Trekking in India is easily the most common and favored adventure. If you are a trekker at heart but just couldn’t find time to go out for one or you are an experienced trekker but your family and friends have been nagging you to take them along, then you maybe in a fix. So, here is a list of certain treks which have all the thrill and fun that you expect from a trek and at the same time suited for beginners or families.
• Sundakphu Trek
View from Sundakphu
One of my favorites and one of the most popular treks of the Eastern Himalayas. This trek gives the trekkers the satisfaction of witnessing the highest mountain ranges in the world, namely Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu. The ease of finding accommodation and food makes it very convenient for trekkers – something seldom matched in other trails in the country. The trek starts from Maneybhanjyang which is about 26 kms from Darjeeling.
Total trek distance – 56 kms
Duration in days – 4-5 days
Altitude – 3636 m; 11,941 ft
• Dodital
The beautiful Dodital Lake
This picturesque lake is named after rare Himalayan Trout’s known as Dodi in local language. It is an ideal beginners trek in the Garhwal Himlayas and also for those wanting to explore Himalayas in the winters and experience snow. It has easily accessible and fixed campsites including one alongside the lake. The route takes you through dense forests rich in flora and fauna. The trek starts from Sangem Chatti which is about 200 kms from Haridwar and 10 kms from Uttarkashi.
Total trek distance – 44 kms
Duration in days – 4-5 days
Altitude – 3310 m; 10,860 ft
• Har-ki-doon
Har- ki-doon valley
The sight of hundreds of school children camping at har-ki-doon is a viable indicator that this is the ultimate summer trek for beginners. It is a very remote place and hence offers virgin beauty along with immense amount of flora and fauna because of lying within the Govind National Park. The trek starts from Sankri or Taluka depending upon the condition of the road. Sankri is about 154 kms from Mussoorie.
Total trek distance – 80 or 56 kms, depending on the condition of the road.
Duration in days – 7-8 days
Altitude – 3566 m; 11,700 ft
• Panwali Kantha
The magnificent bugyals
Panwali Kantha is a trek that offers unique visual treats in every season. From lush green meadows after the monsoons to snow covered bugyals with inviting gentle slopes in winters. There is a well laid down track in most of the places as this route was used in ancient times by pilgrims coming from Gangotri for Kedarnath when roads and vehicles did not exist.
The base camp for this trek is at Ghuttu which is 146 kms from Rishikesh.
Total trek distance – 40 kms
Duration in days – 3-4 days
Altitude – 3910m; 12,828 ft
