They say optimists see rainbows when they see the rain, but trekkers chase these rainbows at the first pitter patter of raindrops. A walk in the rainshower with a song in your heart, the heady wet verdant nature cocooning you and spurring you to strengthen your connection with it, is what a monsoon trek is all about! If you have never experienced this feeling, it is time to plan for one now.
Some may be hesitant to go out in the rain and get wet. Still, a monsoon trek immerses the senses in the breathtakingly beautiful views of the most vividly bright green hills during the rainy season, with dense green woodlands, verdant grasslands and joyously gushing water at every turn. The best part is that the treks seem much less tiresome in the monsoon than in any other weather.
India’s mighty Sahyadri ranges and the Himalayan ranges give the best monsoon trekking experiences. Though the nature of both varies, you will still be enraptured by the immense beauty of these places that will surely nourish your spirit.
Some may be hesitant to go out in the rain and get wet. Still, a monsoon trek immerses the senses in the breathtakingly beautiful views of the most vividly bright green hills during the rainy season, with dense green woodlands, verdant grasslands and joyously gushing water at every turn. The best part is that the treks seem much less tiresome in the monsoon than in any other weather.
The best monsoon treks can be experienced in India’s mighty Sahyadri ranges and the Himalayan ranges. Though the nature of both varies, you will still be enraptured by the immense beauty of these places that is sure to nourish your spirit.
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Monsoon Trek Preparation
As preparation for the monsoon trek, the general rule of thumb is to carry things that are waterproof like a rain jacket & rain cover, quick-drying clothes, & a lightweight backpack with energy bars, a water bottle, a basic medical kit, a trekking stick, torch, and comfortable clothing like a t-shirt and trekking pants. Most importantly, you will need good, ankle-length trekking boots that can give you a firm grip on slippery grounds. You need to prepare better for the Himalayan treks that are usually for a longer duration and will require a thermal and a warm waterproof jacket and excellent quality shoes for a great grip and to protect yourself from cold.
In the Rain, Don’t Throw Caution to the Wind
Usually, it is best to not venture out on your own for such treks, and it is advisable to engage a reputed travel agency or go with a group organized by experienced trekkers who know the way around and can help as guides on the way.
Best Monsoon Treks in India
If you are wondering which treks are enjoyable during the monsoon in India, here is a list that you can choose from based on your age, health, trekking experience level, time availability and some other factors. It is best to start with easy treks and then move on to longer, more arduous treks. Research thoroughly about the place and then decide which of the treks is most suited for you.
1] Harishchandra Gad Trek, Maharashtra
Harishchandra Gad is a well-known ancient historical fort in the district of Ahmednagar and is a perfect place for you to visit for a weekend getaway trek. It is located in the picturesque Malshej Ghat, around 166 km from Pune and 218 km from Mumbai. Nature lovers visit this place to explore the fort built possibly in the 6th century and for the surrounding beauty. It even has several caves which were carved around the 11th century.
Trekkers love this place because the Harishchandragad trek has multiple routes. It has accessible routes for beginner-level trekking, moderate routes for an exciting trekking experience, and difficult routes for a challenging trekking experience. Each trek route has a different surprise, excitement, and thrill with views of surrounding mountains, lush greenery, and numerous waterfalls. As you walk along the scenic path in the monsoon rain, you can feel the refreshing air and hear the soft sounds of nature whispering in your ears to rejuvenate your mind and body.
The trek usually takes around 9 hours, and when you reach the pinnacle, experience the extraordinary scenic views and the spectacular Kokan Kada. You can see multiple mountains and stunning valleys from the top.
This place will surprise you, and you will have cherished memories of it for a lifetime.
⛰️Altitude: 4650 ft
??♂️Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
??♀️Distance: Approx. 2-3 km
?Trek Duration: 9 hr one way
?Best time to visit: August to February
2] Mullayanagiri Trek, Karnataka
A reasonably easy trek in Karnataka, Mullayanagiri is one of the most popular trekking destinations with the promise of spectacular scenery. If you want to see the Western Ghats come alive, go during the monsoon, which is from June to September. It is garbed in rich shades of green with a blanket of fog, making it look ethereal. Those looking to plan their Mullayanagiri Trek from Bangalore can take an overnight KSRTC bus from Bangalore to Chikmagalur or drive from Bangalore to Hassan, to Belur, and finally, reaching Chikmagalur. An alternate route is to go via Tumkur and then to Arsikere, Kadur and Chikmagalur.
However, if you want to push yourself, the Mullayanagiri Trek can be more challenging by venturing farther into Baba Budangiri Hills. It will give you an extra 10 kilometres or so of trekking.
⛰️Altitude: 6,330 feet
??♂️Difficulty level: Easy to moderate
??Distance: 3-4 kilometres
?Trek Duration: 3 hrs one way
?Best time to visit: September to February
3] Bhrigu Lake Trek, Himachal Pradesh
Bhrigu Lake near Manali has an intriguing mythological reference and is named after the famous saint Maharishi Bhrigu. Maharishi Bhrigu sat in deep meditation here on its surrounding loveliest grasslands. In monsoon, these meadows sparkle with a lush beauty you may never want to return. The trek takes you through traditional villages with apple orchards and some of the most surreal meadows surrounded by pine forests, with unbelievable views of Hanuman Tibba & the Seven Sister peaks of the Pir Panjal range.
Unlike other treks in the Himalayas, where one has to often spend at least a day or two trekking within the tree line to enter an alpine meadow which usually starts at around 11000 feet, above the tree line, on the Bhrigu Lake trek, you are in the meadows within the first 10 minutes of this trek!
This beautiful trek route navigates through the charming Kullu valley, alpine meadows, forests of rhododendrons and oak trees, winding into mountain trails dotted with pretty wildflowers before you come to the astonishingly beautiful Bhrigu Lake. In June, when the weather is quite good & trek friendly, the combination of greenery and snow makes the trek even more appealing and fun. The best part is the trek does not take you through very remote and lonely stretches and is excellent for beginners.
During the day, the monsoon temperature of Bhrigu Lake is around 5°C to 13 °C, and during the night, the temperature drops to 5°C to -2 °C, which is not too bad. A trekking expedition of 3 days and 2 nights to Bhrigu Lake offers an excellent opportunity to lie in the lap of the Himalayas. If you wish to head off to the mountains for a long weekend, the beautiful Brighu Lake trek is a great option and is not too far from Delhi.
Note: It can get rigorous for the first-timers due to the rapid gain in altitude. So, maintain good physical stamina and read extensively before opting for this trek.
⛰️Altitude: 14100 ft
??♂️Trek Difficulty: Moderate to Difficult
??♀️Distance: 26 Km
?Trek Duration: 3 Nights & 4 Days from Manali to Manali
?Best time to visit: June to September
4] Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand
For people who fantasize about walking through a meadow of flowers spread over miles, the Valley of Flowers trek is for you where the name says it all! Now just picture this beautiful place in monsoon with flowers in full bloom amidst the mountains and fog. Is it not a picture of paradise?
The Valley of Flowers trek is one of India’s most popular treks in the Himalayas and one of India’s oldest known treks. In 1980, the Indian Government declared the region the Valley of Flowers National Park. And in 2002, UNESCO recognized it as a World Heritage Site, making this place famous worldwide.
This popular trek is rated as moderate because trekking days are slightly long. On the Valley of Flowers Trek, you trek 38 km and climb up to an altitude of 14,107 ft. This is spread over four days where you walk for around 6 hours and ascend 2000 ft on an average every day. Also, there is every chance you could be hit by acute mountain sickness (AMS) on any of these days, especially while travelling to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. A steep ascent to Hemkund Sahib will challenge your endurance, so prepare well for this trek.
The gates to Valley of Flowers open at the beginning of June. But the best time to visit is between July and September. The trek experience is different each month. Peak flowering season starts after mid-July; it is in full bloom the first 15 days of August, and in September, the flowers are wilted, but there is a rise in pilgrims.
Note: Day Time Temperature: Between 10 °C to 18 °C, based on precipitation and cloud cover.
Night Time Temperature: At night, the temperature drops to almost 3 °C to 5 °C.
⛰️Altitude: 14107 ft
??♂️Difficulty level: Moderate to Difficult
??Distance: 3-4 kilometres
?Trek Duration: Rishikesh to Rishikesh in 6 days
?Best time to visit: July to September
5] Hampta Pass Trek, Himachal Pradesh
Hampta Pass is truly a special pass, as it climbs out of the lush green valleys of Kullu to an overhang high up in the mountains. As you stand on this overhang, it feels like a magical window has opened to another world, to the deserts of Lahaul in one broad panoramic sweep!
One of the most popular ones in India, the Hampta Pass trek is a beautiful and moderate-level trek in the Himachal near Manali valley. The best time to trek to Hampta Pass is from mid-June to mid-October, when there are high chances to witness some snow on the high passes in the early days of the season, and then it melts down entirely by August. One can expect rain during the monsoons in Kullu-Manali valley, but the sun will shine bright in Spiti.
Hikers consider July and August the excellent season to go here because of the flowers, river crossing, and a bit of snow, but the best of it all is the rain in the Manali Valley which takes the pleasure of trekking a few notches higher because of the superb weather and temperature.
Note: Monsoon Temperature: Day 5°C to 12°C & Night 2° C to 8° C.
⛰️Altitude: 11900 ft
??♂️Trek Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
??♀️Distance: 29 km
?Trek Duration: 4 Nights & 5 Days from Manali to Manali
?Best time to visit: Mid-June to Mid-October
6] Stok Kangri Trek, Ladakh
If you wish to experience Leh Ladakh and go trekking there, Stok Kangri will be the right choice for you. Stok Kangri peak has become popular in the past few years and is considered the top expedition trek in Leh & Ladakh, with lofty peaks and deserted landscapes. This is not a simple trek and is not for beginners. Therefore, it needs quite a bit of preparation regarding physical fitness, endurance and practice to truly enjoy the trudge in the tranquil environment of the cold desert and beautiful ridges. Also, acclimatization is the key to a successful and pleasurable trek. The views from the summit are simply breathtaking and worthy of the steep climb. After traversing the glaciers, steep slopes and last summit ridge, you come across expansive surroundings and the best views of Karakoram Range, Zanskar and Sansker Kangri.
The best time to trek Stok Kangri is from June to September, when the weather is clear and you can expect views from the summit. The place is usually dry in these months, with bursts of rains in July and August. The nearest station to Stok Kangri is in Leh and can be reached from Delhi by air or from Manali or Srinagar by road.
⛰️Altitude: 20185 ft
??♂️Difficulty level: Difficult
??Distance: 57 km
?Trek Duration: 7 Nights 8 Days Leh to Leh
?Best time to visit: May to mid-October
7] Triund Trek, Himachal Pradesh
The Triund Trek near Mcleodganj is one of the shortest and easiest Himalayan treks, with spectacular scenery and a picturesque view of the snow-covered Dhauladhar ranges and Kangra valley. The trail in this trek is short and covered with rhododendron and oak trees. Multiple bird species can also be spotted in the region, making it a fantastic experience for bird lovers.
A two days short trek can quickly be done on the weekend. Since many of us barely get time to travel, explore new places and go on adventurous trips amidst nature, a thrilling monsoon getaway on a Triund trek allows us to explore the beauty and calmness of the Himalayas. This is a 4-hour trek to the top, approximately 7 km from McLeodganj’s city centre. A Triund trek in August shouldn’t be missed. Although the roads may be slippery and muddy, the magnificent views of the snowy Dhauladhar range and lush Kangra Valley compensate for the discomfort and effort.
For the overnight stay, booking a room in the Forest Guest House is advisable, for which bookings need to be done from the registered office in Dharamshala. Carry a light backpack with not too many items as the road is muddy & slippery. Also, carrying a stick to stay firm on the ground would be a good idea.
The last stretch of the Triund trek can seem challenging as it is quite steep. It tests your stamina throughout the way, but as a tradeoff, you will have fantastic views of the snow-capped mountain range and lush valleys, which look even greener during the monsoon season. You can even catch a glimpse of the Dharamshala Cricket Ground.
⛰️Altitude: 9350 ft
??♂️Trek Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
??♀️Distance: 14 km
?Trek Duration: 1 Nights & 2 Days from Mcleodganj to Mcleodganj
?Best time to visit: March to December
8] Chembra Peak Trek, Kerala
A tropical trek in the monsoons in the Western Ghats, one of the hottest bio-diversity hotspots in the world, is like a road to heaven. Such a trek route is the best way to relax one’s soul amidst a landscape that is dressed in fresh green. Such a destination is Chembra Peak, the highest peak in the district of Wayanad in Kerala. The best season to do the Chembra Peak trek is from September to February when the heart-shaped lake here is surrounded by lush green grass, and walks amidst the green tea plantations are just amazing.
It is located 8 km south of Kalpetta and near the town of Meppadi, from where one can start the trek. There is a forest office on the way from where you need to take permission from the South Wayanad Forest Department, which grants permission and provides a guide.
The trekking to the highest point of Chembra Peak is not allowed now due to the wildlife activity on the trail. However, trekking to the heart-shaped lake 1.5 km below Chembra Peak is the biggest attraction. The trek to this heart-shaped lake takes around two and a half hours, starting from the tea plantations, entering a thick forest and later passing through an overgrown grassland. Trekking to the peak from the heart-shaped lake is not advisable in monsoon as it gets very slippery.
Kalpetta is where you can find a few decent lodges to freshen up in the morning or stay after your trek. Camping at Chembra peak is not permitted.
⛰️Altitude: 6890 ft
??♂️Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
??Distance: 4.5 km
?Trek Duration: 1 Night & 2 Days Meppadi to Meppadi
?Best time to visit: May to mid-October
9] Hukyachi Khadi, Goa
If you love Goa, then it is time to experience the other side of Goa sans the beaches. Explore and be enthralled by Goa’s natural beauty during the monsoons with the exciting Monsoon Trekking Expedition to the hinterlands of Goa which are picturesque and breathtakingly panoramic. They offer a soothing experience and are highly rejuvenating.
The Goa Tourism Development Corporation Limited (GTDC) organizes a day-long trekking expedition to Hukyachi Khadi. Hukyachi Khadi is a small seasonal cascade near Kumthal village, which is bursting rich with Goa’s biodiversity, 10 km off Valpoi in Sattari taluka, Goa.
This trek is organized only on Sundays and covers a distance of 5 km. It will take you through rubber plantations, semi forests, running rivulets and lush greenery and be a refreshing sojourn. Transport arrangements are made from Paryatan Bhavan, Patto at 9 am, Margao at 8 am, and Mapusa at 8 am.
⛰️Altitude: 2625 ft
??♂️Trek Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
??♀️Distance: 5 km
?Trek Duration: 1 Day
?Best time to visit: June to September
10] Rajmachi Trek, Maharashtra
How can you refuse a trek that offers bountiful nature at its peak in monsoon and the thrill of climbing steep paths, exploring caves, and camping at a historical fort? Rajmachi Trek is such a trek that it is located between the two most popular hill stations of Maharashtra, Lonavala and Karjat. The Rajmachi fort consists of two forts, Shrivardhan and Manaranjan fort. This can easily be classified as the ‘perfect for all’ monsoon trek in India that’s nestled in the rugged Sahyadri ranges with spectacular views of Konkan plains, backwaters of Shirota Dam, rushing waterfalls, and green valleys.
Camping in Rajmachi is an excellent idea, especially because of the long trek. Rajmachi Rural Aid and Development Programme (NGO) has two dormitories that provide camping accommodation facilities for trekkers at a nominal charge.
⛰️Altitude: 2,750 ft
??♂️Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate
??Distance: 16 km
?Trek Duration: 1 Night & 2 Days
?Best time to visit: June to February
When life gives you a rainy day, go trekking!
The monsoon in India gives one of the best natural vistas, with the rivers flowing with full gusto, mountains are alive and bejewelled with sparking waterfalls, magnificent lakes, lush green meadows & trees and beautiful flowers. And do remember to carry a bag to carry back the waste as it is important to keep these places as pristine for others as we found them. Don’t you agree?
So, do not waste another moment of this wonderful season; make the most of it by indulging in this wet fest of a trek. And oh, for any travel & holiday related bookings visit Aertrip.
