Best hand picked trekking trails perfect for winters:
The trek of Manebhanjan-Sandakphu-Phalut is termed as "angelic" by many people who have witnessed its beauty by themselves. Yes, every trek in the Uttrakhand and Himachal has their own scenic beauty so you must be wondering, what is so special about this trek? Well, for starters Sandakphu is present at an altitude of 11,929ft (i.e. 3,636 meters) and no other trek provides you with a view of four of the five highest peaks of the world. Yes, you heard it right.
Sandakphu trek takes you a step closer to heaven with a majestic view of Mt. Everest, Makalu, Kanchenjunga, and Lhotse, along with Three Sisters and many other peaks of Nepal, Sikkim, Tibet and Bhutan in one single stretch of snow. It is a wonderland for trekkers.
Trek of Sandakphu is at its nature’s best in the winters with its trail covered with snow making this trek that much more beautiful. The trek route passes through the Singalila National Park. So your trek journey is further complemented with a national park that has some of the most fascinating rare animals like Red Pandas and Pangolins.
Trek to Sandakphu starts from a small town present in the Darjeeling district (West Bengal), called Manebhanjan. Manebhanjan is about 4 hours by taxi from Bagdogra (the nearest airport).
From Manebhanjan the distance up to Sandakphu is 32kms which is usually covered in two or three days of trek. If you can trek for 8-9 hours a day, you can complete the one way trek in 2 days, otherwise in 3 days. Usually trekkers do it over 3 days. From Sandakphu, you can trek further up to Phalut which is another 21kms away. It takes an additional day of trek from Sandakphu on a relatively easy terrain, but it still is a long arduous trek.
Trek Essentials:
1. Before starting trek from Manebhanjan you have to get a permit. It is not a trek permit but a permit to enter the Singalila National Park. If you're planning to travel till Tumling you don't need a permit but beyond that, you need to have this permit.
2. The trek route goes through India and as well as from some parts of Nepal. You don't need a Nepal visa to travel but there are several Armed Border Forces checkpoints. All are subject to identity checks (carry valid Photo IDs, foreigners must carry passport).
3.You should carry proper trekking gear consisting of water bottles, canned food and camping equipment if you don't want to stay in huts. During the time of winter you should carry a trekking pole as then weather conditions are harsh.
Are you looking for a place to quench your thirst of travelling this winter? Well your search is over. Brahmatal trek is a perfect destination for people looking to witness the beauty of Himalayas and wanting to try their feet over the powdery snow.
Brahmatal is one of the few treks which is accessible in the peak winter months of January and February. This trek will leave you awestruck with astonishing views of Mt. Trishul and Mt. Nanda Ghunti. What adds up to the angelic beauty of this trek is the two frozen glacial lakes- Brahmatal and Bekaltal. From the top of Brahmatal, you get a 360 degree view of the Himalayan ranges. Summits that rise above 7,000 meters are common. What makes this trek even more special is the fact that nowhere else in our country can you see these magnificent mountains so close. If you are planning to go for this trek in the summers, you will be welcomed by a riot of colors. Brahmatal is one of the few treks in India that is blessed with luscious Rhododendron forests.
The base camp of this trek is Lohajung. The nearest major railway station, Kathgodam, is 215km away from Lohajung. From Lohajung, trek route starts on a well marked stone trail. Bekaltal, one of the two frozen glacial lakes on this route, is at a 6km trek from Lohajung. Further to Brahmatal from Bekaltal is a 2.5km trek. Furthermore a 5km trek ahead will take you to Brahmatal Peak from where you will be able to witness the true beauty of Himalayas.
Trek Essentials:
1.Carry camping equipment.
2.Carry enough water and canned food as trek can be long and arduous.
3.Carry few doses of Diamox to avoid mountain sickness.
4.Carry a trekking pole as walking through snow can be difficult at times.
Are you bored of watching thrillers on tv and want to solve a mystery on your own in real life? Well, your wait to be the next Sherlock is over. Grab your trekking shoes and come to Roopkund to unravel it's deepest of secrets.
Roopkund is a glacial lake located in the tranquil hills of Uttrakhand at 15,696ft above sea level. You must be wondering what is so special about this lake. Well, have you ever seen a lake with 500 human skeletons lying around? Shocked? Scared? Curious? You can only calm all these emotion of yours when you yourself come and see this mysterious skeleton lake of Roopkund. It will be worth your while.
According to reports, it is believed that the skeletons lying are of the heroes who had fought here in the earlier times. Along with the skeletons of humans, you can also find skeletal structure of horses and other animals. It is also believed that the reason behind the death of many people here is due to landslides, blizzard or an epidemic. The skeletons are dated back to the 12th to 15th century.
Base camp of Roopkund trek is Lohajung which is 251km away from Kathgodam(the nearest major railway station). From Lohajung there is a trek of 6.5kms to Didna village. From Didna village there is a trek of 10.5kms to Ali Bugyal. From Ali bugyal it is approx 10 more kms to Roopkund via Patar Nachauni and Bhagwabasa. The trek route is a trace of heaven on earth. Filled with gorgeous views of the Himalayas, this trek is for people who are in need of adrenaline rush and as well as in pursuit of their own self.
Trek Essentials:
1.Carry your camping equipment.
2.Carry enough water and canned food.
3.Carry few doses of Diamox to avoid mountain sickness.
4.Carry Trekking pole to travel easily through snow.
You might have thought once or twice in your life that how will it feel like to walk over ice? Well, we have found just the right place for you.
Chadar trek is not for beginners. Even the most experienced trekkers have a hard time in completing this trek. You must be wondering, what is so difficult about this trek trail? Well, how would you feel if the ground you're walking on suddenly starts cracking and breaks? Yes, Chadar trek is not an ordinary winter trek but a frozen river trek. You would have to walk on a thin layer of ice hoping that it is stable enough for you to cross.
The trek is over the Zanskar River which lies frozen during the winter. The most preferred time to cross the ice would be in February. During that time, the ice tends to be at its most stable state.
Trekking over a layer of ice can be tricky and as well as dangerous. You should be cautious at all times and put your feet where the ice is most stable. You can choose to camp in the caves along the banks like the locals or set up tents where the ice is the most stable.
Trekker's may not be afraid of snow or high altitudes but they sure as hell should be afraid of ice. The ice is not a trekker’s friend and one should always respect it and be aware of the conditions at all times especially while choosing the camping spot. You should be well aware of the cracks and avoid them completely. It is best known to walk over a coating of snow to have more friction and avoid any slippery accidents.
The base camp of Chadar trek is village Tilad do which is 65kms away from Leh. From Tilad do it is a 10km trek to the next stop,Shingra Koma. From there it is a further 15km trek to Tibb Cave. From Tibb Cave it is a 13km trek to the last camping point, Naerak Camp.
You must be wondering if this trek trail is so difficult, why to get on it? For starters, nothing special comes easy. This trek is filled with gorgeous views and is a lifetime experience. People who have completed this trek term it is a "pathway to heaven". From frozen river to frozen waterfall. This trek trail serves you with the prettiest of scenarios. Don't believe us? then you should go and find it out yourself but I am sure you will not be disappointed.
Trek Essentials:
1. Temperature is close to twenty degrees below freezing point and decreases further after sundown as well. Warm and layered clothes are a must.
2. Ice picks, trekking boots, several layers of extra warm clothing are a compulsion in such conditions.
3. Carry enough water and canned food.
4. Carry few doses of Diamox to tackle mountain sickness.
The beauty of Kedarkantha just doesn't lies in its trekking trail but the drive to Sankri(Base Camp) is as majestic as well. It is one of the most picturesque drives in the Himalayas through Mussoorie, Barkot, Purola, Mori, Netwar, Motwat.
The base camp of this trek is Sankri which is 197kms away from Dehradun,Uttrakhand. From Sankri it is a 6km to Kedarkantha's prettiest of campsite Juda-Ka-Talab. If you're looking for an easy trek where you can witness the beauty of Himalayas and pine forests then this is a must visit place for you.
Trek Essentials:
1. Carry camping equipment.
2. Carry enough water and canned food.
3.Carry a trekking pole to walk with ease on snow.
4.Carry warm clothing as temperature can be freezing there.
Based in the state of Sikkim, Goechala is one of preferred destination for trekkers in India. It is filled with serene beauty. The sunrise and sunsets, gigantic Himalayas, the luscious Himalayan Forests and the traipse rivers are some of the reasons to fall in love with this place. Breathtaking views of Mount Pandim, Kabru, Rotang on the Goechala Trek are dazzling and will make you want to visit this place again and again.
The contour to Goechala is challenging and not meant for amateurs. The base camp of this trek is Yuksom which is 150kms away from New Jalpaiguri Station . From Yuksom the trekking journey starts. The first stop is Siachen which is on 8kms trek from the starting point. From Siachen it is a 7km trek to Tsokha. From there it is a 9kms trek to Dzongri. Furthermore it is around a 20km trek to Goechala through Thansing and Lamuney. Once you get upto Goechala you will understand that why is it called one of the best treks in India.
Trek Essentials:
1.Carry your basic camping equipment and gear.
2.Carry enough water and canned food.
3.Carry few doses of Diamox to avoid mountain sickness.
This trek offers exceedingly beautiful views of the mountains. This is the only valley from where you can see **Swargarohini – I, II, III, Bandarpoonch and Blackpeak**, all together. You can also see the **Ruinsara **peaks from here. The Har ki Dun trail takes you back to primeval period with ancient villages that are more then **3000 years** old. You trek along the **Supin river** to reach Har Ki Dun valley. This trek offers stunning views of the mountains and is rich in flora and fauna. The best season to cover this trek is from May to October.
Base camp of this trek is Sankri which is 240kms away from Haridwar. From Sankri the trek starts to Taluka which is at a distance of 12kms. Further from Taluka it is a 12 km trek to Osla. Finally it is a 11km trek from Osla to Har Ki Dun which is at 3566mtrs above sea level. If you are a nature lover then you should put your trekking shoes on and head this way because it will be a lifetime experience for you.
Trek Essentials:
1.Carry camping equipment and gear.
2.Carry enough water and canned food.
3.Carry few doses of Diamox to avoid mountain sickness.
8.Deoriatal Trek:
Everyone needs a little detour from their regular monotonous life at least once. We didn't want your life to become more so we found out a perfect destination for you Deoriatal.
Deoriatal is a delightful trek. The forest trails and the summit climb are unrivaled. When you come here, you will feel a sense of calmness and peace in it's unparalleled beauty. Deoriatal is no less than a fairy tale when all the major summits of Western and Eastern Uttarakhand pop into view during the trek. Trek of Deoriatal is one of the most convenient trek of India from where you can see all the big summits so close.
And the charm of Deoriatal just doesn't end here. The trekkers who have witnessed it's beauty by themselves often gabble about its majestic campsite locations. On the top of which, there is Deoriatal lake which enhances the appeal of this trek even more. One of the campsite is just beside the radiant oval lake under the sky full of luminous stars. The next two campsites are exquisite in their own right – Rohini Bugyal a meadow inside a forest and Burjgali with its mountains popping right over your head. Moreover, this trek has the best forest trail then any of the other winter treks mentioned above. There are sections with thick wooded trees, there are moss-covered trails through enveloping tunnels and there are trails that weave through clearings in the jungles. And there is more in this for animal lovers. There are thousands of birds here which are not found on any other trek in this country. So if you're a bird lover and still waiting to click that one foremost photograph then it's time that you pick up your camera, tie your laces and run towards Deoriatal.
Base camp of Deoriatal trek is Sari which is a 7hrs drive from Haridwar(Nearest major railway station). From Sari it is a 3km trek to Deoratal. From Deoriatal it is a 8km trek to Rohini Bugyal which is one of the campsite locations for this trek. From Rohini Bugyal it is a 7km trek to Chopta. From where you can further trek to Tungnath (3680m) and Chandrashilla Top (4130m).
Trek Essentials:
1.Carry your camping equipment.
2.Carry enough water and canned food.
3.Carry a trekking pole if you plan on going to Chandrashilla Top in winters as it is completely covered in snow.
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