Trekking India: Top 5 destinations
Trekking India: Best 5 Destinations In India
In a vast country like India there are innumerable choices for hikers who are passionate to explore. They can gain a new experience on every tour and also get to enjoy the nature in close proximity. Some of them may be very popular while others are still unexplored or less travelled. Below are the 5 best hiking destinations.
- Trekking India: Sar Pass, Himachal Pradesh
Sar Pass is very close to Kasol from where the trekkers start their journey. Trekkers can experience the beauty of the villages, forests, lakes and snow covered mountains in the surroundings. The weekends are usually crowded and accommodations are available at different prices with both lodging and restaurant facilities. One can take the route starting from Kasol, Grahan, Padri, Ratapani, Nagaru, Biskeri Thatch and Bhandak etc. On the way to Biskeri they need to cross a small lake that is frozen and hence the place got the name Sar Pass (Sar means frozen lake). Trekkers can enjoy the thick forests with deodar and pine trees. Some of the precautionary measures suggested to trekkers are, they need to ensure that they are carrying the right footwear. Also they have to carry other mountain climbing equipments like goggles to avoid sunrays affecting the eyes. Lastly, hikers need to have snow sticks to check if it’s a soft snow while walking over the snow to avoid fatal falls. There may be lots of snowfall till the end of summer.
- Trekking India: Dayara Bugyal, Uttarkhand
Dayara Bugyal Trek is one of the most beautiful and scenic alpine meadows in the country. This is one of favourite trekking destinations for the beginners and is situated at an elevation of 10000-12000 feet. Bugyal in local language means “High Altitude grazing land” where the sheep can graze on the meadows. The trekking starts from a small village Barsu, passing through the village fields. After the fields there is a mix of local deciduous varieties, oak and rhododendron trees. It is possible to see the different colours of leaves on those trees glowing in the morning sunshine. Barnala meadows are a place full of meadows that becomes a skiing slope during winter season. Uttarkhand tourism conducts skiing tours during that time. There is a Barnala Tal lake besides the meadows that capture the reflection of the oak trees. There are other places like Black Peak, Moosa Dhangi and Bandar Poonch where trekkers can catch glimpses of the wild life as well.
- Trekking India: Goecha La, Sikkim
Goecha La is one of the most revelling mountain trekking destinations in West Sikkim. The Goecha La View Point at an altitude of 16000 feet provides a glimpse of mighty Kanchenjunga (3rd highest mountain in the world). The journey begins from Yuksom, passing through the Kanchenjunga National Park, and walking through dense forests with filled with rhododendron flowers in several colours. The next destinations are Sachen and top of Dzongri at 15000ft. Lamuney, the place we reach before Goecha La has very little vegetation and plain landscapes. Trekkers reach Thansing via Kokhchurung all the way down to the river. They need to climb up to Goecha La View Point to get to view Kanchenjunga. On their way back, just below Goecha La Viewpoint they can see Samiti Lake with the sparkling blue waters because of the sunshine falling on it. Goecha La is most beautiful place for enjoying the natural beauty in terms of sceneries but the route is a little bit tricky.
- Trekking India: Kopatty Hills, Coorg – Karnataka
This is one of the lesser known trekking places at a height of 4500 feet in the Western Ghats. Coorg also called Kodugu is an administrative district in Karnataka. The path to be treaded is all along the forests, trees, streams and valley. The trekkers should be careful while passing through the forest path as it’s very dense and dark with lots of leeches on the way. There is a small fresh water stream that the trekkers can find after crossing the forest. After the stream, climbing further up the mountain, a beautiful view of Erulli vana forests is visible when one looks down the valley. Erulli Vana is considered sacred for the Kodava community (A community in Coorg who are traditionally agriculturists but also know martial arts). Further climbing to the topmost point trekkers can reach the summit of Kopatty Hills, where they can see the complete view of the Western Ghats. They can enjoy the view the sunset as well during evenings.
- Trekking India: Harishchandragad, Maharastra
Harishchandragad is a hill fort located in the Ahmednagar part of Maharashtra state in India. This fort is known for its natural beauty of Konkan Kada along with a diverse flora and fauna. Sometimes a circular rainbow (or Brocken Spectre Phenomena) can be viewed from Konkan Kada point. Harishchandragad is also known as trekker’s paradise as rappelling, rock climbing and valley crossing can be done simultaneously in a single trekking and is famous as the best fort in Maharashtra for camping. There are nearly 9 caves in total including 2 big caves on Harishchandragad which can accommodate around 100-150 campers.
The 5 various routes for reaching the fort by hikers are from Tolar Khind, Nalichi Vaat, Rajmarga, Sadle Ghat and Pachnai. There are also a number of the interesting spots that one can see on the fort like Saptatirtha Pushkarni, Kedareshwar Cave, Harishchandreshwar Temple, Konkan Kada (Konkan cliff) and Taramati Peak. Hikers need to take adequate care while climbing the mountains during the rainy season as the rocky path will be slippery, and the water may get inside the caves.
Hikers have varied choices for mountaineering destinations across the country where they can experience the skiing, scenic alpine meadows, mount viewpoints from where they can enjoy the nature and also stay in caves atop a hill for few days.
Guest Author Bio:
Originally posted at www.TransIndiaTravels.com Rohit is an architect by profession. He is passionate to explore new places. He likes to capture the pictures on his camera during travel and also share stories about travel related experiences in blogs and articles.