Do you get an etch whenever you see the mountain pictures in magazines? Spending secluded time in cubicle you always surfing the trekking sites? Then you surely are a trekker by heart. Winter is the preferred season for the trekker junkies to explore and gauge the scenic beauty of the snow cladding mountains. Don’t worry!
These are 7 destinations that will surely excite you to pack your bags and leap for the greatest adventure of your life.
#1. Auden’s Col Trek – Garhwal Himalayas
Auden’s Col Trek is considered as the most dangerous passes in Garhwal Himalayas as it binds two glaciers, one is Katling Glacier and other one is Jogin. It gets its’ name from J B Auden who first crossed it in 1939-40. You will feel blessed in the lap of Gangotri and the famed Ganga Arti, the soothing walk through Pine and Birch forest and finally the beauty transformed into some of the Himalayan Peaks.
Trekking Routes:
Delhi -> Rishikesh -> Utterkashi -> Gangotri -> Nala Camp -> Rudugaira -> Gangotri Group -> Auden Col BC -> Khatling Glacier -> Zero Point -> Vasuki tal -> Kedarnath -> Rudrapryag -> Rishikesh –> Delhi
Region: Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand
Duration: 20 Days
Season: June to Sep
Cost: Rs. 25,000 (Approx) / Per Person
#2. Nilgiri Trek
Nilgiri is one of the most sought after places when you are planning your trip to South India. The best place to see the serene Green Lake, pine forest, tea gardens, coffee plantations and orange grooves. Ooty, Kotagiri and Koonoor are the best places to plan your trek. The weather is added advantage for the tourists as the place reaches an altitude of 7000 feet and the climate remain cool, fresh and enthusiastic throughout the year.
Trekking Routes from Ooty:
Bangaluru –> Ooty –> Mukurthi Peak –> Pandiar Hills –> Paykara Lake -> Avalanche -> Upper Bhavani -> Kolaribetta -> Emerald -> Ooty
Trekking Route from Kotagiri –
Kotagiri -> Kodanad ViewPoint –> Moyar River -> Catherine Falls -> Elk Falls –> Kotagiri
Trekking Route from Coonoor –
Coonoor -> Lamb’s Rock -> Lady Canning’s Seat -> Dolphin’s Nose -> Law’s Falls -> The Droog –> Coonoor
Region: Nilgiri, Tamilnadu
Duration: 6-8 Days
Season: October- February
Cost: Rs. 20,000 (Approx) / Per Person
#3. Bomdila – Dirang Trek
If you are a true lover of nature, you will surely love the scenic beauty of Bomdila and Dirang. The snow clad mountains, the meadows with colorful flowers are the main attractions for the photographers. Its situated 8000 feet above sea level, that is the main reason for its wonderful weather and the holy monasteries will give you mental piece with a relaxed soul. Gompa Monastery is a must watch for the tourists.
Trekking Routes –
Guwahati –> Bomdila –> Rahung Basti –> Thembang –> Namchu –> Dirang –> Bomdila -> Guwahati
Region: Bomdila – Dirang , Arunachal Pradesh
Duration: 6-8 Days
Season: June – November
Cost: Rs. 18,000 (Approx) / Per Person
#4. Roopkund Trek – Garhwal Himalayas
Roopkund is a perfect mixture of undulating meadows, lakes, snow-caps, folklore and a mysterious past too. If you are a hardcore trekker like “Bunny” from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, then you are perfect for this one. Roopkund is also called “Mysterious Lake” as in 1942 almost 200 skeleton discovered near the frozen lake. Initially it was believed that the skeletons are of those Japanese soldiers who had died while crossing the route during World War II. But later it is discovered that the skeletons were of the people of a 9th century Indian tribe who died due to hail storm.
Trekking Routes –
Kathgodam (Dist – Nainital) -> Loharjung -> Didna Village -> Ali Bugyal -> Ghora Lotani –> Bhagwabasa -> Roopkund -> Bedni Bugyal -> Lohajung – Loharjung -> Kathgodam
Region: Uttarakhand
Duration: 8 Days
Season: June – November
Cost: Rs. 15,000 (Approx) / Per Person
#5. Pindari Glacier Trek
If you want to go with your family and children, this is the perfect delight for sight seeing, dense forest, spider-walls and stream crossing. The peaceful rhododendron forests and chirping birds will allure you to a different world altogether. The locals proudly refer the place as “Soul of Kumaon”.
Trekking Routes –
Kathgodam (Dist- Nainital) –> Bageshwar –> Loharkhet –> Dhakuri –> Khati –> Dwali –> Phurkia –> Zero Point –> Dwali –> Kafni Glacier –> Dwali –> Khati –> Dhakuri –> Loharkhet –> Almora -> Kathgodam
Region: Kumaon
Duration: 10 Days
Season: April – November (Except Monsoon)
Cost: Rs. 20,000 (Approx) / Per Person
#6. Dayara Bugyal Trek
Dayara is situated at a height of 10,000 – 12,000 ft. surrounded by oak, pine and rhododendron tress. In the month of June you can easily see birds like – Himalayan Tree Pie, Himalayan Babbler, Bush Robin, Pink Finch, Brown Fronted Tailor Bird, Himalayan Monal (Impeyan Pheasant) etc. There is a possibility for Nordic and Alpine skiing since during the winter it provides one of the best ski slopes in India.
Trekking Routes –
Haridwar –> Barsu –> Barnala –> Dayara Bugyal –> Goey -> Haridwar
Region: Uttarakhand
Duration: 5 Days
Season: June – November
Cost: Rs. 14,000 (Approx) / Per Person
#7. Stok Kangri Summit Trek
At the height of 20, 080 ft. Stok Kangri Summit is the most dangerous and adventurous trek from all. If you have a weak heart, kindly do not attempt this. You must need a guide to stay safe and alive! The breath taking scenic beauty will give the exact feel of heaven to you. The bizarre climate change may be a headache but the virgin view of Leh – Ladakh, the Karakoram range and a bird’s eye view of the Indus valley will entice you to God’s own wonderland.
Trekking Routes –
Leh –> Stok Village –> Change Ma –> Manokorma –> Stok Kangri -> Leh
Region: Leh, Ladakh, J & K
Duration: 10 Days
Season: July – September
Cost: 20,000 (Approx) / Per Person
So, all mountain lovers, don’t waste your time, just pack your bags and go out for one of these amazing trekking destinations of India.
