Best Treks in Uttarakhand 2026: Complete Trekking Guide for All Levels

Introduction to Trekking in Uttarakhand

Uttarakhand offers some of India's most spectacular trekking routes. From meadows carpeted with flowers to frozen lakes at 16,000 feet, the diversity of landscapes is unmatched. Whether you're a first-timer or an experienced mountaineer, there's a trail waiting for you.

Trek Difficulty Guide

Easy Treks (Beginners Welcome)

1. Chopta Chandrashila Trek

Altitude: 4,000m (13,123 ft) Duration: 2-3 days Best Time: March-May, September-November Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Highlights:

• Tungnath Temple - world's highest Shiva temple

• 360-degree Himalayan panorama from Chandrashila

• Rhododendron forests in spring

• Accessible year-round (snow in winter)

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Drive to Chopta (2,680m), acclimatize

• Day 2: Trek to Tungnath (3,680m) → Chandrashila (4,000m), return to Chopta

• Day 3: Drive back

Cost: ₹5,000-8,000 per person (with guide, stay) Starting Point: Chopta (via Haridwar/Rishikesh)

2. Deoriatal Chandrashila Trek

Altitude: 4,000m Duration: 4-5 days Best Time: March-May, September-November Difficulty: Easy to Moderate

Highlights:

• Deoriatal Lake with Chaukhamba reflection

• Rohini Bugyal meadows

• Combined with Chandrashila summit

• Camping by the lake

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Haridwar to Sari, trek to Deoriatal (3-4 hours)

• Day 2: Deoriatal to Rohini Bugyal

• Day 3: Rohini Bugyal to Chopta

• Day 4: Chopta to Tungnath to Chandrashila, return

• Day 5: Drive back

Cost: ₹8,000-12,000 per person

3. Nag Tibba Trek

Altitude: 3,022m (9,915 ft) Duration: 2 days Best Time: Year-round (snow: Dec-Feb) Difficulty: Easy

Highlights:

• Closest trek to Delhi (7-8 hours drive)

• Perfect weekend getaway

• Snow in winters

• Temple at summit

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Delhi to Pantwari, trek to base camp

• Day 2: Summit and return

Cost: ₹3,500-5,000 per person

Moderate Treks

4. Kedarkantha Trek

Altitude: 3,810m (12,500 ft) Duration: 5-6 days Best Time: December-April (winter trek), May-June Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights:

• Best winter trek in India

• Stunning sunrise from summit

• Snow-covered pine forests

• Sankri village base camp

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Dehradun to Sankri (7-8 hours)

• Day 2: Sankri to Juda Ka Talab

• Day 3: Juda Ka Talab to Kedarkantha Base

• Day 4: Summit Kedarkantha, descend to Hargaon

• Day 5: Hargaon to Sankri

• Day 6: Return to Dehradun

Cost: ₹8,000-14,000 per person

5. Har Ki Dun Trek

Altitude: 3,566m (11,700 ft) Duration: 7-8 days Best Time: April-June, September-November Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights:

• "Valley of Gods" - ancient route to heaven

• Duryodhana temple (unique in India)

• Rich Himalayan biodiversity

• Traditional Jaunsari villages

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Dehradun to Taluka

• Day 2: Taluka to Osla

• Day 3: Osla to Har Ki Dun

• Day 4: Explore valley, Jaundhar Glacier view

• Day 5: Return to Osla

• Day 6: Osla to Taluka

• Day 7: Return to Dehradun

Cost: ₹12,000-18,000 per person

6. Valley of Flowers Trek

Altitude: 3,658m (12,000 ft) Duration: 6 days Best Time: July-September Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights:

• UNESCO World Heritage Site

• 600+ species of flowering plants

• Blue Poppy and Brahma Kamal

• Combined with Hemkund Sahib

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Haridwar to Govindghat

• Day 2: Govindghat to Ghangaria (10 km trek)

• Day 3: Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and back

• Day 4: Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back

• Day 5: Return to Govindghat

• Day 6: Return to Haridwar

Cost: ₹14,000-20,000 per person

7. Brahmatal Trek

Altitude: 3,425m (11,237 ft) Duration: 6 days Best Time: December-March Difficulty: Moderate

Highlights:

• Frozen Brahmatal Lake

• Mt. Trishul and Nanda Ghunti views

• Winter snow trek

• Less crowded than Kedarkantha

Cost: ₹9,000-14,000 per person

Difficult Treks

8. Roopkund Trek (Skeleton Lake)

Altitude: 5,029m (16,500 ft) Duration: 8 days Best Time: May-June, September-October Difficulty: Difficult

Highlights:

• Mysterious skeleton lake

• Ancient human remains (500+ years old)

• Ali and Bedni Bugyal meadows

• Challenging altitude

Itinerary:

• Day 1: Haridwar to Lohajung

• Day 2: Lohajung to Didna Village

• Day 3: Didna to Ali Bugyal

• Day 4: Ali Bugyal to Patar Nachauni via Bedni Bugyal

• Day 5: Patar Nachauni to Bhagwabasa

• Day 6: Bhagwabasa to Roopkund to Patar Nachauni

• Day 7: Patar Nachauni to Lohajung

• Day 8: Return to Haridwar

Cost: ₹16,000-25,000 per person

9. Kuari Pass Trek (Curzon Trail)

Altitude: 4,265m (13,990 ft) Duration: 6 days Best Time: March-May, September-November Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult

Highlights:

• Lord Curzon's historical trail

• Panoramic Nanda Devi views

• Oak and rhododendron forests

• Well-defined trail

Cost: ₹14,000-20,000 per person

10. Rupin Pass Trek

Altitude: 4,650m (15,250 ft) Duration: 8 days Best Time: May-June, September-October Difficulty: Difficult

Highlights:

• Dramatic terrain changes

• Hanging villages

• Waterfalls and snow bridges

• Cross from Uttarakhand to Himachal

Cost: ₹18,000-26,000 per person

Challenging Treks (Experienced Only)

11. Pangarchulla Peak

Altitude: 4,590m (15,069 ft) Duration: 6 days Best Time: March-May, October-November Difficulty: Challenging

Highlights:

• Technical summit climb

• 360-degree Himalayan views

• Snow skills required

• Lesser-known gem

Cost: ₹18,000-24,000 per person

12. Bali Pass Trek

Altitude: 4,950m (16,240 ft) Duration: 9 days Best Time: May-June, September-October Difficulty: Challenging

Highlights:

• Connects Har Ki Dun to Yamunotri

• Remote and pristine

• River crossings

• Dramatic landscape changes

Cost: ₹22,000-32,000 per person

13. Kalindi Khal Trek

Altitude: 5,950m (19,520 ft) Duration: 14 days Best Time: August-September Difficulty: Very Challenging

Highlights:

• Connects Gangotri to Badrinath

• Glacier crossing required

• Extremely remote

• For expert mountaineers only

Cost: ₹45,000-65,000 per person

Trek Comparison Table

Essential Trekking Tips

Before the Trek

• Train for 2-3 months: Cardio, squats, and stamina building

• Get a health checkup: Especially for high-altitude treks

• Book with certified operators: ATOAI certified recommended

• Check weather forecast: Mountains are unpredictable

Packing Essentials

• Layered clothing (base, mid, outer)

• Waterproof jacket and pants

• Trekking shoes (broken in)

• Sleeping bag (rated for temperature)

• Headlamp with extra batteries

• Sunscreen and lip balm

• First aid kit with Diamox

• Water bottles and purification tablets

Altitude Sickness Prevention

• Ascend gradually (max 500m/day above 3,500m)

• Stay hydrated (3-4 liters/day)

• Avoid alcohol and smoking

• Take Diamox if prescribed

• Report symptoms immediately

Leave No Trace

• Carry all garbage back

• Use designated toilet areas

• Don't disturb wildlife

• Stick to marked trails

• Respect local customs

Conclusion

Uttarakhand's treks offer life-changing experiences amidst some of the world's most beautiful mountains. From the easy Chopta trail to the challenging Kalindi Khal, there's a trek for every skill level and ambition. Book your trekking adventure with Travel My Bharat for safe, guided, and memorable expeditions in the Himalayas!