Top five day treks in India

A five-day trek in India gives you a camping and trekking adventure without requiring too much leave time or expense. Depending on the trek you choose, you will wander deep into the Himalayas, leaving behind the noise and pollution of civilization, to discover glorious mountain views.

These five-day treks can be done in almost all seasons, and most are suitable for beginners. In the summer, these treks are delightful, with cool green pine forests to explore and sparkling rivers and streams to admire. In winter, a blanket of snow covers the land, making it even more gorgeous. Read about these Easy Snow Treks for Beginners.

1. Top five-day trek in India: Kedarkantha, Uttarakhand

Kedarkantha is a beautiful ridge peak in Uttarakhand, and is one of the top 5 day treks in India. It takes you to some of the most beautiful campsites in the state, including Juda ka Talab, a small pond that lies in the middle of a pine forest. At 12,500 feet, the 5-day trek to Kedarkantha summit offers stunning 360-degree views of some of the highest Himalayan peaks like Bandarpoonch, Swargarohini, and Black Pearl. This trail is open almost all year round, but between December and March, the landscape turns from beautiful to spectacular. A 5-day trek in the snow to Kedarkantha will take you along a trail that is completely covered with thick, pure white snow. You’ll walk through forests of pine and oak, with the trees weighed down with snow. The Juda ka Talab pond completely freezes over and is absolutely gorgeous.

2. Top five-day trek in India: Hampta Pass and Chandratal, Himachal Pradesh

One of the top 5 day treks in the north of India, the Hampta Pass and Chandratal trek has many highlights. It takes you from the green valleys of Kullu into the desolate landscape of Spiti valley. You’ll walk through thick forests, camp in undulating meadows and trek across rocky stretches of land, to a windy mountain pass at 14,100 feet. Catch a glimpse of the Indrasan Peak, and marvel at its massive glacier. The main highlight of this 5-day trek; however, is the visit to the turquoise waters of Chandratal Lake.

3. Top five-day trek in India: Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

The gorgeous Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is one of the best-loved 5-day treks in India. It is located within the Nanda Devi National Park in the far interiors of the Garhwal Himalayas. Every year, over 300 species of wildflowers bloom across the valley, and it takes a moderately easy 5-day trek to explore it. Apart from the flowers, there are waterfalls, glaciers, towering mountains, mighty rivers and quaint villages to be seen, making it a top 5-day trek in India. The months of July and August are the best times to undertake this trek as the flowers are in full bloom during this time.

4. Top five-day trek in India: Chopta, Uttarakhand

Chopta is a quaint hill station in the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary and it is popularly known as the 'Mini Switzerland’ of India. The beautiful 5-day trek to Chopta-Chandrashila-Tungnath region is a favourite for trekkers and thrill-seekers and is one of the top treks in India. The Chandrashila mountain peak is a summit of 13,123 feet and is home to Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world. This 5-day trek is a moderately easy one, but the Chandrashila climb gives you the fun experience of trekking a small peak. The best time to visit is from April to November however this 5 day trek is also popular during the winter because of its snowy beauty.

5. Top five day trek in India: Dodital, Uttarakhand

Dodital is a gorgeous emerald green lake in Uttarakhand, at the end of a scenic trek through pine and oak forests. This trek takes you along the banks of the Assi Ganga river, allows you a chance to camp next to the lake, and gives you spectacular views of the peaks of Draupadi ka Danda and Srikanth.

6. Top five-day trek in India: Gurson Meadows, Auli, Uttarakhand

Auli is a popular winter destination attracting travellers from all around the world. Here, the winter season brings with it adequate snowfall, blanketing every meadow and mountain in sight with a thick layer of snow. The smooth powder of snow over the slopes of Auli has also turned it into a popular skiing destination. Surrounded by sprawling acres of overgrown forests, with nature trails meandering through the Himalayan wilderness, the town of Auli offers multiple, amazing treks.

7. Top five-day trek in India: Thachi Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Thachi Valley, an off-beat destination in the heart of Himachal Pradesh, is perched between the mountains that overlook the Great Himalayan National Park. On the trek, you'll spend five days in Thachi Valley trekking to a plethora of local destinations from temples and waterfalls to grasslands and river streams. The highlight of the trek is the visit to Gaun Beed, a towering waterfall that is hidden deep in the folds of mountains.

8. Top five-day trek in India: Tirthan Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Located at an altitude of 13,451 feet, the Tirthan Valley is formed by the path of the Tirthan river as it flows down from Hanskund glacier, in the Great Himalayan National Park. The valley is full of pine forests, hidden waterfalls, and gorgeous nature. Trekking here takes you past quaint villages, gently rolling slopes, craggy peaks, and sparkling rivers. It's the perfect getaway for trekkers and nature lovers looking to get lost in the mountains.

9. Top five-day trek in India: Manali winter trekking, Himachal Pradesh

Manali is a popular tourist destination at any time of the year, but during the winters, it takes on a dreamlike quality. Snow covers the ground and turns the pine groves white, and the sounds of this bustling hamlet are muffled. On this adventure, you'll explore iconic landmarks around Manali, like Hadimba temple, Jogni waterfall, Vashisht hot springs, etc.

10. Top five-day trek in India: Dalhousie winter trekking, Himachal Pradesh

If you're looking for a snow trek, there's no better place than Dalhousie. For decades now, this scenic hill station has attracted those looking for a winter experience. The snowfall in Dalhousie is said to be the most beautiful, and you'll be visiting at the perfect time. Dalhousie is surrounded by thick pine and oak forests, with branches weighed down with snow. It's also perfectly positioned to give you spectacular views of snow-capped mountains.

11. Top five-day trek in India: Bhrigu Lake trek, Himachal Pradesh

Bhrighu Lake is located at an elevation of around 4,300 metres in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh. Legend has it that Sage Bhrigu used to meditate near the lake and locals believe that this is the reason that the lake never freezes over completely, even in the coldest winter. Bhrigu Lake is one of the few glacial lakes that are easily accessible, and don't require days of trekking to get to. From Bhrigu Lake, you can also see peaks like Makarbeh, Shakarbeh, Hanuman Peak, Shitidhar, and more.

12. Top five-day trek in India: Spiti Valley trek, Himachal Pradesh

The Spiti Valley homestay trek takes you from Kaza to Ki Monastery and Kibber village, and to places with exotic names like Langza, Komik, Demul, Lalung, and Dhankar. You'll visit some of the highest villages in the world, visit 1000-year-old monasteries and go to the highest post office in the world.

13. Top five-day trek in India: Chadar, Ladakh

Located in the magical kingdom of Ladakh, the Chadar trek takes you over the surface of the frozen Zanskar river. It is a unique trek that takes place in the coldest part of winter, with temperatures well below zero, and stunning stark landscape all around.