Summer treks in India

Summer treks in India

Odds are if you are living in a metro city of India, the temperatures are going to reach unbearable degrees during the summer. To beat the heat, you can escape into the mountains with one these top summer treks in India. During the months of March to June, while the rest of the country is baking, you’ll be exploring the cool green valley of Himachal or enjoying a misty morning from your tent in Uttarakhand with these top India summer treks.

1. Roopkund trek

Roopkund is a high-altitude lake that stays frozen for most of the year, thawing for just about one month. With the frequent rainstorms and snow here, this is one of the top summer treks in India to give you a break from the scorching sun. But what makes it a top trek in India at any time of the year is the human skeletons that surround the lake. The trail begins through verdant meadows and climbs to the barren heights, testing your stamina and endurance. This popular India summer trek is not advised for first-timers unless you’re very fit.

2. Malana Chanderkhanit trek

The Malana-Chanderkhani Pass trek is one of the top summer treks in India, because it takes you through evergreen meadows, cool pine and oak forests, and picture-perfect valleys. You’ll have a chance to see the legendary village of Malana, with its unique lifestyle and ancient architecture. En route, you’ll see the snow-covered peaks of Pir-Panjal and the Parvati mountain range. The Chanderkhani Pass Trek takes you high up to a pass at about 12,000 feet, long the top of a ridge. This route also involves negotiating some tricky descents, crossing a gorge, and walking beside the gushing Beas river. With a host of experiences and pleasant weather, the Chanderkhani Pass trek finds itself on a list of the top summer treks in India.

3. Triund trek

Located about ten kilometres from the bustling city centre of McLeodganj, this trek in Kangra Valley is an easy but gorgeous adventure and is one of the top treks in India. Trekkers visit sacred mountains, ancient temples and quaint 'Pahadi' villages hidden in valleys, waiting to be explored. There are rocks to scramble over, peaks swathed in mist, and cold air all around. This adventure gives you breath-taking, 180-degree views of the top trekking peaks in India. The Triund trek will take about four hours to complete and the view of the evening sky from Triund is a good enough reason to pitch a tent here for the night.

4. Chopta, Tungnath and Chandrashila trek

Chopta is a quaint hill station in the Kedarnath wildlife sanctuary and it is popularly known as the 'Mini Switzerland’ of India. The beautiful Chopta-Chandrashila-Tungnath region is a famous destination 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. The trek is a moderately easy one, but the Chandrashila climb gives you the fun experience of trekking peaks in India. The best time to visit is from April to November; however, the trek is also popular during the winter because of the snowy beauty.

5. Har ki Dun trek

Lush, green meadows are in store for you on this summer trek in India. The Har Ki Dun trek takes you over verdant meadows carpeted with wildflowers and, if Jaundhar Glacier is included in your itinerary, you’ll get to see an incredible glacier too. You will trek through the cool forested trails of the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park in the Garhwal Himalayas, making this a prime choice in the top summer treks in India. This is an easy summer trek in India, but be aware that it involves long hours of walking.

6. Beaskund trek

This easy trek in Himachal Pradesh is perfect for beginners, and is ideal for a quick India summer trek because it starts close to Manali. You trek past glaciers, up lushly forested slopes, passing the tree line, seeing mountain streams dot the landscape, and up into meadows where shepherds bring their flock to graze on the sweet grass. The emerald-green Beaskund lake is the highlight of this trek, and it is great for taking postcard-perfect photographs. All this is accompanied by views of surrounding peaks such as Shitidhar and Friendship Peak in the Kullu region. It is one of the top summer treks in India for the gorgeous views and cool weather.

7. Bhrigu lake trek

At the heart of Kullu Valley, Bhrigu Lake is one of the top treks in India during the summer months or for a snow trek in the winter. This easy trek begins from Manali, and takes you through quaint mountain villages, forests of oak and pine, with impressive views of snow-capped trekking peaks in India, and the stunning Hampta valley. You’ll be camping along the banks of the lake, which changes colour over the course of the day, making this one of the top treks in India. The trek also offers a chance to visit the famous hot water springs in the Vashisht village.

8. Nagtibba trek

The Nagtibba trek is one of the top summer treks in India because it takes you into the cool forests of Uttarakhand, to a height of 10,000 feet. Goats and woolly sheep graze on the slopes around you, and you’ll see high Himalayan peaks like the Bandarpoonch peak. At night, you’ll camp in open meadows under clear starry skies, amidst wild mint and fragrant shrubs.

9. Kuari pass and Pangarchula trek

The Kuari Pass trek is famous for snow trekking, but it’s also top summer trek in India because it allows you to escape the heat and enjoy a few days in the cool mountains. This trek is moderately easy, except for the summit to Pangarchulla peak, which stands tall at 15,419 feet and puts your climbing muscles to the test. One of the top treks in India, this trek takes you through endless green meadows, alpine forests, and past towering Himalayan peaks with enchanting panoramic views of Nanda Devi, the Chaukhamba Range, Mana peak, and Kamet peak.

10. Kasol trek

Kasol is a small village located on the lush green banks of the Parvati river at an altitude of 5000 feet. It attracts backpackers, hippies and adventure seekers from around the world and from India, thanks to its serenity and pleasant weather. This is why Kasol is one of the top summer treks in India. You’ll have a fairly steep climb, but at the top, you’ll be rewarded with views of scenic valleys, gushing rivers and snow-capped peaks. You’ll cross the fast-flowing blue Parvati river, cross green sloping fields, and walk through quaint hamlets, as well as open landscapes and forests of rhododendron trees.