Every aspiring mountaineer and trekker dreams of hiking through the Himalayas. Home to Everest and hundreds of other stunning peaks, the Himalayas have inspired outdoor lovers for decades.
One of those inspired outdoorsmen is Kapil Dev Singh, who struck upon an innovative idea while hiking in the Eastern Himalayas. Singh discovered that a combination of warm and wet weather trekking presents a specific challenge that most outdoor gear can’t handle. This realization led him to form Mishmi Takin, a brand of high performance boots and hard and soft shells that are both breathable and water-proof.
If Singh could be inspired to create such impressive products, we thought we should explore the Himalayas, too. This destination is a life-changer for those who conquer the extreme yet stunning conditions. Let’s go international with these 3 Himalayan Treks that might just inspire you, too.
3 Bucket List Himalayan Treks
Trekking here is the trip of a lifetime. If you dream of visiting, here are three of the most incredible treks to add to your bucket list:
The Gaumukh Taporvan Trek (Uttarakhand, India)
At the mouth of Gangotri Glacier, you can watch huge chunks of ice (some as large as cars) calve off the main glacier and fall into the chasm pictured here. Photo source: Wikipedia
To Hindus, this area of the Himalaya is known as the Abode of the Gods, and this multi-day trek takes you along the Ganges River, the most sacred river in Hinduism. Eventually, you’ll reach one of the river’s origin points at the Gangotri Glacier in Gaumukh.
Even if you’re not as interested in the religious significance of the area, the Gaumukh Taporvan trek still has a lot to offer. This is one of the overall best treks to do in the spring months. As you walk, you’ll have unobstructed views of Mt. Shivling, the Bhagirathi peaks, alpine lakes, and some of the most spectacular sunrises and sunsets you’ll ever see.
Kashmir Great Lakes Trek (Kashmir, India)
Vishansar Lake is one of the many alpine lakes you’ll see on this trek. Here, the view is from Gadsar Pass. Photo by Mehrajmir13 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
After the monsoon season has passed, head to Kashmir for a truly unique Himalayan experience. This trek is considered moderate, but it still requires 72 kilometers of hiking at a maximum altitude of 13,750 feet. As you hike, you’ll see the familiar craggy peaks of the surrounding mountains, but also long stretches of grassland and meadow. Thanks to the higher latitude, you’ll pass some maple and pine trees in addition to waterfalls, rocky slopes, and rivers.
The real treat, though, is the Great Lakes. Fed by mountain snow, these alpine lakes are pristine and vibrantly blue, like something out of a fairy tale. With its physical challenges and mind-blowing beauty, this trek is guaranteed to be profoundly memorable.
Everest South Base Camp (Nepal)
Photo by Thomas Fuhrmann – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0
Everest is the obvious destination for Himalayan trekking. Unfortunately, few of us have the time, training, or resources to make a summit attempt. But the trek to Everest’s South Base Camp offers a much more accessible but no less stunning option.
The trip can take over two weeks, factoring for time to acclimate to the high altitude. While your body adjusts, you can explore local villages and monasteries and do shorter treks nearby. If you visit in April or May, you’ll also get to see the thousands of rhododendrons in full bloom. Then, weather permitting, you can embark on the trip up to Base Camp, at an astonishing 17,590 feet and tucked in near the famous Khumbu Icefall. Just to set foot on Everest and make a small but still significant part of the climb is a life-changing experience, and it belongs near the top of every trekker’s bucket list.
Always Be Prepared
It’s important to be prepared mentally and physically for any big trekking adventure, and a trip to the Himalaya requires considerable planning and training. When it comes to planning your gear, you can trust Mishmi Takin.
Mishmi Takin jackets and boots are designed to meet the precise challenges presented by trekking in the Himalayas, which can include extreme heat, extreme cold, rain, snow, and ice. You can’t predict the weather in places like these, but you can arrived prepared with Mishmi Takin.
