High Altitude Treks in India
Above 4,000 metres

High Altitude Treks in India

High altitude treks climb past 4,000 metres into a world of big passes, thin air and the grandest Himalayan panoramas. They are serious routes that ask for fitness, careful acclimatisation and real respect for the mountains.

9
Treks in category
3
Prime regions
India wide
Coverage
Above 4,000 metres

Why choose high altitude treks?

This is where the Himalaya shows its full scale, on glaciated passes, high desert plateaus and summit views that repay the effort. High routes reward experienced trekkers who have built the fitness and the acclimatisation habits to handle altitude safely.

This is where the Himalaya shows its full scale, on glaciated passes, high desert plateaus and summit views that make every hard step worthwhile. These routes reward experienced trekkers who have built both the fitness and the acclimatisation discipline to handle altitude safely, and they punish anyone who rushes.

Top high altitude treks

Nanga Parbat Trek
Very Difficult
Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Nanga Parbat Trek

The Nanga Parbat trek is a 7–9 day route in Pakistan's Gilgit-Baltistan to base camps of the world's 9th highest peak, starting from Fairy Meadows at 2,865 m.

8 days 8,126 mJul – Sep
Roopkund Trek
Difficult
Uttarakhand

Roopkund Trek

Plan your Roopkund trek with our 2026 guide: route, itinerary, permits, costs, best time & packing list for India's mysterious Skeleton Lake at 5,029 m.

8 days 5,029 mSep – Nov
Tarsar Marsar Trek
Moderate–Difficult
Himachal Pradesh

Tarsar Marsar Trek

The Tarsar Marsar Trek is a 6–7 day, ~50 km alpine lake circuit in Kashmir's Pahalgam Wildlife Sanctuary, reaching 4,100 m via Tarsar Pass.

7 days 4,100 mJul – Sep
Snow Leopard Trek Hemis
Moderate–Difficult
Ladakh

Snow Leopard Trek Hemis

The snow leopard trek in Hemis National Park, Ladakh, offers the world's best chance of spotting a wild snow leopard, with 70–80% guided sighting success rates

7 days 6,000 mJan – Mar
Buran Ghati Trek
Difficult
Himachal Pradesh

Buran Ghati Trek

The Buran Ghati Trek is a difficult 40 km trail in Himachal Pradesh crossing a 4,700 m pass with India's only glacier rappel descent on a mainstream trek.

7 days 4,700 mSep – Nov
Rumtse to Tso Moriri Trek
Very Difficult
Ladakh

Rumtse to Tso Moriri Trek

The Rumtse to Tso Moriri trek is an ~80 km, 7–8 day strenuous Ladakh trail crossing Kyamar La (~5,460 m) and Polokongka La (~5,190 m), ending at Tso Moriri Lake

8 days 5,460 mJul – Sep
Bara Bhangal trek
Difficult
Himachal Pradesh

Bara Bhangal trek

The Bara Bhangal trek is a 65–70 km, 7–8 day difficult trek in Himachal Pradesh crossing Thamsar Pass (~4,708 m) to reach one of India's most remote villages.

7 days 4,708 mJul – Sep
Kedartal Trek
Difficult
Uttarakhand

Kedartal Trek

Kedartal trek is a 34–36 km round-trip trail from Gangotri to a glacial lake at 4,750 m in the Garhwal Himalayas, completed in 4–5 days, rated Difficult.

5 days 4,750 mSep – Nov
Lamayuru to Chilling Trek
Very Difficult
Ladakh

Lamayuru to Chilling Trek

The Lamayuru to Chilling trek is a 75–80 km, 6–7 day high-altitude route in Ladakh crossing three passes up to 4930m, best trekked July–September.

7 days 4,930 mJul – Sep

Compare high altitude treks

How these high altitude treks compare on difficulty, duration, season and altitude.

TrekDifficultyDuration
Nanga Parbat TrekVery Difficult8 days
Roopkund TrekDifficult8 days
Tarsar Marsar TrekModerate–Difficult7 days
Snow Leopard Trek HemisModerate–Difficult7 days
Buran Ghati TrekDifficult7 days
Rumtse to Tso Moriri TrekVery Difficult8 days
Bara Bhangal trekDifficult7 days
Kedartal TrekDifficult5 days
Lamayuru to Chilling TrekVery Difficult7 days

Planning your high altitude treks

  • Build acclimatisation and rest days into the plan and climb high but sleep low
  • Learn the symptoms of altitude sickness and never ignore them
  • Talk to a doctor about medication before the trek if you are prone to altitude sickness
  • Arrive with strong cardio fitness because these routes are unforgiving

high altitude treks, frequently asked questions

9 high altitude treks across India, each with a full route breakdown, difficulty, permits, cost estimates and live trail conditions.

Ready to plan your trek?

Tell us your fitness, dates and budget, and we will match you to the right trail.

Affiliate disclosure: Some links on this page may be affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps us keep the content free. Learn more.