I’m writing this post with a bit of exasperation. 

These stats will explain why: Out of the 260 calls we receive every day, at least 40 are about the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar treks, requesting slots in full groups. 

Most of our KGL and Tarsar Marsar groups were filled last year. Even after opening new groups, we are left only with the last few slots. The trek doesn’t have a higher carrying capacity. 

But here’s something most trekkers don’t know. 

We have seven other equally fantastic treks in Jammu and Kashmir. Most are on par with the beauty and adventure of the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Given that these are new treks, trekkers don’t know them yet. But give it two years, and you’ll see these treks with a rush similar to KGL and TM. 

As a subscriber to my emails, I hope you use this information well and plan treks to other Kashmir treks instead of waiting on the most famous (and crowded) ones. 

Here’s the full list of 7 other great treks in J&K. 

If you have the Kashmir Great Lakes in mind, then Nafran Valley is a trek that makes the best alternative. I strongly recommend it. 

There are three reasons it makes a great alternative to KGL 

(a) The beautiful lakes of Harnag and Harbhagwan. 

Here’s a fact. This trek is so picturesque that it has been featured in our Mountain Lovers Gold Calendar since we discovered it. Only a handful of treks are chosen to be featured here, yet we can never ignore this trek. 

The big bonus is that you camp right next to the famous Kolahoi glacier.

Harnag Lake is the biggest and the most beautiful lake on the Nafran Valley trek. You get to walk beside this lake for two days! Picture by Bijju Shekar.

Bhaj Margi meadow is the grandest meadow of the Nafran Valley trek. If you are blessed with the clear weather, the morning or evening sunlight hitting the meadows is a stunning sight to witness. Picture by Diptarka Gupta.

Here’s the ultimate grassland trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Trekking from one valley to another, you will be treated to some of the region's most expansive grasslands. By now, trekkers know that if any grasslands come close to the Swiss Alps, they are the grasslands of J&K. That’s what you see on this trek. 

Yet, the grasslands are just one of the highlights of this trek. You also see around seven beautiful lakes on this trek, which gives you a classic Kashmir experience. 

The sunset from the Ashtaar Valley campsite makes you never want to leave this campsite. In fact, this is the case with almost all the campsites on the Bodpathri meadows trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

A 10-minute gradual ascent from the Ashtaar Valley, you'll view the Tatakooti mountain. The sunrise from here is majestic, making the valley below, look magical. Picture by Pritish Bhanushali.

Bodsar lake is arguably one of the most beautiful lakes on the trek. You keep seeing the lake for hours even after you start ascending to Gadtar, you just have to turn back to take a look every now and then. Photo by Pritish Bhanushali.

This is the rarest of the treks you can do in J&K because it is our only trek in the Kishtwar region. Kishtwar, in the south of J&K, has some of the most beautiful valleys you can see. 

The Brammah Valley is no ordinary valley. Rising at the end of the valley is a peak that betrays most mountaineers who attempt to climb it: Brammah Peak, a most sought-after summit to climb, but very few mountaineers have scaled it. It is among the most beautiful 6,000-metre summits in our country. On the Brammah Valley trek, you see the full face of the mountain from bottom to top. But two more towering peaks exist in the valley: the Brammah Wife and the Eiger.

On the other hand, this is the culture trek of the region. Much like how Har Ki Dun in Uttarakhand is teeming with culture, history and mythology, Brammah Valley gives you a wonderful cultural immersion. You see something rare in this isolated valley: a beautiful blend of Hindu and Muslim culture in this region: With mixed traditions, architecture, rituals and festivals, it’s a rare amalgamation of cultures, which is heartening to see. 

PS: This is the only J&K trek you can do in May and June. This is a great option if you plan to trek in the summer and want to avoid the Uttarakhand rush. Most treks in J&K open only in July and August. 

The grand Kiddhar Maidan, which is also a delta with backdrop of Mt. Eiger, Mt. Tarparan, and Brammah glacier. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

The Mighty Mt. Brammah I (left) and Mt. Brammah Wife (right). Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

You will trek for long days in the forests in Brammah Valley. But they don't feel monotonous. Trekking under the shade of tall pine trees next to the gushing Nath River is an experience cherished by everyone to date. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

I’m almost hesitant to announce this trek because we feel it is too good to be true. With an astounding 8-10 lakes, multiple meadows, and endless jaw-dropping moments, this trek will likely be the greatest trek in Jammu and Kashmir. Our team explored, designed and documented this trail in 2023 and has been making outrageous statements like “It’s better than Kashmir Great Lakes” or “It’s better than Warwan Valley.” 

On Day 4, during the trail from Khuan to Neelsar, you will come across the pristine Sarota meadows. During dawn and dusk, the grass in these meadows turns golden to the human eye. Picture by Nithyam Nachappa. 

The mesmerizing lake of Neelsar. Imagine camping with such setting and the blue color. This is the first lake that you get to see on the trek. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

The meadows in the Pir Panjal trek are so huge that even an entire day is not enough to explore them completely! Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

Our founders have always maintained one thing: you would never do a trek like Warwan Valley. The grandeur, the remote setting, and the uniqueness of this trek are so rare that even Kashmiris have not seen something so terrific. 

There are some unusual highlights on this trek: 

The dramatic crossover from the bone-dry landscapes of Ladakh to the luxuriant grasslands of Kashmir. It begins in trans-Himalayan settings, among barren, purplish mountains around Panikhar. The trail goes through an oasis, river deltas, wildflower meadows, and glaciers—all among these stark mountains. It makes for hauntingly beautiful settings. After spending two days encircled by desert mountains, the effect is striking as the trail gradually enters the lush greenery of Kashmir.

Traversing the Bracken Glacier: It is on very few treks that you see glaciers; most of the time, you see them from far away. It is on even fewer treks that you get to walk on a glacier. If you do, it’s usually a hurried 10-15 minute walk across the glacier. This is the only trek we’ve come across where you traverse along the entire length of a glacier, for hours together! With gaping crevasses beside you, the gurgling of a river deep beneath you, and the roar of car-sized chunks of ice falling down, it’s a sight that will stay with you for life.

The luxuriant grasslands of Warwan Valley: The setting of villages in Warwan Valley is too perfect, even for pictures. Fences border the trail you walk on. Willow trees jut out between houses. Mud-baked lanes crisscross the village. Flower beds line the hills around the houses. To top it, a clear stream runs through the village! All in a way that distinctly resembles the Gaulish village from Asterix comics. This setting is unique to this part of Kashmir.

The alpine lakes: You cannot talk about the Warwan Valley trek without mentioning the two alpine lakes formed by melting glaciers. Starting from clear at dawn to sea green to light blue to inky blue by evening. The two lakes on the pass crossing day will blow your mind away and make you grateful to witness this spectacular sight in front of your eyes.

The glacial lake above Kalapari often takes trekkers by surprise. You go here for an acclimatisation walk and also, pass the lake the next day of your trek. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

The bracken glacier is massive. What makes this special is you rarely see such huge glacier in its original form on any of our other treks. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

Basmina is a village surrounded by farmlands. This is on the Jammu and Kashmir side. Picture by Nitesh Kumar. 

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upwards from Kanyakumari. There comes a point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you into a very different landscape. The topography changes, even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. In fact, our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir -- so different is the landscape. 

The cherry on top is the appearance of two massive lakes: Patalwansar I and Patalwansar II. Though the names are similar, these two lakes are radically different from each other. You get to camp right beside one of the lakes. 

Note: This trek will be run in our Do-It-Yourself (DIY) style. Which means trekkers, along with a trek leader, are going to be doing the trek all without a support system. You will be helping to carry a few of the gear and equipment as a team. So we expect your backpack to weigh about 12 kg per trekker.

This is Patalwansar II, a huge circular lake at 12,795 ft. Notice how tiny the explorer standing at the edge of the lake looks. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Your first campsite of the trek is Disson campsite. From here you will see clear views of Mt Habba Khatoon and villages in PoK. Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

Kashmir treks are synonymous with lakes and meadows. With treks like the Kashmir Great Lakes, the Tarsar Marsar, the Bodhpatri, and the Nafran Valley already in the picture, it’s hard for any trek to match them. Yet, we have another terrific trek in Kashmir—the Tulian Lake trek—that does equal justice to these great treks. 

Along with stunning meadows and an alpine lake, the Tulian Lake trek has something that our other treks in Kashmir do not: the famous flora of Kashmir. There are pine, fir and spruce trees. You may think you have seen these trees before, but you have not. These forests differ significantly from those in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, or Sikkim. They resemble European vegetation more than our Indian forests.

The turquoise blue Tulian Lake at 12,000 ft, with icebergs floating on it, is unlike our other Kashmir lakes. Beyond the 8-shaped lake, snow-capped peaks tower to over 15,000 feet. It’s among the easiest treks you can do in J&K. 

Tulian Lake is an alpine lake at 12,087 ft, shaped in the figure of 8 and is surrounded by high mountains. What makes this trek special is you trek 3 days to get to this stunning lake. Picture by Amit Fatnani. 

On the Tulian Lake trek, you trek in the dense coniferous forests for 3 days of the trek. This is what makes Tulian Lake stand out from other Kashmir treks. It helps you experience the flora of Kashmir like never before. Picture by Lucas Bragagnollo. 

That brings me to the end of this list of alternatives for Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar. 

Indiahikes has particularly documented and stitched together five of these routes. Our sole aim is to diversify trails as much as possible and avoid overcrowding a handful of trails. 

As I said earlier, these treks are not likely to remain isolated and quiet for more than a year or two. Grab your opportunity now to be among the first trekkers on these trails. Our dates for 2024 are open and available on this page.

If you have any questions about these treks, drop them in a comment below. We are right here to help you out. 

Here are 7 Terrific Alternatives within J&K

STOP crowding Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar

kashmir great lakes - tarsar marsar - gurez valley - nafran valley - tulian lake - pir panjal lakes - brammah valley - bodpathri - warwan valley - kashmir treks - treks in kashmir - popular treks in kashmir - treks in India - Indiahikes - trek

STOP crowding Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar: Here are 7 Terrific Alternatives within J&K

Across the world, tourists and travellers make a beeline to see blooming flowers, whether it is cherry blossoms in Japan, tulips in Amsterdam, or, closer home, the Valley of Flowers. Yet, most trekkers miss out on one of the grandest experiences in India: blooming rhododendrons!

In mid-March, just as the spring season swirls its way into the Himalayas, rhododendron buds begin to shake off residual winter snow. Over the next two months, until early summer, rhododendron flowers set the mountainsides ablaze with striking hues of scarlet, pink, purple, and red. It’s a sight that you’ll rarely see, yet it’s a sight that you’ll never forget.

These flowers bloom only at certain latitudes, between 80°N and 20°S, in a few parts of the world. But their largest presence is in the Sino-Indian Himalayas. Within India, it is spread across Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Nepal, with the maximum concentration of the flowers being towards the east.

There are a total of 187 species of Rhododendrons in the Indian Himalayan Region. A pathway surrounded by rhodos on the trek from Deoriatal to Syalmi. Picture by Yogesh Shinde

While the attractive red-coloured flowers are seen between a wide range of altitudes (3,500 ft and 10,500 ft), there are other species—light pink, purple, and blue—that you see between 10,000 and 13,000 ft, especially towards the edges of the meadows (like at Khullara or Bedni Bugyal).

However, you will not experience the splendour of rhododendrons on every Himalayan trek. Only some of our treks display this once-in-a-year phenomenon. You need to know which trek to go on and how to time your trek. It would help if you also planned your trek well in advance, because these groups get full quickly. 

Rhododendrons bloom only between late winter and early summer, which means they bloom between late February and late-April. 

You’ll see rhododendrons in full bloom anywhere between late Feb and early May, based on the region you’re trekking in. In this picture, you see a rhododendron tree in full bloom on the Sandakphu trek. Picture by Sharat Kolke

In the Uttarakhand region, you’ll see rhododendrons blooming from late February until the middle of April. The flowers are at their peak between mid-March and mid-April.

In Sikkim, Nepal, and North Bengal, you’ll see blooms from early April until early May. They are at their peak in the last two weeks of April and early May.

Based on these timings, these are your five greatest treks to see rhododendrons in our country.

Which are the Top Rhododendron Treks of India?

It’s no secret. Goechala is a trek that is known for its rhododendrons. “People come from all over the world to see the rhododendrons on the Goechala trek. It’s a huge attraction,” says Arjun Majumdar, the founder and CEO of Indiahikes. 

Yellow rhododendrons with a monastery in the backdrop at Tshoka. Picture by Sourav Mukherjee

What’s special is that it is not a fleeting section of rhododendrons on the Goechala trek. “You’ll start seeing your first rhododendrons after the Bakhim campsite.

“But the gem of it is after Tshoka. The stretch between Tshoka and Phedang, between 9,000 ft and 11,000 ft, is THE rhododendron belt. You see pink, yellow, scarlet and red rhododendrons. There are stretches where you’re walking in a tunnel of rhododendrons. Sunlight diffuses through these flowers magically, forming unreal colours in the forests. It’s the most remarkable rhododendron experience,” says Arjun.

A dark-rumped rosefinch perched on a rhododendron on the Goechala trail. Picture by Sahana

The Eastern Himalayas of Sikkim and North Bengal are well-known for their rhododendrons, but not so much the Western Himalayas. Which is why the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek, with its abundance of rhododendrons, is a trekker's delight. We call it “The Goechala of the West.”

And the trek lives up to its eastern sister to the T. Right off the bat, you enter a beautiful rhododendron forest, which delights you with trees heavily laden with rhododendrons. Within 2-3 hours, you are welcomed by the Deoriatal Lake, which is surrounded by rhododendron trees blazing in shades of crimson, magenta, and bright pink. 

Rhododedron trees painting the mountains pink, below a towering Mt Chaukhamba on the Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek. Picture by Manasa Gollapinni

“There’s a quiet trail that circumambulates the lake, taking you through a drooping canopy of rhododendrons. You’ll see flowers above you, on either side of you, and even below you. The trail is a carpet of fallen rhododendrons. It’s one of the most beautiful hours you’ll spend by the lake,” says Vivek Saini, Slope Manager at Indiahikes, who has spent the longest time serving as our slope manager in this region. 

You would think it is hard for the trek to match up to Day 1, but the forests from Deoriatal to Rohini Bugyal and further onto Chopta will leave you weak in the knees. Rhododendrons come at you in surprising clusters. 

A rhododendron tree in full bloom on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trail. Picture by Amandeep Singh

In fact, from the Baniya Kund campsite to the summit, you see a few of the best pink rhododendrons. "Given that this section retains snow all the way until late-April, you’ll see a glorious contrast of pink flowers against white snow," says Vivek. It's truly a photographer's delight.

If you are lucky enough, you’ll also get to spot the ultra-colourful Himalayan Monal scampering about in the rhododendron shrubs.

The forest section is an absolute visual treat with treetops sprinkled with snow. In early March, rhododendrons are in full bloom. Picture by Yogesh Shinde.

The Ranthan Kharak Trek is our latest rhododendron love. And with good reason. The trek is replete with rhododendron trees for almost two entire days of trekking. The trail between Namik and Bajimanian campsites has tall rhododendron trees, with the classic scarlet flowers blooming all along the trail. On the next day too, you are treated to rhododendrons until the Chopu campsite. 

The best part of this trek is that it doesn't have the crowds of Deoriatal or Goechala. You have enough time to immerse yourself in the forests, acquaint yourself with the lovely rhododendrons, observe how they thrive under the shade of oak trees, and more. 

Our initial team to Ranthan Kharak got a chance to witness them in full bloom. 

On the other hand, the lack of crowds keeps the forests brimming with birds. Our exploration team spotted several species on the trail, including multiple Himalayan monals.

For us, the fact that it is in the Kumaon region, where there are no other well-known treks, and that it has terrific mountain views, shows us that this trek has a lot of good things going on every day. It's a trek you must not miss. 

Sandakphu is a trek that has so many great things going on, but when you trek in the Rhododendron season, everything else takes a backseat. It is hard for other treks to compete with the arresting view of the Kanchenjunga range and the Everest range in front, with a canopy of rhododendrons below.  

Very similar to Goechala, the Sandakphu trail’s rhododendrons is an experience that is well-documented. It is something that Singalila National Park is known for.

A walk in the flower-strewn forests on the Sandakphu trek. Picture by Shayak Ray Chaudhuri

"The best rhododendron sections are between Samanden and Molley. The last stretch of this walk is entirely through rhododendron forests. The flowers are completely red and pink here. If you time your trek right, you'll be trekking in a sea of pink," says Akshay Upreti, Slope Manager at Indiahikes, who has spent several months in the Sandakphu region. 

The initial section from Aal to Gurdum is also a rhododendron forest. Not only do you see dark pink and scarlet flowers, but you also see light pink, white, and yellow flowers on this trek. 

Rhododendrons spread across the hills on the Sandakphu trek. Picture by Nikhil Jain

Brahmatal is a trek that will strike you with rhododendrons almost as soon as you start the trek. The basecamp of the trek, Lohajung, with its neatly planted rhododendron trees along your sitting area, gives you a small peek into what is in store for you on the trail. 

Trekking under a canopy of rhododendrons on the Brahmatal trek. Picture by Gourab Nandy

"You are treated to the best rhododendron experience on the very first day of this trek as you climb towards Gujrani. This is one of the densest rhododendron forests I've seen. Our Gujraini campsite is also in the heart of rhododendron forests. It makes for a terrific setting in April," says Gourab Nandy, Slope Manager at Indiahikes, who spent the entire rhododendron season in 2021 in the Brahmatal region. 

"If that was not enough, one of the most magical rhododendron experiences is at Bekaltal. Even though the density of the flowers isn't too much, the entire lakeside is strewn with pink petals. Trekkers love sitting by this lake and sharing stories," he adds.

Trekkers sharing stories sitting by the Bekaltal lake. A rhododendron tree blooms lusciously in the foreground. Picture by Gourab Nandy

The rhododendron experience carries on until the last day on this trek, where you see the last of the rhododendrons towards Khorurai. 

1. Rhododendron trees towards Patangnia Ridge on the Chirbatiya weekend trek: When it comes to forest trails, this trek is hard to compete with, especially on a weekend. While you see a few rhododendon trees initially on the trail, as you climb towards Patangnia top, you see big, tall rhododendron trees towards the ridge. They look outstanding during sunset, with big mountains in the background. 

It's a treat to see such rhododendrons on a short weekend trek like Chirbatiya. Picture by Jothiranjan

2. The forests near Khullara on the Kuari Pass trek: Just as you reach Khullara, the edges of the meadows are laid out with short rhododendron trees. These trees have lighter rhododendrons, more pink than red. They’re laid out in neat lines, and you get a chance to trek beside them.

Light pink rhododendrons are typical of the Kuari Pass trail. These are shorter trees growing at higher altitudes. Picture by Pritish Bhanushali

3. The section between Nayata and Raithal on the Dayara Bugyal trek: On your last day, as you’re descending from Nayata to Raithal, you’re treated to some lovely rhododendron trees. These are classic red and deep pink rhododendrons. While the number of trees is not too large, the density within some trees is mind-boggling. 

Sections of Dayara Bugyal are blooming with rhododendrons in spring

4. The forests near Bedni Bugyal on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek: On this trek, look out for the forests between Gheroli Patal to Bedni Bugyal. You’ll come across a good section of rhododendron trees here, especially along the edges of the meadows.

The trail towards Bedni Bugyal in spring. Picture by Jothiranjan

Experiencing rhododendrons is rare in our country. Given that they grow only at certain altitudes, specific latitudes, and weather conditions, they are hard to find, not just in our country but anywhere in the world. They are a protected species everywhere. 

So when you have a chance to see them in such resplendent forests, in their natural habitat, and in such abundance, it's an opportunity you must not let go. 

And if you’re a birder or a photographer, then more so. With flowers come birds and butterflies, and as our bird expert says, it's one of the best seasons for bird watching. 

If you'd like to trek during the rhododendron season, plan now before it gets too late.

If you have any questions, drop in a comment below. We'll get back to you.  

Read to find out which are the best rhododendron treks in the Indian Himalayas, when to time them and which sections to watch out for.

Top 5 Rhododendron Treks in the Indian Himalayas

It bothers us that the world does not consider India a place to trek. Most heads turn towards Nepal when it comes to trekking in the Himalayas. Or they turn to Switzerland or Austria to experience alpine meadows. 

Little do people know that India is a goldmine of such landscapes. From the northernmost tip at Gurez Valley to the forested plateaus in central India, India is blessed with rich trekking trails, which give you a taste of the most diverse landscapes. 

For over 15 years, we at Indiahikes have been in search of such beautiful treks. We are sharing a few of them here, which you can explore in 2024. These treks are tucked away in remote corners of our country, and many of them are hardly trodden upon. Yet, they make you realise how grand the landscapes of our country are.The good news is that we have opened dates for all of them for 2024. We aim to explore the country as much as possible and encourage trekkers to trek in India. These treks will help you do just that.

1. Gurez Valley: A spectacular trek to the end point of India

En route to Khaari. On each day, you reach beautiful heights that offer panoramic views of the surroundings. You see a stack of lush green and barren mountains in the same setting.  Picture by Nitesh Kumar.

2023 was a blockbuster year for trekking in J&K because we discovered not one or two, but five different treks in the region, Gurez Valley being one of them.

India ends at Gurez. The significance of this is enormous. If you look at our country as a whole, we travel upward from Kanyakumari. There comes a point where we cannot travel any further north. That part of our country is Gurez.

The significance is that the Gurez is the last latitude of India, which is why it is very unlike any other part of Kashmir. The topography changes totally, even though it is only 6 hours north of Srinagar. You will notice it in the trees especially. The trees are different, and so are the way they are laid out in the valley. The Razdan pass you cross to get to Gurez pushes you to a very different landscape. Just like how it is when you cross the Rohtang Pass in Manali. Our trek in Gurez reminds us more of our treks in Kyrgyzstan and Georgia than they do of our treks in Kashmir, so different is the landscape. The scenery is spectacularly unusual.

2. Ranthan Kharak: Discover the hidden clearings of Kumaon

Your campsite at Chofu is very unique. You camp on a slope with open views of the valley and the entire Garhwal mountain ranges in front of you. Photo by Nitesh Kumar.

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.

3. Manali Kaisdhar Trek: Manali's Ancient Forest Trek

The trail is well-marked and mostly on the forest ledge. Every now and then, the trail opens up on your left treating you to stunning views of the valley. Picture from the Indiahikes Archives.

Everyone knows Manali as a popular hill station. But only true trekkers foray beyond the borders of the town. This trek does exactly that, taking you through the ancient woods surrounding Manali. The trees on this trail are hundreds of years old, giving you a feeling like you're trekking among old wise saints.

In just four days, you get a chance to completely immerse yourself in nature. You walk in the deep woods dominated by dense coniferous trees like silver oak and blue pine. You come across a waterfall, walk to the ridge: the highest point of the trek, and get a glimpse of the culture of remote Himalayan villages. If that’s not enough, you are treated to stunning views of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. Stunning vermillion sunsets are an additional bonus here.

This is the easiest trek on our list, and it is beautifully suited for beginners and families. On the Manali Kaisdhar Trek, the trails are short and flat. There are hardly any tricky sections to navigate. It is an ideal trek for beginners and families looking to start their trekking journey in the Himalayas.

4. Chirbatiya: A 3-day birders’ trek in the heart of Rudraprayag

During spring, the trees in full bloom attract insects, which in turn attract birds. This makes the Chirbatiya Trek, a paradise for birders. Picture by Jothiranjan.

If the name is new to you, Chirbatiya is a range of hills north of Rudraprayag. It is tucked away in a corner where very few venture. Tourists have not seen this place. It is in the heart of this region that we are going to be trekking and camping.

The starting point of this trek is Chirbatiya. ‘Chir’ refers to pines and ‘batiya’ means a path. Translated, it means a path through the pine trees. And sure enough, you walk through some of the loveliest forest trails on this trek. There’s not only pine, but a good mix of oak and rhododendrons too. Hundreds of birds and the scent of the woods hang in the air. 

With such rich forests, the trail is replete with birds. In just two days of trekking, our teams spotted over 40 species of birds, a wonderful highlight being the gorgeous monal. If you're a birder, this 3-day trek, which is easy on the legs is your haven.

5. Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek: The Jungle Book Trek of Central India

The Pandupara campsite is where you camp on the sandy bank of the Gopat River. Picture from the Indiahikes Archives. 

Most of the country treks in the Himalayas or the Western Ghats. But trekkers hardly know about trekking in Central India. So far, after exploring multiple trails in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh, we have arrived at the best trekking trail in Central India: The Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek.

These are among the most well-preserved deciduous forests in our country. This is where the last of the Indian cheetahs would sprint through with explosive bursts of speed. Trekkers have yet to witness such forests. Hidden within these jungles are ancient, pre-historic caves. Cave paintings here are easily ten to fifteen thousand years old.in

If that’s not enough, you experience the most unique experience of them all: walking in a river throughout the day! These are once-in-a-lifetime moments.

6. Ali Bedni Bugyal: The “Swiss alps” of India

Didina is a unique campsite that allows you to camp amidst the setting of a Himalayan village. Not many treks have this. Photo by Jothiranjan.

Most of the world heads to Switzerland and Austria to witness the Alps: the snow-capped peaks and soft meadows that spread out beneath them. Yet, hardly anyone knows about the alpine meadows hidden in plain sight in our country: the twin meadows of Ali and Bedni Bugyal.

Trekkers often call these the “wallpaper meadows” of our country. Horses and their foals tear themselves across the turf in an uninhibited abandon while the cattle graze lazily on this bounty.

 But that’s not all. 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.

7. Pin Bhaba Pass: India’s Most Dramatic Crossover trek from Kinnaur to Spiti

The trail from Mulling campsite to Karah campsite has many patches of wild, vibrant flowers. This makes Karah one of the most beautiful campsites in Himachal Pradesh. Picture from the Indiahikes Archives.

Our country is full of mountain passes. Among all the pass-crossing treks in our country, including the famous Rupin Pass and Buran Ghati, if you want to witness the landscapes of India, Pin Bhaba is the trek to do. So dramatic is the crossover on this trek, that if your jaws don't drop at the pass, we'll be surprised.

You start in the lush Kinnaur valley, a lovely river venturing by your side. You trek through endless grasslands, river deltas and forests. But the moment you cross the pass, everything changes. You suddenly enter the stark Spiti valley, painted in shades of pink and purple. So sharp is the difference that you'll wonder if you were in another country until now.

The unique thing about this trek it is like doing a new trek every day. From the luscious forests on Day 1, to the grasslands of Mulling, the Kashmir-like meadows of Karah, and the river delta of Phutsirang, each day is different from the previous day. It's like doing 5 treks at once. 

That brings us to the end of this list. We’ve just shared 7 out of the 40+ treks that Indiahikes organises. If you ask us, each of these 40 treks are unique and gives you a new perspective on our country’s landscape. But if we have to shortlist the most unique of them, these would be it.

P.S. We have opened up dates for all these treks on their respective pages. Don’t miss out on them. You'll find the rest of our treks here.

We hope this article was helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below.

7 Unique Treks to Experience India in 2024

Across India, from mid March until April (Spring season), people are not really going on treks. Parents are overwrought with kids’ exams. Deadlines in offices somehow hang in the air.

Meanwhile, quietly on the side, a splendid season of trekking between Mid March and April slips by. 

But first, here is the Table of Contents to help you navigate to any of our 15 Best Spring treks of your choice:

In mid March, when winter starts to recede, snow is still around. A carpet of fresh grass sprouts around these snow patches. It makes meadows and clearings above 9,000 feet a delight. The lush grass with ankle-length flowers against the backdrop of snow is a visual treat.

Shaking off the harshness of winter, new leaves start sprouting on trees. Flowers bloom. The landscape is a riot of colours. Spring is in the air. 

Birds wake up from their winter slumber. Their voices spring through the forests. For those who love bird photography, Spring is the time of the year to do treks. 

Himalayan Monal - the state bird of Uttarakhand spotted on the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek. Picture by Ajit Hota.

If these were not Enough, there is the Magic of Rhododendrons

For me, the rhodos is a big reason to go trekking. What a sight they make! In spring, rhododendrons with their scarlet and pink flowers burst into bloom. It is as if the hills are on fire! When rhodos bloom they envelop trees. Sometimes it is difficult to spot leaves through the flowers! 

The blazing trail of rhododendrons on the spring trek. Picture by Jothiranjan B.

My favourite rhodos are, of course, the scarlet ones. They are not very common, so it is terrific to see if there is a scarlet playing hide and seek around a bend! Some slopes have the yellows and whites in between the pinks. Sunlight flirting through these blooms make trekking a joy!

Trekking in Spring is Great for the Crackling Summit Views

Let me explain. Two months later, in summer, when it is peak trekking season there is a smoky haze over the mountains. Forest fires, smog, heat and dust  contributes to this. Mountain views are disappointing. 

Worse, in summer when the sun heats up the earth, the forests transpire, releasing a lot of water vapour in the air. the cool air of the mountains quickly gather up these water vapour and turn them into clouds.

It is not uncommon to see a bright clear day patched with lots of clouds by 11 in the morning. The big mountains that you have been planning to see are now almost hidden. 

On the other hand in spring mountain views are worth dying for. You get clear blue skies that stretch from horizon to horizon. The air is crisp — the views crackling. 

The Chaukhamba massif as seen from the Chandrashila summit. Picture by Yusuf Serki.

I remember last year when I was trekking to the top of Chandrashila summit, I stood for a moment to take in what I was seeing around me. There they were, right in front of me, like a fan of playing cards, the entire range of eastern and western Gharwal mountains of India. I was seeing the greatest mountain ranges in India at their sharpest best. 

Another time, I took a short walk to the summit of Hatu Peak near Shimla. It was the second week of March. There too the sprawling summit views took my breath away. This time I was gazing at summits of eastern Himachal. So sharp they were that I could tick off almost thirty or forty summits in the horizon.  

When you walk into a tourist office and see a big landscape picture of mountain ranges — the photographs are almost always taken in early winter or in March/April. 

I share with you a list of the best treks to do in between Mid-March and April end. I have left out a few that I feel don’t make this list.

Here are the 15 best Himalayan treks to do in Spring:

You don't see such greener meadows in any other season than spring and summer. Notice Mt Chaukhamba looming in the background. Picture by Rupendra Yadav.

The best rhododendron trek of our country. And the best trek to do in Spring. And to damn everything, it also has the best mountain views from the summit.

Set in the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand, the Deoriatal Chandrashila trek is a treat for wildlife lovers. And it is also a great summit climb (12,083 ft)  for those who are beginning to start trekking in the Himalayas.

You see, summit climbs are rewarding, and trudge up a mountain for hours during the wee hours. You reach its highest point like the rays of the sun lighten the sky. Everything is below you — the clouds, the hills, the tiny specks of civilization. On a Himalayan trek, you usually see mountain ranges in the distance.

This is where Deoriatal Chandrashila is special. It is not a section of Himalayan ranges that you see. You see all the major summits of Western and Eastern Uttarakhand from the summit. By all, we mean all.

The meandering ridge walk gives grand views of Mt Bandarpunch and Mt Kalanag. Picture from the Indiahikes archives.

Surya Top is an extension of our much-loved Dayara Bugyal trek. Trekkers often get teary-eyed upon reaching Dayara meadows on the Dayara Bugyal trek. But Surya Top is a real deal when it comes to experiencing the grandeur of Dayara meadows in its entirety. You trek on the meadows not just for a couple of hours but for two full days! At Devkund, you are at the end of the Dayara meadows. Right behind you are endless stretches of perfectly manicured meadows that extend as far as your eyes can reach. You explore all that Dayara Meadows has to offer. This is only possible when you do the Surya Top Trek.

Spring in the Surya Top Trek starts in mid-March and goes on until the end of April. The snow starts to melt in the upper reaches, while the grass begins to turn green in the lower meadows. Tiny flowers make their heads out of the grass, while rhododendrons bloom on the trees.

The upper reaches of the Surya Top trek are usually covered in snow until mid-April.

Spring is a great time to experience colour contrasts on the meadows and the ridge walk. You see snow, greenery, and the colour of flowers altogether.

The Spring season is very special in this region of Kumaon. Normally, the forests in any trek need time to blossom into greenery after a harsh winter. This is not the case in Ranthan Kharak. The forests here will be lush green with different varieties of rhododendrons, trees, mushrooms, birds and animals.

You will walk on paths filled with hidden waterfalls, water trickling down your shoulders occasionally as you traverse through thickets till you arrive at Bajimanian Kharak.

As you leave the tree line behind, you come across ridges and ledges with occasional patches of snow. The views of the far-off mountains will not be crystal clear. However, your proximity to them will anyway give you a magnified view.

Be prepared for the cold by packing 4-5 warm layers. Keep your exposed parts warm from chilling winds, especially after crossing Bajimanian Kharak. The kharaks boast of budding green grass with wildflowers sprawling all over it.

View of Mt Trishul from Tilandi campsite. Picture by Guhanesan Sivalingam.

On the Brahmatal trek, you walk on a high-point with the mountain dropping on either side. This is called a ridgeline. A ridgeline often gives the feeling of an extended summit.

What’s delightful is that you also get to camp on the ridge – at Tilandi. From here, you get to see the Himalayan landscape rolling out on both sides.

As you are on a high point at Tilandi, you get to witness the sunset and sunrise from the same campsite. And being at the high-point also makes it the windiest campsite of the trek.

To top it all, you get to see Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti up close from Brahmatal Top!

Alpen glow on sleeping buddha during sunset as seen from Sandakphu campsite. Picture by Kartik Vasan.

Here are the 15 Best Himalayan Treks to do this Spring. Whether you are a beginner or an advanced trekker, there's something for everyone!

Guides To Choose Treks

Treks by Categories

Treks by Season

Treks by Month

Treks by Duration

Treks by Difficulty

Treks by Region

Treks by Experience

Follow Us

Contact Us

Bengaluru Office

Dehradun Office