10 Most Thrilling Offbeat Treks In India!

Trekking is one of the best adventure sports for all adventure junkies as it can pump up your heartbeat while satisfying the adrenaline rush in your veins, therefore we have got some of the most thrilling offbeat treks in India handpicked for you.

Trekking is not just about the adventure but a lot more than that, with as much as daunting it might get it is your chance to get close to nature and feel the beauty of it up close with some soul searching. And the sense of accomplishment that you get at the end by reaching some of those places that very few people have ever seen is just unparalleled. So let nothing hold you back from viewing some of the marvels of nature that a handful of people get to witness.

Table of Contents

Here is a list of the Best Offbeat Treks In India

Japfu Peak Trek, Nagaland

Japfu Peak is the second-highest peak in Nagaland, where you can see almost half of the state. Walking through the pristine Dzukou valley with the breathtaking view of the beautiful colourful blooms, lush green forests, hulking hills, and the main highlight the tallest rhododendron trees in the world is sure to keep you mesmerized throughout the trek and that makes it one of the best offbeat treks in Eastern India.

Route of Japfu Peak Trek: Kohima – Zakhama – Dzukou valley – Vishwema village – Japfu peak base – Japfu peak

Duration of Japfu Peak Trek: 4 to 5 days

Length of Japfu Peak Trek: 17 km

Maximum altitude of Japfu Peak Trek: 3048m above sea level

Difficulty level of Japfu Peak Trek: Easy to Moderate

Best season for Japfu Peak Trek: October to February

Kali Cho Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh

One of the most daunting and challenging treks in India, the Kali Cho pass trek is a true and rare gem. Only three batches are allowed each year to take upon this trek and they have to complete the trek within the given timeframe strictly which makes it one of the most thrilling offbeat treks in India for the trekkers. This trek is definitely a lifetime experience and as it is a hard one, you should have a prior trekking experience or a trekking expert along with you.

Route of Kali Cho Pass Trek: Dalhousie – Bharmour – Badgram – Bhadra – Leundi – Bansar Goth – Alyas – Kali Cho pass – Alyas – Trilokinath – Udaipur – Keylong

Duration of Kali Cho Pass: 6 to 7 days

Length of Kali Cho Pass trek from Dalhousie to Keylong: Approximately 299kms

Maximum altitude of Kali Cho Pass Trek: 4950m above sea level

Difficulty level of Kali Cho Pass Trek: Difficult

Best season for Kali Cho Pass Trek: Late July to Early September

Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh

Described as the paradise for every mountain lover, the Hampta pass trek is one of the most unforeseeable offbeat treks in India as you will be able to witness the change in scenery in almost every hour. From walking along the riverside to being in lush green meadows or walking beside a snow line you will never be able to guess what the Hampta pass trek holds for you. And if you’re lucky enough in weather terms you might get to see the enchanting Chandratal Lake.

Route of Hampta Pass Trek: Manali – Jobra – Jwara – Balu ka ghera – Hampta pass – Shea Goru – Chatru – Manali

Duration of Hampta Pass Trek: 6 days

Length of Hampta Pass Trek: 25 km

Maximum altitude of Hampta Pass Trek: 4270m above sea level

Difficulty level of Hampta Pass Trek: Easy to Moderate

Best season for Hampta Pass Trek: Mid-June to October

Kashmir Great Lakes Trek, Jammu and Kashmir

The undoubted crown holder of the prettiest trek in India, the Kashmir Great Lakes trek takes you through the five lofty lakes. You don’t get to witness the beauty of nature in its purest form and full glory every day. The still untouched beauty of the KGL trek will soak you in tranquility making it one of the best offbeat treks.

Route of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Sonmarg – Nichnai – Vishnusar Lake – Kishnasar Lake – Gadsar pass – Gadsar – Satsar – Gangabal twin lakes – Narang

Duration of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: 6 to 7 days

Length of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: 65 km

Maximum altitude of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: 4300m above sea level

Difficulty level of Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: Moderate

Best season for Kashmir Great Lakes Trek: July to September

Roopkund Trek, Uttarakhand

One of the lesser-known treks, Roopkund trek is one of the most mysterious offbeat treks in India. Roopkund is also called the skeleton lake or mysterious lake because of the skeletons of people found in and around the lake once the lakes unfreeze, the lake remains frozen for most of the year. The Roopkund trek is not just known for adventure but also for thrill-seekers and spiritual beliefs.

Route of Roopkund Trek: Lohajung – Didna – Bedni Bugyal – Patar Nachuni – Baguabasa – Roopkund – Baguabasa – Patar Nachuni – Wan – Lohajung

Duration of Roopkund Trek: 8 to 9 days

Length of Roopkund Trek: Approximately 53 km

Maximum altitude of Roopkund Trek: 4536m above sea level

Difficulty level of Roopkund Trek: Moderate to Difficult

Best Season for Roopkund Trek: April to June, September to October

Chadar Trek, Ladakh

Once untouched but now one of the most popular and challenging offbeat treks in India because of the extreme conditions of -30 °C to -40 °C, the Chadar trek allows you to walk on a thick blanket meaning Chadar of ice on the frozen Zanskar river. Chadar trek will literally test your physical and mental strength along with offering you the surreal beauty of the icy world, frozen waterfalls, the muted sound of waters, and a lot more but the sense of accomplishment at the end will be out of the world.

Route of Chadar Trek: Leh – Shingra Koma – Tsomo Paldar – Tibb Cave – Nerak – Tibb Cave – Shingra Koma – Leh

Duration of Chadar Trek: 10 to 11 days

Length of Chadar Trek: 75 km

Maximum altitude of Chadar Trek: 3391m above sea level

Difficulty level of Chadar Trek: Very difficult

Best season for Chadar Trek: January to February

Phugtal Monastery Trek, Ladakh

One of the lesser-known offbeat treks, the Phugtal Monastery Trek is a must-do trek. As the saying goes “All’s Well That End’s Well”, in this case, the end of the trek, the 15th-century divinity bliss Phugtal Monastery built around a natural cave is no less than paradise which can only be reached by foot which will make your trek worth each and everything.

Route of Phugtal Monastery Trek: Padum – Raru – Ichar – Anmu – Chah – Phugtal Monastery – Purne – Anmu – Icher – Raru – Padum

Duration of Phugtal Monastery Trek: 7 to 8 days

Length of Phugtal Monastery Trek: Approximately 65 km

Maximum altitude of Phugtal Monastery Trek: 4200m above sea level

Difficulty level of Phugtal Monastery Trek: Moderate

Best season for Phugtal Monastery Trek: June to September

Valley Of Flowers Trek, Uttarakhand

Trekking to the Valley of Flowers is no less than trekking in a dreamland with magical rains, colourful blossoms of flowers, butterflies, birds, and rare species of animals like musk deer. If that didn’t convince you yet then let me tell you the whole valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site which makes the valley of flowers trek one of the most beautiful and dreamy offbeat treks in India.

Route of Valley Of Flowers Trek: Govindghat – Ghangaria – Valley of flowers – Ghangaria – Hemkund Sahib – Ghangaria – Govindghat

Duration of Valley Of Flowers Trek: 7 days

Length of Valley Of Flowers Trek: 38 km

Maximum altitude of Valley Of Flowers Trek: 3858m above sea level

Difficulty level of Valley Of Flowers Trek: Easy to Moderate

Best season for Valley Of Flowers Trek: July to September

Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek, Uttarakhand

The closest anyone can get to the Majestic 2nd highest peak in India and 23rd highest peak in the world Nanda Devi, is by reaching the Nanda Devi east base camp. After the Nanda Devi Wildlife Sanctuary closed down this one of the best offbeat treks remains the only hope of anyone to get a glance of the alluring Himalayan Peak.

Route of Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: Munsiyari – Lilam – Bogudiar – Rilkot – Ghanghar – Panchu glacier – Nanda Devi base camp – Panchu glacier – Martoli – Rargari – Munsiyari

Duration of Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: 9 to 12 days

Length of Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: 60 km

Maximum altitude of Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: 4000m above sea level

Difficulty level of Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: Difficult

Best season for Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek: May to June, September to October

Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek, Sikkim

Another one of those off-limit peaks, the closest of which you can reach, is by one of the most popular offbeat treks in India, the Kanchenjunga base camp trek. Kanchenjunga is the 3rd highest peak in the world and is considered the prettiest peak. It is a lifetime experience to watch it up close and to add to your trek are the little Monasteries and Gompas on your way.

Route of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: Biratnagar – Suketar – Mitlung – Phurumba – Chhirwa – Sekathum – Gyabla – Ghunsa – Khambachen – Lhonak – Pangpema – Ghunsa – Selele – Tseram – Tseram – Ramche – Yalung base camp – Ramche – Tseram – Tortong – Yamphudin – Memankhe – Keshwa – Lalikharka – Suketar

Duration of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: 26 to 28 days

Length of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: 220 km

Maximum altitude of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: 5143m above sea level

Difficulty level of Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: Extremely difficult

Best season for Kanchenjunga Base Camp Trek: April to June, September to November

So which high are you going to attain?

FAQs

What is the highest peak in India?

Kanchenjunga is the highest peak at an elevation of 8586m above sea level.

Which is the best winter trek in India?

The Chadar trek is the best and the most exciting winter trek in India.

Which is the most difficult trek in India?

There are a few challenging treks in India as follows
1. Chadar trek
2. Kanchenjunga base camp trek
3. Nanda Devi east base camp trek
4. Auden’s Col trek
5. Pin Parvati pass trek

How many tourists visit the Indian mountains?

There is no particular number of tourists visiting mountains but people visit mountains because of the scenic beauty, serenity, calmness, and peace they get there.