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#4 of 4: Celebrating the high mountains of India

#4 of 4: Celebrating the high mountains of India

Category Thursday Trek Talk

By Swathi Chatrapathy

2024-08-15

Happy Indian Independence Day. 

Today, our Celebrating India series is coming to a grand end as we celebrate the high mountains of our country. 

Before that, here’s a special Independence Day wish for you from Indiahikes.

It’s a beautiful rendition of Yeh Jo Desh Hai Tera from our in-house singer and guitarist, Aarya and Pritish. 

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In case you missed my previous three posts, this Independence Day week, we are celebrating the best landscapes of India. As trekkers and not travellers, we get to experience the rawest, most gorgeous version of India. 

Yet, we rarely get a chance to see it all. 

That is why, this week, I shared with you some of the most incredible landscapes in India. I’m intentionally focusing on treks organised by Indiahikes so that you have the avenue to explore these trails. 

We have already covered three topics: 

Meadows of India 

Valleys of India

Forests of India

Today, we’ll talk about some treks where you can get an up-close view of India's magnificent high mountains. 

Most of the world treks, in Nepal to see the big mountains of the Himalayas. Very few people know about the grandeur of the mountains in India.

Yet, we have some of the most significant mountains in the world. They are the birthplace of rivers that are lifelines for the majority of the country. They are the guardians of the North. They are home to some of the rarest animals and birds. And, unknown to many, these are some of the most aesthetically pleasing mountains in the world. 

Today I have listed 11 treks that give you the best views of our mountains. While many treks offer distant mountain views from the foothills, these particular treks are exceptional for their intimidating proximity to the mountains.

Take a look.

1. Goechala 

The biggest reason to do the Goechala trek is the grand views of the big mountains you see. You don’t just see one summit—the Kanchenjunga—but 14 other big summits. That’s a lot for any trek, especially as close to the eyes as the Goechala trek. It is no wonder that trekkers consider Goechala to be the closest to the big mountain treks in Nepal.

But speaking of mountain views, we must linger on the view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. One of the biggest highlights of the Goechala trek is the sunrise scene in the Kanchenjunga range. Even though trekkers are not allowed to go to the actual Goechala Pass, the view from ViewPoint 1 is worth an arm and a leg! Trekkers always break down at the surreal view of the golden glow on the Kanchenjunga. It’s the closest you can get to Mt Kanchenjunga without climbing it. 

Given that October is around the corner, among the best months to see this view, this trek is on top of our list!

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This picture tells you why we say Goechala is the closest you can get to the Kanchenjunga without actually climbing it. Photo by Savit Kulshreshtha.

View the Goechala Trek here

2. Gaumukh Tapovan 

There are summit views, and there are ‘big’ summit views. On the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek, you don’t just see the best views of Mt. Shivling. You see Mt. Shivling right from the base to its summit. And if you don’t know about Mt. Shivling, it’s one of the most beautiful-looking mountains in our country. No wonder the mountain has been featured in our gold calendar every year since it was published.

Almost all trekkers who have seen Mt. Shivling from Tapovan come back with a changed outlook on life. They feel more grateful, humbled, and energised after seeing this mountain. Such is the power of Mt. Shivling, especially at dawn. 

But wait. Not only Mt. Shivling, but you also see the Bhagirathi sisters from top to bottom. Sometimes we feel the Bhagirathi sisters are even grander than Mt Shivling because the three of them form a massif that dominates the landscape.

Just for the mountain views, this is a must-do trek, especially in the post-monsoon season.

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From Tapovan Campsite, along with witnessing Mt Shivling in its entirety, you get to see Mt Meru too, in close proximity. Photo by Jothiranjan.

View the Gaumukh Tapovan Trek here

3. Sandakphu Phalut

If there’s a trek that is synonymous with mountains views in our country, it is the Sandakphu-Phalut trek. It offers the breathtaking experience of seeing four of the world's tallest peaks.

From Phalut, on your left is the Everest cluster, which includes the world's fourth- and fifth-highest mountains, Lhotse and Makalu. It's a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see these three majestic peaks together from a vantage point.

The "Sleeping Buddha" on your right is even more impressive. The resemblance of the massif to a sleeping human form is uncanny. The third-highest mountain in the world, Kanchenjunga, stands out as the most prominent peak in this uniquely shaped massif.

You awaken to the Sleeping Buddha from our Sabalgram campsite. The view often leaves trekkers teary-eyed.

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If there is a reason to do the Sandakphu-Phalut trek, it's for this: the majestic view of Kanchenjunga range, famously known as the sleeping Buddha. Photo by Sanjay Nargund.

View the Sandakphu Phalut Trek

4. Kuari Pass 

The name “Kuari Pass” is a bit of a misnomer because the biggest highlight of this trek is not climbing to the pass, but the grand views of Uttarakhand’s biggest mountains. From the trek, you have an unending vista of the biggest mountains in India opening up right from day one. 

The biggest highlight of them all is seeing the entire face of Mt Nanda Devi, India’s highest mountain. To get such a full-fledged view of a 7000+ metre summit, you often have to trek long distances and trek hard. But here, you get a massive reward within hardly a day’s trek. 

Not only Mt. Nanda Devi, but you also see Mt Hathi Ghoda at an arm’s distance, and another aesthetically pleasing mountain: Mt Dronagiri. 

Among all our easy-moderate treks, this trek offers the closest views of these big mountains.

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Picture by Navneeth Dwarakanath.

View the Kuari Pass Trek

5. Ranthan Kharak 

It’s interesting to note that Ranthan Kharak has featured in three of our Celebrating India series. It’s got incredible meadows, forests and to add to that, mountain views. 

Given that the Ranthan Kharak trek is in Kumaon, the mountain views you see from here are different from all our other treks. For instance, you see a completely different side of Mt Nanda Devi, which you rarely see from elsewhere.

You see the Panchachuli Peaks at a touching distance. You see unusual angles of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Mrigthuni, which you would be familiar with from our treks in the Garhwal Himalayas. 

We have a whole section of our photo gallery dedicated to mountain views from Ranthan Kharak; it’s something you must see. 

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Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

View the Ranthan Kharak Trek here

6. Ali Bedni Bugyal 

Speaking of Mt. Trishul, here’s a trek from where you can get the most riveting views of Mt. Trishul. Out of the other meadow treks in our country, Ali Bedni Bugyal has the grandest of mountain views. That’s because of one thing—the sight of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti jutting right out of the meadows.

Jutting out doesn’t mean you see the tops of these mountains; you see the entire face—almost 6000-7000 feet of it—rising right in front of you.

During autumn, the mountain views are at their sharpest and clearest, as the air is still crisp and clean from the post-monsoon months. The blue sky seems to stretch on forever. The landscape is unmarred by the haze and smog that can often plague the plains. The snow-capped peaks glisten in the sunlight. 

While Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti steal the show, we also have Mt. Chaukhamba alongside the trail, standing tall with its four pillars. While mountain views are always grand, seeing them against the alpine meadows makes the view all the more magical.

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Mount Trishul and Mount Nanda Ghunti from Bedni Meadows. Photo by Tarun Gupta.

View the Ali Bedni Bugyal Trek here

7. Brahmatal 

Again, speaking of Mt. Trishul, we must speak of Brahmatal. It is difficult to find such magnified views of big mountains like these. However, Brahmatal is a trek that takes the cake. It has a view that beats all of these!

Here is why. Right on your second day, you climb out of the beautiful rhododendron and oak forest to see the white wall of the Trishul massif. And these views only come closer as you traverse the ridge towards Jhandi Top.

At Jhandi Top, you are almost at the centre of the mountain views. To your right rises the massive Mt. Trishul and to your left stands Mt. Nanda Ghunti. You even see the Ronti Saddle, the ridge that connects Mt Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti!

That is not all. At the highest point of the Brahmatal trek, Brahmatal Top, a new set of mountains opens up before you. You see Mt. Neelkanth and Mt. Hathi Ghoda, while Trishul and Nanda Ghunti are to your right. Always there.

Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti are your companions throughout the trek. Even the highest point of this trek is approached from the side that is exposed to Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. This trek deserves to be talked about among treks with the best mountain views.

To top it all, Brahmatal has lovely forests, two lakes to look forward to, and a meadow to traverse through.

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On the Brahmatal Trek, the mountains loom incredibly close, a humbling experience that leaves you in awe. Picture by Ramnarayan Iyer.

View the Brahmatal Trek

8. Deoriatal Chandrashila 

As much as we have celebrated the previous 5 treks, they all showcase a handful of treks within touching distance. Yet, when we talk about seeing most of India’s big mountains, it’s not east. You have to get to a high vantage point to catch such a view. Most such vantage points are hard to access. This is why at Indiahikes we treasure the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek so much.

The Chandrashila summit is a vantage point that stands unparalleled among our treks. From the top of the summit, you can see perhaps the greatest mountain views of our Indian Himalayas. It is like a grand feast—there is so much to take in that you cannot take all of it in. It is an experience many trekkers cannot forget.

What do you see? From your left are the Gangotri range of peaks, Mt. Thalaysagar, the Kedarnath and the Kedar Dome. Mandani Parbat and Janhukut. The imposing Chaukhamba is right in front. Most of them are over 7,000 meters tall.

On your right are the Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat and Dunagiri. And then right ahead, standing against the skyline in India’s tallest mountain, Mt. Nanda Devi. Trekkers find it hard to believe that they are seeing Mt. Nanda Devi.

If that’s not enough, to Mt. Nanda Devi’s right, etched against the skyline are Mt Nanda Ghunti and Mt. Trishul. Two of the most beautiful mountain summits in our country.

But for us, just to catch sight of Mt .Chaukhamba from the shores of the Deoriatal, within just two hours of starting your trek, is worth doing the entire trek. 

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Almost everyone is left shocked at the magnanimity of the Chaukhamba massif from the Deoriatal. It's a view that stays with you for a long time. Picture by Manas Chowdhury.

View the Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek here

9. Surya Top 

One of the biggest reasons to do the Surya Top Trek is the view of the Bandarpoonch Massif. As you meander on the ridge from Devkund to Siyari, Mt. Bandarpoonch and Kalanag stand right in front of you. To add to it, it‘s not a straight-ridge walk. It meanders, and as it does so, the mountains play hide and seek with you. 

As you think this trek cannot get any better, comes the summit climb to the Surya Top. Though it’s not a technical climb, it tests your endurance. Once you are at the summit, the Gangotri range, Mt. Bandarpoonch, and Mt. Kalanag that you were seeing from afar now stand at a touching distance from you. Especially Mt. Bandarpoonch is so close to you, that it feels like you can just jump to the other side and land on Bandarpoonch. Views like this are something any mountain lover would die for!

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On this trek, you get one of the closest views of the Bandarpoonch massif. Photo by Mayank Khare

View the Surya Top Trek here

10. Dayara Bugyal 

Finally on our list is the easiest trek with grand mountain views: Dayara Bugyal. Most of our youngest trekkers get introduced to the big mountains of the Himalayas on this trek. 

Because this trek is not the same as others. To see mountain views, you do not have to move an inch from the base camp. Right from the window of your tent at Raithal, you are treated to the entire Gangotri range in all its glory. You see it radiant as the sun rises, and you see it glowing softly as the sun sets. It’s with you always, and it stays with you throughout the trek. 

You don’t see just one or two mountains; you see the whole range, starting from the beautiful Mt Srikanth to the Gangotri peaks, the Drapadi Ka Danda peaks, and several others. 

If that’s not enough, as you climb into the forests on the trek, you start your game of hide and seek with the Bandarpoonch massif, which again becomes a terrific companion on your trek. This is one of the best introductions for beginners, no matter how old or young, to the big mountains of the Himalayas.

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As you enter the Dayara meadows, you are in for a treat. Spanning in front of you is the entire Gangotri range in it's full glory. Photo by Sanal KM.

View the Dayara Bugyal Trek here

11. Brammah Valley

The final trek on our list takes you up close to some of the biggest mountains in Kishtwar National Park: Brammah Valley

The Brammah Valley trek offers stunning views of the four prominent peaks of Kishtwar, all above 6,000 m. Getting so close to such big summits on a trek is rare. It’s not just the summit; you see these big mountains from the base to the summit! To compare, at Gaumukh Tapovan, trekkers see the full height of Mt. Shivling and are in complete awe. They get to see around 2,500 metres of the mountain. On the Brammah Valley trek, you see almost 4,000 metres of the big mountains in one go! The impact is nearly two times as great. 

You also camp next to these mountains at Kiddar Maidan, the trek's unique river delta campsite. 

From the Kiddar Maidan campsite, on your left are the Eiger and Tarparan summits. On your right lies Mt. Brammah I, the second-highest peak in Jammu. Right next to it is the prominent Mt. Brammah Wife (surprisingly, that is the name!). 

Camping under the shadow of such big mountains is a blessing reserved only for a few.

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Mt. Eiger and Mt. Tarparan from Kaikut campsite. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

View the Brammah Valley Trek here

In conclusion to the Celebrating India series: 

That brings us to the end of the Celebrating India series. We have covered the beautiful alpine meadows, forests, valleys and high mountains of India. But this is just the tip of the iceberg. 

India is home to so many rivers, lakes, hills, and beaches that no amount of writing will do justice to our natural elements. The only way to do justice is to head out and explore them on foot. 

I hope this series has given you a nudge to do that. You do not have to trek with Indiahikes. Just head out to the closest hike near your home. Spend some time in the abundant nature our country pampers us with. There’s nothing more joyful than that. :) 

Happy Independence Day. 

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Swathi Chatrapathy

Chief Editor

About the author

Swathi Chatrapathy heads the digital content team at Indiahikes. She is also the face behind India's popular trekking video channel, Trek With Swathi. Unknown to many, Swathi also writes a weekly column at Indiahikes which has more than 100,000 followers.

A TEDx speaker and a frequent guest at other events, Swathi is a much sought after resource for her expertise in digital content.

Before joining Indiahikes, Swathi worked as a reporter and sub-editor at a daily newspaper. She holds a Masters's in Digital Journalism and continues to contribute to publications. Trekking, to her, is a sport that liberates the mind more than anything else. Through trekking, Swathi hopes to bring about a profound impact on a person's mind, body and spirit.

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