The Top 8 Summer Himalayan Treks In India For You To Choose From

The Himalayas are more than just mountains. With their serene beauty, mountain views, and clear skies, these mountains are the dream destination of many travellers. The Himalayas stretch for 2500km across Asia; from Kashmir to Kathmandu; and Lhasa to Ladakh. With so much to choose from, almost everyone has their own list of Himalayan treks on their bucket list.

So, this summer, get out and go on an enthralling adventure, soaking in the serenity of the Himalayan mountains. Visit some of the most diverse peoples, cultures and communities, and experience everything from steep dangerous roads to lush green pastures.

Also Read: Complete Checklist of Trekking Essentials To Pack

Here’s a list of 8 best Himalayan treks for you to choose from this summer!

Valley of Flowers Trek

The Valley of Flowers National Park is famous for its 300 species of flowers. It has become a popular destination for trekkers keen to experience the Himalayas, with thousands trekking here every summer. This trek starts at Haridwar, and is ideal for novices, as it doesn’t present any real challenges, and is classified as an easy trek. Don’t forget to carry your camera to capture the memories of snow-clad mountain peaks. Most flowers bloom during the monsoon season in July and August, but this season can also have slippery paths and treacherous roads.

• Maximum Elevation: 15,190 feet
• Location: Uttarakhand
• Difficulty Level: Easy

Har Ki Doon Trek

Surrounded by snow clad mountains and alpine vegetation, the Har Ki Doon Valley is located in Garhwal, in the Uttarakhand region of the Himalayas. The beauty of the valley is what brings trekkers here, and the trek itself is easy to moderate. Passing tranquil rivers and dense forests, the 46 km trail can be completed in 7 days. It starts at Sankri, which is about 5 hours drive from Dehradun. The flowers in the valley bloom during the summer, and the meadows turn a rich shade of green. This makes it one of the best summer Himalayan treks.

• Maximum Elevation: 11,675 feet
• Location: Uttarakhand
• Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Hampta Pass Trek

The wonderful Hampta Pass Trek is filled with contrasts, covering both the deserts of Lahaul and the lush meadows of Jwara. The changing climatic conditions and scenery provide a great opportunity to capture the stunning visuals of nature on your camera. Ideal for novices, the picturesque trek covers 26 km. It starts from Manali, and takes 5 days to cover.

• Maximum Elevation: 14,100 feet
• Location: Himachal Pradesh
• Difficulty Level: Easy to moderate

Roopkund Trek

The Roopkund trek is both slightly difficult and a bit macabre. Roopkund is a lake that lies in the Garhwal Mountains of Chamoli, at the height of around 16,499 ft above sea level. Amidst the picturesque landscapes and marvellous views, you can also find hundreds of human skeletons at the edge of the glacial lake. They are said to be the remains of people killed in a sudden, violent hailstorm in the 9th century. Apart from this, you can also visit the Lohajung Pass and the alpine meadow of Ghora Lotani. The moderate to difficult 8-day trek starts from Lohajung.

• Maximum Elevation: 15,700 feet
• Location: Uttarakhand
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult

Goecha La Trek

Goecha La is a mountain pass at the base of Mt. Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world. Located at 16,200 feet, it has amazing views of the lowland forest, valleys, and the snow clad mountains. The 8-day trek will take you up steep slopes, and through the Kanchenjunga National Park. There are various trails that can be used for the Goecha La Trek. However, the shortest and the most common is the one which starts at Yuksom village and continues through Sachen and Dzongri before reaching Goecha La.

• Maximum Elevation: 16,200 feet
• Location: Sikkim
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult

Rupin Pass Trek

The high altitude Rupin Pass trek is one of the most popular Himalayan treks. The pass lies at an altitude of 15,250 ft above sea level in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The trail covers 52 km and takes about 8-9 days to complete. It covers all kinds of terrain, from snowy regions to meadows, waterfalls and streams. The trek starts at Dhaula in Uttarakhand, though the majority of the trail is located in Himachal Pradesh. You will pass the famous Jhaka Village that’s situated on the side of the mountain along the way.

• Elevation: 15,250 feet
• Location: Himachal Pradesh
• Difficulty Level: Moderate to difficult

Pin Parvati Pass Trek

The Pin Parvati Pass Trek is considered to be one of the most challenging Himalayan treks. Steep inclines, heavy snowfall and rugged landscapes are what makes this trek so challenging! The pass sits at 17,500 ft, and should only be attempted if you’ve done high altitude treks before. The trek covers a range of terrains including marshlands, meadows, forests, cold deserts and glaciers. It covers over 100 km and takes 11 days to complete. The trek starts from Barsheni Village (near Kullu and Rudranath) in the Parvati Valley.

• Maximum Elevation: 17,500 feet
• Location: Himachal Pradesh
• Difficulty Level: Difficult

Stok Kangri Trek

The Stok Kangri peak lies at a height of 20,000 ft in the Stok range of Ladakh. Passing through the Stok La, Kongmaru La, and Gandla passes, it follows the banks of the scenic Markha River. The 40 km trail starts from Leh and takes about 8 days to complete. But, the air gets thin at such high altitudes, which makes it very difficult to breathe. This makes the route more difficult, and it requires proper acclimatization and preparation before setting out. Also, prepare for unexpected changes in the weather.  

• Elevation: 20,100 feet
• Location: Jammu & Kashmir
• Difficulty Level: Difficult

Of course, there are lots of other wonderful Himalayan treks out there. If we’ve missed your favourite, be sure to share it in the comments below. But remember, high altitude can take a toll on you, so remember to follow the basic precautions to prevent altitude sickness.

Also Read: The Chopta Tungnath Trek – Everything You Need To Know

So, what are you waiting for? Go on an adventure this summer and hike to some of the highest places in the world. Happy summer!