Trekking is a thrilling and exciting way to explore nature at its best. It is a great activity to get back in touch with nature while soaking in the most beautiful landscapes. Undertake these treks during monsoons, and the sight of numerous waterfalls tumbling over the cliffs and rocks comes as a bonus. Monsoon trekking is a great mix of physical activity and mental rejuvenation.
Once you are convinced that you want to go trekking during the monsoons, it is important to choose the right location and terrain. Not all treks are monsoon friendly and some of them can turn out to be quite dangerous. It is, therefore, important that you choose your treks carefully so that you can have a safe and enjoyable experience. To make things easier, we are listing down seven of the most amazing treks that you can look forward to undertaking this monsoon.
Hampta Pass - Himachal Pradesh
The Hampta Pass trek is touted as the “best crossover trek” of India and for good reason. Located at a whopping 14,000 feet, the Hampta pass crosses from the valley of Kullu to Lahaul. The stark difference in the landscapes of Kullu and Lahaul is what makes the crossover experience one of a kind. The trek journey begins with the lush greenery of Kullu and passes through Jobra, Jwara, Balu ka Ghera, Shea Ghoru and finally Chhatru. Trekkers can also visit Chandratal Lake. The journey is full of varying landscapes. The route includes glaciers and fast-flowing rivers, making it gruelling but doable for all. In the beginning, you will be on a lush grassy terrain and then follow a trail beside a river flowing right next to you and finally complete the journey on loose rocky terrain with absolutely no vegetation around. You also get to camp at all of the above locations and each of them has a different scenery to offer.
Duration: 5-6 days
Distance: 25-27 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 14,000 ft
Valley of Flowers - Uttarakhand
Accessible only from June to October, monsoons are the only time you can visit this beautiful valley. This UNESCO World Heritage site and an Indian National Park in the Nanda Devi Biosphere should be on every travel and adventure enthusiast’s bucket list. Bestowed with the rare and exotic Himalayan flora, the Valley of Flowers is a bouquet of nature peacefully snuggled in the Western Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. You will be mesmerised by a sprawling expanse of more than 300 types of blossoms. Trekkers will witness dense forests along the Pushpawanti river, a few bridges, glaciers, and numerous waterfalls along the journey. One can also spot a variety of fauna in the form of different species of butterflies, birds and the famous Musk Deer.
Duration: 3 days
Distance: 14 KM
Difficulty: Easy
Altitude: 15,200 ft
Kashmir Great Lakes - Jammu & Kashmir
Kashmir is referred to as “Heaven on Earth” and the Kashmir Great Lakes are a testament to this reference. Seven lakes and five valleys, make up the Kashmir Great Lakes trek and one cannot possibly imagine the kind of panoramic views this trek has to offer. Also, this trek is not for the faint-hearted. With its steep descents and ascents, high altitude, and varying terrains, it’s quite a challenge for beginners in the trekking game. However, the ones who have been on a few treks before will surely enjoy their journey. Right from the start, bunches of maple and pine develop like a desert spring in these glades. On a subsequent day, they roll off a pass plunging to a wide valley. On the third day, just beneath the Gadsar pass, you will witness wildflowers growing in abundance. On the fourth day, you will come across the green plains of Satsar with a sparkling stream flowing through.
Duration: 7-8 days
Distance: 65 KM
Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
Altitude: 12,200 ft
Harishchandragad - Maharashtra
Home to the infamous ‘Cobra’s Hood’, one of the most treacherous stretches on a trek, the Harishchandraghat trek leads to the Harishchandragad fort. This is a hill fort situated in Ahmednagar in Maharashtra, very close to the famous monsoon destination, Malshej Ghat. The fort is situated in the heart of the Western Ghats which means that you will not be disappointed by the views this trek has to offer, especially in the monsoon. The trek is not at a very high altitude, so it’s quite easy for beginners. Not only will you be mesmerised by the views along the trek, but once you reach the fort top, you will be bewildered by the sight of the vertical cloud bursts from the Konkan Kada, which is a cliff that faces west and looks down upon the Konkan. You will also be welcomed by several caves that are spread across this hill fort.
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 10-11 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 4,690 ft
Dzongri – Sikkim
The Northeast region of India has several treks to offer. However, most of these are not very safe during the monsoons. The Dzongri Trek is one that you can thoroughly enjoy during the rains. It is in fact, a smaller part of the bigger Goecha La Trek. Starting from Yuksom to Dzongri, the trek offers beautiful views of the Mt. Kanchenjunga, Mt. Kabru, Mt. Simvo, Mt. Rathong, Mt. Kumbhakarna, Mt. Kokthang, Mt. Goecha Peak, Mt. Frey Peak and Mt. Pandem. During the monsoons, you will be greeted by lush green scenery all around.
Duration: 5 days
Distance: 50 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 13,779 ft
Mullayanagiri – Karnataka
Situated in Chikmagalur, this is the highest peak in Karnataka. You will have to take serpentine zig-zag trails to the top. During the monsoon, get ready to face heavy winds and dense clouds. The trail is also full of different species of flora making your journey fragrant and beautiful.You need to also keep an eye out for different species of birds who take shelter in the dense trees the trail is surrounded by.
Duration: 2 days
Distance: 10 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 4,304 ft
Chembra Peak – Kerala
Tea lovers will enjoy this trek a lot as one would be trekking through Wayanad’s tea estates in Kerala. The slopes are foggy and as you make your way up, the fog transforms into dense clouds during the monsoon. The Chembra peak is the highest in the Wayanad Hills and one of the highest peaks in the Western Ghat. This means that trekkers will witness picturesque views once on the top. The peak is home to lush green meadows and in the heart of the meadows is the iconic heart-shaped Chembra lake which is a sight to behold, making the long trek totally worthwhile.
Duration: 1 day
Distance: 6 KM
Difficulty: Moderate
Altitude: 6,889 ft