Here are the 22 best Himalayan treks to do this year. Although it was not easy to pick the best Himalayan treks as every trek is beautiful in its own way, we have put together the best Himalayan treks that we think you should not miss!

Beginner-friendly treks like Dayara Bugyal, Brahmatal and Kedarkantha are great to do all year round, except in monsoon.

In monsoon, between July and September, there are treks like Hampta Pass, Valley of Flowers, Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar.

Suppose you want to trek in the snow, target trekking between November and April. And, if you’d like to trek in spring, look out for treks in March and April, like Sandakphu Phalut, Khopra Ridge and Goechala.

To help you choose your trek based on your fitness level, we have divided the treks into four categories of difficulty:

• Easy-Moderate
• Moderate
• Moderate-Difficult
• Difficult

To see the complete list of treks and choose a trek based on the season, difficulty level, and month of your choice, head to our  Upcoming Treks page.

22 of the Best Himalayan Treks You Must Do in 2024

1. Brahmatal Trek

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Brahmatal Trek: All seasons, except monsoon

Like several other treks, the Brahmatal was explored and documented by Indiahikes. The highest point on this trek is the Brahmatal Top at 12,250 ft. It is a stunning trek. A new set of mountains open before you – Mt Chaukhamba, Mt Neelkanth, Mt Hathi Ghoda, Mt Trishul, and Mt Nanda Ghunti are by your side throughout the trek.

Brahmatal is an excellent trek to do solo as well. There is a lot of snow on the trail in December, January, and February. The trek runs until the end of April.

2. Dayara Bugyal Trek

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Dayara Bugyal has all the elements of a perfect Himalayan trek — superb forests, beautiful campsites, ancient villages, thrilling climbs to high points, wonderful mountain views and a few of the best alpine meadows of Uttarakhand. These meadows are completely blanketed in snow in winter. This is an easy-moderate trek– a gift we rarely see.

3. Kedarkantha

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Easy - Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Kedarkantha Trek: All seasons, except monsoon.

Kedarkantha is one of the first few treks we began organizing. It has a stunning summit climb and is a perfect trek to do in all seasons. The Kedarkantha peak stands at an altitude of  12,500 ft with a 360-degree view of other Himalayan peaks. Over the years, we have discovered new and adventurous routes to the summit.

4. Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Easy-Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek: All seasons except monsoon

The Deoriatal Chandrashila trek with Indiahikes is a 6-day trek. It is an extremely special trek because it is not just a section of the Himalayan ranges that you see, but all the major summits of Western and Eastern Uttarakhand from the summit.  

Not only that, but if you trek from March – April, you will also walk amongst the full-bloomed rhododendrons! And because of the different species of birds you see on the trail, it is rightly called a paradise for bird watchers.

5. Ranthan Kharak Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best times to do the Har Ki Dun trek: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Trekking in Uttarakhand is synonymous with trekking in Gharwal. Yet, unknown to most, the neighbouring Kumaon has stunning mountains, magnificent forests, undulating meadows, and vast clearings. Kumaon is largely unexplored and has received little attention. Kumaon's Ranthan Kharak Trek is just one of many undiscovered trekking gems.

On this trek, you see India's highest peak, Nanda Devi, and its sister peak, Sunanda Devi (also known as Nanda Devi East). We can see the sun rise over these two formidable peaks from our Chophu camp. On our right, sticking out of the clouds is the impressive, jagged peak of Nanda Kot.

And then come the clearings. Kharak means “clearings” in the Kumaon and Garhwal languages. On this trek, there are some stunning clearings to trek through. In two such clearings, we set up our camps! It's a trek like no other on our roster.

6. Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Tal

Duration: 8 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best times to do the Har Ki Dun trek: Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter

“The Har Ki Dun – Ruinsara Tal trek brings out the perfect blend of culture and beauty in the Himalayas. Getting to experience the ancient Himalayan villages along with breathtakingly beautiful valleys, lakes and meadows is a very rare combination to come by”, says our co-founder Sandhya.

Indiahikes added the Ruinsara Tal trek to the Har Ki Dun itinerary because the Har Ki Dun trek is incomplete without the Ruinsara Tal.

Ruinsara Tal is located in complete isolation, and the Ruinsara valley is said to be prettier than the Har Ki Dun valley itself!

7. Surya Top Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Phulara Ridge Trek: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Summers are warm on Surya Top trek. Picture bright green meadows getting toasted under hot sunlight.

There is also a distinct summer fragrance in the air especially as you trek under the shadows of oaks and maples.

The atmosphere also gets hazier as there is a lot of dust and pollen in the air at this time. So, you might not get as sharp views as you get in autumn. But you will see the snow-capped mountains in their grandeur on a clear day.

There’s another plus side to the summers on Surya Top trek. Without the challenges of cold temperatures or snow, this trek is at its easiest in the summers.

8. Phulara Ridge Trek

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Phulara Ridge Trek: Summer, Autumn

The Phulara Ridge trek is great to do in September, October, November, May and June. It is a unique ridge trek in India, and one of the newer treks. The beautiful Pushtara meadows are another reason why every trekker must do this trek. 

Further, for a short duration of a trek, the Phulara Ridge trek has a beautiful dense forest section. If you are a wildlife, or bird lover, this is definitely the trek for you. We have spotted over 10 species of Himalayan birds on this trek.

The Sandakphu Phalut trek is one of the few treks from where you can see 4 out of 5 of the tallest mountains in the world — Mt Everest, Mt Lhotse, Mt Makalu and Mt Kanchenjunga. Amongst all Himalayan treks, this view is what the Sandakphu treks stands out for. Along with this, you also see the Kanchenjunga range with other Himalayan mountains, famously known as the Sleeping Buddha — an image that will stay with you for years to come.

A unique feature of this trek are the tea houses you will find. They are similar to hotels and restaurants, but are indescribably different. You will have to stay in one, to experience the warmth of a tea house.

9. Valley of Flowers Trek

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Valley of Flowers Trek: July – September

The Valley of Flowers trek is filled with legends. It is said the trekkers fall unconscious from the heavy scent of the flowers on the valley floor. The moment you enter the valley, you have a sweeping view of it’s vast expanse covered in a layer of flowers. Flowers, leaves, buds of various shapes, sizes, colours are seen here.

The trek also goes through the Hemkund Sahib, one of the highest places of pilgrimage and worship.

10. Tarsar Marsar Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Kashmir

Best time to do the Tarsar Marsar Trek: Mid-June – September

The Tarsar Marsar trek in Kashmir is the prettiest trek in India. The only other trek that comes close to its beauty is the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. It is a moderate  trek, so you must come well prepared to do the trek.

The trek takes you from one lake to the other, from Tarsar to Marsar, and then to Sundarsar. You also get to camp beside two of these stunning lakes. In this aspect, Tarsar Marsar is better than the Kashmir Great Lakes trek.

At Indiahikes, we closely monitor the social, and political situation in Kashmir. The safety of our trekkers and staff on the slopes are always our first priority.

11. Hampta Pass

Duration: 6 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate

Region: Himachal Pradesh

Best Time to do the Hampta Pass Trek: Monsoon

“Hampta Pass was the first trek that we explored outside our big ones in Uttarakhand. This was in 2010. It is perhaps one of the best treks to do in Himachal. It is a trek close to my heart because I know Indiahikes put it on the map for trekkers to do. It is a trek that I would do again. My list of great treks is incomplete without this one in it”, says our founder, Arjun Majumdar

You must do this trek because it is one of the most dramatic crossover treks in the country pass. It begins from the lush green valleys of Kullu through a narrow gorge-like valley to an overhang high in the mountains. From the pass, you can see the entire Spiti valley in one wide panoramic sweep.

12. Goechala

Duration: 10 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate-Difficult

Region: Sikkim

Best time to do the Goechala Trek: Spring, Autumn

The Goechala trek route is almost 75 km long and it rises to an altitude 15,100 ft.  One of the biggest reasons to do this trek is the stunning mountain views that you get, not just one mountain, but 14!

The highlights of this trek are many. The most unforgettable one being the sunrise on the Kanchenjunga range. Further, in the summer months of April and May, you see countless, beautiful rhododendrons lining your path. The crystal clear Samiti Lake is another reason why you should do this trek.

13. Khopra Ridge Trek

Duration: 9 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate-Difficult

Region: Nepal

Best time to do the Khopra Ridge Trek: Spring, Autumn

There are treks in Nepal, and there is Khopra Ridge trek. One of the many reasons why you must do this trek is because of the 22 big mountains you get to see on this trek!

The beauty of the Khopra Ridge is the fact that it is a ridge. You walk two whole days on this ridge. So for two days there are big mountains on either side of you. There are very few treks in this world where you walk for two whole days on a ridge. Leave alone a trek with such astounding mountain views. When you combine these two, the Khopra Ridge becomes a very special trek.

14. Buran Ghati Trek

Duration:8 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate Difficult

Region: Himachal

Best time to do the Buran Ghati Trek: Summer, Autumn

Buran Ghati is the trek you get when you take all the best elements of all our different treks and put it into one trek. It is adventurous, to say the least, and full of meadows, a thrilling pass crossing, and historical villages.

The Rupin Pass trek runs parallely to the Buran Ghati Trek. The trail begins at the historical town of Janglik and goes into a delightfully deep forest and then bursts into Dayara meadows.

15. Rupin Pass Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate Difficult

Region: Himachal

Best time to do the Rupin Pass Trek: Summer, Autumn

If there is a classic trek in India, it has to be the Rupin Pass. This trek is like an orchestra, building up momentum with surprises in scenery every hour or so. With every step, the trek throws up a new vista to see, a new scenery to unfold.

The Rupin Pass trek is a trek that gives you a true sense of adventure. There is a surprise in scenery at every turn. One of the biggest highlights of this trek is the climb to Rati Pheri from the Upper waterfall campsite, and the steep ascent to Rupin Pass through the Rupin Gully, all this at 15,279 ft.

16. Gaumukh Tapovan Trek

Duration: 8 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate-Difficult

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek: Summer, Autumn

The Gaumukh Tapovan trek is one of the oldest and legendary Himalayan treks in India. It offers a chance to experience beautiful sunsets, get a view of Mt Shivling from the base to the summit, and last but not the least, the Gangotri glacier, the source of river Ganga.

The base camp for the Gaumukh Tapovan trek is Rishikesh, a must visit place steeped in culture.

17. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Moderate – Difficult

Region: Kashmir

Best time to do the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: July – September

The Kashmir region is picturesque, with each lake being more beautiful than the previous. You get to experience the larger than life settings of the lakes on this trek.

After this trek, every other trek feels as though it is a movie on a small screen. Kashmir Great Lakes, however, is an IMAX 3D experience – such is the grandeur of the trek.  If you have not done this trek, put it on your bucket list!

18. Kedartal Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Difficult

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Kedartal Trek: Summer, Autumn

Kedartal is a difficult trek compared to other Himalayan treks. This trek is for experienced trekkers, and adventure lovers. The trek climbs to the glacial Kedartal lake, that is surrounded by big mountains. Some of the most famous mountains rise in front of you in this cauldron – Mt Thalaysagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Mt Nanda Parvat, Mt Jogin, and Mt Gangotri.

This trek is extremely challenging with river crossings, spider wall, and the sheer altitude itself.

19. Pin Bhaba Trek

Duration: 9 days

Difficulty level: Difficult

Region: Himachal

Best time to do Pin Bhaba: Monsoon

The Indiahikes Pin Bhaba itinerary is 9 days long. The base camp to do the Pin Bhaba Pass Trek is Kafnu. The vast expanse of the trek is overwhelming, you can do this as a solo trek as well. 

Pin Bhaba Pass is known to be the most dramatic trek. Each day there is a complete change in scenery. It is almost like a brand new trek every day! When compared with its riskier cousin, the Pin Parvati Pass trek, where your life is at stake, the Pin Bhaba is not only a great alternative, but a more beautiful, and safer one.

20. Bali Pass Trek

Duration: 8 Days

Difficulty level: Difficult

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Bali Pass Trek: June, September

The Bali Pass trek is a difficult Himalayan trek. This is partly due to the high altitude that rises to over 16,000 ft. The Bali Pass trek is more than an adventure filled trek, you also pass through some historical villages and trek to Ruinsara Tal – a stunning high altitude lake.

Another aspect  that stands out on the Bali Pass trek is the rocky approach to Bali Pass itself. In the month of June and July the higher regions of the pass are covered in snow! In monsoon it is a drier patch. If you enjoy high altitude pass traverses, this is the trek for you.

21. Pangarchulla Peak Trek

Duration: 7 Days

Difficulty level: Difficult

Region: Uttarakhand

Best time to do the Pangarchulla: June, September

If you are looking for a power-packed and thrilling summit climb, the Pangarchulla Peak trek offers just that. The summit point of the Pangarchulla Peak trek is situated at a challenging altitude of 15,069 ft.

At the summit, enjoy the breathtaking 360-degree views of Garhwal peaks. Nanda Ghunti, Trishul ranges are visible from the summit for the first time.

If you are into adventurous summit climbs, this is the perfect trek for you!

22. Warwan Valley Trek

Duration: 9 Days

Difficulty level: Difficult

Region: Kashmir

Best time to do Warwan Valley: July, August

Warwan Valley Trek is the grandest in our country. At Indiahikes, we call it ‘The’ Warwan. There is no trek you would have done that can match the experience of this trek. And no trek you do after this will come close.

The trek has everything to offer - Varying colours, Pass crossings, River crosses, Glacial walks, Alpine lakes and beautiful villages.

However, this means that this trek is not meant for everyone. The trek is a difficult one. You need to be extremely fit with some prior high-altitude trek experience to get on this trail.

Do you know of any other Himalayan treks that you consider the best according to you? Let us know by naming them in the Comments section below.