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

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

Today I’m going to give you some advice that not many people will give you. 

And I’ll get straight to it: If you want to do a winter trek in snow, avoid the month of December. Choose January and February instead. 

Many trekkers raise their eyebrows when I give this advice. 

For most of them, December is the prime time to travel. And I understand that. They have holidays around then. Their children have vacations during Christmas and New Year. Or they want to finish up their leaves before the end of year.  

On a different note, trekkers also look at December as synonymous with winter. Not many people even think of January and February as winter.

Yet, when you think about it, December has its difficulties. (1) Flight charges are exorbitant at this time of the year (even if you book well in advance). (2) Hotels charge almost double their regular tariff (if at all they have availability) (3) Every place you turn to is crowded, including trekking trails. 

I'd like to elaborate a bit on the third point. 

A study that we did revealed that more trekkers go to the mountains in December than in the classic summer months of May and June! 

The crowd is so concentrated in December that the graph is staggering! 

The above graph shows you a huge spike in crowds in December, dwindling down dramatically in January and February. This is four years’ worth of data. 

To me, this concentration of trekking in December is the biggest tragedy! 

It completely removes the fun and serenity of trekking. Where there must be peace and quiet, you have music blaring on loudspeakers. Where there must be calm nights, you have campfires, alcohol and unruly behaviour. Campsites are strained for resources — space, water, toilets (campsites often become minefields of human waste). If it’s a summit climb, the crowd gets heavy on top, with queues and long build-ups, and hundreds of people standing at the summit. I don’t know what summit experience that is.

A camping experience loses any sense of serenity when you're surrounded by a large crowd, which is always the case in December. Picture by Hardik Patel

Outside the crowd, why trekkers must shift focus to January and February (The Big Snow Season): 

I admit, the crowd in December can put off any discerning trekker, but frankly, the real reason to go trekking in January or February is something else. 

January and February (until mid March) are the real big snow season. It is not December. December is the mere beginning of winter. It’s when the first winter snow comes in. However, this is still just the beginning. 

Real winter sets in only in January and February in our country, forming a luxuriant blanket of snow on all Himalayan treks. January and February are what we term as the “Big Snow Season” at Indiahikes.

I recollect speaking to a meteorologist, Akshay Deoras, who has been a forecaster for the past 12 years. “What we consider early winter (Oct-Dec) is officially post-monsoon. Only January and February are officially considered winter,” he had said. You can read my entire interview with him on snowfall in India here. 

Here’s where I want to reiterate my advice to you. 

Most of us go to the mountains in winter to isolate ourselves from the clutter and noise of the city or to trek in a beautiful snowy setting. 

And there’s no better time than the Big Snow Season to experience these. Here’s why: 

1. There’s more snow deposit on the trails compared to December. As you may know, winter snow is brought to our country by western disturbances. While there is usually one wave of western disturbance in December, there are at least 2-3 waves in the Big Snow Season. These are usually stronger waves and leave behind larger deposits of snow — so much so that it is this snow that lasts all the way to the end of April. 

This snow deposit is what gives you a true snowy experience. Right from Day 1, when you’re in the forests, you see fairy-tale-like snowy settings. The boughs of trees are beautifully laden with snow. The tree tops are drizzled with frost. As you climb higher, you see meadows and clearings covered in a vast white blanket. The ground below you is a soft powdery carpet. Our camps are usually in the heart of this snow deposit.

Frankly, most winter photos of Himalayan treks that you see are taken in this Big Snow season, and not in December. 

The snow deposit on all treks is the highest in the months of Jan and Feb, the Big Snow Season. Picture by Dhaval Jajal shot on the Dayara Bugyal trek

2. There are greater chances of snowfall in the Big Snow Season: More WDs = more probability of snowfall. I know this is something trekkers dream of experiencing! So if you want to have an adventurous experience with high chances of snowfall, the Big Snow Season is your best chance at it. 

Here, I know some of you may think that the presence of high snow might stop you from completing your trek. What I have noticed is that successful completion of the trek depends a lot on the technical team who goes along with you. At Indiahikes 92% of our trekkers completed their treks successfully (in the past two seasons). Only those who ran into the middle of a snowfall could not complete the trek. On such occasions we call off the trek (and sometimes the forest department does so too). 

Note: At Indiahikes, if you do not complete your trek, you are welcome to come back and finish the trek. We do not charge you for it. Did you know this?

With more western disturbances, there are much higher chances of snowfall in Jan and Feb. Picture by Vishnu Sivanandan

Consider this a reminder because now is the right time to start planning. Our December dates for all winter treks have thoroughly run out. And we now have January and February dates available. 

If you plan now, you’ll have the luxury of choosing dates that suit you. Very soon, you’ll have to adjust your schedule to the leftover dates. I hope you make use of this reminder.

Top 6 Himalayan Treks to do in the Big Snow Season (January and February):

1. Dayara Bugyal trek - Our Only Winter Trek with the Biggest Snow Expanse

Dayara Bugyal is superbly rewarding at any time of the year. But the snowscape in winter is a world on its own. 

The biggest reward, though, are the meadows of Dayara — the biggest snow expanse you’ll see. Miles and miles of undulating snow, like a field of vanilla ice cream, with not a single tree or a plant or a rock that obstructs the snow. It’s just velvety snow for as far as your eyes can see.

Ever since we first opened it in winter 2017, trekkers have fallen in love with the other wintry charm of this trek — the lovely snow-draped oaks and maples, the soft glow of early morning sun on the white meadows, the icy lakes and ponds, the towering Gangotri ranges… 

You’re not likely to see this much snow on any other winter trek. Add to it the number of snow slides while descending, it’s the most fun you’ll have on a winter trek! 

My tip for you: Catching the sight of Mt Bandarpoonch from the white expanse of the Dayara meadows is a highlight of the trek. Camping at the delightful Nayata campsite is another big reason. 

Duration: 6 days 
Suitable for: Beginners with no prior experience

View Dayara Bugyal Trek Dates and Details

The forests of Dayara Bugyal in winter. Picture by Dhaval Jajal

2. Brahmatal trek - The Only Trek In Winter That Goes To An Alpine Lake

Brahmatal as a winter trek has become almost as popular as Kedarkantha. And I’m not surprised. The best experience on this trek is getting to see the frozen Brahmatal lake in winter. Almost no other trek takes you to an alpine lake in winter. On this trek, you see two of them: the Bekaltal and the Brahmatal. In addition, it’s a stunner in winter with the snowscapes and the snowy forests. 

My tip for you: The views of Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti once you touch the ridges is the reason to do the trek. Did you know Mt Trishul is the first 7,000 metre summit to be climbed by man? And on this trek it is so close that nothing separates you from where you stand and the summit. 

Duration: 6 days
Suitable for: Fit beginners

The frozen Brahmatal Lake in peak winter. Picture by Ashish Bhatt

3. Sandakphu-Phalut trek - See Four Of The Tallest Mountains In The World

Sandakphu is one of the few treks that has been done in January and February for a very long time. It’s a trail that dates back to the 40’s with a lot of historical and cultural significance. It’s different from ALL our other treks, because it’s on the border of India and Nepal. Sometimes on the trek you don’t know if you are in Nepal or in India! At some camps your dining tent is in Nepal and your camping tents in India! But it is the Indo-Nepal-Tibetian culture that you will find mesmerising on the trek. You find the same trekking culture on the Everest Base Camp and Annapurna Base Camp treks. 

My tip for you: Do this trek to experience the famous tea house culture of Nepal. It is warmer too!

Duration: 7 days
Suitable for: Fit beginners

View Sandakphu-Phalut trek dates and details

Sandakphu is one of those few trails where you have the luxury of staying in a warm tea house despite the chilly weather outside. Picture of the Molley camp by Dwaipayan Purkait

4. Kedarkantha trek - The Finest Summit Climb In Winter

This is India’s most popular winter trek. The good news is the crowd completely dies down by January. And in February, there are almost no signs that this is a popular trek at all. 

Do this trek for the summit climb. The alpine views (and settings) from the Kedarkantha summit are unmatched anywhere. 

My tip for you: For us at Indiahikes, we love the forests and the clearings of the Kedarkantha trek more than the summit climb. We have not found an equivalent of these anywhere else!

Peak winter in Kedarkantha is a challenging experience. But every bit of effort rewards you manifold. This picture was taken in late December. Picture by Dhaval Jajal

5. Deoriatal-Chandrashila - The Only Winter Trek With The Best Mountain Views

Seeing great mountain views on a trek is not easy. In winter, most such vantage points are rare and even if accessible, they are usually buried under deep snow. 

The Chandrashila summit is unparalleled among our treks. From the top of the summit, you see perhaps the greatest mountain views of our Indian Himalayas. It is like a grand feast of mountain views — 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 metres tall. 

On your right are the Gauri Parbat, Hathi Parbat and Dunagiri. And then right ahead standing against the skyline is 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. 

My tip for you: Do this trek for three reasons: for the terrific Mt Chaukhamba view from the shores of Deoriatal. For the mountain views from the Chandrashila summit and the chance to see Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in our country. And yes, the trek has great trails through the forests as well. One of my favourites. 

Duration: 6 days
Suitable for: Beginners with no prior experience in trekking

View Deoriatal-Chandrashila trek dates and details

The Deoriatal Lake in winter, surrounded by snow, with the Chaukhamba massif in the background. Picture by Avijit Jamloki

6. Kuari Pass - The Only Trekkable Mountain Pass In Winter

Getting to a mountain pass is always adventurous and thrilling. Doing it in winter is almost impossible. Yet, there is only one trek in our country where this is possible — the Kuari Pass.

Apart from its splendid views and forests, Kuari pass is a mountain lovers’ delight. You have an unending vista of the biggest mountains in India opening up right from day one. You even get to see the clearest view of the full south face of Mt Nanda Devi, India’s highest mountain.  

More than this, Kuari Pass is a near-perfect trek. You go through ancient layered forests, hopping from one layer to another. The section above the tree line is fascinating with its many twists and turns over ridges and flanks to get to the pass. 

My tip for you: If you want to see the tallest mountains of the Indian Himalayas, Mt Nanda Devi, and one of the most aesthetic peaks, Mt Dronagiri, choose this trek. It is one of those treks that spoils you with incredible views right from the first day of the trek.

The oak forests of Kuari Pass covered in snow. Picture by Sandhya UC

That’s the list of our peak winter treks. 

Given that it’s a small list, the dates are likely to run out soon. So plan as soon as possible. 

If you have any questions, head over to our FAQ page to find detailed answered. If you still don't find answers, drop in your question in our Trekker Forum, where you will get valuable help from experienced trekkers. 

Winter treks in India are better done in January and February. Here's why, along with a list of 6 best winter treks in the Himalayas

Why Winter Treks Are Better in January And February Than December (Includes 6 Best Snow Treks) - 2023

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Why Trekking in Jan and Feb is Better than December 

Brahmatal and Ali Bedni Bugyal — Two treks starting at the same base camp. Located in the same region. Climbing to similar altitudes of ~12,000 ft. Promising the same mountain views.

Many trekkers make a wrong assumption here. They believe these treks to be very similar.  

They blindly choose to trek to Brahmatal, simply because it’s the more popular of the two. More trekkers have done it and more trekkers talk about it.

“What trekkers don’t realise is that within the first 500 m from the base camp, these two treks are so different that they’re two completely different worlds,” says Arjun Majumdar, the founder and CEO of Indiahikes. 

To get a perspective on their proximity, look at the map below. The trail on the left (marked in blue) is the Brahmatal trek and the one on the right (in yellow) is the Ali-Bedni Bugyal trek. 

They almost look like ‘one’ trek. But there is a world of difference between the two.

This is what we will talk about today, so that by the end of this post, you’re able to make a distinction between the two treks, and make a choice between them.  

Ridge walk on the Brahmatal trek vs Meadow walk on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek

“The Brahmatal trek is a very open trek. You’re on top of a ridge with the mountains sloping down on either side of you. You walk on this ridge for hours together, experiencing an openness that makes you feel like you’re on top of the world. Across the valley from the ridge, you see Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti in all their glory,” says Sandhya. 

This ridge walk is one of the best experiences on the Brahmatal trek. The views of these two mountain summits are glorious. Sometimes the perspective of distance makes the mountains stand taller.

The ridge walk on the Brahmatal trek in winter. Picture by Deep Thakkar

Yet, she says, Ali Bedni Bugyal has a different charm. “On the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, you’re walking through superb alpine meadows. Not one meadow, but two. Ali and Bedni Bugyal, without doubt, are two of the most beautiful high altitude meadows of our country. Ali Bugyal is an experience in itself, and Bedni bugyal has a completely distinct experience of its own.

“Unlike the openness of Brahmatal, here, you’re in a cauldron amongst big mountains. And you have a soft carpet of grass sprawling all around you. It’s almost manicured to perfection. It’s beautifully green in spring, resplendent with wild flowers in summer, a honey-hued landscape in autumn and a blanket of snow in winter. 

“More than that,” she adds, “what is unbelievable about Ali Bedni Bugyal is that it is picture-perfect. There isn’t a single rock out of place. It doesn’t have the imperfections that most treks have. It is almost photo-shopped,” she muses. 

It’s hard to debate her, because we have all been to Ali and Bedni Bugyal and seen the wallpaper meadows ourselves. It’s a ritual that anyone from Indiahikes at Lohajung must make a visit to Ali Bugyal, even if for only half a day. It gives you a deep sense of satisfaction that stays with you for months to come. 

Ali Bugyal in evening light in autumn. Picture by Sandhya UC

Experiencing the legendary Roopkund trek from Brahmatal vs Ali Bedni Bugyal 

We have always considered Brahmatal very special. Because when you’re on the Brahmatal trek, you are at a vantage point from where you see the Roopkund trek in its entirety. This video that Sandhya made from Brahmatal will give you a nice perspective of the view. 

Right from the base camp, to Ghairoli Patal, to Bedni Bugyal, to Pathar Nachuni, Bhagwabhasa and even the dip in which the Roopkund lake sits, you can see it all from the Brahmatal route. It’s a surreal experience to witness another trek in its entirety from a vantage point (the only other place we have seen this happen is when you see the Hampta Pass trek from a ridge above Bhrigu Lake). 

The Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, on the other hand, beats Brahmatal to the punch here. “It’s no contest, because you’re actually doing 65% of the Roopkund trek, and seeing some of the best sections of the trek here,” says Sandhya. 

“There’s a reason that Roopkund is such a celebrated trek. No other trek comes close, even till date. And now, when just a handful of people do this trek, is the best time to do it. You have the whole trail to yourself, campsites are isolated, and you are spoiled walking all alone in the luxuriant meadows. Now is the time to do the trek before it gets crowded,” says Sandhya.

An imposing Mt Trishul rising behind Bedni Bugyal in month of April. Picture by Tarun Gupta.

The campsites on the Brahmatal trek vs Ali Bedni Bugyal 

I’ll admit, on the Brahmatal trek, you have few of the most exquisite campsites. You camp in a lovely clearing in the forest. Then you camp at Tilandi, which is a vast plateau, where the wind is an experience in itself. Then you have the Brahmatal campsite, just a few minutes away from the Brahmatal lake. The campsites on this trek are few of the most spoken-about campsites among trekkers. 

“The sunset at Tilandi is an especially wonderful experience. You are above a blanket of clouds. The sun is setting as a huge orange ball in the distance. I’ve seen so many trekkers  get contemplative or teary eyed watching this sunset. It’s something that remains with you for years, especially because you’re camping with this view,” says Dhaval Jajal, a Senior Trek Leader, who has led several teams to Brahmatal. 

Tilandi campsite on the Brahmatal trek. Picture by Shriram Kondhawekar

The campsites on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek, however, fall slightly short in terms of the experience. “Don’t get me wrong. They are wonderful campsites — the Abin Khadak campsite, even the forestry campsite of Ghairoli Patal. If you give me a scorecard, I would put Brahmatal slightly higher on campsites. But only slightly,” says Arjun.

The Ghairoli Patal campsite on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. Picture by Yash Trivedi

The forests of Brahmatal vs the forests of Ali Bedni Bugyal 

Brahmatal has a few of the loveliest oak and rhododendron forests. Come March and April, these forests are flourishing with scarlet rhododendrons, making a walk through these forests an absolute delight. The forest walk doesn’t last too long, but it’s very pretty for as long as it lasts. 

Snow laden forests on the Brahmatal trek. Picture by Vishwas Krishnamurthy

But the Ali Bedni Bugyal, at the risk of sounding too biased, has better forests, because you’re experiencing two different forest trails — one from Didina to Tolpani, and one from Bedni Bugyal to Ghairoli Patal. 

You will be covering a few of the rarest forest sections with pretty oak trees, and even prettier clearings among the oak trees. These clearings are delightful, especially when golden light from the sun streaks in through the surrounding trees. 

“On the other hand, the experience of exiting the treeline and bursting out into the meadows is something that very few trekkers allow you. Only the Buran Ghati trek comes close,” says Sandhya, talking about the moment you enter Ali Bugyal from the forests of Tolpani.

Delightful clearings in the middle of oak forests on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek. Picture by Ravi Ranjan

The lake experience at Brahmatal vs Bedni Kund on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek

Frankly, this is not a fair comparison, since Brahmatal has two wonderful lakes, and Ali Bedni Bugyal has but a small pond — the Bedni Kund. In winter, it’s frozen solid, almost invisible as a lake. In summer, often, it’s covered with tall grass. Only in March, April and May do you get to see a pond with stunning reflections of Mt Trishul in the morning. 

However, more than the Bedni Kund, it is the setting of the kund that makes people’s jaw drop. Nestled in the middle of the Bedni Bugyal, with Mt Trishul and Mt Nanda Ghunti towering over it, with green carpet of grass around, it is a sight to behold. Add to it the brown grey mountains that surround it like an outstretched arm, the setting automatically transports you to a feeling of a very high altitude, something that the Brahmatal trek lakes do not ever give.  

The Bedni Kund on an early morning. Picture by Shreyas Chidambara

The Brahmatal trek, on the other hand, has not one, but two lakes — Brahmatal and Bekaltal.

The Bekaltal lake, an oligotrophic lake, is replete with algae and surrounded by dense forests. Our trekkers love sitting by the side of the lake and sharing stories from their treks. 

The Brahmatal lake, much higher up, is a completely different experience. Early in the morning, the deep blue waters of Brahmatal reflect a lone tree standing by its side. Often surrounded by snow, and sometimes frozen, it is a spot where photographers stop short and cannot put their cameras down. 

Here, we have to give it to the Brahmatal trek, it’s an additional experience that Ali Bedni Bugyal does not have. 

The picturesque Brahmatal Lake in winter. Picture by Sandeep Suresh

Snow cover on the Brahmatal Trek vs Ali Bedni Bugyal

Here’s something that will surprise you. Given that these two treks are just a few kilometers apart, and climbing to similar altitudes, you would assume the snow experience to be similar. 

But here’s the surprise. Brahmatal is a trek that is mostly spread out on a ridge. Since it’s so exposed, the snow melts away a lot quicker than most other treks. So even though it sees the exact same amount of snowfall as Ali Bedni Bugyal, the snow does not last too long. By the end of March / early April, the snow starts melting away. 

Snow cover on the Brahmatal trek starts melting away by March. Picture shot beside the Bekaltal lake in March by Gourab Nandy

This is not the case with Ali Bedni Bugyal. Even though it is a fairly exposed meadow, the surrounding mountains protect the snow cover with their shadow. So in winter, the meadow gets covered in a thick carpet of snow, and this snow lasts all the way until the end of April and the beginning of May. Even the forests become a fairytale-like wonderland in winter, which is not so much the case at Brahmatal. So Ali Bedni Bugyal has a much deeper, and more lasting snow cover.  

Incidentally, the snow cover on the clearings of the Ali Bedni trek is unparalleled on most treks, leave alone Brahmatal. So just for the snow cover, then Ali Bedni trek would be my choice. 

Snow cover on the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek lasts almost till the end of April. Picture by Ravi Ranjan

Difficulty of the Brahmatal trek vs Ali Bedni Bugyal

The difficulty levels of both the treks are a little different. Ali Bedni Bugyal is a tad more difficult than the Brahmatal trek. 

On the Ali Bedni trek, the climb from Neelganga to Didina on day one followed by the steep ascent from Didina  to Ali Bugyal the next day can be challenging especially in winter. 

The Brahmatal trek, on the other hand, has more balanced days. 

To most of us at Indiahikes, the answer here is very simple. If we were at Lohajung and had to pick among the two, we would go with Ali Bedni Bugyal. 

“Brahmatal is a great trek. It is at par with our treks like Kedarkantha, Dayara Bugyal, and Deoriatal-Chandrashila. It’s a raw 6-dayer, where it gives you a great trek experience. It’s not without reason that has almost overtaken Kedarkantha as the most popular winter trek,” says Sandhya. 

“But at the end of the day, Ali Bedni Bugyal is hard to beat. The exuberant meadows, the variety in the forests, the mountain views that play hide and seek with you as you weave in and out of folds in the mountains… Comparing the Ali Bedni Bugyal trek to Brahmatal, or Deoriatal-Chandrashila, or Dayara Bugyal, I’d pick Ali Bedni Bugyal any day. It is in a league of its own,” concludes Sandhya. 

Brahmatal vs Ali Bedni Bugyal: Which of These Neighbouring Treks to Choose?

The Kashmir Great Lakes Trek is a high-altitude trek in Jammu and Kashmir. It’s commercially popular as the Sonamarg-Vishansar-Naranag trek. Trekkers usually take six to seven days to complete this most picturesque trek in the Kashmir Valley.

The moderate-difficult trek offers majestic views of new alpine lakes, glaciers, meadows, peaks, and passes. If you see the Kashmir Great Lakes trek photos, I bet they will surprise you.

Preeti, an avid trekker, was allured by the idea of high-altitude lakes. She decided to do the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek with Indiahikes. Despite heavy rain on Day 3, one of the most difficult days of the trek, she completed it and enjoyed every bit of it. 

Here below is our conversation with Preeti, who recalled her memories and shared experiences from the majestic trek. 

Q. Why did you choose the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek?

I do a Himalayan trek once a year, and while selecting this year’s trek, I saw pictures and read about the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. The beauty of high-altitude lakes was inviting.

As part of my physical training, I worked out regularly at the gym, focusing on exercises like running, walking on an incline, cycling, cross-training and stretching. 

Preeti, an avid trekker, shares her experience of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek in a conversation with our co-founder Sandhya UC.

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