North Himalaya

A high alpine lake above Gulmarg, reached on foot or pony past Khilanmarg and the Apharwat ridge.

Seven days over high passes between turquoise alpine lakes — often called India's most beautiful trek.

A hard trek from Aru up the Lidder valley to the largest glacier in Kashmir, under Kolahoi peak (5,425 m).

An old temple village at the trailhead for the Harmukh trek, ending at the twin lakes of Gangbal and Nundkol.

Twin alpine lakes ringed by snow peaks, quieter than Great Lakes.

A small glacial lake at 3,800 m above Aru, usually done as an overnight camp from Pahalgam.

A homestay trek through desert canyons and tiny villages, over the Kongmaru La.

A short trek from Solang Nala to the glacial source of the Beas, under Indrasan and Deo Tibba.

A steep, short climb to a high alpine lake above Manali.

A crossover trek from Naggar over a 3,660 m pass into the Malana side of Parvati Valley.

A high meadow trek to the base of Deo Tibba (6,001 m) beside the blue Chandratal lake.

A crossover trek from green Kullu into the barren Lahaul valley, often extended to Chandratal.

A dramatic crossover trek from Himachal into Uttarakhand, over a 4,650 m pass above the Rupin gorge.

A steep village climb above Barshaini to Tosh, then a further walk to the Kutla meadows.

A short climb to a forest lake that mirrors Chaukhamba on a still morning.

Walk to the source of the Ganga, then climb to the Tapovan meadows beneath Shivling.

A steep, boulder-strewn climb from Gangotri to an emerald glacial lake under Thalay Sagar.

A long valley walk through Bageshwar villages to the snout of the Pindari glacier at 3,900 m.

A UNESCO-listed alpine valley that blooms with hundreds of flower species in the monsoon.