If witnessing and strolling on a completely refreshing, new and blissfully crowd-free terrain is on your bucket list, then there is one spot perfect for you. Located in the untouched region of Uttarakhand’s Garhwal Himalayas, “Gulabi Kantha Trek” is an ideal escape for all trekkers while surrounded by the beauty of the Himalayas.
Living upto its name, the Gulabi Kantha is a place where flowers bloom in perfect shades of pink during the spring and summer seasons. During the sunset and sunrise, the entire place radiates a different, vibrant glow where all the dense, isolated forest, lush meadows, and all the valleys form an extremely surreal landscape. Besides that, while being on the trek, you can also hear birds' sounds from a distance, and some rustling sounds as you step forward into nature’s embrace.
The real gem of this place is not its scenic views or lush meadows. It’s the silence that engulfs the whole region in its embrace. It's that long walk you will get to take on the dreamy trail, where you will have a majestic view of mountains in front of you as they will be covered with a layer of fog.
And what sets this trek apart from the rest of Uttarakhand’s treks is its simplicity, raw beauty, and the fact that it has so much to offer in terms of Garhwal culture and the region, making this trek feel very personal. Although, one thing that makes this trek most magical and unforgettable is the Gulabi Kantha Summit and the view from there.
As you stand near the summit, a mild cold wind will go by you, brushing on your face, while you witness the world beneath you looking so small. In that moment, you will experience a rare kind of peace that only comes while being in solitude. The entire region will resemble a winter wonderland, with meadows covered in a thick layer of snow, creating a dreamy landscape before you.
Perfect for both beginners and experienced trekkers, the Gulabi Kantha Trek is a perfect blend of beauty, adventure, and serenity. This trek is so much more than just taking a walk in the Himalayas; it's about taking the opportunity to slow down a little, take a deep breath, and appreciate the beauty of nature.
To help you decide whether to explore the Gulabi Kantha Trek, we have prepared this article to enlighten you about the trail's beauty and the best time to visit it.
Major Attractions of the Gulabi Kantha Trek
Located at an altitude of 13,200 ft. the Gulabi Kantha is an underrated but the most charming trek to exist in the Garhwal Region of the Himalayas. This moderate trek is equipped with a beauty that reflects its new side each season. The real charm of this trek actually lies in its route, which begins from Hanuman Chatti, a beautiful valley that acts as a base camp for trekkers. Following the Yamuna River, you will move forward in your journey. Then the windy trail will take you through the enchanting snow-laden deep forest, while viewing the breathtaking meadows from afar, and then finally leading you to the surreal summit of Gulabi Kantha.
Speaking of the Gulabi Kantha Route, the journey starts at the -
- Hanuman Chatti - The main base camp of the Gulabi Kantha Trek, a very tranquil and little place, where this soulful journey begins with the blessing of Lord Hanuman. Surrounded by the serenity of dense forest, where the crisp air will surround you, and the spiritual essence will make you feel the presence of the divine power every second. This place is perfect if you wish to experience warm hospitality, isolate yourself in a place where you can rest a bit, recharge yourself, and soak up all the beauty of nature before going back to the hustle of city life.
- Kandola Channi - The second stop after the Base Camp in the Gulabi Kantha trek, the Kandola Channi is a beautiful, peaceful stop en route to the Gulabi Kantha summit. This place feels like a warm hug from the mountains, since it is surrounded by the forest, you will get an opportunity to witness the beauty of the dense forest in an enchanting form, and admire the beauty of the open meadows.
- Seema Thatch - The third stop after the Kandoli Channi is Seema Thatch, a place that is wrapped up in the serene beauty of lush meadows surrounding that region. The ascent of this trek is filled with wildflowers forming a carpet for the trekkers, making the whole trail look like a painted canvas. What makes this place more likeable is the way you will feel at peace while resting on the soft ground of high altitude meadows.
- Gulabi Kantha Summit - The final destination of this summit, the Gulabi Kantha Summit, is truly an epitome of the majestic view of the Himalayas. Perched at 13,200 ft, the summit is blessed with a 360-degree view of the snow-clad mountain peaks.
Apart from that, you will get a glimpse of the real, authentic traditional Himalayan life, where you will come across some wooden huts, friendly locals living in the surrounding, and a view of a soothing landscape. Making this place a perfect spot to pause for a while, take a deep breath in the mountains, and then truly connect with the trail.
Its untouched beauty, the sun settling in as the sun dips behind the peaks, makes Seema Thach a memorable highlight of the trek. It’s the kind of place where the journey feels slower, the views feel closer, and the mountains feel even more welcoming.
Besides the view, what makes the summit point more special is the perfect blend of the wide open meadows on one hand and on the other hand, you will have an opportunity to witness the beauty of the bugyals that look utterly breathtaking during blooming season, specifically as they get turned into the perfect shade of pink and purple.
Admiring the majestic peaks from the area that is all about serenity, far away from all the trekkers' chaos. This summit will not just reward you with the perfect view of the Himalayan ranges; it will reward you with peace wrapped in the silence of the mountains, breathtaking landscape views, and the charm of the Himalayas' routes.
Beauty of the Gulabi Kantha Trail
Every trek, every route to reach the mighty peaks, is a hidden treasure of the Himalayas that many people are not familiar with. While walking on these trails, they were specifically curated for all the wanderers who wish to experience and witness the untouched beauty of the peaceful mountains.
Among all the treks, Gulabi Kantha is that hidden gem of the Garhwal that offers a perfect blend of soft and rolling snow-covered meadows, a surreal golden sunrise view, and an opportunity to have a moment of solitude while surrounded by the mountains to soak up all the beauty that you just witnessed, which is becoming rare in the trekking world. And of course, when curated by Trek The Himalayas, this journey becomes more than just a trek; it becomes an experience worth carrying for a lifetime.
You know that there are a few things that make this trek so magnificent, like all the beauty, landscape and mountains, but there is one thing that makes it unforgettable even after witnessing all nature’s beauty, and that one thing is experiencing that calming, quietness while surrounded by nature.
Although experiencing the quietness in the mountains has now become very rare, Gulabi Kantha still holds on to its natural silence and the beauty of the untouched landscapes. As you walk on the trail of this trek, you will feel like entering a hidden world, where mountains are the main characters, and you are just witnessing and admiring them in their purest and magical form.
Now, what are those amazing, unforgettable experiences that this trek happens to offer all the trekkers to explore?
- Scenic Mountain View - The best part of the Gulabi Kantha Trek is the opportunity to witness the panoramic view of the Himalayan ranges like Bandarpoonch, Chaukhamba, and Nanda Devi. Among all the ranges that are visible from the summit, the Swargarohini is the only range that is visible throughout the route of the trek.
- Unique Rich Biodiversity - When you enter this untouched terrain of the trek, you will come across some unique bird species, animals and plants. While you will be walking, you will be surrounded by the oak, cedar, pine, maple, and rhododendron forests, with vibrant wildflowers blooming in certain seasons. Apart from this, you will also get to witness the very rare musk deer, Himalayan monal, and if your luck is on your side, then you might get a sighting of some high altitude species that are most difficult to catch a glimpse of.
To enlighten you more about the beauty and what is necessary to keep in mind before going on the Gulabi Kantha Trek, we have prepared a complete guide of the Gulabi Kantha Trek for all the trekkers, making their trek preparations easier and smoother.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Gulabi Kantha is the most surreal trek to explore in winter, which has so much untouched beauty residing in itself that is yet to be explored. From a perfect blend of enchanting forest view, snow-clad trails, to the most captivating view of the mountain peaks radiating a magical aura as they dominate the skyline at high altitude.
Witnessing all the beauty in the winter season acts as a perfect cherry on the cake, as the thick layer of snow only intensifies the beauty of nature. Therefore, for all the beginners, this trek is the perfect trek to explore with proper preparation to create one of the most unforgettable memories of their lives.
FAQs
- What is the best time to experience the beauty of the Gulabi Kantha Trek?
- How difficult is the Gulabi Kantha Trek in reality?
- How many days does it take to cover the Gulabi Kantha Trek?
- What unique experience can I expect on the Gulabi Kantha Trek?
The best time to experience the Gulabi Kantha beauty depends on what beauty of nature you wish to explore first. If you want to witness the beauty of full bloom, then Late Spring( April - June) will be the best time for you. To witness clear panoramic views of the mountains in Autumn(September - November), and lastly to experience the winter wonderland view, then of course, in winter (December - May) is the ideal time to explore Gulabi Kantha Trek.
This trek is ideal for beginners who have good physical fitness, as it's an easy-to-moderate trek, and it is equipped with gentle meadows but has some challenging areas too on the route.
With Trek The Himalayas, the Gulab Kantha Trek is completed in 5 days, covering all major highlights while ensuring a comfortable journey throughout.
On the Gulabi Kantha Trek, the most unique experience you will ever have is an opportunity to have a sighting of rare species of animals and plants, while viewing the endless alpine meadows throughout the trek trail.