THERE IS NO BETTER WAY TO GAUGE THE BEAUTY OF A HILL THAN TO CLIMB IT. MANEK S. KOHLI PICKS OUT A FEW SIMPLE TRAILS TO GET YOU STARTED
SHAM TREK IN LADAKH
USP Treks do not get easier than this, and there are homestays at every stop
ROUTE Likir to Yangthang to Hemis Shukpachan to Ang to Temisgam and Nurla
DURATION Four days
Each day of this trek has an eight- to 10-kilometre walk, but because the total elevation change is never more than a few hundred feet, it does not take longer than five hours. A stream flows along Yangthang, though Hemis Shukpachan is the prettier village— abundant with willow trees, barley fields and dainty brooks. From Yangthang, it is an hour-long detour to the Rizong Monastery. The trek includes a few tough mountain passes, and Ladakh’s dry summer heat may be bothersome, but the occasional orchard, pastureland or dramatic view of a rugged rock face more than makes up for that. From Ang, it is entirely downhill. You can take a taxi back to Leh from either Temisgam or from Nurla, just a little ahead.
SANDAKPHU/TUMLING TREK IN WEST BENGAL AND NEPAL
USP Vistas of some of the world’s highest peaks, the opportunity to straddle the porous India–Nepal border, as well as stay in a homely tea house
ROUTE Dhotrey to Tumling to Tonglu to Dhotrey / Dhotrey to Tumling to Kalipokhri to Sandakphu to Srikhola
DURATION Two days (to reach Tumling) and four days (to reach Sandakphu)
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