TREKKING IN INDIA
Trekking in india is one of the famous adventure sports awaiting the trekking enthusiast in India. One who are fascinated by the unexplored. The mountain ranges of India offer breathtaking, enthralling trekking routes. In the vast amphitheatre of the Indian Himalayas and Karakorams, there are limitless possibilities for trekking tours, mountaineering, skiing, and river rafting tours. Within this alluring arena, the Garhwal and Kumaon regions, occupy the central place, with special points of interest for the trekker.. In India Trekking enthusiast can also explore the rugged beauty of the lofty mountains romancing the shimmering waterfalls cascading down in glee, like a merry village belle. Experience the thrill of sheer adventure by our trekking tours in India amidst the world's most beautiful places..
GARHWAL - Har Ki Dun Trek
Region: Garhwal Himalayas
Altitude: 3566 m Above Sea Level
Timings: Mid-April to Mid-November
Treks in garhwal gives ample opportunities of trekking to adventure enthusiast. Garhwal Himalayas offers all ranges of trekking tours from soft treks to hard treks as well as trekking expedition. Below are list of some famous trekking tours in garhwal Himalaya region.
Easy Treks in Garhwal
Har-ki-Dun, situated at an elevation of 3566 metres is surrounded by glittering peaks and dense forests. The forests are rich in wild life and are a veritable paradise for bird-watchers and nature lovers.
Tour Highlights - Haridwar : The holy city of the Hindu's on the banks of river Ganges. An important pilgrim centre with many important temples and 'Ashrams'. Yamunotri : The source of the river Yamuna.
One of the 4 'Dhams' (place of pilgrimage) of Garhwal. MUSSOORIE : Popularly known as the 'Queen of the Hills', this is an important hill station in the Himalayas.
GARHWAL - Valley of Flowers Trek
Location: Garhwal Himalayas (Uttaranchal)
Area: 87.5 sq. Kms.
Altitude: Between 3,658m to 3,962 m
Best Season: Mid July To Mid September
The Valley of Flowers is a beautiful meadow located at an altitude of about eleven thousand feet. It is the valley of the stream Pushpavati, a tributary of Alaknanda. Frank Smythe discovered 'The Valley of Flowers' in 1931 on his way back after a successful expedition to Mt. Kamet. Ferns, dwarf iris, dwarf larkspur, dwarf rhododendrons, primula, blue poppies, fritillaria, asters, potentillas, inula grandifloras and hundreds of other species grow wild in the valley.
The Valley of Flowers is a riot of color in August/September. Well over a thousand varieties of flowers, shrubs, orchids and plants in myriad hues, differing textures and colors paint the valley in a gorgeous display. The valley is a natural plantation surrounded by the dazzling snow clad Himalayas, a feast for the botanist and amateur alike.
Deep in the heart of the Himalayas, is this spectacular 'Valley of Flowers'. Many varieties of Himalayan wild flowers bloom here. Post Monsoons, the floor of the valley is covered with a carpet of myriad colours ! It is an awesome sight of colours with a contrasting back drop of majestic peaks.
The scope for trekking in Garhwal and Kumaon is immense. From short walks to arduous ascents to mountaineering expeditions, the diversity is staggering.
Legends associate this valley of Garhwal Himalayas with the area from where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected "Sanjeevani" herbs to revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Ramaji. Hanumanji had to visit far-flung areas in his search for the "Sanjeevani" life - saving herbs.
In 1939, Miss Margaret Legge, a botanist deputed by the botanical gardens of
Edinburgh arrived at the valley of flowers for further studies, While she
slipped off and was lost for ever in the garden of the gods. Her sister
later visited the valley of flowers and erected a memorial on the spot where
she was buried by the locals. The thoughtful memorial is still there.
Haridwar & Rishikesh: The two holy towns of the Hindu's- centres of ' Vedic' learning and Yoga & Meditation. HEMKUND SAHIB: The pilgrim centre of the Sikh's high in the Himalayas. The Hemkund lake is dominated by the colossal Hathi Parbat (peak). AULI: A popular winter Ski resort, Auli offers spectacular panoramic view of the Himalayas. PAURI : A small hill station with serene surroundings. Enjoy the hospitality of a local village here.
Garwhal - Gangotri Kedarnath Trek
Duration: 19 Nights / 20 Days
Max Altitude: 4450 Mts
Best Time: April to June & Sep to Oct
Difficulty: Moderate Trek
The River Ganges is the most sacred river in the Hindu religion and its
source at Gaumukh on the Gangotri glacier. Ganges Temple at Gangotri is one
of the holiest destinations for Hindu pilgrims & is blessed with
spellbinding scenic beauty. Every year, countless tourists from across the
world, visit here in search of peace and tranquility. Our trek takes us to
Gaumukh (translates to cows mouth), the mythological source of the River
Ganges, which is at the snout of the Gangotri glacier. At Gaumukh, blocks of
glacier fall into the river and pilgrims 'cleanse themselves of their sins'
in freezing water.
We also trek on ancient route of Gangotri to Kedarnath. The Hindu devotees
used this pilgrimage trail very regularly during the times when roads didn't
exist and people used to visit all the four holy temples on foot. The
Kedarnath shrine, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, The temple,
built in the 8th century and dedicated to the goddess Shiva. This is a
scenic spot situated, against the backdrop of the majestic Kedarnath range.
Kedar is another name of Lord Shiva, the protector and the destroyer.
LADAKH - Sham Trek
Season : June to October
Altiitude: 3750 mts / 12300mts
Duration: 07 Days
Grade: Easy
Ladakh offers adventurous trekking tours. The attraction here for the tourists are snow clad peaks, translucent lakes, barren terrain etc. The best season to go on trekking tours and expeditions in ladakh in this region is between July and September.
On this trek there are several villages among the richest in Ladakh. This trekking is known as Sham valley or Apricot valley trek. Arrive at Likir monastery, where the track to Likir monastery meats in between Saspol – Bazgo, it is hardly an hour walks from the road. Through the Indus valley and the ancient kingdom of Sham, we will discover the main Ladakhi monasteries and the wonderful sites surrounding them: Lamayuru and Alchi are all accessible by road, andTemisgang, Ridzong and Likir line the trekking route. This itinerary is of moderate difficulty and the path does not rise above 4500m. The trail crosses numerous villages where the people have kept their Ladakhi ways and customs.
LADAKH - Nubra Valley Trek
Highest Altitude: 18,000 ft
Duration: 09 Nights and 10 Days
The Nubra Valley means Ldumra (the valley of flowers), situated in the north of Leh. The average altitude of the valley is about 10,000 ft. above the sea level. The main attraction in this area is Bactarian Camels (Shaggy double hump Camel) around sand dunes, Deskit & Samstanling monasteries and Khardung la Pass (18,380 feet.) above sea level.
The road journey to Nubra valley leads through Khardongla (the highest motor able road in the world) 18380 ft. around 50 kms. away from Leh. After crossing the pass, you can have a view of Khardong village, Khalser and Deskit (the main villages of Nubra valley). The Deskit village offers Guest Houses and lower budget hotels. The Camel safari can be organized from Deskit to Hunder village for 2 hours. Hundar village has small monastery and it is located on ancient Silk Route.
The lands north of Leh were off limits to tourists till 1994, and had been unexplored by outsiders since the 19th century. Now, the Nubra Valley, unfolding beyond the world's highest stretch of motorable road as it crosses the Khardung La (5,578m), can be visited with a seven day permit, which gives one enough time to explore the stark terrain and trek out to one or two Gompas.
LADAKH - Markha Valley Trek
Highest Altitude: 3,850m
Duration: 10 Nights and 11 Days
Also Known As: Markha Valley Trek
It is short drive from Leh to Spitok, which has the monastery considered to be one of the oldest monasteries in the upper Indus Valley, founded at the same time as Thikse and Likir. The monastery, like Thikse, is situated on a hilltop with a commanding view of the valley.
New trekkers should consult their guides on the trekking tips and other relevant information. For starters each day should take you a day or so and for experienced trekkers they can complete two of these stages in a day.
Ladakh - Stok Kangri-Markha Valley Trek
(A superb trek and climb in the Buddhist stronghold of Ladakh) Flying into the Ladakhi capital of Leh, the shapely peak of Stok Kangri (20075ft.) is prominent on the southern skyline. Spending several days acclimatizing, we visit the colorful monasteries at Shey, Thikse and Hemis before setting off on the lovely trek through the Markha Valley. Our route leads by way of several remote and picturesque villages to the high Nimaling Plain below the imposing peak of Kang Yatze. Crossing the Kongmaru La, we then follow an unusual high route to Stok Kangri Base Camp, a 3-day approach to the mountain, which includes superbly located campsites and far-reaching views towards Tibet and the eastern Karakoram. Although objectively very safe and technically straightforward (involving low-angle scree and easy snow slopes), the climb on Stok Kangri is both challenging and interesting. This is a wonderfully varied trip, perfectly suited to someone seeking his or her first Himalayan summit.
Sikkim - Sikkim Kanchenjunga Trek
Sikkim is one of the best kept secrets in the Himalayas and trekking tours in Sikkim can be a wonderful experience and antidote of city stress and daily life. Experience of trekking in Sikkim can be memorable and cherished for a lifetime. While trekking one can relish the pure air and silence of wilderness,Himalayan Land of Nature Grandeur Spiritual Beauty.
At first through luxuriant rhododendrons, pines, spruces and giants magnolias forests, then through green meadows and yak pastures, the trek leads us towards west Sikkim, close to the Nepali border. Along the Onglakhing glacier moraines and Samity sacred lake, we climb up to Gocha La pass, highlight of this magnificent itinerary, where we will savour the breath-taking scenery of the Talung glacier and the impressive east face of the third highest summit in the world, Kanchenjunga (8586m). We are surrounded by Rathong (6679m), Kabru (7338m), Talung (7349m) to the south, and Kirat Chuli (7365m) and Pyramid Peak (7123m) to the north. The way back via a recently opened path, goes through lush green jungles overgrown with lianas and orchids.
