Himachal Pradesh is a land of snow laden landscapes, hill stations and temples. Most of the state lies at the foothills of Dhauladhar Range with greenery fed by the rivers such as the Chenab, Ravi, Sutlej and Yamuna. It is a sought after destination for tourists who flock to the region just to watch the snow-capped mountains and the fussy streams that flow down the hills. Himachal Pradesh is one of the favorite trekking destinations for beginners and expert trekkers. To fill your trip with some adventure, here are top 10 treks in Himachal Pradesh.
1. Hampta Pass Trek
Hampta pass trek begins from the Kullu Manali valley to the top of Chandra valley of Lahaul. Through the journey, the view of the oak and walnut trees entwined in the thick canopy of the forest is simply mesmerizing. The backdrop around you changes gradually from a lush green Kullu-Manali to an almost barren Chandra valley. The trek is moderately tiring given the elevation of the place, but the view from the top will leave you as fresh as ever before.
Altitude – 4270 m
Best time to visit – June – October
2. Pin Parvati Pass
Pin Parvati pass connects the Kullu and Spiti valleys. You will be spellbound when you witness the extreme ends of the Himalayas with green pine trees and forest on one side and a barren landmass of ice as you go up. The top of the valley is home to Buddhist monasteries Ki Gompo and Tabo. Hot springs and if luck favors, snow leopards can be the show stealers of the journey.
Altitude – 5319 m
Best time to visit – July and September
3. Kinnaur Kailash Trek
Kinnaur Kailash trek is an arduous one and is suitable only for experienced trekkers. The place has a lot of mythological significance and is said to be the place where Lord Shiva hid from Bhasmasur, a deadly daemon until Lord Vishnu killed the latter. Backing this story is a large rock formation found at the peak which changes color with the sunlight and resembles Shiva Lingam. Charang La pass is along the trek route. The trip is enchanting with green valleys, orchards and snow. A 10-12-day trek will be sufficient to wrap up the journey.
Altitude – 5300 m
Best time to visit – May to September
4. Beas Kund Trek
Beas Kund trek along the Solang valley is a relatively easy trek for beginners. The trek takes you to the Beas river valley from where the river originates. Mostly throughout the trek, the views are of green trees and meadows frequented by shepherds. The trek to Beas Kund is merely a journey of 2-3 days although it could be crowded when the tourist season hits its peak in October. Beas Kund is also the base camp for climbing Ladakhi and friendship peak which adds to the number of visitors.
Altitude – 3690 m
Best time to visit – June to October
5. Chandratal Trek
Chandratal can be translated to Lake of the Moon. The place has its name due to a crescent shaped lake in the midst of dry terrains of Spiti valley. The lake is reachable from Batal as well as from Kunzum Pass during the tourist season. The meadows near the lake are the popular camping sites and when the spring season arrives, these meadows lay a carpet of wildflowers. Suraj Taal lake is also accessible from Chandratal, lying about 30 kms away.
Altitude – 4300 m
Best time to Visit – May to early October
6. Indrahar Pass Trekking
Indrahar Pass is part of the popular trekking route from Dharmshala. Starting from the Kangra valley, it crosses the Dhauladhar range to end the trek in Ravi river basin. Deodar trees, snow bridges, and snaky mountain streams are the main attractions of the journey.
Altitude – 4342 m
Best time to Visit – April to October
7. Triund trek
This is an easy trek for those who wish to have a glance at the beauty of the Himalayas without breaking much sweat. The trail starts from Triund, which is the foot of Dhauladhar range to span across the shepherd routes of Kangra and Chamba. The trek is a one-day journey from McLeod Ganj which is known as Little Lhasa due to its large share of Tibetan population. The sight of deodars, rhododendron, and carefree cattle awaits you.
Altitude – 2875 m
Best time to Visit – August to October
8. Bhrigu Lake Trek
Although a moderately difficult journey, Bhrigu lake trek can be enthralling experience with friends, campfires and stories during the ascent and descent. The lake is said to have been the abode of Bhrigu Maharshi and holds a lot of religious significance. Make sure that you visit the place before the lake starts to freeze during mid-June. Picture perfect valleys, trees, and wild berries are bound to leave you amazed.
Altitude – 4,300 m
Best time to visit – Mid May to November except July & Aug
9. Deo Tibba Base Camp Trek
Grazing pastures of the Gaddi shepherds and the hanging glaciers of the Deo Tibba peak are the takeaways of this trek. The journey can be started from Jagat Sukh which is 6 km southwards from Manali and trekkers can also have the view of Pir Panjal range along the Rohtang Pass. During the trek, you can see colorful flowers, bubbling brooks and a rock bridge over the stream.
Altitude – 4,480 m
Best time to visit – June to September
10. Kanamo Peak Trek
Kanamo peak trek is a great way to set off the Himalayan trail. It is nature in the most pristine form lying in front of you. You can travel along the Spiti Valley, Chandratal lake and witness the grandeur of the Himalayan wildlife with Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard and Tibetan wolves. The local hamlets and Tibetan monasteries tell a tale of peace and calmness along the way.
Altitude – 6000 m
Best Time to Visit – Mid June to Mid-October
Trekking can be fun and thrilling with the right bunch of people along the journey. Make sure that you get in contact with the local guides to know the routes and have food and water regularly to keep your body fit. With that checked, the Himalayas are going to leave you with memories for a lifetime.
