Arjun Haarith: 10 Himalayan Treks that Trekkers Crave to do !!!

About Himalayas !!!

The Himalayas, (Sanskrit word meaning "abode of the snow") is a mountain range in South Asia which separates the Indo-Gangetic Plain from the Tibetan Plateau. This range is home to more than one hundred mountains exceeding 7,200 metres (23,600 ft) in altitude, and all of the planet's peaks exceeding 8,000 metres, including the highest, Mount Everest. The Himalayas have profoundly shaped the cultures of South Asia. Many Himalayan peaks are sacred in both Buddhism and Hinduism.

The Himalayas are bordered on the north by the Tibetan Plateau, on the south by the Indo-Gangetic Plain, on the northwest by the Karakoram and Hindu Kush ranges, and on the east by the Indian state of Assam. The western anchor of the Himalayas — Nanga Parbat — lies just south of the northernmost bend of the Indus River, while the eastern anchor — Namcha Barwa — is situated just west of the great bend of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. The Himalayas span five countries: India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, and Pakistan, with the first three countries having sovereignty over most of the range.

Lifted by the collision of the Indian tectonic plate with the Eurasian Plate, the Himalayan range runs northwest to southeast in a 2,400 kilometres (1,500 mi) long arc. The range varies in width from 400 kilometres (250 mi) in the west to 150 kilometres (93 mi) in the east. Besides the Greater Himalayas, there are several parallel lower ranges. The southernmost of these, located along the northern edge of the Indian plains and reaching about a thousand meters in altitude, are called the Sivalik Hills. Further north is a higher range, reaching two to three thousand meters, known as the Lower Himalayan Range.

Three of the world's major rivers — the Indus, the Ganges and the Brahmaputra — arise in the Himalayas. While the Indus and the Brahmaputra rise near Mount Kailash in Tibet, the Ganges rises in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Their combined drainage basin is home to some 600 million people.

Why to trek in the Himalayas

The Himalayas have always been the most renowned trekking destination in the world. The reason that makes trekking in Himalayas a one of a kind experience is the rugged peaks capped with snow and wrapped in glaciers which possess a sort of challenge to the trekkers to portray their ingenuity and courage.

Trekking in Himalayas is a joy completely undefined. You would have to define your own experiences. This kind of feeling is achieved only in the eternal and enchanting Himalayas.

1. Learning things

Himalaya is a great teacher. It teaches you factors like:

1. Leadership quality
2. Self Confidence
3. Trust
4. Humility
5. Spirituality

2. Preserving Nature

It is not just undergo trek/adventure activities in the Himalayas. We would also thrive to protect it from our next generations.
Trekking is a platform that enables you to go to these pristine destinations, so that you can do your bit to conserve nature.

What can be done to preserve Nature ?

1. Garbage collection : You can collect the plastic wrappers/papers that people mindlessly throw. Finally dump it after you come back
2. Awareness activities : You can probably involve children and locals by giving a presentation on how to conserve nature and benefits of it.
3. Any other activity that you think of to preserve nature.

3. Self Satisfaction

A trek in the Abode of Gods - Himalayas, gives a sense of accomplishment. It is in itself an achievement to let your body accustom with Nature. Apart from that you can involve in Photography, Swimming , Rafting etc which pushes your adrenal glands to the core.

The ten Magical Himalayan Treks

1. Mystery Lake : Roopkund

About Roopkund trek:

The Roopkund Trek is a beginners Safe , Relaxing, Scenic and Challenging trek for a Individual having interest in Himalayan region. This trek has snow capped Mountains, Meadows, lakes, Pine forests, Rich folklore; and it has an fascinating tales too. Roopkund is a mountain lake, lying in the Garhwal region of Himalayas in the Chamoli district of the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Situated at a high altitude, the lake remains frozen almost throughout the year. Roopkund is also called the 'Mystery Lake', or the 'Skeletal Lake', on account of the several hundred human skeletons found scattered in and around the lake.

Location :

Country : India

State : Uttarakhand

District : Chamoli

Difficulty Level :

Moderate to High

Duration :

6-7 days

Photographs of Roopkund trek :

Mystery Lake - Roopkund

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

2. Retracing the footsteps of Zanskaris : Chadar

About Chadar trek:

Walking on Frozen river of Zanskar is an ultimate experience for adventure lover. The traditional name of the trek is "Chadar trek" the frozen sheet, which was only way in and out for Zanskaris in winter when all other ways are closed due to heavy snow fall at high passes. Therefore, it had been trade route for centuries for Zanskari People. Now the route is also famous as winter trekking among adventure lovers.

Location :

Country : India

State : Jammu and Kashmir

Region : Leh/ Ladakh

Difficulty Level :

Moderate to High

Duration :

9 days

Photographs of Chadar trek :

Frozen in time - Chadar

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Negotiating on the river - Chadar

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

3. Great Lakes of Kashmir

About Great Lakes trek:

If there is ever paradise on earth, it's here, it's here, it's here! This famous Parsi Couplet of Aamir Khusrau quoted by Mughal Emperor Jahangir hundreds of years back, at the exotic beauty of Kashmir. Francois Bernier, the french physician during his visit to Kashmir fascinated by it called it paradise on earth, but indeed Kashmir outstands all the stunning places on earth even today. Srinagar, set around the infamous and magnificent Dal Lake, has house boats, Shikaras,surrounded by snow clad mountains, still stands Synonymous and truly , albeit the time and age. Kashmir Valley is the beautiful crown adorned on top of India of the tourist attractions in Kashmir. Hence, Kashmir makes the idlest place for trekking.

Trekking in Kashmir gives the trekkers a feeling of sheer joy and pure calmness. Kashmir has many astounding lakes which gives an additional beauty to the valley. Few of the lakes frequented by the trekkers are Dal, Nagin, Anchar, Ganbar, Wular, Manasbal Lake and the twin Lakes Vishansar and Krishnasar.Kashmir Great lakes is considered by far the best trekking one can experience. The trek is a walk in garden with Kaleisdioscope of colors.The season to enjoy the trek is from June to August since the places will be filled with lush greens and covered with beautiful flowers.

Location :

Country : India
State : Jammu and Kashmir
Region : Kashmir

Difficulty Level :

Moderate

Duration :

7-8 days

Photographs of Great Lakes trek :

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

4. A far away jungle retreat : Namdapha

About Namdapha trek:

Namdapha National Park is the largest protected area in the Eastern Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and is located in Arunachal Pradesh in Northeast India. It is also the largest national park in India in terms of area.

It spans an area of 1985 kms with 177 kms in buffer zone and 1808 kms in the core area. The park is located between the Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range with a wide altitudinal range between 200 m and 4,571 m.

The park has one of the largest untouched areas of prime rainforest in the Indian subcontinent. The lush green valley is home to several endangered species of flora and fauna. Namdapha is the only park in India, and probably the world, with four large cat species – tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard.

The thick forests are broken only by azure rivers meandering through the mist laden landscape. The park is home to two main rivers - the Noa-dihing and the Namdapha and several other smaller rivulets that feed these rivers.
Come to Namdapha. Come to a lost world.

Location :

Country : India
State : Arunachal Pradesh
Region : Changlang

Difficulty Level :

Moderate

Duration :

7 Days

Photographs of Namdapha trek :

Birds eye view of Noa Dihing river

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Lisu tribe crossing Noha dihing river

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

5. Frozen in time - Har-ki-Dun

About Har-ki-Dun trek:

Har-ki-Dun (Har stands for Hari or Lord Krishna, the blue-god, and Dun means valley), lies in the western part of Uttarkashi district of Garhwal, Uttarakhand and Tons river separates this region from Himachal Pradesh. This is a Land of Kauravas and this is the only place in the world where you will find the Temples of Duryodhana (the Kaurava Prince) and Karna. The beautiful Har-Ki-Dun valley has a backdrop of snowy high Himalayan mountain peaks and is dominated by the Swargarohini peak (6096m). It is a believed that the Pandavas of the epic Mahabharata ascended to heaven through Swargarohini (in Hindi, swarg means heaven, and arohini is derived from the word arohan, which means to climb). The Har Ki Dun trek will take you to the source of the Karmanasha stream which meets the Obragaad stream below a village named Sankri or Saur, to form the supine river which unites with the Rupin River flowing from Himachal Pradesh, at Netwar, to become the Tons River – a major tributary of the Yamuna River.Dense forests of pine, devdar and conifer can be found in this region. This valley is a virtual paradise for the nature lovers & botanists.

Location :

Country : India
State : Uttarakhand
Region : Garhwal

Difficulty Level :

Moderate

Duration :

4-5 Days

Photographs of Har-ki-dun trek :

Fresh snowfall - Har ki dun

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Har ki dun valley

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Way back from Jamdhar glacier

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

6. Emerald Ecstasy - Kag Bhushandi Tal

About Kag Bhushandi tal trek:

Kag Bhushandi Tal is an ablong sacred lake at an altitude of 4730 m, near Kankul Pass (4960 m), in the high Himalayan region of Uttarakhand in INDIA. This is a small oblong lake (Almost 1 Kilometer in Length) cradled at the bottom of Hathi Parvat is an explosion of technicolour. Its water are striking emrald green and its banks are overrun by blooms in various shades- pink, mauve, orange, purples, periwinkle blue, crimson, ochre, rust and greens. Myriad blossoms decorate its banks during the season, a wildest profusion of colours make the trekker forget the hardships and the exhaustion of the trek. The area comes under the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, a UN world heritage site for natural diversity.

Set in the lap of Hathi Parvat (6730 mts.), the lake can be approached either from Bhyundar village, near Ghangria, or from Govind Ghat/Vishnu Prayag (which is also the starting point for the Valley of Flowers and Lokpal - Hemkund Sahib Trek). The trek from Bhyundar passes through thick bear-infested, forests and stretches of stinging nettles. In this trek route one has to face big shrubs, rivers, glaciers, passes, moraines and over slippery rocky area.

Above the Kagbhusandi Lake, two huge irregular shaped rocks can be seen sitting on the spur of the Hathi Parvat. According to the local folklore, they are the Kaga (crow) and Garuda (Eagle) who are having a heated discussion on the affairs of the universe. Yet another version narrates the crow as actually being a learned Brahmin from Ayodhya having been unfortunate enough to incur the wrath of the sage Lomasa who lived near the lake, the Brahmin was cursed by the sage and turned into a crow.

Location :

Country : India
State : Uttarakhand
Region : Garhwal

Difficulty Level :

Moderate to Hard

Duration :

9 Days

Photographs of Kag Bhushandi Tal trek :

Camping at Barmai camp - Kagbhushandi

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Kag Bhushandi Tal

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

7. The Glacial Holy Lake - Satopanth Tal

About Satopanth Tal trek:

Satopanth Tal -The Glacial Lake which is around 25kms from Badrinath, could be reached after a arduous trek crossing Lakshmiban and Chakratirtha. Natural Caves along the path are used as the night shelter. Around Badrinath places like Lakshmiban and Chakratirtha are steeped in legends.It is said that goddess Lakshmi (goddess of wealth) and her husband Narayan meditated in Lakshmiban and Chakratirtha respectively and while meditating, Narayan kept his famous Sudarshan Chraka on the valley which got depressed by the weight of that Chakra to form a beautiful round shaped meadow surrounded by lofty mountains. Traversing the satopanth glacier and hours of hard trekking on the treacherous moraine is required to reach the lake.The first thing that strikes you is the strange ethereal ambience of the lake, Calm and Soothing The perfectly triangle shaped lake is at the base of the snow crested Chaukhamba 1 peak. Satopanth tal trek is just for hardcore trekkers indeed!

Location :

Country : India
State : Uttarakhand
Region : Badrinath

Difficulty Level :

Hard

Duration :

7 Days

Photographs of Satopanth Tal trek :

A devotee takes a holy dip in Satopanth Tal

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Trekking trail with Satopanth peak in the background

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

8. Stok Kangri Expedition

About Stok Kangri trek:

Stok Kangri( 6,153 Meters/20,182 Feet) is situated in Ladakh. It is the highest peak in the Stok range and is also the highest trekkable peak in India and hence it holds its own glamour for Himalayan trekkers in India. From the Summit of Stok kangri one can see as far as the karakoram ranges and on a day of clear skies, you can even make out K2 and Nanga Parbat. Other notable peaks which can be seen from the summit of Stok Kangri is the NUN-KUN massif, Kang-Yatse range and Khardung-La in the Ladakh range. The Stok Kangri trek starts from Leh and takes 5 days of trek to get to the base camp. This trek is meant purely for acclimatization. From the base camp of Stok Kangri, the peak is climbed in the night so as to make maximum use of the snow conditions. The summit of Stok Kangri is usually reached in the morning and by afternoon; one can reach the base camp. Do note that this trek is not to be taken lightly on account of the extreme high altitude involved. We do not recommend this trek for beginners. It is expected that you have had some amount of high altitude trekking experience before you attempt this trek.

Location :

Country : India
State : Jammu and Kashmir
Region : Ladakh

Difficulty Level :

Challenging

Duration :

10 Days

Photographs of Stok Kangri trek :

Stok Kangri expedition

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

9. In the abode of Devi - Devikund

About Devikund trek:

The picturesque valley of Sunderdhunga, is a less trodden trial in western kumaon region of the Uttaranchal Himalaya. In Kumaoni dialect the word Sunderdhunga means “Valley of beautiful stones”, And one look at the valley brings out the sheer appropriateness to this descriptive name! Perched at an altitude of 14,500ft, surrounded by snow capped peaks scattered in a semi circle is the crystal clear lake Devi Kund (the abode of Devi). This lake is spectacle sight to behold! The path itself is Kaleidoscope of colors with variety of wild flowers, alluring waterfalls and enigmatic close range views of mountains viz., Maiktoli, Mrigthuni, Nandakot and Simsaga. Camping on the green thatches at Dhakuri overlooking valley surrounded by pine trees with excellent views of Sunderdhunga, Pindari and Khafni valleys . On this trek, you get a chance to experience the hill folk’s living, culture, tradition and attire in general. Combine this with an interest in the variety of birds, wildlife, forest and wildflowers, and you have all the ingredients for a highly rewarding trekking holiday even for the most laid back person.

Location :

Country : India
State : Uttarakhand
Region : Bhageshwar

Difficulty Level :

Moderate

Duration :

7 Days

Photographs of Devikund trek :

Reflections Redefined - Devikund

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

Trekkers at Wacham

Photo : Vishwanath (summiters)

10. Glimpse of the Magnificent - Goecha La

About Goecha La trek:

The Goechala trail starts from Yuksom,a historical place that was the earlier capital of Sikkim, enters the Kanchendzonga National Park, passes through moss - laden forests of oak, chestnut, pine, maple, magnolia, rhododendron and many other varieties of pine,crosses the Tibetan community villages at Tsokha, the alpine pastures of Dzongri (~4000M), Samiti lake, a high altitude fresh water lake, before reaching the Goechala pass, from where one can view the majestic splendors of Mount Kanchendzonga, Mount Kabru and Kabru Dome, Forked Peak, Pandim and Lami Peaks. This trail is also called the“Rhododendron trail”because of the abundance of multi-coloured Rhododendron trees that line the entire trail. This is one of the most popular and fascinating treks in Sikkim.. It is a naturalist's paradise. This forest is home to many varieties of wild plants, exotic orchids equally spectacular varieties of birds and butterflies. One can come across wildlife which includes the Himalayan Black Bear, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Marbled Cat and the Red Panda to name a few.

Location :

Country : India
State : Sikkim
Region : Yuksom

Difficulty Level :

Hard

Duration :

8 Days

Photographs of Goecha La trek :