September marks the end of the monsoon and the beginning of autumn(or fall season) in India, making it the perfect season to trek for shutterbugs with a fondness for aesthetics. As the lush green foliage transitions into the amber, auburn and orange shades of the fall, we experience the clear blue skies and post-monsoon squeaky clean landscapes.
This pleasant weather is ideal for trekking. Several treks start opening up post the risky monsoon months.
Here are a few best treks in September for adventurers yearning for a fantastic time away from the city:
Kashmir great lakes is a muster of seven alpine lakes, each unique. These pristine turquoise lakes gracefully complement each other.
As the season transitions into Autumn, the region welcomes brilliant blue skies with occasional showers. The trail is moderately challenging and appropriate for beginners with proper fitness.
You can witness the verdant grasslands going from luscious greens to orange hues and an abundance of meadows. Snowfall usually sets in after mid-September.
Buran Ghati Trek, which starts about 150 km east of Shimla, is a complete adventure package. It is an impressive 15,000 ft from the base. The trail entails dense orange coniferous forests, alpine meadows including the Dayara meadows, sacred Chandranahan Lake, and several shimmering streams and bridges.
It is breathtakingly beautiful during the autumn months, with the entire Ghati blanketed in fall colours. The trek is full of thrilling challenges and ever-changing landscapes.
It ends with exhilarating rappelling down the 15,000ft of the ice wall, considered the highlight of this trek.
Tarsar Marsar Trek takes the cake for being the prettiest trek in the Himalayas. Situated at the altitude of 13,201 ft, this trek encompasses splendid trails, fragrant pine trees, and glacial lakes.
The Kashmir Valley is home to three pristine alpine lakes of Tarsar, Marsar, and Sundarsar. After all, who doesn’t dream of the sunrise at an overhang of several hundred feet, enveloped in clouds, witnessing the grandeur of such lakes?
Ali Bugyal and Bedni Bugyal are two of India’s most extensive alpine meadows. Autumn is one of the ideal times to take on this trek in the alpine meadows of Uttarakhand.
The monsoon washes away the clouds, leaving the skies squeaky clean, providing a rare and clear view of the mountains. Mt Trishul and Mt Nandaghunti loom over the meadows with their unwavering majesty.
The trail entails dense Oak and rhododendron forests clinging on the slopes, with sunlight falling at charming angles, making it seem like a scene straight out of a Disney movie.
The Friendship Peak is nestled between the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges of the Himalayas in Kullu. It offers the most picturesque view of Hanuman Tibba, Indrasan, Deo Tibba, Priyadarshani, and the Seven Sisters.
The trail takes you through the most astounding visuals of alpine meadows. The thick forests put on their orange-brown coats for the Autumn. The wide clearings, and bubbling streams, offer a spectacular panorama of the region. The trail comprises exposed rocks that make the trek challenging for adrenaline junkies.
Hampta Pass is situated at a whopping 14,000 ft in the Himalayas of Himachal Pradesh. The trek offers a bewildering contrast of landscapes, from dense pine forests and gushing waterfalls of Kullu to the arid and barren lands of Lahaul.
The trek entails the emerald Chandratal Lake. You trek through cascading waterfalls and shimmering streams leading to the Sangam of three passes Hampta pass, Rohtang pass, and Spiti.
As of mid-September, the skies turn piercing blue as the slopes put on their colourful ensemble for the fall. The visuals of magnificent snow-clad mountains and peaceful sunsets are achingly gorgeous.
The Warwan Valley Trek is a sensational Himalayan crossover trek from cold and monochromatic Ladakh to the verdant Kashmir valley.
September is considered one of the best months to take on this excursion. The climate is pleasant, with moderate temperatures sparing you of the harsh winter climates of Kashmir.
The trek consists of staggering mountains and steep landscapes. It is known to be one of the most challenging trekking conditions. Completing this excursion is no ordinary feat, and prior experience is necessary.
It is a well-concealed secret of Kashmir, far away from any human trace. The exquisite sight is gratifying and makes up for several days of strenuous hiking.
Ghepan Ghat resides in the Lahaul region of Himachal Pradesh. The Ghepan peak overlooks the valley and remote village of Lahaul, Sissu.
The main attraction of the trek is the Ghepan Ghat Lake which is a hidden glacial lake. The dazzling neon-blue lake with floating glaciers is a sight to behold. You can even witness the rare view of a waterfall tumbling out of a hanging glacier.
The autumn trek is moderate, with a rough trail that follows a booming river into the valley. The valley offers the most awe-inspiring views of various snow-capped peaks.
Miyar is a remote valley in the western corner of Lahaul and Spiti, Himachal Pradesh. Miyar valley is a 75 Km long, S-shaped valley nestled between Zanskar and Chamba. The Miyar glacier is about 36 km long up to Kang La and is a high 17,600 ft pass to Zanskar. At the end of the glacier are seven striking blue ponds. Buddhists consider these ponds to be sacred.
During Autumn, the trek starts easy and gradually gets more challenging with time as the terrain gets rougher.
The trail to this valley is a fusion of remote mountain valleys, small Buddhist villages, and flower beds veiled with the Himalayan orchids. You can encounter The Miyar River on the trail, which runs down to merge into ChandraBhaga River in Udaipur. The valley is dotted with flowers stashed away from the prying eyes of trekkers.
The Kedartal trek is ideal for thrill-seeking adventurers. It is a challenging trek on steep and tricky terrain. Yet it pays off manifolds in return with its serene and isolated beauty. The trek climbs up to the glacial Kedartal lake, which sits amidst a cauldron of several mighty mountains. The emerald lake reflects the mountains with more precision than a polished mirror.
The secluded trail is void of any human habitation at this colossal altitude of 15,580ft. You get to camp in the shadows of Mt Thalaysagar, Mt Bhrigupanth, Manda Parvat, Mt Jogin and Mt Gangotri.
During Autumn, you can observe the riot of colours associated with the season. The Kedar Kharak campsite offers you the enchanting sight of yellow, brown and auburn shrubs on the sides of the mountains.
The best way to prepare for a trekking trip is by building up endurance and strength. If you are new to trekking, you can go for a few smaller trails in your region before attempting the more challenging ones.
Here are some other tips:
By following these tips, you can prepare yourself well for a trek in September.
