Gems of The Himalayas

"To those who are enthralled by mountains, their beauty is beyond all dispute.
To those who are not, their allure is a kind of madness. ”

– Robert Macfarlane.

For decades, travellers, adventurers & thrill seekers alike have been drawn into the majestic sanctuary of the Himalayas. An endless source of joy & perspective, the pristine trails, vibrant meadows, bustling valleys & towering peaks have awed every fortunate soul who has passed through this beautiful landscape. A million memories that have been shared at the coldest campsites, each trek providing a unique yet equally pretty facet of the mountains. Today, we bring to you some of the best the Himalayas have to offer. Indulge.

KASHMIR GREAT LAKES

Jammu & Kashmir

A sojourn into the rain shadow region of the Pir Panjal Range, Kashmir Great Lakes is arguably the most visually appeasing trek in the Indian Himalayas.

75kms east of Srinagar, ideally in the months of July – September, a drive to the base camp of Shitkadi acquaints you with bright blue skies which will keep you perpetual company during the course of your trek.
Surreal views of Vishansar & Kishansar lakes atop Gadsar Pass
Image Courtesy: YHAI

Over the course of a week, the scale of the gigantic mountains up close is bound to leave you speechless. Each day promises a bloom of colours. The turquoise & inky blue waters of the sparkling Vishansar & Kishansar Lakes. The wide expanse of lush green bugyals & 5 different valley floors dotted with wild flowers inducing colours of pink, purple, yellow & white. Forests of Maple, Pine & Birch are also regular delights.

Underestimated aspects of this trek are the boulder sections & the high pass crossings such as Gadsar & Nichnai, stitching the valleys together. Covering a total of 74kms with daily ascents & descents of 1500ft means that the KGL Trek, by no means an easy feat, can be completed & enjoyed thoroughly with a solid mix of planning & preparation.
PIN BHABA PASS

Himachal Pradesh

A glorious crossover trek between the lush grasslands of the Bhaba Valley of Kinnaur & the cold, high-altitude desert landscape of the Pin Valley in Spiti, Pin-Bhaba Pass is truly a gem of Himachal Pradesh. A 6-day adventure, ideal for seasoned trekkers, it’s best experienced from the months of May till September.

Golden hour spent camping on the wondrous pastures of Khara.

PIN BHABA PASS

Himachal Pradesh

A glorious crossover trek between the lush grasslands of the Bhaba Valley of Kinnaur & the cold, high-altitude desert landscape of the Pin Valley in Spiti, Pin-Bhaba Pass is truly a gem of Himachal Pradesh. A 6-day adventure, ideal for seasoned trekkers, it’s best experienced from the months of May till September.

A 200km drive from Shimla takes you the base village of Kafnu, from where you embark on a memorable journey.

The mystical forests of Mulling await, followed by the crossing of Bhaba River & a picture perfect campsite on the glistening river delta of Phutsirang. On a day that sees one trek for over 10 hours, standing atop the Pass at 16,105 feet, a mixture of shock & awe grips you. The sudden, drastic change in scenery from the green valleys of Kinnaur to the pinkish-brown hues of the arid region of Spiti Valley is quite surreal to say the least.

Culminating at the tiny Buddhist village of Mudh in the high mountains of Spiti, it truly feels like one has travelled back to a simpler, peaceful time.
SANDAKPHU

West Bengal

To trek in the Himalayas means aspiring to someday have a chance to witness the grandeur of at least one 8000m peak. A quaint trail in West Bengal allows you to glimpse not one but 4 of the world’s highest & most majestic mountains.
In awe of Mt.Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse & Makalu from Sandakphu.

The Sandakphu Trek elegantly dances along the Indo-Nepal border on the Singalila Ridge & provides crystal clear views of Mt. Everest, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu & finally as part of the famous Sleeping Buddha range, Mt. Kanchenjunga.

Quite unique in nature, the trail in its entirety is a long, drawn-out walk along a beautiful ridgeline. For about 65kms, commencing from the tiny village of Jaubhari, you’re presented with a surreal opportunity to virtually stroll above the clouds. Watching the sun rise & set below you makes for an awe-inspiring experience.

Apart from the monsoons, as you climb to a moderate altitude of 11,950ft, Sandakphu is dotted with homestays every 8-10 kms, where the hospitality of the Nepali Tea-House culture seeps in gloriously.

As a cherry on top, you also get to enjoy the pristine pine & bamboo forests near the villages of Gorkhey & Samanden to alternate between the stunning bloom of pink rhododendrons & white magnolias on trail.
GAUMUKH-TAPOVAN

Uttarakhand

Beverly Sills once said, “There are no shortcuts to anyplace worth going.” The Gaumukh-Tapovan Trek would be the epitome of this statement.

A tiring 250-km journey from Dehradun via Uttarkashi sees you arrive at the holy pilgrim town of Gangotri. Beginning at 10,000ft, one must be well prepared & acclimatized for the journey ahead.
The iconic north-eastern face of Mt. Shivling, visible from Tapovan.
Image Courtesy: Trekkers of India

Passing by the gargantuan snout of the Gangotri glacier or Gau-mukh leaves you in bewilderment. The 46-km trail weaves over crevasses in the glacial bed, through rocky moraine & endless boulder fields. It will surely test your will & capabilities to safely cross these sections. For all the trouble one undergoes, what lies ahead is truly one of the most mesmerizing experiences of a trekker’s life.

The grassy campsite of Tapovan is a photographer’s paradise. Unparalleled views of the glorious Mt. Shivling & the Bhagirathi Massif bathed in fiery alpenglow is a sight to behold. In the distance, one can also view the sublime silhouette of the shark’s fin on Mt. Meru.

Lastly, as you wriggle out of your tent at midnight, the incredible sight of the shining Milky Way Galaxy is bound to fill you with a sense of gratitude & elation.
BURAN GHATI

Himachal Pradesh

Most treks have a singular or at the most 2 focal points that draw you in. In just under a week in Himachal Pradesh, Buran Ghati showcases every beautiful facet a Himalayan trail can possibly offer you.
A jaw-dropping, vertigo-inducing rappel from 15,000ft.
Image Courtesy: IndiaHikes

Beginning at Janglik & culminating at Barua, both of whom are magical little hamlets stuck in time, Buran Ghati offers you a plethora of landscapes in a mere 37-kms. The trail from Janglik to the endless & pristine expanse of Dayara Meadows has you journeying through enchanting forests of maple, pine & oak with eagle eye views of the Pabbar River.

The Litham campsite marks the transition from bugyals to a pure alpine region at Dhunda. Sandwiched subtly between, lies a short & sweet side-trip to the shimmering waters of the glacial Chandranahan Lake.

To top it all off is an arduous yet rewarding climb through snow up to Buran Pass at 15,000ft. What follows is definitely a heart-pounding experience as you rappel down a sheer & steep ice wall.

Traversing through the subsequent boulder field & camping along the river, a glance back at the pass brings back joyful memories from each previous day on trail. Simply put, the Buran Ghati trek comes as close to perfection as can be.
HAR KI DUN

Uttarakhand

Nestled in the picturesque Garhwal Himalayas, Har Ki Dun is a trail beloved by beginners & veterans alike. The sheer beauty one witnesses on the trail is reason enough to go back over & over again. From Sankri, one loops around the colourful Har Ki Dun Valley with an additional delight of Ruinsara Tal & returns with a bagful of memories.

All along the trail you are gifted with pretty walks through dense forests of Pine & the famous Bhoj Patra or Himalayan Silver Birch. A striking feature of the trek is the multiple wooden bridges you cross over the rivers of Thamsa, Har Ki Dun & Kyarakoti.
A timeless stroll through the Valley of the Gods.
Image Courtesy: Adventure Nation

Over the course of 7 days, the magnificent Swargrohini peak watches over you as you stroll around on the lush green alpine meadows at Kalkatiyadhar & Devsu Thatch which are dotted with vividly blooming wildflowers.

Also, the 300+ year old villages of Gangad & Oslo have an inexplicable charm attached to them. It is hard to not to feel at peace amongst the warmth & smiles of the locals, their culture & ancient traditions.

This lovely adventure into the Valley of the Gods culminates with a delightful backdrop of the hanging Swargrohini glacier set against the still waters of Ruinsara Tal.
MARKHA VALLEY

Ladakh

To have passed through Markha Valley is to have truly experienced the soul of Ladakh’s cold, high altitude desert. A stark landscape with jagged, towering peaks & scant flora resembles a unique martian landscape.
Vistas of jagged, snow-laden ranges nearing the Kongmaru La at 5200m.
Image Courtesy: Adventure Nation

A couple of hours from Leh, the trek begins from the village of Chilling or Zingchen alternatively. The dusty path is lined with tiny, fragile cairns marking the way to villages as old as time. As you march through Hemis National Park, you are bound to witness the nimble fauna of the region. From Blue Sheep & Ibexes to the camouflaged little Pikas & Marmots.

The scale of the mountains is quite hard to fathom as you walk into the homestays at Skiu, Nimaling or Markha. The aroma of steaming hot butter tea & sumptuous Khambir bread washes away your fatigue as you lounge on the carpeted floor of traditional Ladakhi kitchens, lined with brass & copper vessels & central bukharis (chimney stove) emanating warmth.

Tibetan-Buddhist culture is on full display as you trudge up to Kongmaru La (Pass) at 17,250ft. Streaming prayer flags & miniature chortens exude an air of spirituality as you gasp at the snow capped peak of Kang Yatse.

A trail, words fall short to do justice to, Markha Valley is a special corner of the world & a life experience worth having beyond a sliver of doubt.
AUDEN’S COL

Uttarakhand

The Auden’s Col expedition is arguably the pinnacle of ‘trekking’ in India. Treacherously saddled at 18,000ft on a ridge connecting the majestic peaks of Jogin I & Gangotri III, it should only be attempted by fit, hardened veterans.

Awareness of the terrain, unpredictable weather patterns & sharp technical knowledge form an essential skillset one should possess before such an undertaking.
Approaching the crevasse-laden Jogin glacier prior to Auden's Col.

In a funny way, the journey across the Jogin & Khatling glaciers from Gangotri to Kedarnath marks an alternate pilgrimage between the two holy Dhams of Uttarakhand.

Howling winds that intend to blow off your tents, endless hours of traversing unstable moraines & dangerous crevasses which threaten to swallow you whole. This expedition will push you past your physical & mental limits. As you climb the steep gully to Auden’s Col & your toes begin to go numb, a wish to be transported to the warmth & comfort of your home is quite warranted.

Arriving at the Col & catching a glimpse of the crevasse-ridden, sprawling expanse of the Khatling glacier, a mixture of shock & wonder grip you. The menacing peaks of Mt. Rudugaira & Mt. Kedar Dome rise up sharply along with the Gangotri, Jogin & Bhagirathi Massifs.

A daunting descent down a 70° snow gully & a strenuous trek through the maze of crevasses & a terminal moraine sees you arrive at mystical forests of Pine, Cedar & Rhododendrons. A peaceful walk ensues, where solitude surely takes over as you are filled with a sense of accomplishment & joy. A transformative adventure to say the least, Auden’s Col will be etched across your heart as a conquest for the ages.