12 Exciting Treks In India That's Made It To Our Bucket List For 2023

If you're looking to do a high-altitude trek, this one is a great option. Starting from Hampta village in Kullu Valley and finishing at Chatru in the Lahaul & Spiti Valley, you get to witness the most breathtaking views over a stretch of 35 kilometres. The whole journey takes about four to five days, with the highest altitude being 4,400 metres! There's much to explore—walking past snow-covered valleys, viewing clear water streams, witnessing beautiful meadows, exploring pine and maple forests, the grasslands of Jwara and finally the barren lands of Lahaul and Spiti. Not to forget, the night camping at Chandra Tal. Talk about the best trek possible! 

Difficulty Level: Moderate 

Best Time: June to mid-November

Another beauty from Himachal, the Beas Kund Trek is a popular long weekend trail in Manali. Ranging up to only 7 kilometres, walk along the banks of Beas River while taking in the beauty of Pir Pinjal ranges, and the Dhundi and Bakarthach meadows. It's a sight to die for! Wait, it gets even more exciting. The climb upwards takes you to the originating point of the river, a glacial lake, which is also called Beas Kund. As per legends, this was the bathing site of Sage Vyas, the author of the Mahabharata. Got goosebumps? Me too! The best part—you need no prior trekking experiences for this one! 

Difficulty Level: Moderate

Best Time: Mid-May to mid-October

This one's special because it takes you to Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO world heritage site, and also the Sikh pilgrimage site of Hemkund Sahib. The park is located in North Chamoli and Pithoragarh, and is known for its variety of flora and fauna. The trek distance is 55 kilometres and the highest altitude is of 3,658 metres. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east, especially during the monsoon season when this pristine valley gets covered with thousands of colourful high-altitude Himalayan flowers, making it look like heaven. Aah, what a treat to the eyes! Definitely makes for one of the most beautiful trekking experiences in India. 

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Best Time: July to mid-September

Looking for a challenge? Located in the Garhwal region, the trek to Rupin Pass takes about seven to nine days and is about 52 kilometres long. Starting from Dhauala, the trek ends at Sangla, Himachal Pradesh. The vistas are nothing short of spectacular with a maximum altitude of 15,250 feet. Only for people above 14 years of age, the trek unfolds scenic surprises every hour—walking on various kinds of terrains: rugged, glacial meadows or snowfields, enchanting waterfalls, a hanging village. Be sure to savour the stunning views of Kinner Kailash Peak.  

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Best Time: May to June and mid-September to mid-October

One of the best trekking experiences in India can be done in Sikkim by embarking on a five-day Dzongri trek. The starting and ending point of this trek is Yuksom, as one covers a distance of 21 kilometres with the maximum altitude being 15,000 feet. It's the perfect opportunity to explore the Himalayan Dzongri La peak, and Mt. Kanchendzonga if you have limited time. The walking expedition not only takes you through Siachen, Bakkhim, Tshokha and Kanchenjunga National Park but also a number of hanging bridges and gushing waterfalls along with white and red rhododendron flowers. This high-altitude trek also needs a day for acclimatization.

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Best Time: April to June and October to December

Another great option for beginners looking for trekking trails in India, Rajmachi is located at a distance of around 15 kilometres from Lonavala. The average duration of this trek is one day and the highest altitude is 3,000 feet above the sea level. The distance of this trek is 14 kilometres and the base camp is Udhewadi. Highlights include seeing the Shrivardhan and Manaranjan forts, offering wonderful views of the  Sahyadri mountains. The best site is, however, Rajmachi Fort, a seventeenth-century structure by Shivaji. You get to walk past lush forests, gleaming waterfall and ancient Buddhist caves too. This trek can be completed from two routes—Karjat and Lonavala. The trail is well-marked and doesn’t need a guide, so yay! 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best Time: June to September

How can a list of the best trekking spots in the country not mention Kerala? If you're an amateur trekker, this place is perfect to begin! It's short and relatively easy, covering a span of about 10 kilometres. Over a duration of five to seven hours, you get to walk through lush tea estates, high-altitude forests, rivers and mist-clad ambience. It's most definitely a stunning sight and the perfect way to explore the beauty of Munnar if you're hard-pressed for time, we feel. Seeing Idukki Dam (one of Asia's highest arch dams) and the views of the highest peak of the Western Ghats, Anamudi, are two other highlights of the trek. The highest point of the trek is 2,100 metres. 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best time: All year (except monsoons)

With Leh as the starting point, this strenuous hike will take you through the Chilling, Skiu, Sara, Hankar and Nimaling. One of the most sought-after treks in the region, you get to cover a whopping distance of 65 kilometres over a course of 10 days. The journey is full of tiny hamlets, preserved monasteries, ruined forts and temples - basically a mix of true Tibetan culture and Himalayan landscapes. You get to cross two cardinal passes namely Ganda La and Kongmaru La and glance at the infinite Karakoram and Ladakh ranges. The stunning sights of K2 Mountain, Stok Kangri (another popular trek) and Kang Yatse peaks are matchless. if you're lucky, you can get a clear glimpse of the distant Tibet region on a clear day.

Difficulty Level: Difficult

Best time to visit: July to mid-September

Sakdakphu is the highest point in West Bengal and is known as ‘Trekker’s Wonderland’. Savour wonderful views of peaks like Mt. Everest, Kanchenjunga, Lhotse and Makalu from an altitude of around 11,500 feet. The trek is of around 45 kilometres, which one can cover in a span of eight to nine days, traversing through quaint villages, enchanting forests, breathtaking sunsets peeking through the mountaintops and beautiful lakes. Key highlights include colourful flora, the Kalapokhri or the Black Pond (considered holy by Buddhists), and the Valley of Poison called Bikhey Bhanjyang. Before you embark on the trek, do stop at the base camp Jaubhari, which is a unique tiny eco-village (it has just 10 cottages!), making it an ideal start for your journey.

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Best time: April to May and October to February

Not to be confused with the Kedarnath Temple, this is a six-day-long, 20 kilometres trek in Govind Pashu Vihar National Park in Uttarakhand. Popular among seasoned trekkers and beginners alike, the trek offers stunning views of the Himalayas along with beautiful clearings, which make for lovely campsites. The clearings are just at the right locations, giving you beautiful vantage points to appreciate the trek and its views. That as well as the excitement of walking through immersive forests! When you climb to the top of the summit, you are surrounded by snow-capped mountains all around. Can anything be more mesmerizing than this? 

Difficulty Level: Easy

Best time: December to April 

During the winter, Kuari Pass is a mountaineer's dream. Right from the start you enjoy an infinite view of mountains. You even get to see the whole face of Mt Nanda Devi, India's highest mountain. It's a near-perfect trek, even for beginners. You pass through old woodlands of oaks and rhododendrons. The route widens into meadows just as your eyes adjust to the forest canopy above. The trek is about 33 kilometres at the highest altitude of 12,750 feet and takes approximately six days to complete.

Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Best time: Mid-September to early December

Just the word Kashmir fills our minds with beautiful scenic images of the place—it is truly heaven on earth. Every day offers a 360 degree view of wild mountains, undulating meadows and clear alpine lakes. You get the chance to witness more than six lakes and five diverse valleys. This trek usually takes seven to nine days to complete. The highest altitude is 13,750 kilometres, with a 72 kilometres trek.

Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult

Best time: July to September