Experience one of the world’s great adventure destinations with trekking in the Indian Himalayas, where some of the highest mountains on Earth rise above ancient cultures, sacred landscapes and remote valleys. In Uttarakhand, trek among dramatic peaks, following age-old pilgrimage routes through glacier-carved valleys and across flower-filled alpine meadows. From the sacred source of the Ganges at Gaumukh to the cirque of Nanda Devi and the high meadows of Garhwal and Kumaon, this is a once-in-a-lifetime Himalayan journey.

Spanning northern India’s most spectacular mountain regions, these trails take you deep into landscapes shaped by geology, spirituality and centuries-old ways of life. You’ll walk through traditional villages, cross dramatic suspension bridges, and follow routes used by pilgrims, shepherds and traders for generations. Trekking in the Indian Himalayas delivers scale, diversity and a sense of adventure found in very few other places on Earth. 

This Cicerone guidebook focuses on eight carefully chosen treks in the Uttarakhand Himalaya, each selected to showcase the area’s variety of landscapes, cultures and trekking experiences. Suitable for hikers with reasonable fitness and some prior mountain experience, the routes range from 3 to 9 days, with total distances between 15 and 85km (10–53 miles) and elevation gains of roughly 1000–4000m. It turns the complexity of planning a Himalayan trek into a clear, achievable goal by providing expert guidance to some of the finest multi-day treks in the Indian Himalayas.

• Eight treks, including the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, Shivling and Gaumukh, are described in clear stages with detailed route notes, 1:75,000 mapping and elevation profiles, allowing you to understand distances, terrain and daily challenges in advance
• A route summary table provides everything you need to know about each trail in a snapshot, including permit requirements, difficulty and whether it includes a glacier crossing 
• Essential advice is given on altitude, acclimatisation and safety, supporting safe and enjoyable trekking at high elevations
• Accommodation options are outlined throughout, including camps, guesthouses and village stays
• GPX files are also available for a digital navigation alternative 

With practical advice balanced by inspiration and cultural insight, this comprehensive guidebook is an essential companion for anyone dreaming of trekking in India’s greatest mountain ranges. It supports you from the earliest planning stages through to the realities of life on the trail, while capturing the scale, beauty and significance of the Indian Himalayas. More than just a collection of routes, it opens the door to a once-in-a-lifetime journey through sacred landscapes, remote valleys and some of the most awe-inspiring mountain scenery on Earth.

Indian Himalayas - Quick Facts

Location: Uttarakhand, Indian Himalayas  
Number of routes: 8 
Distance: 15–85 km (10–53 miles), depending on the trek  
Typical duration: 3–9 days  
Route format: Linear or loop treks, high-altitude mountain trails  
Stages: 3–9 stages per trek (daily 5–16km) 
Navigation: Trails are sometimes waymarked; guides are required for many routes  
Terrain: Alpine meadows, glacier-fed rivers, high passes, forests, rocky trails  
Difficulty: Moderate to challenging – suitable for hikers with reasonable fitness and some prior mountain experience  
Best season: May–June (pre-monsoon) and September–October (post-monsoon)  
Accommodation: Camps, guesthouses, homestays, and mountain lodges along the route  

Author Highlight

"Uttarakhand, often referred to as the ‘Abode of the Gods’ (Devbhumi) because of the landscape’s connections to important stories, offers a unique experience that combines the extraordinary beauty and cultural richness of Himalayan environments. Then, of course, there are the mountains themselves. Narrower valleys in places can make peaks feel like they are in touching distance. You can find yourself in the shadows of peaks such as Nanda Devi (7816m), Shivling (6543m), Dunagiri (7066m), Kedarnath (6940m), Kamet (7756m) and Trisul (7120m)."

- Brian Furze, author of Trekking in the Indian Himalayas

Route summary tables

Preface

Introduction

Why trek in the Uttarakhand Himalaya?

Planning your trek

The routes at a glance

Types of trekking

Trekking seasons: when to go

Getting there and around

Permits

Food

Accommodation

On the trail

What to take

Satellite phones, PLBs and similar devices

Maps

Health and safety

Languages

Money

Phone and internet

About the Uttarakhand Himalaya

History

Culture and society

Landscapes

Plants and wildlife

Conservation efforts

National parks, sanctuaries and World Heritage areas

Using this guide

Govind Pashu Vihar National Park

Trek 1: Kedarkantha – a trekking peak

Stage 1           Sankri to Juda ka Talab

Stage 2           Juda ka Taleb to Kedarkantha Base Camp

Stage 3           Kedarkantha Base Camp to Hargaon Campsite via Kedarkantha Summit

Stage 4           Hargaon Camp to Sankri

Trek 2: Ruinsara Tal and Har Ki Dun

Stage 1           Taluka to Osla

Stage 2           Osla to Ruinsara Tal

Stage 3           Ruinsara Tal to Devsu Thatch

Stage 4           Devsu Thatch to Har ki Dun

Stage 5           Har ki Dun to Osla

Stage 6           Osla to Taluka

Garhwal meadow treks

Trek 3: Dodital and Darwa Top

Stage 1           Agoda to Dodital

Stage 2           Dodital to Darwa Pass (return)

Stage 3           Dodital to Agoda

Trek 4: Dayara Bugyal

Stage 1           Raithal to Gui

Stage 2           Gui to Chilapada

Stage 3           Chilapada to Bharnala Tal via Dayara Top

Stage 4           Bharnala Tal to Barsu

Gangotri National Park

Trek 5: Tapovan and the source of the Ganges

Stage 1           Gangotri to Chirbasa

Stage 2           Chirbasa to Bhojbasa

Stage 3           Bhojbasa to Tapovan via Gaumukh

Stage 4           Tapovan to Bhojbasa

Stage 5           Bhojbasa to Gangotri

Nanda Devi National Park

Trek 6: Nanda Devi Sanctuary and towards Dunagiri

Stage 1           Shepherd Hut to Lata Village

Stage 2           Lata Village to Bhelta

Stage 3           Bhelta to Lata Karak

Stage 4           Lata Karak to Rishi Ganga Gorge and Nanda Devi Sanctuary viewpoint (return)

Stage 5           Lata Karak to Tolma – in the lap of Dunagiri

Stage 6           Tolma River Gorge along the old Dunagiri expedition route

Stage 7           Tolma to Suraithota and Shepherd Hut

Kumaon

Trek 7: Pindari Glacier and Zero Point

Stage 1           Loharkhet to Dhakuri

Stage 2           Dhakuri to Khati

Stage 3           Khati to Phurkia via Dwali and Spider Wall

Stage 4           Phurkia to Pindari Glacier Zero Point (return)

Stage 5           Phurkia to Khati via Dwali

Stage 6           Khati to Dhakuri

Stage 7           Dhakuri to Loharkhet

Trek 8: Milam Village and Milam Glacier

Stage 1           Lilam to Bogudiyar

Stage 2           Bogudiyar to Rilkot

Stage 3           Rilkot to Burphu

Stage 4           Burphu to Milam

Stage 5           Milam to Milam Glacier Zero Point (return)

Stage 6           Milam to Burphu

Stage 7           Burphu to Rilkot

Stage 8           Rilkot to Bogudiyar

Stage 9           Bogudiyar to Lilam

Appendix A     Additional treks, national parks and conservation areas 

Appendix B     Useful contacts

Appendix C     English–Garwhali–Kumaoni–Hindi glossary

Appendix D     Further reading

Appendix E     Gear list

Seasons

Spring (March/April) for the last of the snow, green meadows and rhododendrons/wildflowers blooming; summer (May/June) opens up settled weather and the higher altitudes; the post-monsoon season (mid-September/mid-October) has clear views of mountains and higher altitudes are again possible; and autumn (mid-October to the end of November) brings clear air. Trekking in the monsoon (July/August) is difficult, and possibilities are limited in winter (December–February) due to snow on the trails and temperatures of -5 to -10 C, or below.

Centres

In the Garwhal Himalaya: Dehra Dun, Joshimath and Sankri; in Kumaon: Munsyari and Loharkhet.

Difficulty

With diverse trails including trade and pilgrimage routes, wide paths, ridges, mountain passes and glaciers, each trek is graded from easy to challenging.

Must See

Highlights include Nanda Devi and the dramatic Rishi Ganga gorge, as well as Gaumukh — the sacred source of the Ganges — and the striking peak of Shivling. Walkers can explore the Pindari and Milam glaciers, enjoy summit views from Kedarkantha, Darwa Top and Dayara Bugyal, and take in a landscape of alpine meadows, rhododendron forests, glacial lakes and rushing rivers.

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