November in the mountains makes for stunning shots of landscapes and clear mountain views. It's also an excellent time to observe many wildlife species, as they migrate to warmer climates to avoid the cold. Our trekkers were fortunate enough to spot some species and capture them brilliantly! This month, we received nearly 800 shots, including numerous animal and bird photos that made it to the nominations.

Here we are, with the winners of the Indiahikes Monthly Contest: November 2024 Edition:

The Grand Prize Winner 

Pench Tiger Trail - Susmit Datta

While leopards are not as commonly sighted as tigers in Pench Tiger Reserve, they are present and can be spotted, especially in the buffer zones and peripheral areas. Here’s a stunning photo of a leopard spotted during the safari.  As thrilling as it sounds, you have to be observant and lucky enough to spot animals as they love to remain discrete. Only a talented photographer can ace such a shot! 

Congratulations Susmit Datta! You have won the Grand Prize, with a trek voucher from Indiahikes worth Rs 5000, valid until November 2025, and a 32-litre backpack by Adventure Worx, which you can use on all your future treks.

The Runner-Up 

Sandakphu Phalut - Sakthi Kumar

You walk on the meadows for a short while as you trek from Molley to Phalut. This route offers one of the finest views of the Kanchenjunga massif and all the other peaks around it, collectively known as the ‘Sleeping Buddha’. 

“This was our walk over the meadows to Phalut. We had clear skies, and

capturing the trekkers with the Sleeping Buddha as a backdrop, made my day”, shares Sakthi. 

Congratulations Sakthi Kumar! You have won the Runner-Up Prize, and you will be getting an Indiahikes Trek Voucher of Rs. 3,000 valid until November 2025.

The Trekkers Choice Award 

Sandakphu Phalut - Dilip Krishnan

On the Sandakphu Phalut trek, you get the experience of seeing four of the world's tallest peaks. Here’s another mesmerizing view of the Sleeping Buddha. This view often leaves trekkers teary-eyed.

Congratulations Dilip Krishnan! You have won the Trekker’s Choice Award and a Goodie Bag from Indiahikes. Your photo got the maximum number of votes from the trekkers!

This concludes the November 2024 Edition of Indiahikes Monthly Photo Contest. If you liked these photos, you should definitely check out the nominations here.

Our November contest will start shortly as we wrap up. We will return very soon with more breathtaking images that celebrate trekking.