Seven of India's Toughest Treks

Another word for walking up/down the highest peaks is trekking.

Trekking is nothing but an adventurous hobby taken up by the ones who love exploring every bit of nature, and it can be considered as both a hobby and a sport that offers both mental and health benefits. Trekking may be a fun and exciting activity along with the necessary precautionary measure that should be taken note of, and then you're good to go for your trek.

Himalayas in India is a known place for all the famous trekking events that take places, this part of the country is a total bonus for people who love adventures.

Want to know all about the 7 most toughest treks in the mountain states of India. Then you should surely scroll down.

1. Parang La Trek

Parang La trek is an ancient trade route between the Spiti in Himachal, Tibet & Changthang in Ladakh region. Parang La trek can be started from either Karzok village in Leh or from Chicham / Kibber village in Spiti. The trail takes you to a maximum altitude of around 5600 meters to Parang La & follows the Pare Chu river which goes to Tibet & re-enters India. The main attraction of the trail is the old yet dynamic mountain features which resemble a unique pattern of being under the sea for a long time & houses some of the unique fossils. The trail has vast meadows which were a grazing ground for horses from Spiti Valley. The most amazing part of the trek is the walk along the Tso Moriri Lake for complete 2 days where the lake offers different shades of blue with many unclimbed peaks in the background. The endpoint is Karzok village which houses one of the old & powerful monasteries in Leh.

Region-Spiti

Start Point- Kaza

End Point- Karzok

Trek Distance- 128 km

No. of days -12

2. Stok Kangri Trek

Stok Kangri is one of the highest trekkable peaks in the world. It stands at an elevation of 20,100 ft. and is higher than the highest mountain in Europe, Mt. Elbrus at 18,510 ft and although marginally, it is even higher than the highest mountain in Africa, Mt. Kilimanjaro at 19,340 ft. It beats two of the highest mountains across two different continents and is, without a doubt, a crowned jewel of India. The biggest and the only challenge during Stok Kangri trek is the summit day, where you have to brave sub-zero temperatures, trek on a glacier for about 6-7 hours at night, and walk on the ridgeline for about two hours to reach the summit. Although Stok Kangri does not require any technical experience, by no means it is meant for beginners. The view from the Stok Kangri summit is worth all the uphill battle. You can see even Karakoram range from the Stok Summit along with the Zanskar range. Stok Kangri expedition is once in a lifetime adventure and every avid trekker's dream.

Region-Ladakh

Start Point- Leh

End Point- Leh

Trek Distance- 34 km

No. of days -9

3. Panpatia Col Trek

The Panpatia Col trek is one of the most challenging and demanding treks in the Garhwal Himalayas connecting the holy pilgrimage sites of Kedarnath and Badrinath. This high altitude pass at a staggering altitude of 5260M / 17260 ft, lies between two unnamed peaks of 5500M+ in height. Being one of the least traversed passes in the Indian Himalayas, the Panpatia Col trek is meant only for experienced trekkers and aspiring mountaineers who have prior trekking experience and knowledge of using ice axes, crampons and roping up procedures. It demands a very high fitness level, thus one needs to have good physical and mental endurance. The trail takes you through massive glaciers, crevassed snowfields, rocky moraines, and the never-ending 7km long Panpatia snowfield which is a treat for aspirational trekkers looking to tick this epic trek off their bucket list. The Panpatia Col Trek gives you unparalleled views of prominent peaks such as Nilkantha, Balakun, Hathi Parvat, and Dhauliganga Peaks.

Region-Uttarakhand (Garhwal)

Start Point- Badrinath

End Point- Ransi

Trek Distance- 61 km

No. of days -11

4. Kalindi Khal Expedition

Kalindi Khal Trek is an extremely challenging expedition-style traverse of the Kalindi Khal Pass in spectacular Garhwal Himalayas connecting Gangotri and Badrinath. The route involves a trek over rough glaciers, rocky screens, and crevassed snowfields. At times we need to rope up and require the use of ice axes and crampons. Kalindi Khal trek takes you halfway round Garhwal from the Bhagirathi Valley to the Alaknanda Valley. The journey en route Kalindi Khal unfolds views of some of the highest and most majestic peaks of the Indian Himalayan range - Shivling at 6,543 m, Meru at 6,630 m, Kedar Dome at 6,808 m, Bhagirathi group at 6,856 m, Nilkantha at 6,506 m, Chandra Parvat at 6,728 m, Avalanche Peak at 6,413 m, Kamet at 7,756 m Mana at 7,272 m and Abi Gamin at 7,355 m. Although prior climbing experience is not required, this trip is one of our most demanding treks suited to only those who want to join a reconnaissance style expedition.

Region-Uttarakhand (Garhwal)

Start Point--Gangotri

End Point- Badrinath

Trek Distance- 78 km

No. of days -14

5. Pin Parvati Pass Trek

Pin Parvati Pass is one of the most scenic treks in the Himalayas. The trail is through lush green forests, wide open meadows, uncountable waterfalls, a high altitude lake and brings you face to face with Parvati glacier. Very few treks give you a chance to walk on a glacier, and Pin Parvati trek is one of them. The crossover to the contrasting Pin Valley in Spiti adds a cultural spin to the trek making it even more attractive. The best time to go for Pin Parvati trek between the months of June and September. It is a challenging trek that requires a great deal of stamina and excellent trekking skills and therefore is not recommended for beginners. If you are a seasoned trekker and jonesing for some thrilling adventure - Pin Parvati trek is where you should head next.

Region- Himachal Pradesh & Spiti

Start Point- Bhuntar

End Point- Kaza

Trek Distance- 78 km

No. of days -11

6. Kang La Trek

The Kangla pass trek begins in the Miyar Valley in Lahaul, famous for its wildflowers and pristine alpine pastures, and crosses the Kang La Pass at a staggering altitude of 5465M taking you to the Zanskar valley in Ladakh, a stark alpine world of rock and ice. Lying on the border of Himachal and J&K, Kang La has the longest glacial approach of any pass in the central Himalaya at 24 km. The trail ascends one of the longest glaciers in Himachal Pradesh to access the extremely remote village of Padum in Zanskar, with a total contrast of scenery and culture. This challenging crossover trek between Himachal and Ladakh takes trekkers through pristine meadows, multiple emerald green glacial lakes, crevassed snowfields, rocky moraines, massive glaciers surrounded by several unnamed peaks. Being one of the most unexplored and untouched trails in the Indian Himalayas, the Kang La Trek is not for the faint-hearted, meant for only experienced trekkers with high physical fitness. This lengthy trek takes you from Manali to Srinagar, giving you unimaginable changes in scenery, landscapes, cultures, and languages. A complete package of a trek indeed.

Region- Himachal Pradesh (Lahaul) & Zanskar

Start Point- Thingot

End Point- Padum

Trek Distance- 90 km

No. of days -11

7. Auden's Col Trek:

Auden's Col is arguably one of the most challenging and least explored treks in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Auden's Col is a high mountain pass that connects Jogin I (6465m) and Gangotri III (6580m) peaks and is situated at a height of 5490 M. Auden's Col was discovered by John Bicknell Auden, a British Geographical Survey Officer, in 1935. The pass also links two glaciers namely the Khatling glacier and Jogin I glacier which lie opposite to one another. The trek connects two of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, Gangotri and Kedarnath, which is also a prominent pilgrimage destination and one of the twelve Jyotirlingas located in India. With a strenuous terrain passing through moraines, narrow cliffs, boulders, endless glaciers, and difficult ridges, the Auden's Col trek is meant only for experienced trekkers with high physical fitness and mental endurance. The trek offers magnificent views of peaks such as Rudragaira, Gangotri group, Jogin group, Bhagirathi group of peaks and Kedar Dome which are awe-inspiring, thus making this expedition a once in a lifetime experience.

Region- Uttarakhand

Start Point- Gangothri

End Point- Gaurikund

Trek Distance- 75km

No. of days -15

So what's the next destination you would choose for your Trek? Do let me know in the comments section below.

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