The Himalayas bring forth images of white, snowy mountains that cut across the clouds touching the sky. You are reminded of the world’s highest peaks, like Mount Everest, Kangchenjunga, and Nanda Devi. Peaks that can only be conquered by skilled adventurers. But the Himalayas are vast, and not all of its mountains are confined to experts.
Let’s have a look at the 15 easy Himalayan treks for beginners
1. Valley of Flowers Trek
This place is famous for its breathtakingly beautiful meadows, and one of the best ways to experience it is through a trek. Animals like blue sheep, musk deer, and snow leopards also live in the park. The best time to take the trek is during the bloom, which is in July and August.
2. Chopta Chandrashila Trek
Chopta Chandrashila Trek is considered to be one of the best beginner-level treks on the Garhwal Himalaya Mountains. You start from Chopta village in Uttarakhand, and the trek takes around five days to complete. On the way, you get to enjoy beautiful views of the Himalayas, culminating in a spectacular view from Chandrashila Point. If you visit during the winter months, you can witness snowfall all over the valley. While all this might sound intimidating to beginners, the entire trek is actually quite doable, even for a novice. The best time to take Chopta Chandrashila Trek is from May to November.
3. Chatakpur Tiger Hill Trek
The Chatakpur Tiger Hill Trek near Darjeeling is an easy to moderate trek of 7 km that takes you through the dense forests and orchards of the Senchal Wildlife Sanctuary. You can camp overnight in Chatakpur and watch the sunrise and sunset at the city’s watch tower, where you can see Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga. As you go downhill, you get to see some Buddhist monasteries and the Senchal Lake. March-April and October-November are the best times for this trek, as Senchal is closed during the monsoon months.
4. Triund Hill Trek
One of the most popular options for a weekend trek is from Mcleodganj in Himachal Pradesh. It takes you through dense rhododendron forests and wide open grasslands and pastures. On the way, you get drenched in the beauty of nature, along with the sound of birds chirping. The trek runs for 9 km from Dharamkot, and you can cover the stretch in 5 or 6 hours. At the top, you get a view of the Dhauladhar Mountains and the Kangra Valley. You can walk through Lahesh Caves to Indrahar Pass and Ilaka Glacier. May-June and September-November are the best time for this trek.
5. Hampta Pass
The Hampta Pass trek in Himachal Pradesh connects the beautiful valleys of Lahaul and Kullu and takes around 4-5 days to complete. For company, you have incredible views of the alpine forest and glaciers and mountains. The trek starts from Manali, and with every few kilometers, the landscape and terrain change. By the end of this, you will have reached a height of 4400 meters after traveling 26 km. You end the trek at Chhatra, from where you get a view of the convergence of Spiti Valley, Rohtang Pass, and Hampta Pass. May-September is the best time to visit this place.
6. Har Ki Dun Trek
Another trek for the wildlife lover, Har Ki Dun Valley in Uttarakhand offers spectacular views of Bandarpunch, Har Ki Dun, Swargarohini, and Kali peaks. As you progress, you pass through dense pine forests, glacial valleys, and moraine ranges. Bird lovers will be able to spot species like Monal, Himalayan Gryphon, and Golden Eagle. The distance of the trek is around 24 km and lasts for seven days, and the best time to do it is July-September.
7. Nag Tibba Trek
With a name that translates to ‘Serpent Peak,’ you know you’re signing up for an adventure on the Nag Tibba Trek. Situated near Mussoorie in Uttarakhand, the Nag Tibba Trail passes through areas full of wildlife and charming small villages and camps of the Gurjar tribe. Nag Tibba Peak itself is at an elevation of about 3,050 meters above sea level, and you can spot a variety of birds and flowers along the way, including white anemones and mountain mynahs, red air bulbs, and jungle babblers. The entire trek lasts for two days and is about 9 km from Pantwari village, and can be done throughout the year, although snowfall in the months of January-February can make the trek difficult.
8. Prashar Lake Trek
Located in the Kullu Valley of Himachal Pradesh, the Prashar Lake trek takes you to the famous blue water lake in the Mandi district of the state. The trail overlooks the Dhauladhar Mountains and covers rivers and streams, villages, forests, and much more. The trek is suitable for the whole family, with incredible views of Kinnaur, Pir Panjal, and Dhauladhar ranges. On the way, you get to see the local Parashar Rishi Temple, with its unique architecture on the banks of the lake. The trek takes you to an altitude of about 9,000 feet, and you can take it all year round. This two-day-long trail receives little snowfall in the months of April and May.
9. Sham Valley Trek
Finally, we reach the Sham Ghati Trek, also known as the ‘Baby Trek.’ The trail covers the pristine and barren landscape of Ladakh and is called the Baby Trek due to its low altitude. But make no mistake; this trek can be just as challenging as the others on the list in different ways. On the way, you get to see many Buddhist monasteries and views of Alchi, Thiksey, Hemis, and Lamayuru.
10. Dzongri Trek
Dzongri Trek is located in Sikkim and is one of the most challenging treks on this list. It takes eight days to complete the 4,020m high, but it is a class route suitable for beginners and beginners. On the way, you get a beautiful view of the hills of Kanchenjunga and Padum and pass through rhododendron, bamboo, oak, and maple trees. March-April and September-October are the best times for this trip.
11. Brahmatal Trek
The highest point on this trek is Brahmatal Top, at 12,250 feet, and it is a spectacular trek. New mountain tracks open before you – Mount Chaukhamba, Mount Neelkanth, Mount Hati Goda, Mount Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti and you are on your way. Brahmatal is also a great solo track. There’s a lot of snow on the road in December, January, and February. The tour lasts until the end of April.
12. Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek
This is a unique trip as you not only see part of the Himalayas but also the main hills of Western and Eastern Uttarakhand from the summit. Not only that but if you walk between March and April, you will be surrounded by rhododendrons! It is called a bird paradise because of the variety of birds you see on the trail.
13. Phulara Ridge Trek
The Pulara Ridge trek is best done in September, October, November, May, and June. A unique tour and one of the newest tours in India. The Ova-Pushtara train is another reason why every tourist should do this route. The Phulara Ridge Trek also has a beautiful lush forest section for a short walk. If you love wildlife or birds, this is the trip for you. We saw more than ten species of Himalayan birds on the way.
14. Sandakphu Phalut Trek
Sandakphu Phalut Trail is one of the few trails where you can see four of the five highest mountains in the world – Mount Everest, Mount Lhotse, Mount Makalu, and Mount Kanchenjunga. This type of Sandakphu trek is a Himalayan trek. Along with this, you will also see the Kanchenjunga range of the Himalayas, popularly known as the Sleeping Buddha, which will stay with you for years to come. A unique feature of this tour is the cafes you will find. It is similar to hotels and restaurants but different. You have to stay to enjoy the warmth of the tea house.
15. Dayara Bugyal Trek
Dayara has all the elements of a Bugyal Himalayan trek – beautiful forests, beautiful campsites, ancient villages, impressive peaks at high altitudes, spectacular mountain views, and the best mountain pastures in Uttarakhand. Meadows are completely covered with snow in winter. It’s all on the easy-to-moderate road.
In conclusion
These were the 15 best Himalayan treks for beginners this year. While choosing the best treks is not easy, each destination is beautiful in its own way, but we have summarized the best ones that we think you should not miss!
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