12 Best Autumn Treks to do in September and October

The mesmerizing season of Autumn is one of the best times of the year to get cosy with nature. Virtually nothing is better to enjoy in this period than take a break and retreat to an alluring Himalayan trek. The autumn months are primarily considered as September and October, which are pretty much a delight for most of the trekkers. During this period the charming weather with stunningly vibrant hues of surroundings add to the beauty of nature even more.

So are you planning to relish this autumn for a long time to come?

We bring you the places that are no less than paradise for every nature lover, particularly in these months. From adventure to mindfulness, these destinations have an uncanny magic to lure you away in every aspect.

Here are our top autumn picks:

Gaumukh Tapovan:

Situated at an altitude of 14,600 ft. in Uttarakhand, Gaumukh is known as the origin place of the holy river Ganges. This majestic destination promises you with an enthralling sightseeing throughout its course. Gaumukh Tapovan Trek spans a distance of 40 Km and is suitable for people who love to go on moderate to difficult hikes.

With stunning snow-clad mountains in plain view, this magnificent trek makes its way from Gaumukh towards the blissful Tapovan valley. This trek needs around 8 days to complete and you will get bouts of adventure with each passing day. With Bhagirathi river flowing along the trail, you will also get a glimpse of Mt. Shivling. Apart from that the trek promises some exotic biodiversity on its way such as mountain stag, rare birds etc.

Trekkers are often astounded by the beauty of its glacial meadows the moment they are exposed to its vastness. From a spiritual point of view, Gaumukh Tapovan trek is also one of the most sought after trails. The glimpse of Tapovan is a delight to your eyes and you will certainly feel uplifted. At this time of the year, the overcast conditions are highly conducive to travel with clear skies and refreshing air.

Goechala Trek:

If you want to take your outdoor adventure thrill a notch higher, Goechala should be your obvious destination. Located at a height of 15,100 ft.in the scenic mountains of the Indian state of Sikkim, this venue promises you with a few things and more.

It’s a kind of landscape where enthusiasm meets spiritual joy. The ambience of this place is so inviting that you couldn’t help but just lose yourself to the elements. From bluish frozen glaciers to gleaming mountains, this magnificent trek is an ideal place for sabbatical. Walking on this trail you will get an unforgettable moment to see Kanchanjunga, the third highest peak in the world. It also passes through kanchanjunga national park that is home to a range of exotic wild animals.

However, being a difficult trek to cross, Goechala Trek is preferably suitable for hikers who love tough mountain challenges. From the base camp Yuksom to Goechala, this trek is 90 Km long and takes 11 days to complete.

Since this time of the year has splendid weather, it turns out all the attractions of the landscape get heightened. So don’t pull yourself back from submerging in the beauty of this place.

Sandakphu Trek:

A divine destination for trekking enthusiasts, Sandakphu straddles between the borders of India and Nepal. It is situated at an altitude of 12000 ft. and is probably at its delectable best during autumn. If you want to catch the profound beauty of nature, Sandakphu is amongst the forefront of many places.

Sandakphu trek is a 68 Km breathtaking stretch of pure thrill and excitement. It’s a moderate trek that takes 7 days to complete. Interestingly, it’s also one of those places that allow you to take a glimpse of some of the world’s highest summits, including Mt. Everest and Kanchenjunga. The other famous peaks that are beautifully visible from the same spot are Lhotse and Makalu.

Surrounded by the serene environs of Himalayas, Sandakphu Trek paves the way for an exhilarating journey that everyone craves for. Also, this place sits between two countries, which means it offers the best of both exotic cultures. This trek is a moderate one and can be accessed without too much risk.

So get your backpacks ready and explore this extraordinary gem this coming autumn.

Rupin Pass Trek:

If you want to experience a breathtaking foray into the heart of nature and merge with it, here’s a destination called Rupin Pass. As much it’s revered by true nature lovers, it’s equally adored by adventure and thrill seekers. Nestled at an altitude of 15350 ft., Rupin Pass Trek is located in Himachal Pradesh. Owing to its irresistible charm, this place is without any doubt a precious jewel of Himachal landscape of India.

Rupin Pass Trek is a medium to difficult terrain and usually preferred by daredevil adventure lovers. As the trekking fun of this trail lasts for 7 days and 41 Km, but it’s worth remembering.

This picturesque terrain has a variety of unbelievable attractions such as waterfalls, bridges, forests and sloped meadows. This surreal place provides you with a rare opportunity to witness a diverse topography of nature, which is less likely to be seen elsewhere. Additionally, the Jakha village on this trail also lures you with its strange charm.

Buran Ghati Trek:

Breathtakingly perched deep into the Himalayas, Buran Ghati seems to be an outworldly landscape. There are places that smitten you good enough, but there are some that intrigue you left, right and center. This place is geographically located at a height of 15000 ft. in the state of Himachal Pradesh. This trekking stretch of surreal beauty has some amazing geographical features.

September and October, especially, are the months that enhance these features even further. A stunning visual treat to your eyes, Buran Ghati Trek takes you through a thick canopy of pine forests to sprawling alpine lakes. Moreover, it offers a wide stretch of steep snowy mountains - a must for climbers.

The other captivating attractions on this trail are Chandranahan Lake, Dhauladhar Range, Dayara Meadows and ancient villages of Janglik and Barua. This is a moderate to difficult trek that is mostly chosen by many thrill seekers. You will have to take a walk of 37 Km to enjoy it.

This trail also encompasses lush green forests, rocky descents, snow-clad peaks and crystal clear waterfalls to name a few.

Bali Pass Trek:

If you have been longing for that coveted high-altitude trekking experience, Bali Pass should definitely be on your next bucket list. This magical landscape is situated at a height of 16,200 ft. in Uttarakhand and is yet to be explored fully.

Considered as one of the toughest treks in India, Bali Pass Trek is going to give you goose-bumps in terms of beauty and adventure for sure. This trek is particularly special because it lies in between other two key hiking destinations - Har Ki Dun valley and Yamunotri Temple.

The trekkers of this trail are lucky enough to witness the wonderful peaks of Swargarohini, Bandarpoonch, and Kala Nag. From the base camp Sankri, this hike takes 8 days to complete by covering a total of 56 Km.

This elevated stretch allows you to undertake an arduous as well as enriching journey. So if you are a prolific hiker and want to push yourself to the next level, this destination is yours.

Everest Base Camp Trek:

Everest Base Camp is one of the most elusive and equally thrilling treks every hiker desires to visit. As the name suggests itself, Everest Base Camp Trek has always been a hotspot among mountaineers around the world. It is situated at a height of a whopping 18200 ft. in Nepal thereby making it one of the hardest across the globe.

The fact that being a faraway challenging landscape, this enthralling trek in Nepal gives you a sense of accomplishment in many ways. First off you will be amazed by the sheer remarkable elevation of this place. Secondly, the breathtaking visuals along the way will force you to take a detour every now and then. A home to expedition lovers, EBC is the doorway to Mount Everest due to obvious reasons.

Far away from the hustles and bustles of daily chaos, Every Base Camp is a very difficult trek in the Himalayas. It takes 13 full days and 112 Km to complete, but a soul-touching experience nonetheless. This trail allows you to get a nice view of some of other widely known peaks such as Ama Dablam, Nuptse, Kangtegam, Pumori etc.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek:

Annapurna Base Camp is situated at an altitude of 13550 ft. in Pokhara, Nepal. It is among those few trekking destinations that offer a wide panoramic, extensive view to its visitors. It is considered as one of the most captivating landscapes and is a must go for every hiking freak. Annapurna Base Camp Trek attracts and receives trekkers all over the world in great numbers.

Sitting just beside the picturesque trail of this trek lies the famous peak of Machhapuchhare. Apart from that, you will also witness the awe inspiring Khangsar Kang, Varahashikar, Tarke Kang from this place.

Particularly, it is a refreshingly awesome trek to visit during the months of autumn when the conditions are favourable. If you happen to set your foot on this trail, rest assured you are bound to witness nature’s unmistakable glory. ABC is located at the base of Annapurna Mountain range, which is one of the toughest peaks to climb in the world.

Har ki Dun Trek:

Har ki Dun has to be one of the most favoured trekking destinations for nature surfers. It is located in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 12000 ft. and is an extremely beautiful place to hike and enjoy. Har ki Dun allows you to take a journey that you would want to savour for the rest of your life.

To start with, the valley is a good mix of flora and fauna blended with a pristine untouched beauty. It’s relatively an easy trek to hike on thereby making it a perfect venue for families to experience. The base camp of Har Ki Dun Trek is Sankri and it takes an amazing roundtrip of 43 Km.

The eye-catching visuals of this valley always tend to beckon you once you happen to experience it. Additionally, there are a number of outdoor activities for everyone to take and enjoy. This place also gives a unique opportunity to experience the local culture along with a rich biodiversity. The other prominent attractions around this trek are Duryodhana Temple in Osla village, peaks such as Swargrohini 1 and 2. Bandarpoonch and Kala Nag. The months of autumn are ideal for a good outing in these lands.

Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath Trek With Deoria Tal:

When it comes to experiencing a pristine natural vibe of Himalayan aura, Chopta Chandrashila Tungnath Trek With Deoria Tal stands out from the rest. Situated at a height of 12000 ft. in Uttarakhand, this amazing place is known for its genuine beauty and spiritual significance. The spectacular Chopta valley connects Tungnath Temple to Chandrashilla and the whole stretch is truly fulfilling. Not just that, the crystal clear waters of Deoiatal Lake surrounded by an enchanting treeline appears simply splendid.

If you want to explore an easily accessible yet iconic hiking destination, Chopta trek emerges as the top choice. It takes 5 days and 23 Km to cover the whole trip. During this excursion, the other popular places you will witness are Deoria Tal, peaks like Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Chaukhambha.

The trek is so relaxing and unique that people take immense pleasure in traversing this path. So while hiking, and at every twist and turn, you would be compelled to look back and savour each moment. So if you want to fully enjoy this part of the world, autumn months are the best time for you. Moreover, every trekker observes an abundance of beauty from start to finish of this stretch.

Dayara Bugyal Trek:

Dayara Bugyal trek is a perfect destination for people who have a rare adventure in their minds to take up. It’s one of those great landscapes that are well suited for family escapades as well as solo travellers. Dayara Bugyal Trek is located in Uttarakhand at an altitude of 12000 ft. and is an overwhelmingly attractive place.

This captivating trek is an easy place to hike for almost everyone who wants to be in the lap of nature. Starting from Natin village, exploring breathtaking landscapes, and all the way back, this trek takes 5 days and 24 Km to complete.

From snow-capped peaks to sparkling green meadows; from rugged rocky hills to steep pine forests, this place has it all. In addition to that, you will get to see some famous beautiful peaks like Bandarpoonch, Srikanth, Jaonli, Gangotri Range, and Draupadi Ka Danda 2.

Sometimes it seems so wonderful that while standing right in the middle of Dayara Bugyal region you will notice a rare interplay of colors around you. Which is why this stretch of land carries the magic of numerous features that are almost impossible to find anywhere else.

Surya Top Trek:

If you want to explore some of the untouched wonders of the Himalayas and relish it forever, here is a great destination - Surya Top Trek. Armed with an incredible beauty at every inch of the land, this trek is in Uttarakhand and located at an elevation of 12,900 ft.

Surya Top is a medium risk trek albeit with many hidden attractions for you to explore. The beautiful meadows, fresh, cool air and surrounding gleaming peaks are enough to repeat your expedition for sure. The base camp of this trek is Natin village that has 32 Km overall distance and takes 7 days to complete.

Suryatop trek is so revetting that it's almost impossible to blink even for once. Moreover, the other popular summits that are clearly visible from this trek are Bandarpoonch, Srikanth, Jaonli, Gangotri Range, and Draupadi ka Danda 2.

During the season of autumn, this wonderland looks even more striking with an inviting appeal. To completely immerse in the tranquil beauty of this place, you have to glide through thick, misty forest covers and cross lovely winding trails. The captivating highland meadows with expansive forward terrain provides you with an exceptional vantage point. Autumn is an apt time to trek this landscape if you want to make the most of its beauty.

Final words

When it comes to the natural beauty and distinct features of Himalayan landscape, the list is endless. There is no dearth of visuals in these places that stir your soul so emphatically. However, we have curated a list of certain gems that are worth your endeavour to explore. So brace yourself for these autumn treks and create a memory for your lifetime.