As soon as we hear the word trek, most of us die-hard Bollywood fans start daydreaming about the friends in ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani’ - Bunny, Aditi, Naina, Adi, the snow, the hills, the paranthas …... What wouldn’t we give for such an epic trip away from our busy schedules and the stress of daily life? If that’s what you are dreaming of too ……. We’ve got you covered!
These are just the right destinations for you. Surrounded by lush green hills and snow-capped mountains is where you need to be this trekking season. All these treks have various adventure tours and trekking packages to suit the level of fun, adventure & adrenal rush you want to feel & can be seen & chosen through the websites of different travel agencies or directly purchased at these locations. These 3 treks cover the basic as well difficult treks across different kinds of terrains in Uttarakhand. The large tracts of Himalayan terrain make Uttarakhand the ideal location for trekking and fulfilling all your Bollywood fantasies!!!!
For all those veteran trekkers who are fascinated by the enthralling hills of North India, or the beginners who are starting off on their journey of trekking, here is a shortlist of routes you can trek in Uttarakhand throughout the year.
1. Kumaon Trek
Kumaon has featured in our articles before and that makes us link this with the trekking aspect as well. Kumaon is not only a typical trekking destination but also an adventure-filled holiday spot for all ages. It is located on the main axis of the Himalayan ranges lying across the eastern ramparts of Nanda Devi, another major tourist attraction. There are a variety of peaks which can be trekked and many people consider this in a group as they can be covered together for an exciting trip. The Kumaon zone is also an amalgamation of six north-eastern Himalayan districts of Almora, Bageshwar Champawat, Nainital, Pithoragarh, and Udham Singh Nagar. The pristine views of the Kumaon valley capture the imagination of all tourists. The difficulty of these treks varies from easy to difficult, catering to beginners as well as veterans. The scenic trail is paved with temples, culturally rich villages, and the beauty of mother nature. There are numerous streams meandering across the foothills, giving the trekkers a unique trekking experience.
2. The Nag Tibba Trek
Nag Tibba is a trek which is 85km from Dehradun, the winter capital of Uttarakhand and the length of the total trek is 8 km after starting from the Pantwari village. This is one of the most popular destinations for trekkers who are looking for an all-year-round trekking option. The difficulty level of this trek is medium, not extremely easy for beginners, but those who have the stamina and passion to keep going are sure to cover it in no time and have fun along the way. It is the home of some of the most picturesque peaks like Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath, and Gangotri. There is also the famous Nag Tibba temple which comes en route the trek. The locals believe that the ‘Nag Devta’ or Serpent God himself resides here. The Nag Tibba trek is beautiful and welcoming in all seasons. You can see white snow-covered peaks in winters, the lush greenery of trees and shrubs spread on the slopes in monsoons, and the colorful blooming flowers during spring. This is a totally solo friendly trekking option close to the Dehradun airport and has a lot of camping bases in and around the main peak of Nag Tibba. All the solo travelers can avail the guide facility if needed from the various travel agencies which are in close proximity to the Pantwari village and they will provide a holistic experience.
3. Har ki Dun Trek
Located in the west of the Gharwal Himalayas, the valley of Har ki Dun is situated at the base of the Fateh Parvat. The entire valley is enclosed by the dense pine forests with large Chestnut, Deodar and Sycamore trees, which remain covered in a blanket of snow for most of the year due to the high altitudes. The unique experience of dense, snow clad mountains gives tourists their main excuse to trek on this route. It is quite an easy trek and a great choice for beginners. The entire valley is home to a large variety of flora and fauna, making it a perfect balance between the white of the snowy slopes and the colours of the blossoming flowers. Har ki Dun offers panoramic views of various peaks such as Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Black peak. This trek is suitable for people of all ages and can be seen as the base camp for mountaineers who are looking at scaling the maze of Himalayan peaks located at higher altitudes. The Rupin and Supin river flow along the route of the trek and the Bandarpunch range in the horizon provides the most picturesque views. Seeing the scenic sunset over the Himalayan range is an experience in itself. These words don’t do enough justice, you would have to trek the Har ki Dun trail and see for yourself!