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Trekking in Garhwal Himalayas>> Uttarakhand Trekking Tours >> Top 10 treks of Garhwal Himalayas >>

Trekking in India is one of the finest in the world. Not only do we boast of the highest range of mountains offering even professional trekkers a challenge but some of routes are easily accessible by even amateurs and first time trekkers. Most of these ‘easy’ treks are located in the northern state of Uttarakhand often starting from the town of Rishikesh, which other than being an idle base camp is also known for rafting on Ganga and its tributaries. Rishikesh is 256km by road from Delhi and can be approach by taxi/bus (8 hours) or train (4 and half hours). There is a flight from Delhi to Dehradun which takes an hour only. 

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Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal) (Pilgrim Treks, Lodge Treks, Camping Treks)

Uttarakhand formerly known as Uttaranchal is another place in the Indian Himalaya where it is fairly easy to trek on your own.  The Himalaya in Uttarakhand falls into two regions, Garhwal and Kumaun.  As the source of India's most sacred rivers including the Ganga, Garhwal has been a pilgrimage destination for centuries.  The flow of pilgrims into the region meant that a significant amount of roads and other infrastructure was built high into the mountains to service the pilgrims.  For the trekker this means that one can hike into a very high alpine environment in Garhwal on relatively short treks.

Uttarkhand Trekking Practicalities

While in many areas of Uttarkhand you are free to trek as you like, there are some annoying regulations governing trekking in some regions of Uttarakhand.  The number of people per day allowed to trek above Gangotri to Gaumukh, the source of the Ganges, as well as further up to Tapovan is restricted.  This is a good thing to take pressure off the region, unfortunately there is also a two tier pricing for the permit where foreigners pay significantly more than Indians (I'm waiting for the day when India realizes it doesn't have to stoop to the level of Nepal and African countries such as Kenya and Tanzina which have no other source of income except to extract as much money as they can from tourist of so called rich countries, China got rid of official dual pricing years ago.  So the question is does India aspire to be more like Nepal and Kenya or China, South Korea, and Japan.  If you go by their tourism pricing structure they appear to be lumping themselves in with Nepal and Kenya).  The permit can be obtained in Uttarkashi on the way to Gangotri.  The office is on the road to Gangotri 2 to 3 km outside of town.  Ask locally for specific directions.  The Har Ki Dun valley, as well as the Valley of Flowers are also both National Parks and require a dual priced entry fee to visit.  Trekking above Joshimath to the Kuari Pass requires a permit as well.  This would not be that big a deal if the Forest Department would issue permits to trekkers unfortunately they require guides and only issue the permits through travel agents, despite the fact that a blind man would have a hard time getting lost on the way to the Kuari pass making a guide completely unnecessary.  As a result  the independent trekker has two options hike around the check point at the top of the ropeway above Auli or pay a travel agent to put them on a permit for an inflated price.  Trekking inside the Nanda Devi Sanctuary is completely prohibited.  Some treks near border areas require interline permits.

 

Most Popular Treks in Uttarakhand Himalayas

Dodital lake Winter Trek - 6 days Trek


A moderate trek which starting from the Bhagirathi valley, goes right up to the lake of Dodital wrapped in perfect wilderness. This trail which is fairly popular during the warmer months will not have many souls except the village hunters walking it in the winters.

Chopta Tungnath Trek - 3/4 Days Trek
 

A short easy trek in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttaranchal offering close up views of the Chaukhamba and the Kedarnath range

 
 
Rhododendron Trek - 4 Days Trek


A short easy trek in the Chopta Tungnath area timed to see the blooming rhododenrons. Offers beautiful camping by the lake of Devariyatal and some great walks through dense forests.

Pangarchulla Climb - 5 Days Trek
 


Pangarchulla, a small peak next to Kuari Pass becomes a beautiful climbing objective in the spring after having accumulated all the winter snow. Offers panoramic views of the Garhwal Himalayas.

 
 
Dodital Lake Trek - 7 Days Trek
 


This trek goes beyond the lake of Dodital to the high Darwa Pass. See the Banderpunch massif up close from the pass !

Ruinsara Lake Trek - 7 Days Trek
 


Experience the unique culture of the Har-ki-Dun valley and trek up to the base of the Banderpunch peak ahead of the lake.

 
 
Dodital Hanumanchatti Trek - 10 Days Trek
 


A moderate trek which starts from the Bhagirathi valley, goes up to the lake of Dodital (wrapped in perfect wilderness) to the alpine meadows and crosses over at Darwa Pass (4150m) to the Yamuna watershed.

Shitidhar Climb


An easy trekking peak, close to the source of river Beas in Himachal. Perfect introduction to the sport of mountaineering !

 
 
Spiti Safari - 10 Days Tour
 


Jeep Safari with some short hikes goes to Spiti, the remotest part of Himachal.

 

Spiti Trek & Homestay - 14 Days Tour Packages
 


Provides a unique insight into the Spitian way of life, balanced with a blend of Spiti's rich cultural heritage and natural splendors.

 
 
Tsarap Chu Trek - 10 Days Trek


Exploratory Trek - Very little is known about this trail along the river Tsarap (a tributary of Zanskar) which at places has to be crossed on traditional rope bridges. The trek starts from Sarchu on the Manali-Leh highway and finishes at padum, the heart of Zanskar.

Kalindi Pass - 14 Days Trek


Starting at the Gangotri glacier and finishing at the Arwa glacier the trail keeps traversing from one glacier to another. The Pass being just under 6000m is apt only for experienced trekkers.

 
 
Ripchar Valley Trek- 12 Days Trek
 

 
A very interesting trek beginning at Lamayuru and walking up the less traveled Ripchar valley with its small villages, nomadic settlements and pastures where we see a wide variety of flowers from end of July to end of August and birds too. We cross some high passes with excellent views of the Karakorams and the Zanskar ranges.

Stok Kangri Climb - 7 Days Climb & Trek
 


Great way to be 20,000ft high ! This relatively easy trekking peak in Ladakh has a short acclimatization trek built in.

 

 
 
Sham Valley - 7 Days Trek
 


This trek is probably the easiest one around Leh but its enjoyable as one comes across villages on the way that give insights into the ladakhi village life.

Dodital Lake Trek - 5 Days Trek
 


This trek goes beyond the lake of Dodital to the high Darwa Pass. See the Banderpunch massif up close from the pass !

 
 
Roopkund – The Mystery / Skeletal Lake - 8 Days Trek
 


This high altitude lake (4600m) lies in the lap of Trishul massif. A shallow lake, Roopkund has attracted attention by having human skeletal remains easily visible at its bottom. There are many theories and opinions, from purely spiritual to purely scientific ones, which explain the existence of these skeletons, which date back to 14th century AD.

Kuari Pass - 4 / 8 Days Trek
 


The pass is probably the best window to view the high Himalayan peaks. The views are simply breathtaking, facing north the vision sweeps from the gorges of Trishul

 

 
 
Dodital Hanumanchatti Trek - 14 Days Trek
 


A moderate trek which starts from the Bhagirathi valley, goes up to the lake of Dodital (wrapped in perfect wilderness) to the alpine meadows and crosses over at Darwa Pass (4150m) to the Yamuna watershed.

Kuari Pass – Climbing the North Face - 5 Days Trek
 


The views are simply breathtaking, facing north the vision sweeps from the gorges of Trishul in the east to the peaks of Kedarnath in the west - the Kedarnath, Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Kamet, Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat, Nandadevi, Bethartoli, Dunagiri – (all high 6000m to 7000 m peaks) lined one after the other in a magnificent arc ………

   
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