Top 5 Glacier Treks to Explore in the Himalayas

Published: 28 Aug, 2025By Arun Joshi

The glaciers in the Indian Himalayas have great significance, whether religious or adventurous. These glaciers turn into sacred rivers that are revered by countless devotees. Besides this, they are also a perfect way to explore yourself through various trekking tours in India.

Discover the 5 best glacier trekking routes in India that offer an energetic and impressive expedition to the great Himalayas.

• Gomukh Glacier Trek
• Pindari Glacier Trek
• Khatling Glacier Trek
• Milam Glacier Trek
• Kafni Glacier Trek

Gomukh Glacier Trek

Gangotri Gomukh is the origin of the river Ganges and the seat of Goddess Ganga, famously popular as one of the Char Dham circuits in Uttarakhand. Gomukh is one of the holiest places for Hindu devotees and also offers great trekking opportunities for enthusiastic travelers. The trek takes you to Gomukh (cow’s mouth), the mythological source of the River Ganges, which lies at the snout of the Gangotri Glacier. The Gomukh Glacier trek covers the area of the Garhwal Himalayas at an altitude of 4463 m/14,638 ft. The normal duration of the trek is about 8–11 days, and it ranges from moderate to challenging.

The best time for Gaumukh Glacier trek is May–June and August–November. The journey offers a complete experience, from a self-supported adventure to camping in the deep Himalayas.

Pindari Glacier Trek

The Pindari Glacier is located in the upper reaches of the Kumaon Himalayas, to the southeast of Nanda Devi. It is the most easily accessible glacier in the Kumaon region and has a beauty of its own. The River Pindar originates from this glacier and flows down to meet the River Alaknanda. The trekking route to the glacier runs along the southern wilderness of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, offering beautiful views of peaks like Panwali Dwar (6,683 m) and Maiktoli (6,803 m).

A trek to the Pindari Glacier is a “soft adventure” experience and well within the capacity of any trekker, amply rewarded by the magnificence and grandeur of the towering Himalayas. The trekking route to the Pindari Glacier also passes through the pristine village of Loharkhet. The best time to visit the Pindari Glacier is between May–June and September–October.

Khatling Glacier Trek

Located in the Tehri district of the Garhwal Himalayas, the Khatling Glacier is the source of the River Bhilangna. It is surrounded by the snow peaks of the Jogin group (6,466 m), Sphetic Pristwar (6,905 m), Barte Kauter (6,579 m), Kirti Stambh (6,902 m), and Meru. At an altitude of 4,000 meters, the Khatling Glacier trek is considered moderate to tough. The trek starts from Ghuttu, which is easily approachable by motor from Dehradun, Tehri, Mussoorie, and the Rishikesh railhead. Trekkers need to cover about 45 km, passing through remote villages, dense Kharsao forests, and wide, lush, grassy meadows.

The entry to the Bhilangna Valley offers excellent camping spots. Tents and sufficient provisions should be arranged in advance from Rishikesh, Tehri, or Dehradun. The best time to experience this trek is between mid-June and mid-October, and it usually lasts about 11 nights/12 days.

Milam Glacier Trek

One of the biggest glaciers of the Kumaon ranges in Uttarakhand, the Milam Glacier stretches for 28 km. It originates from the slopes of Kohli and Trishul peaks and is situated on the south-facing slope of the main Himalayan range. At an altitude of 4,267 m and spread over around 37 sq. km, the mighty Milam Glacier offers a perfect trail for trekking.

The Milam Glacier trek is a moderately challenging trekking experience in India that can be covered in 12–13 days. Camping and tenting can also be enjoyed here wonderfully.

Kafni Glacier Trek

The Kaphini (Kafni) Glacier lies to the left of the Pindar Valley, below the famous peak of Nandakot, and is one of the popular trekking tours in India. The route to the Kafni Glacier follows the same track up to Dwali as the trail to Pindari. Though Pindari is the more popular tourist destination, some people find the route to Kafni more beautiful. Unlike Pindari, tourists can trek right up to the glacier. The major trekking points are Bageshwar, Song, Loharkhet, Khati, Phurkia, Zero Point, Dwali, Kafni, Dhakuri, and Kathgodam. In the case of Pindari, the trek beyond Zero Point becomes very tough and cannot be done without proper equipment. The Kafni trek, on the other hand, is undoubtedly an easier one for most trekkers.

Also Check out: Popular India Trekking Packages

So, this time if you are in India and thinking of an adventurous and thrilling expedition, glacier trekking in India is the perfect choice for you. Make the right arrangements and get ready for the excitement coming your way.

For India Glacier Trekking Expeditions, call +91-9212553109 or mail at info@peakadventuretour.com