Are you planning to experience a blend of nature, trekking adventure, and spiritual retreat? If yes, then, you can never find a better place for Spiritual Trekking than the magical environs of the Indian Himalayas. And, Himalaya trekking for beginners is even more exciting and fun-loving.
The Indian Himalayan ranges are a mystical retreat in itself. It lures travelers from all over the world with its breathtaking views, amazing glaciers, spectacular environ around river valleys as well as with their picturesque snow-clad mountains.
The mesmerizing beauty of the Himalayas doesn’t just encourage the adventure admirers to visit it, yet in addition, those looking for spiritual retreat or self-revelation in the midst of a tranquil environment.
From Buddhist monasteries to Hindu Temples (aka jungle temples in India) from heavenly lakes to Gurudwara’s, the long spiritual trekking at Indian Himalayan won’t just let you achieve blessings from divine gods yet, in addition, offer you a chance to witness a variety of cultures in India.
Let’s check out the list of 10 Best Destinations for Spiritual Trekking in the Himalayas that will let you get completely immersed in the magnificence of nature while growing spiritually.
Let’s Learn All About Best Destinations for Spiritual Trekking in The Himalayas In Detail.
1. Begin with Sacred Himalayan Trekking to Gain the Blessings of Lord Shiva: Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash Trek
One of the most adventurous and challenging spiritual treks in India is the Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash Trek that begins from the base point Singhad or Jaon Village in Kullu region of Himachal Pradesh and reaches the pinnacle of Shrikhand Mahadev.
This place is filled with mesmerizing views and this is where a stone made Shivling is placed and its height is around 75 feet. The trek is around 32 km on one side and will take you through dense forests, rocky moraine ways along with rough glacier layers.
When you view the Shivling from the front, it shows some cracks and therefore, it is named Shri ‘KHAND’ Mahadev. Being a mystical place, the entire experience brings excitement along with the divine emotions in the midst of the breathtaking views all around.
There are numerous legends behind Shrikhand Mahadev’s existence. As per the beliefs in Hinduism, Bhasmasura (a devil who was blessed with the ability to burn up anybody by touching them with his hand) prayed for several years.
Lord Shiva Master Shiva gave him ‘bhasama kangan’ (the undetectable power) by pleasing with his meditation. Because of his ego and pride, Bhasamasura began utilizing the power of Lord Shiva. Due to this, Mahadev disappeared into the caves and later showed up on a hilltop, today it is known as Shrikhand Mahadev Peak.
Legends additionally reveal that the Pandavas had attempted the Spiritual Journey to Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash. So, go explore the Himalaya trekking Packages Online and begin your journey to Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash.
The altitude of Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash: It is situated at approximately an altitude of 5,715 m.
Trekking Route of Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash: Shrikhand Mahadev Route Map
- Jaon Village to Singhad Village (approx. 4 km)
- Singhad Village to Barhati Nala (approx. 2.5 km)
- Barhati Nala to Thachru (approx. 5 km)
- Thachru to Kali Ghati (approx. 3 km)
- Kali Ghati to Bheem Duari (approx. 8 km)
- Bheem Duari to Parvati Bagicha (approx. 3 km)
- Parvati Bagicha to Nayan Sarovar (approx. 3 km)
- Nayan Sarovar to Shrikhand Mahadev Peak (approx. 5-6 km)
Trekking Level: Difficult
Best Time for Shrikhand Mahadev Kailash Trek: Shrikhand Mahadev trek km is around 5,715 m. Generally, the best time for the pilgrimage trek to Shrikhand is between July and August. Rest you can plan according to the weather forecast of that region.
2. Witness the Ancient Monasteries and Rich Local Culture During Your Spiritual Trekking To “Ladakh Monastery Trek”
While talking about the Best Spiritual Treks in India, we can’t miss over the incredible Ladakh that is usually famous as the spiritual land of monasteries. There is a range of monasteries in Ladakh which are the true epitome of both the Hinayana and the Mahayana division of Buddhism. The trek will offer you a chance to observe the rich nearby culture by visiting the monasteries and remote villages settled amidst the snow-clad mountains.
The Ladakh Monastery trek takes around 13 days. It starts from Leh and covers some of the loveliest monasteries such as Lamayuru Monastery, Shey & Thiksey Monastery, Lanak, and Alchi Monastery, Konzke La, Sumda Chenmo, Prinkiti La, Hinju, Sumda Choon, etc.
The picturesque beauty of monasteries in Ladakh is truly incredible and most of them are based on the solitary rocks or rocky mountain faces making the district stand out from any other place in the world.
Altitude: Approximately 3,600 m. to 4,950 m.
Best Time for Ladakh Monastery Trek: The late spring/summer months among April and June are the Best Time to Go for a Spiritual Trekking experience in Ladakh.
Trekking Level: Moderate
3. Discover the Heavenly Treasure at The Himalayas with “Amarnath Trek”
Amarnath Cave Trek in Kashmir is one another mythical trek in the Himalayas that offers devotees from across the nation an incredible opportunity to visit the famous cave of Lord Shiva. The trek covers the tough and provoking mountain landscapes to take the mightiest look at the ice stalagmite framed inside the Amarnath cave.
Legends revealed that Lord Shiva had picked this specific cavern to disclose to Goddess Parvati the secrets of life and death on their way to a cave. Despite the fact that it was hard to reach, the mystery was sacred, so at Pahalgam he had to leave his ride Nandi, at Chandanwari he left the moon on his head, at Lake Sheshnag he left the snake around his neck, and at Panchtarni he left the five fundamental components of life that he carried always along, and he even left his child – Lord Ganesha at Mahaguna top. And since then, Lord Shiva devotees began following the same Trekking Route of Amarnath Yatra.
The altitude of Amarnath Yatra: Approximately 3,888 m.
Trekking Route to Amarnath Yatra:
Trek begins from Pahalgam to Chandanwari which is approximately 15 km. From Chandanwari to Lake Sheshnag it is around 7 km. Then, from Sheshnag to Panchtarni to Mahaguna Pass to Amarnath Cave and back to Panchtarini, you will take approximately 17 km.
Best Time for Amarnath Trek: Usually, the only and best time for Amarnath Yatra in the year is during Shravan months based on the Hindu calendar which are July and August.
Trekking Level: Easy to Moderate
4. Experience the Adventurous and Spiritual Getaway at the “Source of Ganges Trek”
Source of Ganges Trek is one of the Best Destinations for a Pilgrimage Trek in the Garhwal Himalayas. This trek is undoubtedly going to make your spiritual journey a memorable one. Gaumukh (Cow’s mouth) at the Gangotri Glacier is the source from where the blessed stream Ganges begins, thus the trek takes the avid travelers to this divine destination by covering the trekking routes from Gangotri that can become be reach through Uttarkashi. After traveling, the trek will take you to a universe of sacredness, wild and boundless beauty of nature.
The altitude of Source of Ganges Trek: Approximately 4,023 m.
Trekking Route to Source of Ganges Trek:
The Spiritual Trek to Source of Ganges starts from Gangotri to Bhojbasa which is approximately 14 km and from Bhojbasa it heads to Gaumukh that will take up approximately 2 to 3 hours.
Best Time for Source of Ganges Trek: The months among May and mid-October is the best time for to Source of Ganges trek excursion as it is likewise the period of Char Dham Yatra.
Trekking Level: Easy to Moderate
5. Discover A Short & Spiritual “Satopanth Lake Trek” And Experience A Dip in The Holy Water
Being one of the most noteworthy highest altitude lakes in the Indian Himalayan range, Satopanth Lake holds extraordinary religious importance in the midst of the individuals.
The trek to Satopanth Lake will let you experience the bounteous natural magnificence of snow-clad pinnacles, spouting rivulets and streams, verdant slopes layered with oak and pine trees, and much more that can’t be summarized in words, however when seen through naked eyes, can make you go speechless.
The trek starts from Mana, a remote town that is found approx. 3 km up from Badrinath. However, the troublesome part of this trek will begin after reaching Laxmi Van and heading towards Chakratirtha and finally reaching the destination of Satopanth Tal.
The altitude of Satopanth Lake Trek: Approximately 4,600 m.
Trekking Route to Satopanth Lake:
Trek begins from Badrinath and reaches Mana Village in around 3 km. From Mana to Laxmi Van, it will take approximately 9 km. The distance from Laxmivan to Chakratirtha can be covered in around 11 km and from there you would take approx. 5 km to reach Satopanth Lake.
Best Time for Satopanth Lake Trek: The summer or late spring months between mid-May and June, and post-monsoon months between September and October are considered the best time for Satopanth Lake Trekking Experience.
Trekking Level: Easy to Moderate
6. Bow Down the Heads in Front of Baba Kailash at The Challenging Expedition Of “Adi Kailash Trek”
Adi Kailash is one more spot that you can choose for your Best Trekking Vacations in India. Situated in the Pithoragarh region of Uttarakhand and close to Indian-Tibetan outskirts, Adi Kailash is also known as Baba Kailash, Chota Kailash, Shiva Kailash, or Jonglingkong Peak.
The path towards Adi Kailash vows to bring you into a land that is genuinely amazing and awe-inspiring, a view that will stay carved in your heart, mind, and soul forever. The Adi Kailash Trek will offer you a display of the lovely snow-clad pinnacles including Annapurna ranges and will invigorate your spiritual adventure with dense woodlands, rich green meadows, and falling cascades.
The trek to Adi Kailash actually begins from Lakhanpur, which can be reached covering a distance of around 50 km from Dharchula. From that point, the trek proceeds to Lamari, which is the following stop. Following a night’s stay at Lamari, you will head towards Budi, from where the trek gets more challenging as it gets steep.
From Budi, the following stop would be Nabi, and from here, you will head towards Nampa to the Kutti town. After taking a break at the Kutti village, the following step would be towards Jollingkong through Sungchuma, from where you will be finally getting to pace your head before Baba Kailash.
The altitude of Adi Kailash: Approximately 6,310 m.
Trekking Route to Adi Kailash:
The trek to Adi Kailash begins from Lakhanpur to Lamari which can be covered with a distance of approx. 9 km. From Lamari to Budi to Nabi, you will find 9 Kms Trek & 18 Kms by Gypsy. From Nabi to Nampa to Kutti, the distance is around 14 Kms by Gypsy & Trek 6 Kms. From Kutti to Jollingkong, the distance is approx. 14 km.
Best Time for Adi Kailash Trek: The months between June and September are considered the best time for Adi Kailash Trek adventure and for the spiritually filled expedition.
Trekking Level: Difficult
7. Visit the Mythical Home of Lord Shiva via “Kinner Kailash Trek”
Also named as the Kinner Kailash Parikrama, the illusory spiritual trek will bring you into the wild of the Kinnaur locale in Himachal Pradesh. Viewed as one more of the difficult treks in the Indian Himalayas, Kinner Kailash Trek brings you near the legendary abode of Lord Shiva. As you trek there, you will find unmatched picturesque vistas of wonderful meadows, towering peaks and hanging glaciers by heading towards the tricky path, climbing narrow ways and crossing huge water streams. This is not at all, but owing close proximity to Tibet, you will get to witness a unique cultural blend of Hinduism and Buddhism and the pagoda style monasteries.
The trek to Kinner Kailash starts from Tangling, a small village located on the left bank of the Sutlej River. From here the trek proceeds through a metalled pathway up to a little stream around 3 km ahead. After taking two steps, one at Bara Pathar (Big Stone or Rock) and other at Bara Ped (Big Tree), the trek continues further and after crossing the bugyals (glades), the day closes at Ashiqui Park, from where Kinner Kailash is approx. 8-10 km away.
You will experience a mesmerizing nigh view from Ashiqui Park The night view there is stunning and the lights of Kalpa and Reckong Peo can be clearly discovered. The following morning, the trek from Ashiqui Park begins towards Bheem Dwar, which is the first stop covering a distance of approx. 3 to 4 km. Soon the treks bring to the Parvati Kund, which will be the second stop covering a distance of around 3 km. From Parvati, Kund take a vertical climb of approx. 2.5 to 3 km to reach Kinner Kailash while going through small caves, moraines, and snow patches on the slopes.
The altitude of Kinner Kailash Trek: Approximately 6,500 m.
Trekking Route to Kinner Kailash Trek:
Kinner Kailash trek begins from Tangling to Ashiqui Park which is approximately 8 to 9 km far. From Ashique Park to Bheem Dwar, you will have to cover a distance of 3-4 km. From Bheem Dwar to Parvati Kund, the distance need to cover is approximately 3 km. From Parvati Kund, you will have to cover a distance of 2.5 to 3 km to reach Kinner Kailash.
Best Time for Kinner Kailash Trek: The summer months between May and June, and post-monsoon month of October, are considered the best time to discover the incredible beauty of Kinner Kailash.
Trekking Level: Difficult
Nestled amidst an elevated height of pristine and clear waters of Hemkund, the trek will take you to the Gurudwara which is situated at the highest place, Hemkund Sahib, in Chamoli region of Uttarakhand.
This is one of the Best Spiritual Destinations in India that not only draws Sikh pilgrims, yet in addition, but also draws avid trekkers in great numbers. Heading towards the Hemkund Sahib Trek, one can even trek to the stunning Valley of Flowers, tucked on Nanda Devi National Park, etc. The Valley of Flowers will doubtlessly mesmerize you into the universe of colorful and vivid hues.
The Trek to Hemkund Sahib begins from Govind Ghat and proceeds towards Ghangaria, an isolated spot in the midst of a thick pine woods. Viewed as one of the best spiritual hikes in India, the train to Hemkund Sahib will offer you a chance to grasp Mother Nature at its best. From Ghangaria, you can embark to witness the vivid tones of the Valley of Flowers, one of the Amazing Places to Visit in India.
Trekking in this beautiful valley will bring you up close to rare species of flowers and wide varieties of butterflies, consequently making it an ideal setting for adventure enthusiasts and photography admirers.
The altitude of Hemkund Sahib Trek: Approximately 4,633 m.
Trekking Route to Hemkund Sahib Trek:
The Hemkund Sahib Trek begins from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria which is approximately 14 km far. It will take approximately 6 km to reach Hemkund Sahib from Ghangaria.
Trekking Level: Easy to Moderate
Best Time for Hemkund Sahib Trek: The summer months between mid-June and monsoon month September is considered the best time for Hemkund Sahib Trek and picturesque vacation to the valley of flowers.
9. Plan Your Trek To “Panch Kedar Trek”- A Divine Trail to The Five Major Shrines of Lord Shiva
One of the most famous spiritual treks in the Garhwal, Uttarakhand, Panch Kedar Trek is filled with spiritual and exciting trekking experience. This trek is the most chosen route of the five significant shrines of Lord Shiva which is nestled amidst the Kedarnath valley, including Kedarnath, Madhyamaheshwar, Tungnath, Rudranath, and Kalpeshwar.
The complete stretch of Panch Kedar mirrors the mythical shades of the Mahabharata where the Pandavas went to meet Lord Shiva in the Himalayas. Legend says that Lord Shiva abstained from meeting the Pandavas because of Fratricide (Gotra Hatya) and Brahma Hatya did by the Pandavas. So, they had to do a long struggle to meet Lord Shiva. The second of the five Panadavas- Bhima stood aside two mountains and began to search for Shiva.
Then, he saw a bull grazing close to Guptkashi and promptly perceived the bull to be Lord Shiva. Before long, the bull-shaped Shiva disappeared from the ground and later returned in parts in better places.
At Pashupatinath in Nepal, the forelegs of the bull showed up, the hump at Kedarnath, the navel at Madhyamaheshwar, the arms at Tungnath, the face at Rudranath, and the tangled hair at Kalpeshwar. This framed the Panch Kedar in India, barring Pashupatinath in Nepal.
The altitude of Panch Kedar Trek: Approximately 4,090 m.
Trekking Route to Panch Kedar Trek in India:
Panch Kedar Trek begins from Helang to takes approx. 9 km to reach Urgam from Urgam to Kalpeshwar, the first of the Panch Kedar Trek takes around 2 km. Back to Urgam to Kalgot, it takes approx. 12 km. Then, the second of the Panch Kedar Trek, From Kalgot to Rudranath takes approx. 12 km. From Rudranath to Sagar to Mandal, it takes approximately 18 km trek and around 8km drive.
The third of the Panch Kedar Trek, from Mandal to Chopta to Tungnath takes 19 km drive and around 3.5 km trek. Then, trek back to Chopta from Tungnath that takes approx 3 to 4 km. Next, a drive covering the distance of 45 km will take you to Jagasu from Chopta. From there, you will take around 12 km to reach Gaundhar.
The fourth of the Panch Kedar Trek begins from Gaundhar trek and reaches Madhyamaheshwar in approximately 18 km. Then, return back to Gaundhar from Madhyamaheshwar. From there, trek back to Jagasu and drive to Guptkashi (approx 30 km). From Guptkashi drive to Gaurikund and from Gaurikund Trek to Kedarnath which is the fifth of the Panch Kedar Trek and about 14 km far.
Best Time for Panch Kedar Trek: The months between May and October are considered the best time for Panch Kedar Trek. So, go ahead and get your Himalaya trekking packages online.
Trekking Level: Moderate
10. Attain Solitude and Peace at A Tranquil and An Isolated Site “Phugtal Monastery Trek”
When you plan to go to a remote spot for spiritual trekking in India, how can you miss the Phugtal Monastery? Settled in the remotest corner of the of Lungnak Valley in the south-eastern Zanskar locale of Ladakh, Pughtal Monastery or Phugtal Gompa is one of the most charming destinations you will run over.
What makes this religious community all the more intriguing is the way that it is worked around a characteristic cave in the cliffside, similar to a honeycomb. Thus, if harmony and isolation is the thing that you look for in the midst of a cold desert mountain setting, Phugtal Monastery Trek is the place you should go for
The altitude of Phugtal Monastery Trek: Approximately 4,000 m.
Trekking Route of Phugtal Monastery:
The trek to Phugtal Monastery starts from Ichar and heads to Anmo/Anmu, covering a trek of around 4 to 5 hours. From Anmo, the trek proceeds to Cha, from where the trek to Phugtal starts.
The path from cha is somewhat narrow, and it takes around 2 to 3 hours to reach Phugtal Monastery. When finished with exploring the monastery, trek down to Purne from the cloister, which is around 2 hours trek, and from Purne to Anmo and back to Ichar.
Best Time for Phugtal Monastery Trek: The summer months between June and late monsoon September is the best time to visit Phugtal Monastery- the awe-inspiring isolated place. So, book your Himalayan pilgrimage tours and start planning for your trek right away.
Trekking Level: Moderate
Final Thoughts!
We hope you have planned your trek with these 10 Himalayan Treks on your Adventure-To-Do lists. These Treks are undoubted will give you offbeat travel experience. These are ideal for adventure enthusiasts who are close to God.
Every trekker will attain an enriching experience from these spiritual trekking destinations in India. So, go ahead, pack all your essentials and head toward these mystic treks and we are sure you will return back refreshed, wiser, and more self-acclaimed and stronger person like never before!
