A walk in the clouds

This summer, abandon the confines of the urban metropolis for the natural beauty of the rugged outdoors. Avantika Bhuyan lists a few challenging trails to get your adrenalin pumping

STOK KANGRI
Stok Kangri is one of the few places in the world where you can actually walk up to 6,000 metres. Stok, the highest peak in the Ladakh range, has been classified by the Indian Mountaineering Federation as a 'trekking peak', which means that no technical mountaineering skills are needed for the climb. However, don't let this lull you into thinking that you can hop, skip and jump your way to the summit. The route offers a worthy challenge to experienced trekkers with great views of the Spartan mountainous desert. On day one, drive past the Leh airstrip, the Spituk Gompa and the Indus river to reach Zingchen where the trek begins. After an overnight halt at Rumbak, one reaches the base of the Stok La to start the steep climb up to the pass at 4,890 metres. Spend the night in the bustling Stok Kangri base camp, swapping adventure stories. On Summit Day, begin the ascent to Stok Kangri in the dead of night, walking for hours across frozen glaciers to reach the peak at sunrise. Nothing can prepare you for the sights that await you on the top of the summit - a 360° view of the Karakoram, a glimpse of the K2 and the Gasherbrums. Legend has it that if you have good karma, then you just might get a peek of Mount Kailash as well.
 
Info: July is the best time to undertake this six-day long trek. For details, visit www.aquaterra.in or www.geck-co.com

THE GOECHA LA TRAIL

A popular trek is through Lachen, a town in north Sikkim, where you can witness the annual yak race held in the summer. However, one of the most favoured hikes is to Goecha La, located at a height of 4,940 metres. The trek starts at Yuksom, a pretty village in west Sikkim where you can refresh yourself with the tongba, a fresh millet beer served in small eateries there. Most adventure tourism companies organise permits, but if you are on your own, then you need to make an entry at the police station, submit copies of your photo ID and pay permit fees at the forest check post. From about 1,100 metres, this trek takes you up to 5,000 metres through moist jungles, open meadows, dense rhododendron forests and rocky mountains to snow-clad peaks. Stay at the forest guest house at Bakhim or a little further away at Tshoka where tiny restaurants offer you a taste of the local yak cheese. From this moment on, you are trekking in the shadow of Mount Kanchenjunga and can gaze at its southeast face. The trail to Dzongri, at 4,200 meters, offers you a panoramic view of the mighty Singalila range and Kanchenjunga. Time your trek from the Dzongri trekkers' hut to the top so that you can watch the Kanchenjunga's golden hue as the first rays of the sun hit the peak.Goecha La is further away along a spare alpine rockscape.

Info: This trek can be completed in eight to ten days, depending on your fitness levels. Visit www.banjaracamps.com or www.geck-co.com

BHABHA PASS TREK
This popular route takes you through the lush Kinnaur valley and the stark landscapes of Spiti region all the way up to the Bhabha Pass, which at 4,640 metres remains snowbound all through the year. Visit Comic, the highest village in Asia and also the famous monasteries of Tabo and Ki. Spend a day with a family in Spiti, which still follows the extended family system, with its roots in the ancient polyandric practices. This six-day long trek starts from the village of Kafnu through thick Pine and Deodar forests all the way up to the tiny hamlet of Mulling at 3,840 metres. The climb is steep in some parts and first-time trekkers are advised to take their time to catch their breath. After spending the night in the camp at Mulling, make your way to Kara, a meadow dotted with alpine flowers. A walk along the Wanger River leads to Phustring, the base of the Bhabha Pass. At 4,200 metres, crisp cold air and icy mountain streams greet you and you are offered a fantastic view of the 5,840-metre high Hansbeshan peak. The trek leads you to Pin valley and the edge of the Great Himalayan National Park which is home to the snow leopard and the Himalayan brown bear. From here, one can drive down to Manali via Kunzum and Rohtang.

Info: The 60 km trek is best undertaken in June and July. For more information, contact Banjara Camps & Retreats at www.banjaracamps.com 

HARISHCHANDRAGAD FORT TREK
The scenic trails zigzagging across the lush forests of Western Ghats offer challenges to appeal to the adrenalin junkie within you. One of the most popular jungle trails in this region happens to be the Harishchandragad trek which takes you through waterfalls and rock-cut caves to the mighty fort. Located in the Ahmednagar district, this fort can easily be accessed by bus from Pune or Mumbai. Trekkers believe that there are seven routes to the fort, ranging from easy to challenging. The simplest route is from Pachnai village which allows you to walk through the clouds, soaking in the magnificent views. However, most people start the trek from Khireshwar village, which offers a glimpse of the Nageshwar temple and the Shivling in the Kedareshwar rock-cut cave. However, the hardest route is from the Konkan Kada, a sheer 3,000-ft tall wall. Some use these walls for rappelling while the more daring trekkers climb straight up. The top of the Kada offers magnificent views of the Konkan and the Taramati peak. It is said that on a windy day if you throw an object into the deep chasm below, it flies right back to you. 

Info: This two-day long moderate trek is best enjoyed in summer or even in the monsoon when the clouds cling to the mountains. Visit www.geck-co.com

THE KOPATTY TRAIL
The Kopatty trail in Coorg takes you on a whirlwind tour of plantations, dense forests and undulating grasslands - all in one day. The trek starts at Charambane, located 25 km from Madikeri. Start the day with a visit to the Maha Vishnu temple and then stroll through the paddy fields to reach the coffee plantations. The trail, covered in a rich undergrowth of shrubs, gains height to offer a bird's-eye view of the Talacauvery region. Open meadows give way to dark and dense forests lined with brooks and streams. Clumps of bamboo mark the edge of the forest, giving way to lush grasslands. A walk through the hills offers a wonderful view of the Kopatty summit, which can be reached from the base after a steep ten-minute climb. From the top, you can see the Mandalpatti plateau to the north and the blue hills of Coorg to the south.

Info: Charambane can be reached by bus from Madikeri in an hour. It is also well-connected with Mysore and Bangalore. For more details, visit www.indiahikes.in