Two Easy-Moderate Grade Treks To Do In North India

 North India with its rich geographic diversity, rightly serves as a hub for various trekking expeditions. From easy 1 day treks to, week-long moderate grade treks and further to longer adventurous and challenging treks, the North Indian states have innumerable itineraries to help you jump into the wild. While it can be thrilling to choose from a wide range of trekking expeditions it can also be intimidating and taxing to narrow down the infinite options available out there.

Especially as a newbie in the trekking world, selecting an interesting trek can 0prove to be quite a task; you sure do not want to invest a lot of money in a trek that may not turn out to be as satisfying as you imagined it to be. So allow us to sort this for you. If you are a trekking enthusiast who has recently ventured into the world of trekking, the Brahmatal Trek in Uttarakhand and the Sham Valley trek in Ladakh can be ideal considerations to further leap into trekking setups.

BRAHMATAL TREK

Encapsulated by the exotic Garhwal Himalayas of the state of Uttarakhand; the Brahma-Tal (Lake) is an emerald green lake found to be frozen during winters and reflecting the lush green surrounding during summers. Nestled at an approximate altitude of 10,550 ft, the trek to Brahmatal makes for a joyous, easy-moderate grade trekking journey ideal for beginners.

The enticing sceneries offered during the entire trek starting from the mystic city of Rishikesh to the stirring village of Wan makes the Brahmatal Trek a staggering expedition and a must-do trek for all trekking enthusiasts.

The exquisite and pretty city of Rishikesh makes for an apt starting point for the trek to Brahmatal. It is the easiest accessible city for this trek that also remains as a gateway to the Garhwal Himalayas. The trek to Brahmatal starts with a pleasant drive from Rishikesh to Lohajung which lasts for roughly 10 hours. You will be thrilled to drive past the exotic Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Karanprayag to ultimately reach Lohajung, distanced approximately 250 kms away from Rishikesh. Roughly 6 kms away from Lohajung lies the serene and still Bekaltal, perched at an altitude of 9,700 ft. The trek from Lohajung to Bekaltal is refreshing and uniquely mystifying in that it offers a dreamy confluence of two mountain rivers and requires you to trek past a few remote villages as well as a few batches of dense forests.

Since most trails along this stretch are well pathed and not so steep, trekking from Lohajung to Bekaltal remains moderately easy and interesting. In most scenarios circled around lakes, camping is done a few meters away from the waterbody to avoid any inconveniences. Relish the peace-bringing sceneries around and hike up to Bekaltal for a short visit.

Next up, is the most sought after trek of the entire expedition. Approximately 7 kms away from the campsite at Bekaltal lies the divine and glorious Brahmatal. You will traverse dense thickets of Oak and Rhododendrons that will unfold into the vast and snow-smeared Telandi meadow. As you trek over thick sheets of the fresh powdery snow-laden meadow and gradually gain height, the mighty and mystifying Greater Himalayas will tend to become more and more apparent. You may even be able to spot the fierce and giant peaks of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti.

Further, a gradual and decent descent will lead you to the low-lying, pristine and enchanting Brahmatal. As you descend you will be able to catch glimpses of the robust and admirable Almora and Nainital peaks with peaks of Nanda Ghunti and Trishul in the backdrop, lying in all their relentless glory.

Tilbudi which lies roughly 7 kms away from Brahmatal is to be reached next. You will be elevating to the highest altitude of the entire expedition, today. To reach Tilbudi, you will traverse the Brahmatal Pass perched at a height of 12,200 ft. Retracing yesterday’s trail, you will trek to Brahmatal to spend a few more moments by the lake after which you will trek all the way up to the Brahmatal Pass to further descend to Tilbudi.

The trek from Brahmatal to Brahmatal Pass can be a little taxing with many not-so gradual ascents. However, the views that you will unruffle at the top will truly be other-worldly and remarkably beautiful. The exotic, picturesque views of Mt Nanda Ghunti, Mt Trishul, the Himalayan Range, and peaks of Haukhamba, Neelkanth,, Nilgiri etc will remain etched on your hearts for a really long time. After admiring the blissful wilderness, gradually trek down to Tilbudi located at a height of 11,250 ft.

A trek to Lohajung via Wan will remain next on the plan. You will trek past forests of Oak and Rhododendrons to enter the secluded and quaint village of Wan; the last village on the trek. An interesting drive from Wan to Lohajung will further take you to the mainland, farther away from the enticing wilderness.

Another 10 hour long drive from Lohajung to Rishikesh will mark the end of this exciting, refreshing and intriguing Brahmatal Trek.

SHAM VALLEY TREK

Nestled in the Sham region of lower Ladakh, the Sham Valley Trek also known as the Baby Trek of Ladakh is an easy, rewarding and slightly offbeat trekking expedition that spans over 5 days covering a distance of approximately 32 kms and elevating you to an altitude of roughly 12,715 ft. The Sham Valley Trek leads you to explore the quaint and remote Ladakhi villages. Most trails along this trek are well pathed, flattened or evened out making it ideal for beginners and even batches of families.

The trek begins at Leh which already lies roughly at an altitude of 11,500 ft. Upon your arrival at Leh, use the remaining day to acclimatize to the immediately increased elevations. It is best to rest and allow your body to adapt to the stark change in its surroundings, however you can hike a little here and there to steal glimpses of the exotic and admirable Ladakh. Approximately 58 kms away from Ladakh is Likir situated at a height of roughly 11,745 ft which is to be reached next. An hour of swift drive from Leh will lead you to Likir; the actual starting point of the trek. Distanced approximately 10 kms away from Likir is the enticing village of Yangthang perched at a height of 12,073 ft which is the final destination to be reached on the second day. The trail from Likir to Yangthang will take you past a couple of remote ladakhi villages and two high mountain passes.

You will first trek towards Phobe La, located at an altitude of 11,745 ft and then head towards the beautiful Sumdo village. A steep climb from Sumdo village will lead you to the enthralling Chagatse La located at an altitude of roughly 12,172 ft. A gradual descent from Chagatse La will finally lead you to the mesmerizing village of Yangthang. Just an hour away from the village of Yangthang lies the interesting Ridzong Monastery which you can visit if time permits. Hemis Shukpachan, distanced 10 kms away from Yangthang village, remains next on the itinerary. You will trek via Tsermangchan La perched at a height of 12,715 ft to reach Hemis Shukpachan. The trail from Yangthang to Tsermangchan La and further to Hemis Shukpachan is easy, evened out with gradual ascents and descents. A breezing climb to Tsermangchan La will offer you wholesome, panoramic views of the valley. Relish the unfiltered, natural beauty of the landscapes before you and gradually descend to reach Hemis Shukpachan. Hemis Shukpachan is a rousing, serene and transfixing village with many meandering streams all around.

Temisgam village of the Khasi district of Ladakh is to be reached next. You will trek past the Mebtak La Pass perched at an altitude of 12,467 ft to reach the fascinating village of Temisgam. The trek from Hemis Shukpachan to Temisgam spans over 12 kms with the trail traversing several landmarks to lead you to Temisgam. The route between Hemis Shukpachan and Temisgam is refreshing, vibrant and interesting with many fluttering prayer flags, aesthetic villages and fields of barley and apricots entering and exiting the frames. Temisgam, lying at a height of 10,597 ft, remains the last stop on the itinerary. A final drive from Temisgam to Leh will wrap up the fun-filled Sham Valley Trek and bring your expedition to a soul-filling end.