba Valley behind. Compared to the risky Pin Parvati Pass Trek, the Pin Bhaba is a safer, more beautiful and more diverse alternative.
It is a difficult trek starting from the remote village of Kafnu. This nine-day-long trek winds through the lush green Bhaba Valley to the cold and arid desert of Pin Valley. You are in for a surprise as contrasting landscapes keep captivating you throughout the trek.
10. Great Meadows of India Trek
Location – Uttarakhand
Duration – 7 days/6 nights
Difficulty Level – Moderate
Altitude –14200 ft./4328
Best Time – Summer and Autumn
The Great Meadows of India Trek seamlessly combines the splendour of three popular treks: Dayara Bugyal, Surya Top and Gidara Bugyal. This trek takes you on a journey through breathtaking vistas, weaving together the grandeur of three of the most stunning meadows and offering an experience of a lifetime.
Great Meadows of India is more than just a trek, it’s a journey to a Himalayan Paradise. On this moderate trek, you will traverse the vast expanse of Dayara Bugyal where the lush green carpet sprawls to infinity, wrapped in a myriad of vibrant wildflowers. The experience is further enhanced by a steep ascent to Surya Top. The journey culminates in a dreamlike wonder as Gidara Bugyal and its ethereal expanse mesmerize you with sheer magnificence, leaving you breathless.
As you wander through the lush green carpet, Himalayan peaks keep you company and play hide and seek right from the beginning. Gleaming peaks of Shrikanth, Jaonli, DKD and Bandarpooch appear right in front of you.
Great Meadows of India is one of the best treks in India to be enthralled by diverse landscapes. The trek stands out amongst all other Bugyal treks. It’s exclusive and remains off-beat, offering you a secluded trail and serene campsites.
Here are the 10 best treks in India worth exploring in 2024. These Himalayan treks showcase the diverse and natural wonders of our country. Embarking on Himalayan treks can be a transformative experience. Discover the less explored Himalayan treks and witness the majestic of India’s finest trekking trails.
