Trekking in Indian Himalaya

Traversing on foot, the most expansive adventure playground amidst the youngest mountain system in the world is like living a dream that you would not like to wake up from. You can trek for one day or one month; backpack all your gear and wonder off in the wilderness or stroll comfortably with just a shoulder bag, water bottle and camera whilst animals transport your camping gear, heavy baggage and logistic loads. You may set a challenging pace and go over difficult grades and high passes or just amble along, enjoying the wild flowers, magnificent scenery, uncomplicated lives of people staying close to nature, stopping when you please, chatting with your companions, forging new relationships and hoarding a fund of fascinating memories to cherish.

The Indian Himalayas - The arc-shaped Himalaya extend along the entire northern boundary of India and carve just as far across the Indian subcontinent as they do deeply into the life around them. The term "Himalaya" - a Sanskrit word meaning "the Abode of Snow" was coined by the Indian pilgrims who traveled in these mountains in ancient times. For centuries, the inhabitants of India have been fascinated by this mountain chain. The feeling is a mixture of admiration, awe and fear; and for the Hindus of India, the Himalayas are also "the Abode of God". There are numerous pilgrim routes that have brought the Hindu pilgrims to these mountains since time immemorial.

The Indian Himalayas cover a vast area along the northern frontiers of the country and span a few Indian States from west to east. For the mountain people living in these states, the Himalayas continue to be the predominant factor in their lives. Having acted as a natural and political barrier for centuries, the Himalayas have isolated a number of communities, cultures and customs. A great variety of tribes and cultures have developed in the Indian Himalayas. This has been aided by the fact that the mountain people have mostly lived in valleys isolated from the rest of the world, with entry and exit points lying over high mountain passes. As a result, they have been able to develop their own distinct cultures and traditions.

More than a third of the Himalayas lie in India, spanning the entire northern stretch of the sub-continent - an astonishing arc nearly 3,200 kilometers long. Within this mass of peaks and valleys are some of the country’s most beautiful areas. Offering some of the finest trekking and mountaineering challenges, the Indian Himalayas are a hot spot among climbers and trekkers throughout the world. Specially those who get to know that Himalaya exists in India as well and not just in Nepal. Since most of India's northern boundary lies in these mountains, many areas close to the international borders have been declared off-limits for tourists, especially for foreigners. Territorial disputes and trouble caused by militants are other reasons why access to some parts of the Indian Himalayas is restricted. But these areas are few and there are more areas of the Himalaya open to trekking than ever before and yes even for foreigners.

However, those parts that are accessible offer some spectacular terrain: high mountain ranges; deep valleys; a fantastic variety of vegetation ranging from dense tropical forests of the lower foothills to alpine and sub-alpine vegetation in the higher reaches and from the rain forests of the east to the desert vegetation in the barren Trans Himalayas. For the visitors to the region, there are fantastic trekking and mountaineering opportunities, some breathtaking journeys along some of the highest roads in the world, and a glimpse of the life that thrives in the heart of the highest mountain range on earth.

With Questrails you can be rest assured that complete logistics for any trek you undertake are taken care of in fine detail. We choose our guides and escorts from the best resource pool of local talent who know the area to the finest intricate detail. A cook accompanies all treks to ensure freshly cooked meals at all times. Ponies and porters are organised on more demanding and challenging treks. Stopovers are planned keeping in mind the availability of scenic camping sites, water and sanitation arrangements. Wherever possible government and forest rest houses are also used.

Broadly speaking Uttaranchal, Himachal, Leh, Laddakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and Darjeeling make up for most of the treks we offer.  Detailed itineraries are made available only on request.