16 Best Monsoon Treks In India To Consider In 2024 

So, you have decided to venture on a trek this monsoon season. And now looking for the best monsoon treks in India you can consider. Right?

If yes, you are in the right place. 

I have done many treks in monsoon including Tarsar Marsar Trek and Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. It’s a thrilling adventure and a lifetime experience you can’t get in another season. 

Therefore, as you have decided to do monsoon trekking in india, I have curated a list of the 16 best monsoon treks in India for you. After going through this list, you will know every monsoon trek in detail, which makes it easier for you to choose the best one for your needs.

1. Valley Of Flowers Trek in Uttarakhand 

Top on the list of best monsoon treks in India is the Valley Of Flowers trek, one of the oldest and most famous monsoon trek in India. Wondering why it’s named so? This is because more than 500 species of flowers bloom in abundance during the monsoon months. 

Watching these flowers blooming in a lush green valley is an experience beyond words. This is why Valley Of Flowers has been listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. 

Nevertheless, to reach this valley, you must trek for at least two days from Govindghat in Joshimath. Joshimath is the base for this trek, where you can find many guest houses, hotels, and homestays. 

The itinerary for this trek follows: 

After day 3, you can either decide to return to Joshimath or trek to Hemkund Sahib, which is parallel to the Valley of Flowers. 

I advise you to visit Hemkund Sahib because you have already travelled far from home and spent a lot of money, so why miss another natural gem? 

After visiting Hemkund Sahib, return to Ghangaria and, on day 5, return to Joshimath. 

The trail throughout the trek is well laid out and has a few steep sections that can test your endurance and muscle strength. However, the scenic views around compensate for the hard work. 

Continuing on this trail, as you reach the Valley of Flowers, you are mesmerised by the picturesque views. In front of you is an ultrawide, lush green valley with various colourful flowers. In addition, you come across numerous waterfalls and small water streams running down the valley while trekking. 

Such is the beauty of the Valley of Flowers. But there is a catch! The flowers in the valley don’t bloom throughout the monsoon season. Hence, you must time your visit perfectly to see the valley full of flowers. 

So, what is the best time to do the Valley of Flowers trek? It’s from the last week of July to the second week of August. Want to know why? Read this- Best Time To Visit Valley Of Flowers Trek 

2. Tarsar Marsar Trek in Kashmir 

The Tarsar Marsar trek came to the limelight in 2015 and has since become one of the best monsoon treks in India. The main reason for its popularity is its beauty. Arguably, the Tarsar Marsar trek is among the prettiest treks in India. Every year, trekkers fly to this destination in huge numbers. 

The Tarsar Marsar Trek is located in the picturesque valley of Kashmir and can be done in 7 days. During the trek, you visit three beautiful lakes: Tarsar, Marsar, and Sundarsar. All three lakes are stunning and have distinctive features. 

On the third day of the trek, you visit Tarsar Lake, a stunning 1 km-long lake surrounded by peaks on three sides. You camp on the fourth side of this lake, from where the water flows down into the valley. Camping beside such a lake is an amazing experience you rarely get on a trek. 

Trekking further from Tarsar Lake, you reach Sundarsar Lake. It is a small lake with peaks on all four sides. You have the opportunity to camp on the side of this scenic lake. The lake shines in its greenish colour and boasts a spellbinding view of the sky during the night. 

Moving on from Sundarsar, you visit Marsar Lake, the biggest of the three lakes. It is a massive lake with an Almond shape. Viewing such a massive lake from a distance is a sheer pleasure. 

Apart from the lakes, the major attractions on the Tarsar Marsar Trek are the Lidderwat campsite and the Aru valley.  

The best time to do the Tarsar Marsar trek is from early July to early September, and the itinerary is followed as follows:

3. Kashmir Great Lakes Trek in Kashmir 

Another best monsoon trek in India is the Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. The trek is a stunning replica of Kashmir’s beauty and hosts more than seven stunning lakes. It is named so because of the different lakes.

All the lakes on Kashmir grate lakes treks are magnificent, leaving you amazed. 

The major lakes you come across on this trek are Vishnusar Lake, Kishansar Lake, Yamsar Lake, Gadsar Lake, Satsar Lake (seven lakes), Gangbal Lake and Nandkol Lake. During the trek, you mostly camp beside or near the lake. 

Another major attraction on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is the picturesque meadows of Kashmir. During your monsoon trek, you will find lush green meadows that are vibrant with flowers and sheep grazing around. It’s a site to behold. 

Throughout the trek, you camp on these beautiful open meadows, with water streams flowing beside. These water streams are host to Trout fish, which you mostly find on this trek. You can try fishing and enjoy them in your dinner. 

Another thrilling part of the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is the Indian Army posts you encounter. These are mostly third-line defence posts from LOC. You can stop by these posts and interact with the army personnel. This lets you experience their life in the mud bunkers and appreciate their sacrifice for our safety. 

Although the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is full of natural beauty, it tests your endurance multiple times. The trek spans 8 days, and most of the days are long with challenging sections such as climbing to Gadsar Pass and Zaj Pass and the final trek from Gangbal Lake to Naranag. 

Therefore, you need to prepare well for the trek and make yourself physically and mentally fit. 

As the Kashmir Great Lakes trek is a bit strenuous, a buffer day is allotted to help you acclimatise better and give your body rest. The itinerary for this trek is followed as;

you can use the rest day any time, depending on your decision. Usually it is either taken after day 4 at Vishnusar campsite or after day 6 at Gangabal campsite. 

4. Pin Parvati Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh 

If you like to venture on challenging and long treks, the Pin Parvati Pass trek is for you. 

This cross-over trek takes you from lush green Parvati Valley in Manali to rugged Pin Valley in Spiti. Witnessing this transition while crossing the Pin Parvati Pass is a mesmerising experience as from the pass, you get to see two different worlds. 

Besides the transition you experience, the trek also offers you the opportunity to trek inside dense forests and on lush green meadows. 

The forest section starts from the base camp near Manali and continues until Kheerganga. It is a thrilling experience trekking inside these deodar and oak forests. Moving further from Kheerganga, the trek takes you to lush green alpine meadows, with views of massive waterfalls on the way. 

Trekking on this trail, you also come across pulley bridges, marshylands, gushing rivers, and shepherd huts. You even camp beside the rivers and cross numerous valleys. 

In addition, on the trek’s ending days, you can explore Buddhist villages and monasteries in Kaza, Spiti. 

So, if you want to do Pin Parvati Trek, one of the most challenging treks among the best monsoon treks in India, prepare well and set your mind for long hours and more days of trekking.

The usual itinerary for the Pin Parvati Trek is as follows; 

5. Markha Valley Trek in Ladakh 

Located in the arid desert of Lakadh, the Markha Valley trek is one of the few teahouse treks in India. It is known so because, throughout the trek, you stay in the village mud houses, where you get to experience Buddhist culture. You come across monasteries, find prying flags all around, and meet monks. 

The amazing thing about the villages of Markha Valley trek is the greenery. You are surprised to see such lush green villages amid the barren mountains of Ladakh. It is a sight to behold. 

As the trek is located in Hemis National Park, you cross numerous river streams, have a magnificent view of the mighty Kangyatse peak(21,300ft) and cross the Kongmaru La pass at 17,060 ft. In addition, you also get a glimpse of Stok Kangri Peaks (20086 ft). 

Besides all the adventure of trekking in the scenic valley of Ladakh, you also have the opportunity to explore the famous Leh town. In fact, you are supposed to stay in Leh for one day before the start of the trek to help your body acclimatise to high altitude and collect all the permissions for trekking. 

The acclamatization day is mandatory because Leh and most part of the Mrakha valley Trek are above 11000 ft. Sudden exposure to such high altitude can lead to Acute Mountain Sickness, which can cause serious illness or death if proper medication is not provided on time. 

Because of its high altitude and chilling temperature, Markha Valley is considered a moderate to difficult trek among the best monsoon treks in India. Therefore, it’s a must that you make yourself physically fit before planning to do the Mrakha Valley trek. 

The best time to do the Markha Valley trek is from May to September, and the most suitable itinerary is;

6. Hampta Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh

If you want an alternative to the Valley of Flowers trek, the Hampta Pass trek is the perfect option. This trek has a landscape similar to the Valley of Flowers, with wild flowers blooming all around. 

However, the Hampta Pass Trek is not just about flowers. It is a cross-over trek that takes you from the vibrant valleys of Kullu to the barren mountains of Lahahul (Spiti). Seeing the transition standing at Hampta Pass at 14000 ft is a lifetime experience. 

Venturing on the Hampta Pass trek is full of adventure. From day one, you walk on lush green grasslands, cross numerous water streams barefoot in knee-deep water, and camp beside the gushing water streams. 

In addition, you can climb Hampta Pass thrillingly while witnessing the transition in mountain scenery. During the trek, you can also explore the famous Chandratal Lake. 

The Hampta Pass trek is suitable for both beginners and experienced trekkers. Its difficulty level is moderate, and the number of days required to complete it is 5- 6 days, with the following itinerary. 

You can explore the Chandratal on day 6 or day 4. 

7. Beas Kund Trek in Himachal Pradesh 

Another picturesque trek on this list of the best monsoon treks in India is the Beas Kund Trek in Himachal Pradesh. This short trek near Manali is a perfect weekend escape during the monsoon. 

Beas Kund trek is full of lush green grasslands with a view of peaks like Hanuman Tibba, Friendship Peak, Shitidhar, and seven sisters. 

After two days of trekking from Manali, you reach the Beas Kund, which is the source of the Beas River. This lake has a mystical history. It is believed that the sage Maharshi Vyas, who wrote Mahabharata, had a daily bath in this lake. 

The Beas Kund sits between the towering Pir Panjal range and branches out into numerous streams and waterfalls down the valley. While trekking, you cross these numerous streams, offering a thrilling experience. 

The best thing about this trek is it can be done in just four days with the following itinerary;

8. Bhrigu Lake Trek in Himachal Pradesh

This is a short four-day trek near Manali, with one of the most scenic and lush green meadows. These verdant meadows are the heart of this trek, and you get to experience them after just 10 minutes of trekking. 

While traversing these alpine meadows, you will encounter wild horses and sheep grazing and wildflowers blooming in abundance. Standing in the midst of the meadow, you will have a magnificent view of the Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar mountains. 

Moving further on these meadows, you reach the sacred Bhrigu lake. It is believed that Maharishi Bhrigu meditated on the banks of this lake, purifying it. Due to this reason, camping is not allowed near the lake. 

Bhrigu Lake Trek is perfect for beginners and families during the monsoon months. You can follow the below itinerary to venture on one of the best monsoon treks in India. 

9. Pin Bhaba Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh

Pin Bhaba Pass trek is one of the highest pass-crossing treks in India. It takes you from the lush green valleys of the Bhaba Valley to the deserted Pin Valley in Spiti. Like the other cross-over treks, the transition is dramatic. 

Besides the transition, the trek is known for its pretty campsites, lush green meadows, gushing water streams, and dense forest. 

Your trek starts from the scenic Kafnu village in Shimla. From here, you trek inside the dense forest of pine, silver birch, and oak trees and reach the grasslands of Muling. You camp beside a river at Muling with a view of towering mountains in the backdrop. It is an amazing experience and a rare one on any trek. 

Further from here this adventurous trail makes you cross numerous challenging water stream and pass verdant meadows Karah and Phutsirang. These meadows are so beautiful that you can compare them with the meadows of Kashmir. 

After crossing the Pin Bhaba pass, you enter the Pin Valley, where you see a completely different landscape. The mountains have changed into barren ones with red and muddy colours. Down the valley, you can also spot the Pin River gushing through the valley. 

Nevertheless, the Pin Bhaba Pass trek is scenic and thrilling; don’t underestimate its difficulty level. It is because of the altitude gain on the trek, which is highest during the pass crossing 13,500 ft and long days of walking. 

The itinerary of the Pin Bhaba Pass trek you can follow is as follows;

10. Miyar Valley Trek in Himachal Pradesh

You hardly hear about treks in Lahual Valley, but the Miyar Valley trek became possible after the opening of the Atal tunnel in Himachal Pradesh. 

This rare trek in Lahual is different and will surprise you with its magnificent natural setting. You will be shocked to see lush green valleys, some full of flowers like the Himalayan blue poppy, in the midst of the brown rugged mountains of Lahaul. Trekking in these valleys is a mesmerising experience. 

Not only this but at the end of the trek, you reach the snout of Miyar Glacier, where you come across seven crystal clear blue ponds. These ponds are considered sacred in Buddhist culture. 

The striking fact about the Miyar Valley is its S-shaped landscape, which spans over 75 km and lies between the Zanskar Valley and Chamba. Trekking through this majestic valley, you also witness towering snow-clad peaks and massive waterfalls. 

Due to its rarity and untouched landscape, I have included the Miyar Valley trek in this list of the best monsoon treks in India. 

You can experience this majestic Miyar Valley with the below-mentioned itinerary;

11. Nafran Valley Trek in Kashmir 

This newly discovered trek among best monsoon treks in India is as scenic as the Kashmir Great Lakes and Tarsar Marsar Trek. 

The trek starts from the picturesque Aru valley and continues towards Nafran valley. During the trek, you come across numerous lush green meadows, gushing rivers and massive lakes. 

The meadows on this trek are so scenic that you fall in love with them. You even camp on these majestic meadows numerous times during the trek. Furthermore, you can also see Kolahoi glacier from a distance. 

In the later days of the trek, you get a chance to visit the turquoise lakes, Harnag and Harbhagwan. These massive lakes, similar to Tarsar and Masar Lake, are equally beautiful. 

The itinerary for this trek is as follows; 

12. Gurez Valley Trek In Kashmir

This recently discovered trek takes you to the northernmost part of India, Gurez Valley. Beyond this point, Pakistan starts. You can even spot the villages in Pakistan from a few points on the trek. 

Like other Kashmir treks, the Gurez Valley trek is scenic and takes you through verdant meadows and scattered pine forests. It also hosts two turquoise lakes, besides which you can camp. 

To reach Gurez Valley, you cross Razdan Pass, which significantly changes the landscape. It is a transition you cherish. 

The best time to do this trek is from July to August, and the itinerary can be followed as

13. Bodpathri Lakes Trek in Kashmir 

I would keep this trek as the top option in the list of best monsoon treks in India. The reasons are plenty. It is a scenic trek and the stunning landscape surprises you every day. 

The Bodpathri Lakes trek has everything you can imagine on a trek. It hosts four stunning valleys, six alpine lakes, vast and lush green meadows that spread long in all directions, dense coniferous forests, gushing water streams, and snow-clad peaks. 

In addition, you camp beside streams and lakes. You also experience the thrill of crossing a river. The beauty of this whole trek is incomparable. It is the true depiction of Kashmir’s beauty. 

To complete this trek, follow the below seven-day itinerary: 

14. Warwan Valley Trek in Kashmir

If you want to do a trek full of adventure, with drastic changes in the exquisite landscape, the Warwan Valley trek is for you. 

The trek starts from the barren, purplish desert of Ladakh and ends in the lush green valleys of Kashmir. The whole journey through this cross-over trail is thrilling and scenic. You cross massive desert valleys, camp on river deltas, walk through villages surrounded by lush green farmlands, and trek on meadows full of wildflowers. 

Not only this, but you also cross through a bracken glacier, which challenges your endurance and mental strength. This is a completely different experience; you rarely get on a trek. 

But remember, this trek is not meant for the faint-hearted; you must be an experienced trekker with a strong mind and body. It is because you trek 20 km daily and cross numerous morain sections. It truly tests your limits. 

The trek is a long one, and you follow the itinerary below;

15. Brammah Valley Trek in Jammu & Kashmir

Brammah Valley is the only trek in Kashmir where you walk along the river throughout your adventurous journey.  

From day one of the trek, you walk along the Nath River through lush green valleys and the river delta, which has towering mountains on the sides. It is a thrilling journey as you cross streams, walk on rustic old wooden bridges, and inside a dense coniferous forest. 

The whole Brammah Valley trek lies in the scenic Kishtwar National Park, where you encounter a variety of flora and fauna. In addition, you camp at the Nath River Delta with a significant view of towering peaks like Brammah and four Kishtwar peaks above 6000 meters. It is a rare experience. 

You also walk on large alpine meadows and high-altitude wetlands. Towards the end of the trek, you enter a Kashmiri village with tiny hamlets on the hillside. 

All in all, the Brahmah Valley trek is thrilling and offers an experience of one of the most scenic landscapes in Kashmir. Therefore, it can be a good option to include in your list of the best monsoon treks in India. 

The itinerary of the trek you can follow is; 

The best months to do the Brammah Valley trek are May, June, July, September, and October. 

16. Chandrakhani Pass Trek in Himachal Pradesh

Chandrakhani Pass trek route is one of the oldest and most trekked routes in India. The route starts from the stunning Kullu village and ends at the Malana village. In between, you walk the ancient shepherd trail with numerous shepherd huts and dense deodar, maple, and oak forests. It is a scenic journey. 

While walking this ancient trail, you have a traffic view of the Dhauladhar and Pir Panjal ranges. Furthermore, when you reach Chandrakhani Pass, you trek on the snow ridge with a massive view of snow-clad peaks in front. It is a heart-touching view.  

The best time to do Chandrakhani Pass trek is from June to late August. The itinerary can be followed as follows;

FAQ related to best monsoon treks in India 

Conclusion 

These were all the best monsoon treks in India at present. Analyse each trek and choose the one that best suits your needs. 

To help you shortlist the best monsoon trek, consider trek difficulty, region, fitness level, number of days, cost, and time. 

If you have anything to ask or share regarding the best monsoon treks in India, comment below.