Are you expecting beautiful snow trails from your trek this time? And is there a possibility of finding snow on your upcoming trek? I know there are many such questions going on in your head! By the end of this article, I will try & resolve most of them. Come, let’s start! 

Getting to see snow on a trek is all about timing. If you’re on the right trail during the right month, you will get to see snow.

In this article, I will explain when and where you will find snow on our Himalayan treks (even in summer). I will talk about altitude and latitude separately. This will help you plan your trek accordingly.

First, at what altitude will you find snow?

As a general rule, the higher the altitude, the longer the duration the snow stays. If a place is above the permanent snow line (around 14,000 ft in the Indian Himalayas), it will have snow all year long.

I will split the altitudes into smaller segments for detailed understanding.

These treks take you above the permanent snow line. This doesn’t mean that it snows here all year long. It just means that the winter snow never completely melts away.

However, the amount of snow that you see varies with every month. At these altitudes, early summer is the best time with just the right amount of snow (Mid May to Mid June). After that, there are just patches of snow until the end of monsoons (mid-September). In the first week of October, the first bout of winter snow comes in, giving the mountains a good coating of snow. Around the last week of October, you get another bout of snowfall, which usually shuts trails at this altitude.

At any time of the year, the window for trekking at this altitude is quite small. This is not only because snow makes the trails inaccessible for a larger part of the year, but the temperatures also start dropping rapidly. Known water sources generally dry up or freeze.

Indiahikes treks above 14,000 ft: Buran Ghati, Goechala, Rupin Pass, Gaumukh-Tapovan, Pin Bhaba Pass, Kedartal, Bali Pass, Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake

Best time to see snow above 14,000 feet: April  for treks in Sikkim (Goechala), May-June for treks in Uttarakhand (Rupin Pass, Gaumukh-Tapovan, Kedartal, Buran Ghati), & June-early-July for treks in Himachal Pradesh (Pin Bhaba Pass, Hampta Pass, Bhrigu Lake Trek). 

Pro tip: Go on treks above 14,000 ft in the second week of June. The lower reaches at around 11,000 ft are a riot of colours with lush greenery and wildflowers. Higher up you experience lovely summer snow!

The picture below is from Rupin Pass, where trekkers are walking in fresh snow. Our trekker Sanjay Lokesh clicked this picture early in May 2018.

Trekkers making their way towards the pass on the Rupin Pass trek. Picture by Anirban Banerjee.

It snows for over five months in a year at treks above 13,000 ft. Snowfall typically starts in early December, heaviest in January but carries on intermittently till late April. This is why treks that go this high have a limited window when they are accessible. There is just too much snow in other months to trek there safely.

And the treks between 10,500 ft - 13,000 ft get good dollops of snow in winter. Unfortunately, because of the lower altitude, they lose their snow cover sooner as well. 

It begins snowing at these altitudes in December and goes on till April. You are likely to find snow till mid-April on treks at this altitude.

These are great treks to do if you want to experience fresh snow. This is the kind of snow that is soft and powdery that you can hear it crunch with every step you take.

Indiahikes treks at 10,500 - 14,000 ft: Kashmir Great Lakes, Kedarkantha, Deoriatal Chandrashila, Dayara Bugyal, Brahmatal, Har Ki Dun, Kuari Pass, Chandrakhani Pass, Sandakphu, Ranthan Kharak, Phulara Ridge

Best time to see snow: January-February for treks in West Bengal (Sandakphu) & December to April for treks in Uttarakhand (Kedarkantha, Dayara Bugyal, Brahmatal, Deoriatal Chandrashila) & June-July for treks in Kashmir (Kashmir Great Lakes).

Brahmatal lake surroundings covered in snow. This photo Picture by Shishir Jain

It snows only in the winter months at this altitude. That is for about 2 months in the year, from the end of December to the end of February. However, intermittent snowfall continues all the way till early April.

If the snowfall is substantial, the snow stays on the trails for around 2 weeks. So, you can find patches of snow on these trails till late March.

On parts of the trek exposed directly to the sun, you might not find any snow at all. Forest trails, which are generally shaded, will have snow longer.

Indiahikes treks at 9,000 - 10,000 ft: Bijli Mahadev, Manali Kaisdhar Trek, Nag Tibba

The best time to see snow: January-Early March.

In the picture below, you see the forest trails of Nag Tibba covered in a blanket of snow. This picture was shot in January 2018 by Mahabaleshwar N.

Nag Tibba campsite covered in snow. Picture by Kumar Amrit

You may have noticed that I’ve mentioned different months to find snow in different states even though they are at the same altitude. This is where latitude comes into play.

Simply put, latitude is the position of a place with respect to the earth’s equator. The higher the latitude of a place, the further away it is from the equator. And the farther away it is from the sun.

Get a hold of a map or a globe. Look at how far Kashmir, Himachal, Uttarakhand, West Bengal, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh are from the equator. These are the states through which the Himalayas run in India.

Kashmir is the farthest away from the equator, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The states in the East are closest to the equator.

Remember, the temperature falls as the distance of a place from the equator increases. 

So, Srinagar at 5,000 ft receives a substantial amount of snowfall in winter compared to Gangtok (5,500 ft), which receives barely any snow at the same time. By substantial, I mean 10-12 ft of snow under which entire houses get buried! This is very high compared to even the snow at similar places in Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh.

At the same time, snow stays accumulated for longer at places lying at higher latitudes.

This is why if you try to cross the Tarsar Pass at 13,200 ft in May or June, the snow is still very high. You will not be able to cross over. 

On the other hand, in the same month, if you go to Kedarkantha, which is just 800 ft lower, at 12,500 ft, you'll see greenery and flowers. The snow was long gone a good month ago.

It might so happen that it hasn’t snowed enough one winter. Or snowfall gets delayed and peak winter passes away completely dry. However, these are rare occurrences. 

By and large, if you time your trek well, you will not be disappointed.

Also, there are a lot of other geographical factors that play a role in the presence of snow. Like the El Nino and La Nina winds. But we’ve simplified it as much as possible, simply to make your trek planning easier.

A month-wise calendar to find snow on Himalayan treks

Below I have curated a month-wise table to help you understand when to find snow on each of the given Himalayan treks. These are carefully chosen treks that are sorted on the basis of difficulty levels. 

Click on the name of any trek and it will lead you to the trek page with details. 

I hope I am able to answer a lot of questions about finding snow on the trek. Himalayan treks are blessed to have such beautiful landscapes! And when the treks are covered with the beauty of snow, the journey becomes even more memorable! Put your related questions out in the comment section and I will try to answer as soon as possible.

Use this guide to plan your next trek in the Himalayas. Learn when you'll get to trek in snow!

When To Find Snow On Himalayan Treks

The Bijli Mahadev temple is an icon of Kullu's cultural identity. The trail to the temple is also well known for its scenic beauty. Thousands of pilgrims visit this shrine in Himachal Pradesh every year. 

The temple famously gets its name from a legend, associated with an annual lightning (bijli) strike. It holds that lightning strikes Bijli Mahadev annually, breaking the shrine apart. The priest then restores it with sattoo, collected from the local villages.

But beyond this one story, how well do we actually know Bijli Mahadev ? Do we know the origins of its association with lightning ? How did the temple look when it was first built ? When did it come into prominence ? How is Bijli Mahadev connected to the greater deities of Kullu ?

So, read on for a deep-dive into all that surrounds Bijli Mahadev-- folklore, history, and fascinating geography.

The Setting

Bijli Mahadev sits atop the Mathan hill in Kullu. At 8100 ft above sea level, the meadowy clearing of Mathan is a beautiful vantage point. From here, you see four prominent river valleys of Himachal Pradesh-- Kullu, Parvati, Bhuntar and Gorsa. On the distant horizon, you gaze into the legendary snow peaks of Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges. 

Even the approach to the temple is magical. The trail snakes through beautiful forests of giant deodars. These are some of the oldest and grandest deodars of the country.

And then, the tall forests transition into a meadowy slope near Mathan. At the top of this slope, sits the Bijli Mahadev Temple.

The trail to Bijli Mahadev passes through some of the grandest deodar forests of our country. These dense forests then open up into a beautiful meadow near the temple.Photo by Archana Solanki.

Temple Architecture

The temple measures 36 ft in length by 24 ft in breadth. The lower parts of its walls are made of cut-stone, with no plaster being used throughout. A covered verandah of Deodar encircles the building and the sloping roof is formed of six tyres of planks of the same wood. 
At the entrance there are fancifully carved uprights that join on the roof. 

It is a fine specimen of Himachal’s indigenous timber-bonded, chalet-style architecture. Academics describe Bijli Mahadev as “one of the most famed examples of the pent-and-gable roof” among the wooden temples of Himachal Pradesh.  [Source:  May-June 2024 issue of the International Journal for Multidisciplinary Research]

The Bijli Mahadev temple. Photo by Abhishek Tiwari.

A beautifully carved wooden verandah against the orange hues of sunset. If you trek to the summit just in time for the sunset, you witness the Pir Panjal And Dhauladhar ranges lit by evening light. Photo by Abhishek Tiwari.

Antiquity of the Bijli Mahadev Temple

The temple structure you see today is a 20th century construction. But it carries whispers of a grander structure that once stood in its place. 

“Kulu, the Happy Valley”, published by the Punjab Public Relations Department in 1956, describes that the temple had “massive woodwork and beautifully carved deodar verandah and uprights, which were seriously damaged by a disastrous fire”. It is echoed in a book by Ramanujam S.R, which mentions “records from 150 years ago that testify to a grander multi-tiered temple which perhaps was lost to fire”.

Even though a lot went up in smoke, you still see very intricate sculptures on the temple’s wooden doors. Dilaram Shabab, in his seminal book on Kullu valley’s cultural history, describes these wooden carvings to “represent 18th century hill art of the highest order”.

Lightning and the Temple: How Bijli Mahadev Gets His Name

Just beside the temple, you would see a tall wooden pole. This sacred staff, called Dbuj, is a single deodar trunk, stripped off its branches and tipped with a muslin-wrapped silver coin. It is believed to attract Lord Shiva’s blessings through lightning (Bijli).

Popularly, lightning is believed to strike the temple once every 12 years. Others describe this strike to be an annual event. But everyone agrees that the shiva lingam inside the temple (pindi) shatters into pieces with each lightning strike. 
“The temple priest collects butter and sattoo from each household to piece together the fragments of the defaced Pindi. Prayers and chanting of hymns from the ancient scriptures follow and soon the Pindi is restored to its original form”, writes Dilaram.
The Dbuj is replaced with the tallest deodar from the surrounding forests.

This connection, that Bijli Mahadev shares with lightning and the Dbuj, is a very prominent part of Kullu’s cultural identity. You would even find it mentioned in travelogues and journals from the colonial era.

A.P.F Hamilton’s 1933-account of Kullu in The Himalayan Journal mentions this Dbuj-- “tall staff, some sixty feet in height, which stands close to the building and is visible from Sultanpur”.

The "Dbuj" or Lightning Attractor of the Bijli Mahadev temple. Photo sourced from “The Joy of Himachal Temples) by Ramanujam SR.

Tall deodars from the surrounding forest are shaped into the "Dbuj" of the temple. Photo by Upayan Chatterjee.

Kulant, the Demon and Whispers of a Buddhist Past

If history is one side of the coin, mythology is the prominent other.

Delving into the folklore surrounding Bijli Mahadev brings you to Shiva’s altercations with Kulant. Kulant was a demon, who hailed from the cold deserts of Lahaul-Spiti. He took the form of a huge snake and approached Mathan via Ghogar Dhar in Mandi. Other versions of the story describe Kulant to be a fire-breathing dragon.

At Ghogar Dhar, Kulant put his body across Beas to stop its flow and drown the villages in the valley. Shiva intervened by telling Kulant that his tail was on fire. When Kulant turned back to check, Shiva slayed him. 

Kulant’s huge body then turned into a mountain. It is this mountain that is believed to have formed the watershed between Parvati and Beas rivers. 

Kulant’s head lies at the Mathan. So, from time to time, Indra strikes the hilltop with lightning and Shiva bears the brunt of those strikes, through the unending cycle of shattering and restoration of His shrine at the Bijli Mahadev temple.

But the story doesn’t end here. There are a lot of interesting lines that you can draw from these mythical descriptions.

Kulant can be linked to the Kulutas-- traders who historically travelled from Kullu towards Spiti via Rohtang Pass. The Kulutas brought with them whiffs of thriving Buddhist culture from  the Tibetan Plateau. 
Kulant being described as a large snake or a dragon, a prominent Buddhist icon, further reinforces this hypothesis. 

And along these lines, Dbuj’s association with lightning was interpreted by A.P.F Hamilton as “a survival of Buddhism which existed everywhere in the valley in the 7th century AD”.

A typical sunset at Bijli Mahadev, against the serrated skyline of high summits and Kullu’s rolling highlands. As per local belief, it was the demon, Kulant’s body that turned into these mountains, after Lord Shiva defeated him in a battle. Photo by Archana Solanki.

Of Mountains and Rivers

With time, these whispers of a Buddhist past have disappeared. Today, you see stone-carved statues of a bull and a lingam right at the temple-entrance. These paint the perfect picture of a Shaivite shrine. 

It is set against an incredible backdrop of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal Ranges. You see several imposing peaks like Parvati, Kullu Pumori, Kullu Makalu (first successful Indian ascent happened only recently in June 2023) and even the Hanuman Tibba (immortalised as the “Solang Weisshorn” by C.G. Bruce). 

Beneath the snow-peaks are the green hills of Kullu. Numerous spurs and ridges shoot off in all directions. The turquoise thread of Beas winds through these hills before merging with Parvati’s muddy torrent near Bhuin. 
Dr. Hiranand Shashtri interpreted the revered “Kulantipitha Mahatma” text and described this sangam is the holiest location in the greater Kullu landscape.

While Bijli Mahadev stands over this holy confluence, Mata Parvati (Bijli Mahadev’s wife) of Chong and Bhagga Siddh (Bijli Mahadev’s sister) of Pini carry His influence into the Parvati valley. Covered in silver masks and decked with flowers, Bhagga Siddh visits Bijli Mahadev each year on an auspicious day in Shravan.

The holy confluence of Parvati and Beas rivers at Bhuntar, as seen from the temple. Photo by Neeb Balwant sourced from "Traveler Tales", a public blogsite maintained by the photographer.

Bhaga Siddh of Pini, the mythical sister of Bijli Mahadev, adorned with silver masks. Photo sourced from the book “Flowers of Faith: Devtas of Kullu Valley” by Ellen Reitman.

Bijli Mahadev, Sidh Pal and Hidimba

The story of these silver masks brings you to the rise and fall of dynasties in this remote Himalayan kingdom. Rajah Man Singh (1688-1719) is known to have donated silver masks to Kullu deities for commemorating victories. 

Man Singh was one of the greatest conquerors of Kullu’s famed Pal dynasty.

But who were the Pal rajahs? And how did their dynastic name change to Singh? Again, a mythical tale holds answers.
[Source: “History of the Punjab Hill States [Vol-II]” by Drs. Hutchinson and Vogel]

Vihangamani Pal established his rule over Kullu in 1st century AD by ousting cruel Spiti chieftains. With blessings of Goddess Hidimba, his successors ruled the region until 1450 AD. The kingdom, then, fell to the Kunindas and the Ranas.

After this takeover, Sidh Pal arrived at Kulu and noticed the shrine of Bijli Mahadev on a hilltop. He learnt that carrying water from the holy sangam of Beas and Parvati to the temple would earn him the God’s favour. From the sangam, it is a very steep ascent to the temple. But Sidh Pal performed the feat. Tired, he then fell asleep at the temple premises. 

Bijli Mahadev appeared in his dream and implored Sidh Pal to visit Jagatsukh. 

At Jagatsukh, Sidh Pal took refuge at a potter’s place. There, he met an old woman and carried a heavy kilta (basket) for her. The old woman was none other than Goddess Hidimba herself. She was impressed by Sidh Pal’s selfless, moral act. 

As an act of blessing, Hidimba raised Sidh Pal on her shoulders. The folklore even puts a number to this incident-- they describe Sidh Pal to have been raised 32 kos above the ground

“How far do you see?”, Hidimba had asked, after raising Sidh to that 32-kos vantage.
“Up to Dalasni in one direction, to Chorot plain on the other and till Kale Kanaur in the third direction”, Sidh Pal had replied. 
“All of that land belongs to you now”, Hidimba said and disappeared immediately. 

Everyone in Jagatsukh immediately recognised Sidh Pal as king. But having no army to fight the Ranas, he stayed hidden at a Brahmin’s place in Jagatsukh. 

One night, when Sidh Pal was helping the Brahmin’s wife milk a cow, a lion (singh) entered the shed. Sidh fought the lion with bare hands. This instilled great confidence among his subjects. Together, they waged a successful war against the Ranas. 

Thus, Pals regained Kullu (circa 1500 AD) and earned the dynastic epithet of “Singh”.

The famous Hidimba Temple of Manali, set amidst the dense groves of ancient deodars. Hidimba is revered as the guardian deity of the entire Kullu valley. Photo by Upayan Chatterjee.

The Ebbs and Flow of Time

The Ebbs and Flow of Time
The Pal Dynasty was threatened again, in the 1800s. There were repeated Gurkha invasions. The Sikh Empire under Maharaja Ranjit Singh extorted the Pals in the guise of protection. 

Kullu’s identity as an independent mountain kingdom lingered weakly till the reign of Ajeet Singh. He was the last Pal Rajah. After Ajeet Singh’s death, Kullu was virtually annexed by Sikhs. 

The region came under British rule when the Sikh Empire ceded ground after the first Anglo-Sikh War (1846). The Bijli Mahadev Temple committee lost 874.7 bigha land to the British Land Tenancy Acts.

Bijli Mahadev stood on the Mathan Hilltop and saw all of this unfold. His temple endured the test of time. Thus, it stands today, where it has always stood. When you trek to Bijli Mahadev temple, these are the stories you stand amidst. 

At Indiahikes, we do run regular batches for the Bijli Mahadev Trek from Manali. But if you are just looking for information and want to do the trek on your own, you can go through this detailed guide.

When you trek to Bijli Mahadev, you walk amidst a rich tapestry of history and cultural reverence. Photo by Archana Solanki.

The Kais Dhar Connection

From the magical vantage of Bijli Mahadev temple, you can see many fascinating features of Kullu valley. Among them, is Kais Dhar, a ridge named after the quaint village of Kais. 

Kais used to be a quiet hamlet, tucked away into the interiors of Kullu valley. But things changed after the inauguration of Dagpo Shedrupling Monastery by the 14th Dalai Lama (2005) brought it to limelight.

But that is the story of a different trek for a different day.

The cultural significance of Kullu's Bijli Mahadev Temple.

Why Bijli Mahadev is a Famous Cultural Icon in Kullu

bijli mahadev uttarakhand famous kullu significance story stories history mythology kulant makkhan bijleshwar bijleswar kot chansari 

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. 

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. 

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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

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. 

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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. :) 

In case you missed my previous three emails, 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. 

#4 of 4: Celebrating the high mountains of India

Today, as part of the Celebrating India series, we are celebrating a feature that has a special place in all our hearts: forests! 

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

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

Today, let’s talk about the best forests in India through the lens of Indiahikes treks. Given how new most of these treks are, it is likely that you may be reading about them for the first time! Take a look: 

India is one of the world's top ten most forested countries. Due to the vast expanse of our country, we are blessed with a wide variety of forests. It's incredible to think about how different one forest is from another, just a few kilometres away.

Over the years at Indiahikes, we have been searching for treks with magnificent forests. With many of our treks, we have been fortunate to discover some of the best forest experiences. Below, I have compiled a list of all those treks, including some with small yet incredible forest sections.

Pench Mowgli Trek

I cannot help but talk about our latest discovery first, the Pench Mowgli trek, which runs through the buffer zone of Pench Tiger Reserve. This is among the best forests we have seen, not purely for the forests but for the incredible life the forest breathes into the region. The forest is replete with rivers, streams, birds, butterflies and, of course, tigers too. Our pilot group just completed the trek today (August 14th, 2024), with 15 trekkers joining from different parts of the country. They cannot stop raving about the trek. 

Why is this trek such a rage? Trekking inside Pench National Park is a privilege. Pench has been recognised as the reserve with the highest density of herbivores in the entire country. It is home to endangered animals like the majestic Royal Bengal Tiger, leopards, the mighty Gaur, Indian wolf, and Sloth bear. 

These are the very same forests where Rudyard Kipling’s characters in The Jungle Book were born, where Rudyard Kipling spent several years of his life. That’s why the name: Pench Mowgli Trek.

It's not every day that you get to enter such protected tiger reserves in our country. They are usually cordoned off for trekkers. But here, in Madhya Pradesh, the forest officials and the tourism department have personally invited Indiahikes to organise a trek. This is a result of our long-standing relationship with them, making this trek a truly exclusive and privileged experience.

Streams running in the heart of the Pench forests. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

The Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek

It’s hard to beat the forests of Central India. Across the border from Madhya Pradesh is Chhattisgarh, where the Guru Ghasidas National Park is located. It is in the heart of this national park that we do the Chhatisgarh Jungle Trek. 

It is hard for the forests of this not to set your imagination ablaze. For example, on the very first day, we walk through the open deciduous forests of the Chota Nagpur plateau. The forests are dense, yet you can see through them for long distances. 

In the open forest, the world appears both intimate and expansive. These are the forests where the last of the Indian cheetahs would sprint through with explosive bursts of speed. Trekkers have yet to witness such forests.

Rock formations within the forests are strange, almost like volcanic bubbles erupting from the surface, yet frozen for millions of years. Hidden within Chhattisgarh jungles are ancient, pre-historic caves. Cave paintings here are easily ten to fifteen thousand years old. The outside world does not know of their existence. 

The trek continues to surprise us every day. The final day has trekkers smitten. The entire day's trek is a walk on the Gopat River as it meanders through the forests and finally emerges out of them. The crystal-clear, cool waters swirl around our ankles. Trekkers have never experienced walking on a river bed like this for a full day's trek of over 5 kilometres. These are once-in-a-lifetime moments.

The forests of the Chhattisgarh Jungle Trek seen from the ancient caves on the trail. Picture by Nitesh Kumar

Odisha Debrigarh Sanctuary Trek

Coming further east is the Odisha Debrigarh Sanctuary Trek, where again, we have discovered incredibly beautiful forests. Debrigarh, more than a wildlife sanctuary, is a natural wonder. Never before have we seen such diverse ecosystems in a single place. 

As you make your way through bamboo thickets and dense canopy, you are constantly reminded of the diverse flora and fauna of this region. Be on the lookout to spot the paw prints of endangered species of wolves and tigers. Walking beside the backwaters is a joy for birdwatchers and photographers. The sheer variety of fauna you will spot on this trek will leave you trembling in awe. 

On the other hand, bordering these forests, the Hirakud reservoir has given rise to numerous islands here. Each island has a delicate ecosystem of its own. But here’s where the magic unfolds: During winter and summer, as the water level recedes, newer islands come to life, setting up a perfect home for migratory birds coming in winter. The islands here are ever-changing. 

An island-hopping trek like this is very rare. Combine this with a safari and trek around the island, and it becomes a must-do trek for anyone who wants to get introduced to nature. 

The Odisha Debrigarh Sanctuary Trek is dominated by beautiful bamboo forests, which are on the edge of the Hirakud Dam. Photo by Nitesh Kumar

The Goa Netravali Forest Trek

For several decades now, Goa has become stereotyped for its sandy beaches. 

But when you study a map, the real Goa lies in its nature and wilderness: the rivers, the hills, the forests, the backwaters, and the waterfalls. There are lots of beautiful treks that allow you to experience this side of Goa. This is exactly what you see in the forests of the Goa Netravali Forest Trek.

This trek takes us through the heart of the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary, which has some of the best forests in Goa. The trails are beautifully canopied with evergreen trees, with sunlight streaming through them at beautiful angles throughout the day. The forest is also teeming with birdlife, something that our explorers loved waking up to in the mornings. 

Within this forest lies the beautiful Mainapi Waterfall, where you get to spend a couple of hours. Cascading down in three tiers the waterfall is walled on either side by a fortress of cliffs. 

If you must experience Goa as a trekker, then this forested side is worth experiencing.

Mornings on the Goa Netravali Forest Trek are absolutely magical. Picture by Suhas Saya

Ranthan Kharak

Almost all our Himalayan treks have beautiful forest sections. In fact, when we open a trek at Indiahikes, it is almost with a compulsion that the trek must offer a combination of forests, meadows and great mountain scenery. But there are a few Himalayan treks that stand out for their forests. Ranthan Kharak ranks high among them. 

The forests of Ranthan Kharak are exceptionally dense and deep. Rhododendron trees, oaks, and pines enchant every moment. The trees and birds in the virgin forests are just as diverse as the ones we see on our Goechala Trek.

And then come the clearings in these forests. Oh you’ll fall in love with them! Kharak means “clearings” in the local language. And the clearings in these forests are so big, they can be easily confused for alpine meadows! We set up camp in two such clearings!  With a mix of these beautiful canopied trails and vast clearings, this trek takes the cake for its forests.  

Forests of the Ranthan Kharak trek. Picture by Jothiranjan

Goechala

When it comes to forest trails, it’s hard to beat Goechala. There are very few treks with tree lines at altitudes above 12,000 feet. If you compare it with treks from Uttarakhand or Himachal Pradesh, the tree line skirts around 10,000 ft. But not on this trek, which snakes through Kanchenjunga National Park. It’s exceptional. Especially the thick canopy of Rhododendron trees, which flower during the misty spring and are dark and cold during the autumn.

Thanks to these forests, you see some of the best birdlife on this trek. It’s not a surprise that this region is considered a biosphere reserve and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Rhododendron forests on the Goechala trek are some of the best in the country. Picture by Samyak.

Sandakphu-Phalut

Here is a trek with one of the most underrated forest trails. When it comes to Sandakphu, all of the attention goes to the mountain views. It’s hard to tear your eyes off of them. 

However, we take a very different approach to Sandakphu, through some of the best forests in Singalila National Park. On the very first day, you’re in a deep bamboo forest, in the middle of which you have lunch. Sitting there, among the creaking bamboo trees, you realise you're in a completely different world. 

Then come the rhododendron forests. In the spring, when rhododendrons bloom, Sandakphu is one of our Indiahikers' top three rhododendron treks. The showy blooms of pink, red, scarlet, and white flowers swathe the mountainside, creating a truly magical moment.

In this post, we explore 9 of the best forest treks in India, right from the Himalayas, to Central India to South India

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