In 2023, travel came back with a vengeance, with travel bookings climbing to near pre-COVID-19 numbers, according to a recent Prosper Insights & Analytics survey. But many destinations struggled to manage the heightened influx of tourists, and some governments actively took measures to limit the quantity of visitors. Among the changes: new or increased tourist taxes, campaigns aimed at discouraging problematic visitors, and attendance caps at popular attractions.
The 12 best hikes in India, from the high Himalayas to the steamy Western Ghats
16.12.2023 - 17:57 / lonelyplanet.com
From towering Himalayan peaks to vast expanses of grassland and the steamy hills of the Western Ghats, India offers a diversity of hiking experiences like nowhere else on Earth.
Whether you fancy a short trek through the hills or an epic expedition over the high passes of the Himalayas, you'll find a route with your name on it. Many shorter walks in India can be undertaken without a guide, including some of the country's most important pilgrimage treks. For high-altitude hikes, local guides are easy to find in trail hubs.
From easy day jaunts to multi-day adventures, here's our pick of the best hikes in India.
Best hike in the Western Ghats
7km (4.3 miles) round trip, 5 hours, easy to moderate
Located 90km northeast of Kozhikode, 2,100m (6,890ft) Chembra Peak is the tallest summit in Kerala, and it’s an easy day hike to reach the summit. A well-marked and charming trail passes through thick forest, rolling tea gardens and scented coffee and spice estates rich with aromatic bouquets of pepper and cardamom. Around halfway up you'll find a heart-shaped lake, but continue to the top for gorgeous views over the lush green hills of the Western Ghats.
This mountainous region teems with biodiversity, preserving more than 300 threatened species of flora and fauna. Trekkers should keep an eye out for endemic wildflowers and the lucky sightings of wild Asian elephants, lion-tailed macaques, Malabar hornbills or Nilgiri tahr (a sheep-like wild ungulate).
The trail to Chembra starts at the small village of Meppadi near Kalpetta, and it pays to get an early start as overnight stays are prohibited and only 200 hiking permits are issued per day. You'll need to register with the local forest office in the village; the trail opens at 7am. Avoid this trek during the monsoon season when paths turn to mud.
Best hike for winter scenery
18–20km (11–12 miles) round trip, 2 days, easy to moderate
Reflecting snow-cloaked Himalayan peaks in its placid waters, Deoria Tal – literally, "the bathing place of the gods" – is a beautiful lake about 14km (8.7 miles) east of Ukhimath in the foothills of Uttarakhand, northeast of Delhi. The views towards 7,138m (23,419ft) Mt Chaukhamba are particularly impressive.
Accessible year-round, the trail to Deoria Tal starts at the pretty village of Sari and it's easy to follow without a guide, making this a great Himalayan hike for independent trekkers. Though it climbs steeply uphill, the route is fairly straightforward, following a well-maintained path surrounded by rhododendron trees that bloom with bright pink flowers in spring. It is possible to camp overnight near the lake, but the hike can also be completed as a day trip.
Better still, it can be tied in with a trek to the top of 3,690m
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