Treks & High Passes
Adventure
Himalayan and Western Ghat trails, graded by what they actually ask of you.
16 places
Auli
Gorson Bugyal
A high meadow three kilometres above the ski slopes, and the standard acclimatisation walk from Auli. Under snow January to March; grass and a long view of Nanda Devi the rest of the year.
Auli
Kwani Bugyal
A higher, emptier meadow beyond Gorson, twelve kilometres out and a full day there and back. Nothing on the way, so carry water and food.
Old Manali
Jogini Falls Trail
A short scenic hike from Old Manali through orchards and forest to a waterfall with valley views.
Gulmarg
Apharwat Peak
The gondola's upper station sits just under four thousand metres and the ridge above it is where the off-piste skiing is. There is snow on the north face even in summer, and the peak is close enough to the Line of Control that the army is present.
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Chikmagalur
Mullayanagiri Peak
Karnataka's highest peak, a popular sunrise trek with sweeping Western Ghats views.
Chopta (Tungnath)
Chandrashila Peak
The summit above Tungnath at about 4,000 metres, another kilometre and a half past the temple. On a clear morning you see Nanda Devi, Trisul and Chaukhamba from it. Start in the dark for sunrise.
Kasol
Chalal Village Trail
An easy riverside walk from Kasol to the quiet hamlet of Chalal, lined with chilled cafes and music hostels.
Zanskar Valley
Drang-Drung Glacier
A colossal, winding river of ice visible directly from the summit of Penzi La pass, backdropped by high jagged peaks.
Om Beach (Gokarna)
Gokarna Beach Trek
A cliff trail connecting Om, Half Moon and Paradise beaches.
Kodachadri
Kodachadri Peak
The grassland summit with the Sarvajna Peetha shrine and panoramic cloud-sea sunrise views.
Dhinodhar Hills
Dhoramnath Peak Shrine
A stone shrine on the highest point of Dhinodhar, tied to the ascetic Dhoramnath and looked after by Kanphata yogis. The climb is the point — from the top you see the Banni grassland and the salt beyond it.
Mount Kailash
Dolma La Pass
The highest point of the kora at ~5,630 m, a spiritual climax of the trek.
Tosh
Kutla Trail
A short, scenic uphill trek from Tosh to the meadow hamlet of Kutla, popular for camping.
Sonamarg
Thajiwas Glacier
Four kilometres up from Sonamarg, on foot or by pony, with sledge operators at the snout in summer. It has been retreating for years, so the walk to the ice is longer than older guidebooks say. Pony rates are fixed and routinely ignored — settle it before you mount.
Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass
Nathula Pass Checkpoint
The high-altitude international border gate at 4,310 metres on the Silk Road, featuring a victory monument and direct visibility of Chinese outposts.
Sikkim
Tsomgo Lake & Nathula Pass
Tsomgo Lake, written as Changu Lake, is a high-altitude glacial lake at an astounding elevation of 3,753 metres in the rugged East Sikkim district, inside a steep oval valley just kilometers from the international border, the crystal-clear waters are known for their unique ability to reflect changing shades, shifting from deep blue in summer to turquoise and solid white as winter freezes lock the surface into thick ice sheets. Driving further up the same high-security mountain corridor highway pass leads directly to the monumental Nathula Pass checkpoint, at a daunting altitude of 4,310 metres on the ancient Silk Road route, cutting directly through heavy military wire barricades separating India and China.
