Best Himalayan Summer Treks to do in 2024

If there is a season every outdoor enthusiast must experience, summer treks tops the list. 

If you are planning to experience the serenity of the mountains this summer, I have some suggestions to help you plan your Himalayan trek in summer. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced outdoor enthusiast, there is no dearth of summer treks. 

Summer is the best time to head to the mountains to experience the perfect mountain views, soothing lush green setting of meadows, and pleasant weather. 

With Spring departing the mountains, the wildflowers are in full bloom across the trails. As summer coincides with pre-monsoon on some treks, forests and meadows transform magically. While the view you witness in summer is straight out of a fairytale, wildflowers act as a splash of colour on these meadows, creating a picture-perfect sight. 

Here are the BEST Himalayan Summer Treks to explore in India:

1. Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek
2. Phulara Ridge Trek
3. Bali Pass Trek
4. Bagji Bugyal Trek
5. Goecha La Trek
6. Pin-Bhabha Trek
7. Roopkund Trek
8. Gaumukh Tapovan Trek
9. Deoriatal-Rohini Bugyal Trek
10. Sandakphu Trek
11. Buran Ghati Trek
12. Rupin Pass Trek

1. Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek

The trek technically starts with the arrival of spring. The Bugyal or meadows transform into a green carpet with the onset of summer. With wildflowers in full bloom and trails dotted with Rhododendrons, the sight is unforgettable for every trekker on the trail. Ali Bedni’s Experience is beyond meadows. The towering Mount Trishul standing tall in front awestruck you on this trek.

The trek is perfect for beginners, as altitude gain is the minimum. It is a comfortable trek in summer as weather is clear during the day, and the temperature at night also remains bearable. 

You can book our upcoming batches of Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek here.

2. Phulara Ridge Trek

One of a few Ridge Treks in India, Phulara Ridge stands out as the best, with panoramic views of the snow-capped mountains in summer. A whole day worth of trek passes through a ridge, with scenic mountains on both sides.  A rare encounter on any other trek. 

Although Phulara Ridge is an offbeat trail, is summer offers its unexplored landscapes in vibrant hues, making it one of our favourite summer treks.

You can book our upcoming batches of Phulara Ridge Trek here. 

3. Bali Pass Trek

Nestled at 16,420ft, Bali Pass offers you breath-taking panoramic views of the Bandarpunch, Swargarohini, and Kalanag peaks.  The trek is physically demanding, and we categorize this one as one of our difficult but rewarding summer treks. This trail is not recommended for beginners due to the difficulty and high altitude.

We admire the Bali Pass for the vast and changing landscape it offers throughout the trails. As it passes through some of the ancient villages of Uttarakhand, offering glimpse of local culture. 

Bali Pass has picture-perfect meadows at Dev Thach. Tall pine and oak trees guard its periphery and the Himalayan peaks sneak out in the background. After the perfect view, you experience a thrilling stretch alongside the river Ruinsara. The trek culminates as you approach the challenging Bali pass, usually covered with snow from June- July. 

You can book our upcoming batches of Bali Pass Trek here.

4. Bagji Bugyal Trek 

Trekking in the remote areas of the Himalayas is often accompanied by folklore and stories. The locals in the base villages often have stories of mysteries and beliefs, sometimes tales of the past. 

Bagji Bugyal is a offbeat summer treks to enjoy solitary trail and quaint campsites. It is spread over a large area and situated 11100 ft. above sea level. The unending meadows spread like a lush green carpet in summer with wildflowers adding a riot of colors.  

The trail is secluded with hardly any trekkers on the way. You traverse through unexplored forests, picturesque campsites, and a trail dotted with small streams. 

The trek offers you majestic views of view of Mt. Satopanth (7075 m), Mt. Chaukhamba (7138 m), Mt. Trishul (7120 m), and Mt. Nanda Ghunti (6309 m). The mountains present a clear and crisp view as the sky remains clear during summer. 

Check out our upcoming batches of Bagji Bugyal Trek here.

5. Goecha La Trek

Goecha La trek in the state of Sikkim is one of the challenging experiences that offers a grand view of big mountain peaks. 

A long and arduous trail takes you to the Kanchenjunga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Goecha La is a challenging trek as the days are long, and the altitude gains quickly. The enchanting landscapes throughout the trail compensate for the arduous climb.  

The wilderness of the dense forest, the spell-binding rhododendron forest and the trail made of wooden logs are the highlights of this trek. Goecha La is one of the rare summer treks in India where Rhododendrons bloom in different shades. If you attempt this trek during summer, half of the trail is painted in vibrant hues. You will be ecstatic to witness the flowers blooming in red, white, pink, and shades you cannot stop admiring. 

Goecha La is also a trek where you will find forest cover up to 12000 ft., a rare sight on other treks of similar heights in Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Himachal Pradesh. The Goecha La trek is renowned amongst trekkers for its grand mountain summit views of not only Mt. Kanchenjunga but 14 other summits. 

Check out our upcoming batches of Goecha La Trek here.

6. Pin Bhabha Trek

The Pin Bhaba Pass is an exceptional trek that offers stunning and varied 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 offers a unique and breathtaking experience.

The Pin Bhaba Pass offers a spectacular view of the Pin Valley in shades of pink below, 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 stands out as a safer alternative and a more beautiful and diverse trek.

Pin Bhaba trek starts from the remote village of Kafnu. The trek spreads over nine days and takes you from the lush green Bhaba Valley to the cold and arid desert of Pin Valley.

Check out our upcoming batches of  Pin Bhaba Pass here.

7. Roopkund Trek

If there is one trek in the country, that every trekker longs to experience, Roopkund tops the list. The mysterious human skeletons, and innumerable theories around the lake intrigue every trekker to explore the Roopkund trail.

The trek to this mystery lake Roopkund is full of adventure, mysteries, mountains, and exotic meadows. The tales of mysteries begin right from the villages you traverse through and the lake has been shrouded in mysteries with no common conclusion. 

The Roopkund Experience offers you raw outdoor wilderness and ancient historical anecdotes.  This trek takes you on a heart-pounding journey across the ancient trails of mysterious lake in the Himalayas.

Check out the dates for mysterious Roopkund Lake 2023 batches here 

8. Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Gaumukh Tapovan trek in Uttarakhand takes one right to the source of the Holy River Ganga. Unknown to many, this trek also brings you face-to-face with Mt. Shivling. You witness the mighty Mt. Shivling right in front of you. It offers the whole of its grandeur, from top to bottom from its base. 

Gaumukh Tapovan Trek takes you closer to the gigantic glacier of Gaumukh, one of the largest glaciers in the Himalayas. The glacier derives its name from its appearance i.e. Gaumukh, the snout resembles the shape of a cow’s mouth. One of the largest Himalayan Glaciers, Gaumukh spreads around 30 km in length and is 4 km wide. It’s snout is as gigantic as the glacier. To witness a glacier this big from a close distance is a rare experience.  

The trek takes you close to the mighty Mt. Shivling. You also enjoy the clear views of Mt. Meru and the Bhagirathi sisters on the Gaumukh Tapovan experience. 

​​The Gaumukh Tapovan trek lets you encounter spirituality throughout the trail. First, the trek starts from the holy town of Gangotri. The trail takes you to Gaumukh glacier where Bhagirathi originates which later becomes the holy river of Ganga. You also experience the serenity of Tapovan grasslands. Tapovan is an occasional home to hermits who come here in search of spiritual awakening. 

Check out our dates for the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek here. 

9. Deoriatal-Rohini Bugyal Trek 

The trek is located in the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand. Like many other treks in the state, Deoriatal is also believed to be a holy place. The locals believe that the gods and goddesses used to surround this lake and was also a place for their baths. The pristine lake is revered by the lake as a holy lake. 

Deoriatal is a perfect spot to enjoy the mountain views and soak in the serenity of nature. On a clear day, Mt. Chaukamba’s reflection on the pristine lake of Deoriatal is awe-inspiring. From the lake, you can also witness the majestic view of the snow-capped peaks of Mt. Nilkantha, Mt. Bandarpooch, and Mt. Kalanag.  Within a short span, the trek offers majestic mountain views, flower-laden trails, and the tranquillity of nature to the fullest.

Check out our dates for Deoriatal Rohini Bugyal here.

10. Sandakphu Trek 

Sandakphu is one of the most loved treks by trekkers of different levels and experiences. Touted as a trek with a grandeur view of the world’s tallest mountains, Sandakphu is thronged by trekkers of all ages. The view Sandakphu offers at an altitude of 11,950 ft. makes it easier for trekkers to enjoy the enthralling sight of the big mountains on this moderate trek.

Sandakphu offers you the view of the world’s tallest mountain, Everest, along with Lhotse and Makalu, the world’s fourth and fifth tallest mountains. While the view of Everest mesmerizes you, Sandakphu is renowned for the magical view of Mt. Kanchenjunga and its peaks, popularly known as ‘Sleeping Buddha’. 

The trail traverses through a dense forest of rhododendrons, bamboo, oak, and pine. Sandakphu is also well known among trekkers as a culturally rich experience. You will be walking through the villages that share the border between India and Nepal giving you a glimpse of village life in Nepal. 

Sandakphu trek is beyond mountain views. You have an opportunity to sight a rare red panda as the trek takes you through Singalila National Park renowned for Red Pandas, and a variety of rich flora and fauna. 

Check out our dates for the Sandakphu Trek here.

11. Buran Ghati Trek

If you are looking for a trek that offers you a complete package of snow, meadows, mountain ranges and passes, Buran Ghati has to be on your list. Buran Ghati is a perfect trek that offers you an amalgamation of all kinds of landscapes, splendorous campsites, and thrills. 

Himanshu Singla, founder of OWLS says, “The Buran Ghati Trek is full of everything, it is special yet different. Every time you go to Buran Ghati, it presents you with different views and perspectives and you come back as a different person. The trek is close to my heart, every time I have led a batch here, I have had a sense of achievement,” he adds. 

Every trek has its highs and lows. Sometimes if it has scenic campsites, it lacks the beauty of trails. However, when it comes to Buran Ghati, it is a combination of adventure, perfect campsites, and beautiful trails that leave you awestruck. Every step you climb, you expect something different, and something majestic, and it lives up to your expectations every single time. 

This is a perfect trek to experience and get introduced to the technical aspect of climbing as you have to rappel down from the Buran pass.

You can check out our dates for Buran Ghati here.

 

12. Rupin Pass Trek

Rupin Pass is a classic Himalayan trek that starts in Uttarakhand and concludes in Himachal Pradesh. Known for its diverse terrain and landscape variation, Rupin Pass starts through dense forests and climbs up to a majestic Rupin gully. On this crossover trek, you will cross the pass at 15,250 ft., and discover Kinnaur grasslands.

Rupin Pass is full of surprises and unique attractions. There is a famous hanging village of Jhaka, a marvellous three-stage waterfall, snow bridges, and the beauty of meadows. Along with thrilling adventure, Rupin Pass boasts visually stunning campsites. The Lower Waterfall campsite in the U-shaped glacial valley looking up at the Upper Waterfall campsite is right out of heaven.

Rupin Pass Trek is ideal for those who want to experience real adventure without getting too exhausted after every day’s walk.

Check out our dates for Rupin Pass here.