Hike an epic hidden gem of a trail through a truly peaceful and unspoilt region of the Himalaya in India
Camp in high mountain meadows and ridges in the shadow of snow-capped Himalayan giants, including Nanda Devi (7816m)
Experience sacred sites along the Ganges and the spiritual floating lamp ceremony of Ganga Aarti in Rishikesh
Day 1
Join the group transfer from Delhi airport and settle in for the transfer across town, or make your own way to the hotel in the city centre (see 'Getting There' for details). Depending on your arrival time, you may have time to head out and explore some of Delhi's sights before meeting your group for dinner.
Day 2
Depart Delhi Train Station on the early morning Shatabdi Express to Haridwar (a five-hour journey), settling into your comfortable 'Air-Conditioned Chair' carriage. From here, drive on to Rishikesh, the centre of Indian yoga and meditation, on the banks of the River Ganges. In the evening, walk the Ganga Trail from Laxman Jhula to Ram Jhula, passing the ashrams, old yoga centres, wandering cows and rustic cafes that line the river. Your guide will then take you to experience the spectacle of the Ganga Aarti, a holy ritual performed by Vedic Priests along the Ganges. The atmospheric ceremony sees priests holding flaming bowls that smoke across the river as flower-filled floating diya lamps are released. Chiming bells and mantra chanting add to the ambience to leave you with a memorable spiritual experience.
Day 3
Reach the mountains proper as you embark on a road trip to the starting point of your trek at Salubagarh, on the outskirts of Joshimath. The scenic drive takes you high into the foothills of the Garwhal Himalayas. You'll pass four of the five sacred river confluences of the Garwhal, called 'prayags', which hold huge significance in Hindu belief and make for interesting stops along the way. After hitting a local restaurant for lunch and topping up the road snacks, carry on up to our camping spot at the riverside village of Salubagarh with a few more scenic photo stops along the way.
Day 4
Today you start your trek into the foothills of the Indian Himalayas. Begin with an easy walk along a glacial river before climbing up through a coniferous forest to the beautiful village of Rumni. The village is typical of the Garhwal region with heavy slate roofs, paved alleys and small farm plots – and the more recent addition of solar power in the local homes. Continue up to a high plateau, reaching camp for the night in the settlement of Ghunni. Enjoy your dinner with a stunning sunset over the verdant foothills below.
Day 5
Limber up the legs, as today's route starts with an uphill climb. Zigzag your way along the trail to a high-altitude meadow from where you will get your first glimpse of the mighty, snow-capped Himalayan peaks. The trail continues up through a leafy forest of rhododendron, pine and oak, until you reach the day’s highest point at Chechni Vinayak (3150m), catching a glimpse of Kuari Pass in the distance – your objective in a few days. Shepherds often use the pass, so you may be joined by flocks of sheep and goats making the climb. From here, follow a gradual downhill trail across verdant meadows and open glades, passing through forests of horse chestnut and walnut trees with the occasional waterfall on the way to tonight's camp at Sem Kharak.
Day 6
After breakfast, start with a descent to the village of Jhinjhi, then continue down past small farms and woodland leading to the beautiful Birehi Gorge. Descend to a bridge at the road head, and follow a trail beside the river before tackling a strenuous climb for a few hours to Irani Village. An easier, flatter end to the day awaits though, as you hike to your campsite just above the village of Pana.
Day 7
Today's trek takes you to Dhakwani, a small hamlet at the base of the epic Kuari Pass. The trail starts with a steep climb through the forest up to Sartoli Meadow, which is adorned with wildflower and has excellent views over to Kuari Pass. After crossing the meadow, drop back down to a river and into a wild landscape that is home to Blue sheep and Himalayan black bears. Climbing higher, cross another stream before reaching large pasture land well above the tree line. Settle in for the night at the highest camp of the trek, and get a well-deserved night's sleep.
Day 8
Prepare yourself for the most spectacular day of the trek – ascending over the highest point, Kuari Pass (3750m). The rewards are epic: Kuari Pass offers one of the best views in the Himalayas, a wide panorama of the spectacular, snow-capped mountains. Be wowed by the multiple six- and seven-thousand-metre peaks in view, but it is not until you start the descent that Nanda Devi (7816m), the highest in this range, reveals itself. Continue downhill to the camp at Tali, on a ridge with another beautiful vista of these mighty, icy summits.
Day 9
The thrilling trail from Tali is narrow and requires cautious walking as you follow an undulating path down to Auli, with views of Nanda Devi accompanying you as you descend the ridge. Finally, you cross the valley of Gorson Bugyal, with its vast meadows speckled with wildflowers, before reaching the ski resort of Auli where the trek ends. From here, you'll be driven to the hotel in Rudraprayag – one of the five 'prayags' (holy river confluences), where the Alaknanda and Mandakini rivers meet – where you can freshen up. Tonight, join your group for a celebratory farewell meal to celebrate your successful trek together.
Day 10
After breakfast, it's time to head down the from the mountains and back towards the hustle and bustle of Delhi. You'll first drive to Haridwar, a significant pilgrimage site for Hindus, revered as the place the Ganges emerges from the Himalayan foothills. Thousands of worshippers are drawn to its riverbank Ghats to perform ceremonies and attend festivals throughout the year. It serves as an ideal end-point to your Himalayan adventure, having explored spiritual sites and overcome physical challenges journeying through this compelling region. It's then time to head to Haridwar railway station for the Shatabdi Express train back to Delhi (a 4.5-hour journey in the Air Conditioned Chair carriage). Arrive late evening and check in to your hotel.
Day 11
After one last breakfast, your host will provide a fixed-time group transfer back to Delhi airport - see 'Getting There' for details.
Our trips do not include flights, trains or other travel to the start point and back from the end point.
Tips are not included in the trip cost. These are entirely at your discretion but there is an expectation to tip for good service. Your guide will help with advice, however we suggest the below as a guideline, shared between the group:
Of course, you are free to tip more or less, and the amount should be reflective of your perception of service and quality – a tip is not compulsory and should only be given when you receive excellent service.
Travel insurance is compulsory for all of our adventures and you are required to provide your policy information before departing. Your insurance should include adequate protection for overseas medical treatment, evacuation/repatriation, your baggage and equipment and the specific activities involved on your adventure. We also strongly recommend it includes cancellation and curtailment insurance, should you be unable to join your trip for specific reasons such as illness. Our recommended travel insurance provider is Campbell Irvine (opens in new tab), as their insurance offers all of the above.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. The following advice may be subject to change. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
All foreign nationalities entering India require a valid visa, which in most cases must be obtained in advance of travel (please check the regulations for your nationality). You must have a machine-readable passport, valid for at least 180 days from your arrival date in India. Persons of Indian origin must have an OCI card. Clients with a Pakistani passport or of Pakistani descent will need extra time and additional documents for visa processing.
Applicants of eligible countries can either apply online for an Indian e-Visa or apply for a Standard Visa, which involves an in-person visit to a branch of the Indian High Commission's Visa Facilitation Service (VFS). There have been delays to Standard Visa processing times so please book your appointment ASAP if using this service.
You know your own spending habits best, so please budget an appropriate amount for things like optional meals and drinks, shopping, optional activities, and laundry.
Looking for a private room? See Optional Extras for details and pricing.
Any trip to India is a sensory delight, and the flavours of the food are a big part of that. North Indian cuisine is often mirrored in the curries found outside of India in Western restaurants, so curry lovers will be in their element on this trip. C…
For solo travellers looking for their own space, an optional private room can be booked – see Optional Extras. Please note, this only applies to the nights spent in hotels, and is subject to availability. Please request this at the time of booking.
To request any extras, message your host via your Much Better Adventures account once you have booked your trip.
All extras must be paid before your trip starts.
Created for adventurers ready to take on a few longer, more demanding days
A spectacular route through a little-visited corner of the Himalayas, this trip is also an ideal introduction to Himalayan trekking. Most days' walking will be around 5-6 hour...
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Thursday 11th June 2026
to Sunday 21st June 2026
Last minute - Host approval required
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Know before you go! Some stuff we'll provide, other things you'll need to bring.
Visa requirements often change, and you are responsible for obtaining any required visas for this trip. The following advice may be subject to change. Please check with your nearest embassy or consulate for up-to-date advice.
All foreign nationalities entering India require a valid visa, which in most cases must be obtained in advance of travel (please check the regulations for your nationality). You must have a machine-readable passport, valid for at least 180 days from your arrival date in India. Persons of Indian origin must have an OCI card. Clients with a Pakistani passport or of Pakistani descent will need extra time and additional documents for visa processing.
Applicants of eligible countries can either apply online for an Indian e-Visa or apply for a Standard Visa, which involves an in-person visit to a branch of the Indian High Commission's Visa Facilitation Service (VFS). There have been delays to Standard Visa processing times so please book your appointment ASAP if using this service.
Travellers eligible for an e-visa, which includes those from the UK, US, CA and EU, can apply online via https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/evisa/tvoa.html. Applications for 30-day e-Tourist visas can be made from 30 days before the proposed date of travel and not less than 4 days before your arrival date in India (applications for multiple entry 1-year e-Tourist visas can be made from 120 days in advance).
Applications for a Standard Visa (requiring both an online application and an in-person appointment) can be made via the VFS Global website.
Tensions between India and Pakistan escalated in early May 2025, with some military action taking place close to the border. As things currently stand, all MBA trips to India are scheduled to proceed as planned. We understand you may have questions or concerns, and have prepared some additional information and guidance about travel to India at this time.
Filtered and boiled water will be provided during the trek. You will need to bring a reusable water bottle or a water bladder to be filled.
Excess luggage which is not needed for the trek can either be left at your hotel in Delhi or Rishikesh, then picked up on your return to Delhi or en route back to Haridwar railway station.
Your luggage will be carried by ponies, in large waterproof sacks. However, it is worthwhile securing your luggage in a waterproof bag or duffel to ensure it stays dry in transit. You should aim to keep your luggage as light as possible, not exceeding 15kg.
You will be joined by one tour leader from the trip start to end, as well as a local trekking guide and crew including a cook, helpers and muleteers when on the trek.
This trip visits locations at or above 2500m, where some people may experience symptoms of Altitude Sickness, also known as Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
Previous experience at altitude doesn’t guarantee the same response again – your body can react differently on each trip. However, having been at altitude before is still valuable: it gives you a better understanding of how your body might respond, what symptoms to look out for, and how to manage your pace and energy levels.
Your guide is trained to manage the risk of altitude sickness by controlling the rate of ascent, monitoring group wellbeing, and responding appropriately if anyone feels unwell.
Before booking, we recommend considering your personal health, particularly if you have any pre-existing conditions, and consulting a medical professional if you’re unsure. Arriving early to allow your body to acclimatise can also make a big difference.
Your travel insurance must cover the maximum altitude reached on this trip and include emergency evacuation.
Sure can! Over 70% of our travellers travel solo, it’s a great way to meet like-minded people.
Our team of Adventure Hunters co-create exclusive adventures which are run by highly vetted, specialist hosts. The trip is run by our trusted host partner in the destination. We only work with independent, local, in-destination experts who know the very best places to explore and how to stay safe. Read more information about the local teams we partner with. You’ll be introduced to the host straight after making a booking via the Much Better Adventures platform.
Much Better Adventures refer to the UK Government’s official travel advice when designing trips and monitoring trip operations. We recommend that all customers are familiar with the practical information provided on the Government’s FCDO website, where current travel advice can be found by searching for the applicable destination(s).
For customers joining this trip from other international destinations – please also read the official travel advice applicable to your country of residence/origin, as this may differ.
We recommend checking out the country-specific information and also talking to a travel nurse.
We automatically convert prices from the local currency that a host receives to your chosen currency. We update our exchange rates on a daily basis so this does mean that prices displayed on the site are subject to currency fluctuations, which is why you may see them change over time.
If you wish to change the currency you pay in, head to the bottom of the page.
All of our group adventures are specially designed for adults to enjoy as we want these adventures to bring together outdoorsy people who are truly like-minded. You must be over 18 to join one of our trips.
You're always in good company on one of our adventures.
Our trips are typically made up of a mixture of solo travellers and small groups of 2 or 3 friends, with most in their 30s-50s.
Our sociable adventures are solo-friendly by design and naturally attract outdoorsy people with a shared mindset; a love for adventure, a desire to push themselves and meet awesome, like-minded people along the way.
It’s this camaraderie that has so often turned a great adventure into a life-changing one.
Don't just take our word for it:
See here for more info about the Much Better Adventures tribe.
The best time to visit this part of the Himalayas is before or after the monsoon season, which runs through July and August. The months of May and June, as well as September and October, tend to be dry and pleasant for trekking. In the cities and valleys, you can expect daytime temperatures of around 25-30°C. As you climb into the mountains, this will drop the higher you go. The higher camps on the trek may reach temperatures below freezing overnight. Of course, mountain weather is notoriously hard to predict and snow can be expected on any trip, so do come prepared.
We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity.
What's the number?
It works out on average at 234kg of CO2 emissions per person, including all local transport, accommodation, food, activities, guides, staff and office operations.
The only thing it doesn’t include right now is flights and travel to the destination. We do make an overall estimate across all our customers separately, but as we don’t book flights, have customers from all corners of the world, and no way of reliably knowing their travel plans, we simply can’t include an individual number in the figure on display here. We’ve got a goal to fix that, so that when you book, there is a way to measure and mitigate the carbon emitted by your flight too.
But what does the number mean?
Yep, hard to picture eh? To give you an idea:
What are we doing about it?
Our trips are relatively low-carbon by design, and we're working with all our hosts to develop long term carbon reduction plans. We partner with the World Land Trust to ensure this trip achieves Net-Zero emissions. We also support their Buy an Acre programme, helping local communities to buy and protect natural habitats in perpetuity, ensuring the protection of the reserve and its wildlife.
Want to know more?
Amazingly, no international travel company has ever publicly published their carbon measurements before, as far as we know. We believe that must change, quickly. So we’re openly sharing the method we used in the hope that other companies will be able to more easily follow suit and build on what we've done so far. You'll find it all here.
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