10 Himalayan Treks to do when visiting North India

Trekking in the Himalayas has recently become an adventurous sport amongst the young generations and veteran travelers. North India has always been a hotspot amongst tourists from all around the world. The enticing beauty of verdant mountains crowned with snow catches the attraction of every kind of traveler. While the Himalaya’s beauty is enchanting enough, trekking in north India gives us the more obscure parts of this experience in the form of adventure, adrenaline, and experience. The green meadows, snow-clad mountains, icy lakes, dense forests, and dirt roads put you right in the middle of nature. Treks in north India offer the experience of spending nights in tents or small huts in a disjointed village and gives you the chance to interact with the indigenous people of these parts and get to know them better. 

There is no scarcity in the number of trekking places in north India. The versatile landscape of north India makes it an ideal place for every type of traveler. If you want to start with the adventure from scratch, you will have beginner treks like Valley of Flowers, Kedarkantha, Har ki Dun, Kuari Pass, and Brahmatal. Once you have suitable treks in your bag, you can eye towards the moderate treks. These treks offer you challenging terrains and more breathtaking moments throughout your trek. The last kind of trek, i.e., the difficult treks, is for trekkers who want to walk the longest mile and receive the best rewards.

The best feature of Himalayan treks is that it has something for everyone. This article will give you the ten most beautiful Himalayan treks you can embark upon whenever you visit North India. 

1. Valley Of Flowers Trek: Located in Uttarakhand’s beautiful Chamoli district, the Valley of Flowers is one of the best Himalayan treks. It lies between the Great Himalayas and Zanskar ranges with verdant meadows, pristine streams, colorful flowers, and a wide variety of endangered species. Some of the trek attractions include Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Hemkund Sahib Lake, Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Laxman Temple, Ghangharia village, and Joshimath. The best time to go on this trek is from July to August, as vibrant flowers grow in abundance against a lush green backdrop and make the trek a wonderful experience.
2. Kedartal Trek: Shiva’s Lake or the Kedartal Lake is a glacial lake located at 4750m in the Garhwal Himalayas. The trek starts from the Gangotri Base Camp and reaches Kedartal Lake via Bhoj Kharak and Kedar Kharak. It has a steep descent but comes with a panoramic view of flora and fauna. You will find some of the best pine forests on this trail and may also come across blue sheep or bharals. The most suitable time to do this trek is in the summer months of May to June and in the post-monsoon months of September to mid-October. The weather remains pleasant during this time, and you also get a clear view of the trekking terrain.  
3. Brahmatal Trek: Located at 12,100 ft in the Chamoli district of Garhwal Himalayas, the Brahmatal lake trek is one of the underrated Himalayan treks. A complete view of the surrounding mountains is visible from the summit and also during the trek. Kumaon division to Trishul, Hanthi Ghoda, Neelkanth, Choukhamba, Shivling, and Nanda Ghunti are some of the peaks visible from Brahmatal. Owing to the proximity of Roopkund, you can also see Auli Bugyal, Junargali, and Bedni Bugyal from this trek. The best time to visit is from December to March, as the route is full of snow, making it look no less than a dream.
4. Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek:  Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek in Uttarakhand is a weekend trek like no other, covering Chopta, Deoriatal Lake, and Chandrashila peak. Located at 13,550 ft, it comes with thick forests of oak, rhododendron, maple trees, beautiful birds, and mesmerizing views of Nanda Devi and Mount Trishul. The world’s highest shrine of Lord Shiva is also here at Tungnath. You can enjoy this trek best during the post-monsoon months and from December to February.
5. Gaumukh Tapovan Trek: If you are a nature lover and hiking through glaciers interests you, the Gaumukh Tapovan trek is ideal for you. Located at 14,600 ft in the district of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, this 46 km long trek comes with spectacular views of  Mount Shivling and Bhagirathi sisters. Major attractions of this trek include Gaumukh National Park, birch trees at Bhojbasa, coniferous trees at Chirbasa, and stargazing at the base of Mount Shivling. The two seasons most suitable for this trek are summer and autumn, i.e., May to October, except July.
6. Har Ki Dun Trek: One of the most ancient and popular Himalayan treks, Har Ki Dun Trek, is 11,700 ft in the Garhwal region. This trek exposes you to a diverse landscape of green meadows, glacial-fed rivers, tiny villages, dense pine forests, and rocky terrain. Morinda Lake, Taluka, Sankri, Osla, Saud and Seema village, Govind National Park, Jaundhar Glacier, and Swargarohini Glacier are significant attractions of this Himalayan Trek. The best time to go on this trek is from April to November, but you can visit Har Ki Dun any time of the year. 
7. Dayara Bugyal Trek: Located in Uttarakhand, Dayara Bugyal is at an elevation of 12,100 ft and is a trekker’s paradise. It is exceptionally suitable for beginners due to the easy terrain and highly rewarding due to the forestry trail and rich biodiversity. You can expect clear views of the Black Peak and Banderpooch from this meadow and a panoramic view of Garhwal Himalayas – Draupadi ka Danda, Mt. Srikanth, and Mt. Jaunli. Major attractions of this trek include the campsites of Gui, Nayata, Chilapada, and Barnala that have a fantastic backdrop of mountains and are on a big expanse of pasture land.  You can go on this trek all round the year except for the monsoons. But if you love a vast snow expanse, winters would be best.
8. Kedarkantha Trek: One of the best places for trekking in North India, Kedarkantha is an experience of a lifetime. This mountain peak is at 12,500 ft inside Govind Ballabh National Park and Govind Ballabh Wildlife Sanctuary. The trek offers a varied landscape and rich biodiversity to all its trekkers. You get the best of unexplored terrain, lush green meadows, crystal clear water streams, quaint hamlets, and beautiful campsites on this trek. Some of the major attractions include – a panoramic view of mountain ranges at the summit, Juda ka Talab campsite, Sankri, Nain Bhag village, Mussouri, Harsadi, Damta, and many more. You also cross rivers like Yamuna, Kedarganga, Supin, Kamal Ganga. The best time to go on this trek is from December to March, i.e., during the winters. However, the trek is open for tourists throughout the year.
9. Nag Tibba Trek: Trekking in North India cannot get any better than the Nag Tibba Trek. The Serpent’s Peak is at an elevation of 9,915 ft and is one of those beginner-friendly treks that are a visual treat. The rich wildlife of the Himalayas, jaw-dropping campsites, and glimpses of various peaks such as Bandarpooch, Black Peak, Swargarohini, Chanabhag, Srikanth, etc. make this trek a memorable one. The trekking trail does not overlap and gives this trek a perfect contrast of landscape. Significant attractions include Goat Village, Nag Tibba Temple, and the scenic drive from Dehradun to the village Pantwari. You can go on this trek all round the year, and it will give you a different experience every time But the best time is during the winter months, i.e., January to March, as the snow covers the trail and makes it look heavenly.
10. Kuari Pass Trek: One of the best places for trekking in North India, Kuari Pass, is a visual wonder. Located at 12,516 ft, it offers brilliant panoramic views of mountains, dense rhododendrons, oak forests, rich flora and fauna, and the Gorson Bugyal. Some of the visible ranges on this trek are Nanda Devi, Trishul, Chaukhamba, Kamet, Mukut Parbat, Changbang, Nanda Ghunti, Mana, Hathi Ghoda, Rishi Pahad, Neelkanth, and many more. The region also has many perennial rivers like the Pancha Prayag and others such as Dhauli Ganga, Nandakini, Biheriganga, Kaliganga, and Pinder. The campsites on this trek also have an ethereal setting. The most suitable time to go on Kuari Pass trek is from March to May, as the shift from woodlands to snow is itself worth a million bucks.

These ten treks are the crux of the best treks in north India, and they offer you the best experience of this adventure sport. North India has the best treks for beginners, but it also serves as the best spot for experienced and hungry trekkers. If you happen to go to north India for a trip, consider going to one of these places to gain the best experience of your life.