India is a country loved by many for the beauty and bounty of its nature. The country is filled with terrains ranging from flat plateaus and miles of hot desert soil to snow-capped mountain peaks. The Himalayan mountain ranges are one such popular geographic feature of India that attracts thousands of tourists to it every year. Owing to its picturesque beauty and magnificent views, the Himalayan ranges are also a popular destination both for its sheer beauty and for the hundreds of trekking trails that span across these ranges. The trails cross boundaries between five countries namely India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and China, and range from beginner treks to advanced ones culminating in the challenging climb of the Everest itself.

If you are an amateur who just likes to hike for fun or wish to embark on your first ever trek, the Himalayas can be a great place to begin! Several of the trails are surprisingly simple and can be covered in just a couple of hours. The temperatures at these low altitudes are ideal for trekking and get colder at nights which can make camping out even more fun. We bring to the top 3 Himalayan treks ideal for starters, so if you wish to try your hand at this activity, now’s your chance!

Dayara Bugyal

Dayara Bugyal

Height: 12500 feet

Duration: 7 days

With its origin at Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, this trek ends at one of the highest meadows in the world – Dayara Bugyal. The base camp for the trek is at Barsu, which is eight hours away from Dehradun. The best time to take on this trek would be between May and June or September and October, in order to avoid the monsoons and the harsh winters which can make the trail harder to navigate. The course of the trail takes you through beautiful grasslands, meadows, breath-taking oak forests and even a couple of snow-clad peaks. The ascend and descend are both relatively easy owing to the lack of extremely steep paths and high-rises. The Dayara Bugyal trek is immensely popular amongst tourists who visit the Himalayan ranges for a trip to enjoy the beauty of the mountains.

Kedar Kantha

Kedar Kantha

Height: 12500 feet

Duration: 7 days

The Kedar Kantha trek is one which is great throughout the year, but especially in the winter months. Due to its lack of steep climbs and relatively easy ascent, the path is unhindered by snow and one can, hence, attempt this trail in the winters (between December and April) as well. The trek is known to have the prettiest campsites, one of the popular ones being the Juda Ka Talab campsite as it lies next to an open meadow shadowed by pine trees and snow clad peaks. The base camp at Naitwar which is a nine-hour drive away from Dehradun is itself a beautiful location. The trail also takes you through Govind National Park and the valleys of River Tons, thus promising breath-taking views and an eventful climb.

Kareri Lake (also known as Kumarwah lake)

Kareri Lake

Height: 10863 feet

Duration: 8 days

Perhaps the hardest of these three, the Kareri Lake Trek passes to thick under-growths and paths littered by pine needles which can make the climb slippery. Further, since it follows the streams to a large extent, the algae and wet rocks can add to the trickiness of the trail. The trail leads to the Kareri Lake, one of the most stunning lakes in Himachal Pradesh, which remains frozen through most part of the winter and thus adds to its beauty. Ideally, the best time to embark on this trek would be between May and June or September and October owing to the best weather conditions. The Dhauladhar range and the beautiful Kangra valley are other contributors to the appeal of this trek.

The treks include not only the climb but also the experience of living in tents under the clear and starry Himalayan skies. So if you’re a nature lover and want to try your hand at trekking, there’s no time like the present. Grab a sturdy pair of shoes, put together a good playlist and head out with your backpack for a week on the awe-inspiring peaks of the Himalayas! While you are here, make sure you stay at the spectacular White Ridge and treat your friends and family to unbeatable luxury.