Often called the “Land of the Gods” the Indian state of Uttarakhand lies just west of Nepal and is the geographic center of the greater Himalayas. Hindus have long made pilgrimages to the source of the Ganga which starts from the Gangotri Glacier glaciers high in the Himalayas. Home to Nanda Devi (7,816 m / 25,643 ft) the second tallest peak in India as well as a host of other 7000m+ peaks Uttarakhand is a fantastic destination for trekkers.
Deorital & Chandershila Trek
If you only have a limited amount of time this short 4 day trek starting from Rishikesh is a great option. It’s a little longer than a half day drive to the trailhead at Sari village. It’s an easy 45 min hike to Deorital Lake which offers great views and fantastic camping. The second day takes you to Chopta and then on to the summit of Chandershila which offers fantastic views of Chaukhamba 7000m+ in the distance. The entire hike has fantastic views of the Himalayas and the high point at Chandershila is 4000m so the trek poses no acclimatization issues. If you go in April expect the hills to be colored pink from the blooming Rhododendrons.
Valley of Flowers Trek
This 4 or 5 day trek brings you to the most famous area for wildflowers in the Himalaya and unlike the other treks mentioned is best done during the monsoon when the flowers are in full bloom. Trekkers should expect plenty of rain and prepare accordingly. Fortunately the beauty of the flowers make up for it and one can stay in one of the lodges at Ghangria in order to stay out of the rain at night and get dry. The trek starts from Govind Ghat and it’s the first day is spent hiking to the small village of Ghangria.
Brahmatal Trek
Located around 12,000 feet up in the Himalayas, the Brahmatal Trek is famous amongst trekkers from all over the world. Offering an adventurous blend of challenging trails and scintillating beauty, the Brahmatal Trek is also one of the most sought-after treks in the entire world. Tucked in the mighty Himalayas, this trek remains covered under quite a few metres of snow, and offers some of the most picturesque sights of the surrounding landscapes.
In addition to the uneven and varied terrain, the Brahmatal Trek is complete with scenic landscapes, lush forests and panoramic views of the Himalayas. Sprawled over 22 kilometres, this trek becomes even more famous during the winters, when the whole region is covered in a thick blanket of white snow. Eventually, upon completing the trek, you come across the frozen Brahmatal Lake and Brahmatal Peak.
The Brahmatal Trek is not only grand, but also quite beautiful. The frozen lake, with the majestic Himalayas shadowing it on all sides, is a sight to marvel upon. The trek, with its mesmerising ambience, caters to both amateur as well as experienced trekkers as they walk through forests of oaks and fir trees across gradually ascending slopes. The Brahmatal Trek is one of the only treks in the Garhwal region where you can not just explore the Himalayas, but also soak in the beauty that it has to offer, while doing something adventurous.