Trekking is your one-way ticket to heaven, quite literally! Cocooned in the wraps of mountains, meadows, and valleys, there’s so much more than just serenity to be found. But if you thought treks were meant only for spring and winter, brace yourself for a pleasant surprise! Here are 6 perfect Himalayan treks to sail you through autumn this year-
Roopkund
Often nicknamed as the ‘Mysterious Lake Trek’, Roopkund plays home to thousands of animal and human skeletons, which date back centuries! The pertifying mystery of the lake, which is perched atop a stunning 16,000 ft in the laps of Mount Trishul and Nanda Ghunti, is enough to lure countless trekkers into its bounds every year. The trek also lets you camp at the beautiful Bedni Bugyal, which is the largest meadow in Asia. The mountains bear witness to all your musings, accompanying you wherever you go. Its harboring places carry beautiful names, redolent in Hindu mythology. This autumn, trek to the Roopkund lake is for a magical experience.
Valley Of Flowers
Himalayan trekking is always mesmerizing, and the beauty of the Valley of Flowers trek is one of them, best experienced in the Autumns, when the green canvas embraces countless colors, turning the ground into an artist’s canvas! It is truly the most colorful trek in India, hosting the rarest of floral species! Behold the glory of the alpine lake and the spectacular gurudwara of Sri Hemkund Sahib at a boggling 15,200 ft.! The verdant valley holds enough treasure to bewitch the senses! A must-do for trekkers, botanists and nature lovers everywhere.
Stok Kangri
Standing tall at a dizzying 20,180 ft., the Stok Kangri trek is the highest trekkable summit in India. In other words, you do not need rigorous technical training, unlike other expeditions, to take this trek. The astonishing altitude of the peak demands proper acclimatization and fitness that is well above par. The trek begins from the rustic village of Stok and stretches through Chang Ma and Makorma. It takes one 9-10 hours of arduous trekking to reach the top ridge, which looks out to the beautiful Karakoram and Zanskar ranges. An unmissable experience for adrenaline junkies, and one of the toughest journeys in India, Stok Kangri is truly a breathtaking adventure in Ladakh.
Gaumukh Tapovan
Gaumukh literally translates to ‘cow’s mouth’, referring to the source of origin of the sacred river Ganga. The gripping sight of the mighty river dripping down the massive glacier snout is a phenomenal experience that no other trek can dare to offer. Tapovan, a rich meadow above the Gaumukh glacier, and right at the foot of Mount Shivling, gives you an unparalleled view of the towering massif in all its glory. Witnessing a mountain’s stark rise from its base to summit is something not many treks can boast of! Moderately challenging, this high altitude trek is meant for the experienced trekkers, who often choose to repeat it for the spiritual aura it holds.
Kashmir Great Lakes
Nestled in the beautiful gem of Jammu & Kashmir, the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is like a poem, waiting to be unfurled and recited. It ushers you through breathtaking, verdant valleys, the blanketing silence of its surroundings, and beautiful meadows crisscrossed with splendid flowers. The trek is ideal for both, beginners as well as the experienced. It opens up a window to the mesmerizing Sonmarg village, among other rustic villages. Circled by the massive snowy peaks, and comforted by gurgling brooks, the trek is as much of a spiritual journey as it is a physical one. Trek to the most scenic Kashmir Great Lakes, at 13,750 ft, to lose yourself amongst the ravishing vistas!
Goecha La
One of the most sought-after treks in India, the Goecha La trek pushes you as close to the mighty Mt. Kanchendzonga as you can get without actually scaling it! It stares you right in the face while you trace well-defined trails through massive, verdant rhododendron forests, which house several rare species of flora. It’s easy to get intoxicated by the sublime beauty of nature here. The majestic Mt. Pandim also plays chaperone. Starting from Yuksom, the trek trails through the magnificent Kanchendzonga National Park, and Dzongri. If you’re a nature lover, do not give this a miss! Time it in the September- November window to make the most of it.
