Uttarakhand often called “Dev Bhoomi”, is one of the stunning places to visit in India as it is dotted with countless temples, glittering lakes, mighty snowcapped peaks, and mystical corners. This pristine paradise also offers bird sanctuaries, wildlife habitats, and jaw-dropping views of the mighty Himalayas. Besides, the state is also blessed with scenic hilly terrain which makes it one of the best places for trekking in India. Starting from short trudges of 5 to 10 km of relaxed terrains to the more strenuous excursions that go on for days, covering vast distances, there are plenty of trekking places in Uttarakhand that allure both amateur and professional trekkers from all around the globe as part of Uttarakhand Tour Packages.
Here is the list of some of the exciting trekking routes in Uttarakhand for adventure seekers looking for some excitement as an escape from the mundanes of life.
Gangotri Glacier Trek / Gomukh – Tapovan Trek
Gangotri Glacier Trek, also known as Gomukh – Tapovan Trek is one of the most popular and exciting treks in Uttarakhand. About 30 km long and 4 km wide, Gangotri Glacier is one of the largest glaciers situated at an altitude of 13, 200 feet in the Himalayas and is the primary source of the Ganges, the largest river in India. If you want to visit the best high-altitude grasslands in all of India, then the Gomukh Tapovan Trek must be your top choice for trekking in Uttarakhand. This is a 6-7 day moderate trek that begins from Gangotri, and the trail passes through the places such as Chirbasa(9 km), and Bhujbasa (5 km), the only night halting place on the way with accommodation. From here, the 5 km route to Gomukh (the snout of Gangotri Glacier) is quite difficult and one has to cross a boulder zone to reach Gomukh. Bhojbasa can be reached by trekking or horses from Gangotri. Horses are not allowed from Bhojbasa and trekking is the only way to reach the site. Besides, the trek also offers panoramic views of Himalayan peaks like Mt. Shivling, Mt. Meru, and Sudarshan Parbat. The best time to visit Gaumukh Glacier is between May to June and September to November.
Also Read : Top Places to Visit in Gangotri
Deorital & Chandrashila Trek
Lies at an altitude of 2438 m in Nanda Devi National Park, Deoria Tal is a beautiful mountain lake located at Saari village near Kedarnath in Uttarakhand. Deoria Tal is one of the top places to visit in Kedarnath, and among the popular trekking destinations in Uttarakhand because of its ease of the trail and soothing scenic beauty. The road is motorable up to Saari, 13 km from Ukhimath, and from there one has to trek about 3 km to reach the lake. Jeeps are available from Ukhimath to reach Saari. The path is well-marked and passes through dense forests and small meadows. Pony services are also available from the Saari village. Alternately, one can trek to Deoria Tal from Ukhimath, a moderate 7 km trek. There are options for overnight camping, jungle trek, etc. The lake offers a splendid view of Chopta, Tungnath, and Chandrashila peak to the right and the breathtaking view of mountains like Chaukhamba, Nilkantha, Bandarpunch, Kedar Range, and Kalanag to the left.
Valley of Flowers Trek
Perched at an altitude of 3600 m in the Western Himalayas, Valley of Flowers National Park is one of the most scenic national parks in India, and among the best Uttarakhand tourist places. Stretching over a vast expanse of 87.50 sq. km, the park is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers, milky white streams, snow-clad peaks, and a variety of flora. More than 650 species of flowers including Brahma Kamal, Blue Poppy, and Cobra Lily can be found in the Park. Valley of Flowers can be reached only on foot from Govind Ghat, on the Rishikesh – Badrinath Highway. Ghangaria, a scenic hamlet situated 13 km from Govind Ghat is the base station and last human habitation center on the way to the Valley of Flowers. The 13 km trek from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria runs along a well-maintained path, which is the base for visiting the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund. This path can be covered either by walk or by pony. The last 3 km trek from Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers entails a steep climb. The visitors to Valley of Flowers need to get a permit from Forest Department at Ghangaria and visiting and trekking are allowed only during day time.
Roopkund Trek
At an altitude of 5,029 m amidst the benevolent snowcapped Himalayas, Roopkund is a high-altitude glacial lake situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Popularly called Skeleton Lake, the lake is one of the best Uttarakhand trekking places for both beginners and professionals. With stunning campsites, beautiful meadows of Ali and Bedni, and surrounded by glaciers, the lake has a depth of about two meters and is known for its numerous human bones and skeletons found around the water body every year when the ice melts. The adrenaline-pumping trek to Roopkund starts from Lohajung and takes around seven and nine days where trekkers cross religious sites, lush forests, cascading streams, clean snow, and, peaks of Bedni Bugyal and Trisul. After reaching the summit, you will be mesmerized by the surrounding views that make your trip more memorable as part of Uttarakhand Packages.
Rupin Pass
Dotted with majestic waterfalls, breathtaking views of neighboring peaks, and exotic flower-laden pastures, Rupin Pass is another amazing trekking place in Uttarakhand. Placed at a height of 15,250 feet, the Rupin Pass starts from Dhaula region in Uttarakhand and ends in Sangla in Himachal Pradesh over 6 days. Trekkers need to climb almost 10,000 feet to get to Rupin Pass. This trek is best done after monsoon where one can witness clear skies, extravagant meadows dotted with pretty flowers, and mountain landscapes throughout the trek that draws adventure enthusiasts as well as nature lovers as part of India tour packages. Besides, this trek also offers camping opportunities amid green jungles fringed on three sides by towering Himalayan peaks.
Pindari Glacier
Pindari Glacier is a glacier found in the upper reaches of the Kumaon Himalayas, to the southeast of Nanda Devi, Nanda Kot. It is one of the most easily accessible of all the Himalayan glaciers and also one of the top places to visit in Kausani. The glacier flows to the south for a short distance of about 3 km and gives rise to the Pindari River which meets the Alakananda at Karnaprayag in the Garhwal district. The trail to reach the Pindari Glacier crosses the villages of Song, and Loharkhet, crosses over the Dhakuri Pass, continues onto Khati village, Diwali, Phurkia, and finally Zero Point, Pindar, the end of the trail. Though most of the trail is along the banks of the Pindari River, the river is mostly hidden until after Khati. The Pindari Glacier trail provides for an 80 km (56 mi) round-trip trek and can be completed in 7 days. The Pindari Glacier is also famous for other adventure sports like ice climbing and mountain biking.
Book Here : Kausani Tour Packages
Dodital Trek
Situated at an altitude of 3,310 m, Dodital Trek is one of the picturesque places for trekking in Uttarakhand. The place is said to be the birthplace of Lord Ganesh and is also the source of the Assi Ganga, a tributary of the river Bhagirathi. Surrounded by pine, oak woods, and rhododendron forests, Dodital Trek is a perfect trek for beginners who wish to witness the scenic beauty of the mighty Himalayas. The trek starts from Sangam Chatti (Kalyani) road near Uttarkashi and completes at the Hanuman Chatti. From Dodital Lake, trekkers need to trek uphill to reach the Darwa Pass, also called Bakaria Khaga Pass. There is a temple in the corner of the lake of Lord Ganesha. The lake is believed to have medicinal properties and people seeking relief from chronic skin diseases should take a dip in the lake. Also, the lake is famous for its Golden Trout which can easily be seen in crystal clear water.
Nanda Devi
Lies at an altitude of 3,500 m, Nanda Devi National Park is situated in the higher ranges of the Himalayas in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is one of the most scenic national parks in India apart from being a top trekking destination in Uttarakhand. Along with the adjoining Valley of Flowers National Park, Nanda Devi Park was inscribed as UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2004, and is one of the most scenic places to visit near Delhi. The park provides shelter to snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, serow, Himalayan musk deer, and Himalayan Tahr. Trekking is the most popular activity in the national park. In 1982, access to trekkers was banned to protect biodiversity. However recently, tourists in small numbers are allowed to visit the park. Visitors need to get permission from Nanda Devi National Park Authorities, Joshimath for the trek. The entry point to the park is Lata Village which is around 26 km from Joshimath and the trek exits at Surai Thoth which is 30 km from Joshimath. The total duration of the Nanda Devi Trek is 5 Full Days.
Mayali Pass
Mayali Pass is situated at an elevation of 5300 m in Bhilangana Valley, Mayali Pass is a famous place for trekking in Uttarakhand and is followed by many trekkers every year. In ancient times this trek was used by pilgrims to travel between Gangotri and Kedarnath. Mayali Pass is approachable by two routes. One is from Ghuttu and the other is from Mala, a village right above Uttarkashi. The route from Mala goes through a lot of grasslands and is very beautiful, but takes two weeks. The route from Ghuttu is shorter and is a 9-10 days trek. The trek starts from Ghuttu and moves parallel to River Bhillangna via Reehi, Gangi, Kalyani, Kharsoli, and Tambakund and then reaches Khatling Glacier, the source of River Bhilangna. Chowki, a meadow near Khatling Glacier is an amazing camping ground with a great view of peaks, the most impressive being Thalay Sagar peak. From Chowki, it is a steep climb to Masartal. Further, the climb becomes steeper and in the snow to reach Masar Top and eventually Mayali Pass.
Saptarishi Kund
Situated at an altitude of 4421 m, Saptarishi Kund is the source of the Yamuna River fed by Champasar Glacier. It is believed that seven great Rishis Kasyapa, Atri, Bharadwaj, Viswamitra, Gautama, Jamadagni, and Vasistha performed penance at Saptrishi Lake in ancient times. With dark blue color water, the Kund is about a half km in diameter where the water of the nearby glaciers gathers in this lake. It is one of the best places to visit in Yamunotri, and is considered to be one of the most difficult treks in the Himalayas. The 10 km trek to Saptrishi Kund starts from the Yamunotri temple and passes through dense forests and rugged mountainous terrain. Also, Saptrishi Kund is a natural source to find high-quality Blue sapphires, a precious gemstone. One needs to hire a guide for this trek as the route to the lake is covered with ice which makes it a difficult journey.