Treks in India for Beginners
Kasol-Kheerganga Trek, Himachal Pradesh
Kheerganga is a treasured place among trekkers and devotees alike. The infamous hot water springs are deemed to be refreshing and relaxing in the valley of Parvati. The beautiful campsites in the clearings among lush green forests of the valley of Parvati are some of the many things to look forward to.
Kheerganga trek brings out different flavours in different seasons. The summers are the best time to spot rare wildlife species under the bright blue skies. The green lush forests and calm beautiful lakes make up for the best vacation. However, it can cost you a little more because of the peak tourist season. Winters are best to experience snow carpeted landscapes and the high mighty mountains covered in snow. Kheerganga has a well-marked trail and even the first timers can take up this trek.
Trek Distance: 13 km
Trek Altitude: 2,950 meters
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Best Season: April to October
Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
Valley of flowers in Uttarakhand is the perfect trek to start with for any beginner. Valley of flowers is a declared UNESCO world heritage site. That’s how sacred it is.
Adorned with numerous shades of blue, the wildflowers attract many backpackers. Unlike all the other challenging trails of Himalayas, Valley of flowers offers a leisure walk in the surreal world of flowers and wildlife.
You can also choose to trek up to Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh Gurudwara along Hemkund Lake which is comparatively difficult to trek but the serene aura is incomparable.
Trek Distance: 40 km
Trek Altitude: 14,200 ft
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Season: June to October
Kedarkantha Trek, Uttarakhand
As you start your trek from the base of Sankri, you will see humble mud houses making the surrounding picturesque. The untouched snow looks pristine and crystal-clear sitting on the tall trees of Pine and Oak. The forests are so dense that even the sun rays have a hard time entering it. The trail is lined with deodar forests and beautiful shrubs all immersed in snow.
The campsites are placed so that you can have a beautiful vantage point of the stunning views like near Juda-ka-Talab and in Khuje on the edge of the cliff. Experiencing the winter season in Kedarkantha with its snow trail would be the best time to visit. The panoramic view of 13 Himalayan peaks under the golden hour of sunrise will leave you in awe.
Trek Distance: 20 km
Trek Altitude: 13,500 ft
Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
Best Season: November to April
Nandi Hills Trek, Bangalore
If you wish to touch the clouds without any prior trekking experience then Nandi hills is the best place to start. Nandi Hills is widely famous for its mesmerizing view of the sunset. You need to climb the 1200 steps which pass off as beginner friendly and provide various activities such as paragliding and cycling.
The main highlights of the trek include Tipu’s drop from where you can witness mesmerising views and Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple. The panoramic view from the top is enough to give you goosebumps.
Trek Distance: 3 km
Trek Altitude: 1,350 meters
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Season: March to May
Nag Tibba Trek, Uttarakhand
Nag Tibba is considered to be the highest peak in the lower Himalayan region. This trek is best for the beginners who would like to explore this relatively unexplored trail with snow-capped mountains. Standing tall at an altitude of 10000 ft, it gives you a breath-taking view of the Gangotri, Bandarpunch peak, Changabang peak and Doon valley. As you walk through the dense forest of Nag Tibba you can spot the famous Kedarnath at a distance. Even though the difficulty level is easy to moderate, hiring a guide is advisable as there are two trails available for the trek i.e via Auntar village and second via Patwari village. The view of Spiti is an additional treat for the visitors on this trek
Trek Distance: 15 km
Trek Altitude: 10,000 ft
Difficulty Level: Easy
Best Season: Throughout the year
Markha Valley Trek, Ladakh
As you start trekking for Markha Valley, you will come across charming landscapes and arid cold desert regions.
Deep into the Markha Valley, you will be greeted by humble villages such as Rumbak and Markha that will give you an insight of the local people of this valley. Many trekkers set out for this expedition to find themselves and to stay connected to nature.
The trail of Markha Valley crosses various passes like Ganda La, Kongmaru La and Stok La. You can marvel at the beauty of this trek as you pass the humble villages, valleys and passes. Get to know the culture of the local area with their numerous small monasteries like Techa gompa.
Trek Distance: 78 km
Trek Altitude: 17060 ft
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Best Season: June to September
