Pack your bags, put on your adventure hats, and fasten your seatbelts because guess what? The Universe has gifted us a glorious long weekend from September 28th to October 2nd. If you haven’t made any plans yet and you’re itching to escape the relentless city chaos and are up for an offbeat exploration, we’ve got the lowdown on some treks that are just a scenic drive away from Delhi. Trust us, there’s no better way to celebrate this break than by conquering some hills and valleys. Surreal lakes, snow-covered peaks, and verdant meadows—these treks tucked away around Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand have everything you could ask for and then some more. Check out these treks, which are sure to be a one-stop destination for your well-deserved break.
1. Triund Trek
The Triund trek, nestled in the heart of McLeodganj, is an excellent place to begin if you want to learn more about the Himalayas. As you set off on this nine-kilometre escapade, the trail is covered with Rhododendron trees and cherry blossoms, offering you a stunning view of the grand Dhauladhar Range. The climb to Triund, reaching an altitude of 8,695 feet, takes around 4-6 hours. You can even plan an overnight stay in Dharamkot, McLeodganj, as it also serves as the base camp.
How to reach: The base camp for the trek is Dharamkot, a small village near McLeodganj. You can take an overnight bus to McLeodganj and then hire a taxi to reach the base camp.
Duration of the trek: 3 days
Location: McLeodganj, Himachal Pradesh
2. Nag Tibba
This trek is an ideal pick for beginners and sits in the vicinity of the charming hill station of Mussoorie. Popular for its captivating sunsets and panoramic summit vistas, it goes by the name ‘Nag Tibba’, which translates to the serpent’s peak, believed to be the abode of the serpent God. Covering a distance of approximately 19 kilometres and resting at an elevation of 3,022 metres, this trek promises an absolute treat for nature enthusiasts.
You’ll start the trek from the quaint village of Pantwari, where you’ll find yourself surrounded by dense rhododendron and oak forests, eventually transitioning into snow-clad peaks. At its heart lies the Nag Mandir, offering mesmerising views of the majestic peaks that encircle this serene haven.
How to reach: To reach the base camp, Pantwari, take a direct bus from Delhi to Pantwari. You can even take a bus or drive from Dehradun or Mussoorie.
Duration of the trek: 2 days
Location: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
3. Tungnath Trek
Tungnath Temple is perched on the Chandrashila Parvat in the Tungnath mountain range. It sits at an altitude of 12,073 feet. Tungnath Temple is a heavenly abode that translates to ‘Mountain of the God’. This adventurous trek of five kilometres from Chopta to Tungnath will take you through lush meadows, quaint hamlets, and thick forests. The trek takes a steep hike of 1.5 km from Tungnath to reach Chandrashila Peak. The highlights of the trek are Chopta village, Sari villages, Tungnath Temple, Chandarshila Peak, and Deoria Tal Lake.
How to reach: You need to first arrive at Chopta base camp to reach Tungnath. Trains, taxis, and local bus options are available from Haridwar to the base camp. Or you can even drive all the way up to Chopta.
Duration of the Trek: 3 days
Location: Rudraprayag, Uttarakhand
4. Valley of Flowers Trek
The Valley of Flowers trek, nestled in the vicinity of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, is one of the most beautiful Himalayan treks, stretching over an expanse of 87.5 square kilometres at an altitude of 14,200 ft. The trek starts at Pulna Village and stretches for almost 10 kilometres. Every direction that you take will seem like a natural paradise because of all the blooming flowers. The flowery carpet ends after a five-kilometre stretch at a glacier, with the sight of the majestic Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri Parvat, Bhyundar Khal, Rattan, Gauri Parvat, etc.
How to reach: You need to reach Govindghat, Uttarakhand, to start your trek. You can take a train or bus to Dehradun, and from there, hire a taxi to reach Joshimath. Govindghat is an hour’s drive from Joshimath.
Duration of the trek: 4 days
Location: Gobindghat, Uttarakhand
5. Benog Tibba
This trek is an ideal choice for beginners. Along the route, you’ll journey through the serene Benog Mountain Quail Sanctuary in Mussoorie, a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Enveloped by the stunning Doon Valley to the south, the lush Yamuna and Assan Barrage to the west, the captivating Mussoorie hills to the east, and the majestic Himalayan range to the north, Benog Hill treats you to awe-inspiring panoramic views. At the summit, you’ll discover a quaint temple dedicated to Jwala Devi, an incarnation of Goddess Durga. This sacred site adds a layer of beauty and serenity to this picturesque location.
How to reach: Take a train to Dehradun or drive to Mussoorie, and you can start the trek from either Cloud’s End or the library bus stand at Mall Road in Mussoorie.
Duration of the trek: 1 Day
Location: Mussoorie, Uttarakhand
