Off To Clear Skies and Golden-Brown Trails: Treks to Endure on During the Month of October

 A season neither too cold nor too hot, the month October just soothes one’s soul. Treks in October is all about clear blue skies, golden-brown trails and magnificent beauty the nature greets with. The golden view of the nature that one witnesses while undertaking treks inOctober brings peace, warmth and joy in the lives of everyone. Hence, October that is, the autumn month, is one of the best seasons to go on trekking!

Here we have put together some of the best treks to endure on during the magical month of October. These listed treks are ensured to make one’s adventurous trekking journey soulful and filled with bliss!

1. Sandakphu Trek

Considered to be one of the best autumn treks in the Himalayas, Sandakphu Trek is a moderate and simple trek to start with. This trek is best suitable for beginners as well as regular trekkers, especially for all mountain lovers!

Sandakphu Trek, as compared to the western Himalayas, lies at a lower latitude. The sun in winters along with the height of the eastern Himalayas makes a great backdrop for glaring dusk and dawn skies. One candiscover the old Silk route and enjoy the view of the world’s tallest and majestic mountains while experiencing Nepalese and Sikkim people hospitality. Introduce yourself to the beauty of orchids and magnolia while discovering the Himalayas wilderness at Singalila National Park. Enjoying the early morning tea admiring the Kanchenjunga peaks and witnessing the eye-catching famous and glorious sleeping Buddha structure carved out of the Kanchenjunga peaks brings much needed peace to the lives of everyone.

The highest point in West Bengal within the Darjeeling district that meets Nepal at the border is Sandakphu at an altitude of 11,926 ft. The trek to this peak opens into the famous Singalila Ridge, which lies at the southern end of a long crest running down from the Kanchenjunga massif; a prominent spur of high land. The Singalila ridge currently forms the boundary between India’s Sikkim/Darjeeling and Nepal because of which the Sandakphu trek is also sometimes referred to as the “Singalila Ridge Trek’’.

The heavenly views from the top are one of the inevitable pleasures of trekking in the Himalayas. The trail along the ridge also passes through small remote villages which are some of the most hidden scenic places of the Himalayas. The Sandakphu Trek is also an ideal trek for beginners who seek adventure. However, despite the ease even experienced trekkers continue to choose this trek time and again for the overall pleasure and adventure that is found here. Also, one cannot afford to miss out the stunning panoramic views of the Himalayas of Nepal, the range of Kanchenjunga, Makalu, Everest, Lhotse, Jannu (Kumbhakarna), Chamlang, Baruntse and some other peaks of Sikkim.

Although the highest altitude on this trek is much lower than the high mountain roads (as you get to witness in Ladakh and some western Himalayan regions), the gradient followed by sharp curves tends to be much steeper. The total distance accounts to 33km which stretches from the Maneybhanjung to the Sandakphu elevating you to an altitude of 5,500ft. The trekking trail consists of terrains and landscapes which give a different experience altogether. Overall, the trekking to Sandakphu is interesting, adventurous and enchanting!

Though most people usually do not face acclimatization problems on this journey, the probability of facing issues nonetheless still exists. Mountain sickness is common in areas of high altitude. Even though you can reach Sandakphu in 7 to 8 hours you might still face some minor symptoms such as severe headaches, breathing difficulties, cold, low blood pressure etc. These occur primarily due to a sudden increase in altitudes. However, they can be avoided using supplements such as diamox.

Sandakphu remains accessible for a good duration of 8 months throughout the year, however, it remains closed throughout the monsoon season, from May to August due to unfavorable climatic conditions. Sandakphu trek is recognized for its sunrises and sunsets. One can view a vast variety of flora and fauna from seasons to seasons. The inherent romance in snowfall also adds value to the overall winter trekking experience that everyone dreams to witness once in their lifetime. The Snowfall here is mild and just about the perfect texture.

2. Chandrashila Trek

Being one of the best treks for beginners, Chandrashila Trek is also one of the most convenient treks to start with, in the magnificent month of October.

Chandrashila summit is a rock face above and beyond the temple of Tungnath, the highest Shiva temple in the world. The trail can be tricky with its abrupt climbs and sudden changes in the terrain. The beautiful trail is surrounded by a magnificent forest of oak, deodar, and rhododendron that shadow a rich bed of flowering plants. This trek provides a 360-degree view of some of the most beautiful and surprising views of the Garhwal Himalayas.

The best time to do the Chandrashila Trek is from January to May and again from October to December. It starts to snow in the month of November and the intensity increases day by day. With the arrival of January, there is already 5 to 7 feet of snow layering the ground. The weather is quite pleasurable during the daytime but it tends to get worse by the night. In the season of autumn, the scenery that this trek poses are just gorgeous!

Along with beautiful Sunrise and sunsets that are worth seeing, the landscape in the Chandrashila trek is heavenly. This beautiful overhang at 13,123 ft., five-day trek is extremely refreshing and the heavenly nature here ensures to rejuvenate and bring back positivity in one’s life!

Chandrashila Trek Package Overview:

● Difficulty level: Easy to Moderate

● Duration: 5 Days

● Location: Uttarakhand

● Best time: October-May

● Minimum age: 10

3. Gangabal Lake Trek

Witness the magnificent beauty of the largest alpine lake of Kashmir Twin Lakes: Gangabal Lake and Nundkol Lake. Gangbal Lake is the most beautiful lake in Kashmir Great Lakes Trek. Harmukh is part of the Himalaya Range and is located between Nallah Sindh in the south and Kishanganga River in the north, rising above Gangabal Lake in the vicinity of Kashmir valley.

Gangabal lake trek is an astonishing high-elevation trail and considered as a most wonderful trek in Kashmir. Harmukh is the 4th highest peak in that valley is set with a picturesque foreground of the magnificent Gangbal lake. Known as the Eiger of Kashmir, it was from Mount Harmukh that Thomas Montgomery, an incredible trigonometric surveyor, first found K1 and K2 Mountains in 1865. The Gangbal Lake is said to be the Ganges of Shivism.

The Gangabal Lake trek has a mesmerizing scenery, and poses a pretty scenic view during the season of autumn. In this four-day trek one can easily witness a rainbow there and make the trekking journey more beautiful!

4. Bhrigu Lake Trek

The Bhrigu Lake trek is a short-duration, fascinating trek through meadows and forests near Rohtang Pass. Bhrigu Lake Trek assures a fruitful climb to the lake composing the delights of emerald green fresh grass and alpine flora along with bits of floating ice.

Bhrigu Lake trail consists of the most beautiful stretch of grassland in Himachal accompanied by an endless carpet of lush green meadows. This Trek lets one witness some of the highest peaks of Himachal including Hanuman Tibba, Deo Tibba, and Indrasen peak.
 The best time to look out for the Bhrigu Lake trek is from May to October. One can witness a collection of some of the majestic Himalayan peaks covered with snow.

Parked at an elevation of around 14,100 ft in Kullu district, Bhrigu Lake opens up to magical routes of nature exposing an endless carpet of meadows, the gushing streams carrying soothing clear water along the trails and captivating views of the elegant snow-clad mountains. Bhrigu Lake holds a page in ancient mythology. The lake is named after Maharishi Bhrigu, one of the seven great sages saptarishis who performed strong meditation and rituals about tons and tons of years ago. The locals have a strong belief that many Gods have dipped into the sacred water of this lake in order to make it holy for the devotees.

This readily accessible trek route in the upper Kullu valley and lying east of the famous Rohtang pass offers almost everything which a beginner or an experienced hiker can wish for. This enthralling trek is a must-visit as it is a short duration trek and the beauty this trek holds in the magnificent season of autumn will surely bring magic to your life!

5. Kedarkantha Trek

An Easy and simple trek to start with kedarkantha trek is one of the best treks for beginners and the magical views of the peaks covered with snow makes it a perfect trek for winters along with autumn!

The Kedarkantha Trek has some of the prettiest campsites in the Himalayas. The setting includes lush forests with abandoned broken huts. Witnessing the jaw-dropping sunrise and sunset standing on one of the rocks by the campsite is something a trekker here should never miss. The view from the top of the summit will take one to fairyland. The mighty Gangotri and Yamunotri ranges along with Black Peak, Swargarohini and Bandarpoonch ranges can be seen during the trek.

Although Kedarkantha trek is mesmerizing all year round, the best time to do the Kedarkantha trek is in the month of December and January and then again from March and April because during this part of the year there will be plenty of snow which will make the Kedarkantha trek experience even more magical. This six-day trek will take one to a magical journey where the snowy trail and marvellous views of nature there will leave one spellbound!

Kedarkantha Trek Package Overview:

● Difficulty level: Easy

● Duration: 6 Days

● Location: Uttarakhand

● Best time: October-April

● Minimum age: 10