10 Of The Most Challenging Treks In India For Experienced Trekkers

Destinations

Trekkers, Gear Up! We Have Curated A List Of India’s 10 Most Challenging Treks for You To Explore

With visually varying landscapes, from majestic mountains to rivers and streams to waterfalls to lush meadows, these are the ultimate treks the country’s diverse mountain ranges have to offer. By Yagnoseni Das

Since a major portion of the Himalayas lies In India, the adrenaline junkies in India are able to scale the giant snow-clad bodies to their heart’s content. Pushing through the snowy trail, climbing up rocky crevices, and of course, witnessing the stunning views of nature at its best, trekking tick all the boxes of both visual and physical satisfaction.

And in case you have been on a fair amount of treks and are on the lookout for more challenging and demanding trails, here’s a list of India’s most challenging treks that might make you push your limits.

The 10 most challenging treks in India

Kafni Glacier

Even though, a minor glacier, Kafni, situated in the district of Bageshwar Kumaon region of Uttarakhand state is fairly popular with hikers and adventure seekers. When compared to Pindar, the valley here is much larger. The journey begins in Loharket and continues to Dhakuri Pass. The beautiful Himalayan peaks, including Nanda Khat and Maiktoli, begin to appear in the distance. The region’s picturesque beauty and solitude have an incomparable allure that leads the trekkers into a whole otherworldly realm.

Duration: six to seven days

Distance: 85 kilometres

Max altitude: 12,664 feet

Temperature: four degrees

Best time to visit: Mid-April and mid-October

Goechala

Goechala, located in the state of Sikkim, is a popular trekking destination. The coveted Goechala trek lies deceptively close to the world’s third-highest mountain range within the leafy jungles of Kanchenjunga National Park. Some of the life-size celebrated Himalayan peaks, such as Mount Pandim, Kabru, and Rohtang, appear on this trail, which is fascinating and adds to its allure among trekkers.

Duration: 11 days

Distance: 90 kilometres

Max altitude: 15,100 feet

Best time to visit: September and November

Darcha Padum

Located in Ladakh, Darcha Padum Trek is a must-do adventure due to its breathtaking scenery including valleys, streams, rocky canyons, and towering mountains. This popular trek winds through remote villages and exotic ancient monasteries before entering the thrilling Zanskar valley. The Darcha Padum trek also allows its trekkers to visit heritage sites such as Phuktal Monastery, which is built into the side of a hill and is nothing short of a work of architectural genius.

Duration: 12 days and 11 nights

Distance: 100 kilometres

Max altitude: 16700 feet

Temperature: 15 – 3o degrees

Best time to visit: July, August, and September

Chadar

Also known as The Frozen River Expedition, the Chadar trek is considered to be one of the most challenging treks in India. The chadar trek starts from Chilling, which lies a little ahead of Zanskar. This 6-day trek takes place during the latter part of January till the end of February and sometimes maybe beyond that depending upon the weather. The trekkers can take in the brilliant beauty of the snowy terrain while walking on the Frozen Zanskar River.

Duration: Nine days and eight nights

Distance: Six kilometres

Max altitude: 11,123 feet

Temperature: -5 to -15 degrees (during the day) and -15 to -25 degrees (during the night)

Best time to visit: Early January

Stok Kangri

Ladakh offers many trekking options but the Stok Kangri Trek is one that should not be skipped. Standing at a height of 6153m, Mt Stok Kangri is one of the highest trekkable peaks. The trek treats its visitors to some incredible scenic beauty viz Karakoram Range, Ladakh Range, and Zanskar. And if lucky one can also witness the view of K2 at a far distance. Unfortunately, the trek had been closed till 2022 as a measure to protect the glacier from contamination and over-tourism.

Duration: Four days

Distance: 34 kilometres

Max altitude: 20,187 feet

Temperature: 30 degrees (during the day)

Best time to visit: May and mid- October

Auden’s Col

The famous Auden’s Col Trek in Uttarakhand, even though very challenging with its moraines, glaciers, steep ridges, provides its trekkers with views equally great. Connecting the ridge of Gangotri III to the Jogin, the trekkers get to behold the stunning view of the Himalayan peaks of the Gangotri group, the Bhagirathi group and the Kedar Dome.

Duration: 14 to 15 days

Distance: 200 kilometres

Max altitude: 18,012 feet

Temperature: -2 degrees to -5 degrees

Best time to visit: June

Kang La

Kang La is a glaciated pass located in the main Central Himalayan Range. A trek not much explored by the trekking community, the scenic views are exceptionally breathtaking. The trekkers get to camp in wide lush meadows with bright wildflowers spread across them. Before crossing the Kang La streams and white snow-clad mountains welcome the trekkers while afterwards, the monasteries standing atop mountainsides and the valley, Miyar Nala come into view.

Duration: 14 days

Distance: 100 kilometres

Max altitude: 17,930 feet

Best time to visit: July and October

Pin Parvati Pass

From the lush forest of the Parvati Valley to the Buddhist villages in the Trans Himalayan region in Spiti, the trekkers get contrasting scenic views on two sides of the pass, stunning nonetheless. This exhilarating trek is advised for only seasoned trekkers as it gets strenuous and challenging with its steep trail and high altitude. However, its difficulty level hasn’t affected its popularity as it remains one of the most sought-after trans-Himalayan treks.

Duration: 11 days

Distance: 105 kilometres

Max altitude: 17,300 feet

Best time to visit: July and August

Kalindi Khal Expedition

Located in the Garhwal Himalayas, the pass connects Gangotri and Badrinath Dham. Even though difficult, like most treks in this list, it is highly popular owing to its routes that lead to the Badrinath temple. The expedition, as the name of the trek suggests, takes the trekkers from the starting point in Bhagirathi Valley to Gaumukh, the mouth of the Gangotri Glacier, to Tapovan and Nandanvan. On your way, you get to witness the mesmerizing views of Bhagirathi groups of peaks to Suralya Bamak and Sweta glacier, Arwa Tal and Mana Village.

Duration: 16 days and 15 nights

Distance: 100 kilometres

Max altitude: 19500 feet

Best time to visit: Mid-June to early September

Panpatia Col

Known for its demanding trail with several steep cliffs, crevasses and icefalls, the Panpatia Col trek is not for amateur trekkers. The trekkers in this trail are offered stunning views of the peaks Neelkanth, Balakun, Kunaling, Hathi, Dauliganga and the Sri Parvat. The Panpatia Col is located between the holy shrines of Badrinath and Kedarnath.

Duration: 14 days

Distance: 61 kilometres

Max altitude: 17260 ft

Best time to visit: Mid-May to June and September to early October