A hilltop monastery village above a river in the Spiti Valley

India · Himalaya

India

In the Indian Himalaya, Spiti is a high-altitude cold desert dotted with ancient monasteries, and the Valley of Flowers bursts into bloom each monsoon.

Best months: Jun–Sep
Signature peak: Kangchenjunga, 8,586 m
Fly into: Delhi (DEL)
Destinations: 12

Explore India Best time to visit

Destinations in India

Where to go in India

12 of 12 destinations · Main season Jun–Sep

Best Jun–Sep

Himachal Pradesh, Himalaya

Spiti Valley

A high-altitude cold desert of ancient monasteries, remote villages and very high mountain roads.

3,650 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

A blue poppy in bloom, beaded with rain, in the Valley of Flowers

Best Jul–Sep

Uttarakhand, Garhwal Himalaya

Valley of Flowers

A high Himalayan valley that bursts into bloom after the monsoon, reached on a trek from Govindghat via Ghangaria.

3,350–3,650 m · Jul–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Best Jun–Sep

Ladakh

Leh and Ladakh

A high-altitude desert of monasteries, palaces and mountain passes, reached by one of the highest roads in the world.

3,500 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Villages & culture · Scenic views · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours

Best Jun–Sep

Ladakh

Pangong Tso

A long, brackish lake at over 4,000 m that shifts between blue, green and grey, straddling the border with Tibet.

4,350 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Lakes · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

Bactrian camels crossing the sand dunes of the Nubra Valley below snow peaks

Best Jun–Sep

Ladakh

Nubra Valley

A high valley north of Leh, with sand dunes, double-humped camels, monasteries and the highest motorable road in the world nearby.

3,050 m · Jun–Sep · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours

Snow-capped mountains above a meadow and huts in the Solang Valley near Manali

Best Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

Himachal Pradesh

Manali and Solang Valley

A busy hill station in the Beas valley, with meadows, forests, snow slopes and adventure sports.

2,050 m · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · Easy

Good for: Scenic views · Snow & ski · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours

Green meadows with grazing sheep and pine forest at Gulmarg

Best Dec–Mar, Apr–Jun

Jammu and Kashmir

Gulmarg

A high meadow below the Affarwat range, famous for its gondola, which rises to almost 4,000 m, and its skiing.

2,650 m · Dec–Mar, Apr–Jun · Moderate

Good for: Snow & ski · Scenic views · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours

Kangchenjunga glowing at sunrise seen from Darjeeling

Best Mar–May, Oct–Nov

West Bengal

Darjeeling

A colonial hill station among tea gardens, with a narrow-gauge railway and views of Kangchenjunga on clear mornings.

2,042 m · Mar–May, Oct–Nov · Easy

Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours

A jeep on the road through the Yumthang Valley with prayer flags and snow peaks

Best Mar–Jun

Sikkim

Yumthang Valley

A high valley of rhododendrons and hot springs in North Sikkim, ringed by snow peaks and cut by the Lachung river.

3,564 m · Mar–Jun · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours

A clear view of Himalayan peaks from the Tungnath ridge near Chopta

Best Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

Uttarakhand

Chopta and Tungnath

A meadow and the world's highest Shiva temple, reached by a short, steep trek with views of the Garhwal Himalaya.

3,680 m · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Scenic views · Villages & culture

Stays Flights Tours

A boulder on the Triund ridge above Dharamshala under the Dhauladhar range

Best Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov

Himachal Pradesh

Dharamshala and Triund

The home of the Tibetan government-in-exile and a short trek to a ridge beneath the Dhauladhar range.

2,828 m · Mar–Jun, Sep–Nov · Moderate

Good for: Trekking · Villages & culture · Scenic views

Stays Flights Tours

The village of Kalpa below the snow peaks of Kinnaur Kailash

Best Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov

Himachal Pradesh

Kinnaur and Kalpa

A high valley of apple orchards and old wooden temples, with Kinnaur Kailash across the river from the village of Kalpa.

2,960 m · Apr–Jun, Sep–Nov · Moderate

Good for: Scenic views · Villages & culture · Trekking

Stays Flights Tours

About India

India at a glance

India's mountain travel is spread across the Himalaya. This guide begins with two contrasting destinations in the north: Spiti, a high-altitude cold desert in Himachal Pradesh, and the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand, an alpine valley that is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Both involve long journeys by road from the main gateways, high altitudes and basic accommodation, so they suit travellers who are comfortable with slow travel and flexibility. Landslides and weather can close roads, especially in the monsoon.

The main season is from June to September, though the monsoon (July to September) affects Garhwal heavily while Spiti sits in a rain shadow. Plan acclimatisation carefully, and check local road and permit rules.

Getting there

Delhi (DEL) is the main international gateway. From Delhi, travel by road, rail or air to Chandigarh, Shimla or Manali for Spiti, or to Dehradun (DED) and Rishikesh for the Valley of Flowers. Journeys from the plains to the mountains take a day or more.

Getting around

Most travellers hire a car with a driver, or use shared jeeps and buses on mountain roads. Local transport is slow, and road conditions vary. State buses serve the main routes.

Entry and safety

Most visitors need a visa or e-visa before arriving, and should apply only through the official Indian government visa website. Some border areas need extra permits or registration for foreign visitors, so check current rules.

Roads in the Himalaya can be dangerous, with landslides, narrow sections and limited emergency services. Altitude sickness is a real risk. Use experienced drivers and operators, check your government's travel advice, and carry insurance that covers high-altitude travel and evacuation.

Official sources

Last reviewed October 2026. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.

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