Sacred Trails Ahead: 20 Upcoming Pilgrimage Treks & Yatras in India (July–November 2025)

India’s sacred geography is more than myth—it’s lived experience. Every year, as the snow melts and monsoon breathes new life into the mountains, pilgrims rise before dawn, lace up their boots, and walk towards the divine.

At ShepherdTrail, where every trail tells a story, we present a curated list of 20 upcoming pilgrimage treks and spiritual yatras across India, from July to November 2025. These journeys span high-altitude passes, mythological sites, and ancient caves, all carrying the weight of stories whispered through time.

Whether you’re a seeker, trekker, or spiritual explorer, this guide will help you plan your sacred journeys with clarity. We’ve included route details, altitude, difficulty, cultural significance, and registration protocols to ensure your trek is as smooth as it is soulful.

1. Shrikhand Mahadev Yatra, Himachal Pradesh

• Yatra Dates: July 10 – July 23, 2025
• Base Village: Jaon, Kullu
• Destination: Shrikhand Mahadev Shivling (5,227 m)
• Difficulty: Very Difficult
• Registration: Online mandatory with fitness certificate
  This physically demanding trek leads to a naturally formed Shivling at 17,150 ft, believed to be a manifestation of Lord Shiva himself. Steep climbs, glacier crossings, and narrow ridges test your devotion and endurance alike. The view of the Shivling piercing the clouds is beyond words.

Find more information on the yatra here. 

2. Kinner Kailash Yatra, Himachal Pradesh

• Tentative Dates: Late July to August 2025
• Base Village: Tangling, Kinnaur
• Destination: Kinner Kailash Shivling (4,650 m)
• Difficulty: Tough and steep
  A spiritually significant peak sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists, Kinner Kailash is said to be the winter abode of Lord Shiva. The trek tests your stamina but also provides panoramic views of the Kinnaur ranges and apple orchards along the way.

Find more about Kinner Kailash Trek here.

3. Manimahesh Yatra, Himachal Pradesh

• Main Pilgrimage Window: Around Krishna Janmashtami (August 2025)
• Base Village: Hadsar, Chamba
  • Destination: Manimahesh Lake (4,080 m)
    Manimahesh Lake lies in the shadow of the Manimahesh Kailash Peak and is considered the reflection of Shiva’s jewel. Pilgrims bathe in the glacial lake, believing their sins are washed away. A shorter route via Hadsar makes this accessible even for less seasoned trekkers.

Find more about this trek below.

🌄 Manimahesh Yatra Trek – A Pilgrim’s Journey Through Himalayan Devotion

4. Hemkund Sahib Yatra, Uttarakhand

• Yatra Season: June – October 2025
• Base Village: Govindghat
• Destination: Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara (4,329 m)
  This high-altitude Sikh pilgrimage site is surrounded by seven snow-clad peaks. The journey from Ghangaria is steep and challenging but the sight of the serene Gurudwara by the lake, nestled in divine silence, is truly transcendental.

5. Amarnath Yatra, Jammu & Kashmir

• Yatra Window: June – August 2025
• Base Camps: Pahalgam or Baltal
• Destination: Amarnath Cave (3,888 m)
  The Amarnath cave houses the sacred ice Shivling that forms naturally each year. It’s one of the most intense spiritual journeys in India, combining devotion, adventure, and dramatic Himalayan terrain. Government helicopters are available for those short on time.

6. Adi Kailash & Om Parvat Yatra, Uttarakhand

• Season: May – October 2025
• Base Village: Dharchula
  These twin yatras offer deep spiritual experiences—Om Parvat is known for the natural Om symbol on its face, while Adi Kailash is believed to be the earthly replica of Mount Kailash in Tibet. It’s a motorable route with short hikes, making it accessible to many.

7. Chardham Yatra, Uttarakhand

• Opening Date: Early May 2025
• Dhams: Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, Badrinath
  This quadrilateral pilgrimage circuit draws lakhs of devotees each year. Kedarnath involves a 16-18 km uphill trek and remains the most physically demanding of the four. Online registration is mandatory. New helicopter services are easing access.

8. Tungnath – Chandrashila Trek, Uttarakhand

• Best Time: April to November
• Base Village: Chopta
  This short but high-reward trek takes you to the highest Shiva temple in the world—Tungnath. A further 1.5 km hike to Chandrashila summit unveils panoramic views of Nanda Devi and other Himalayan giants. Ideal for beginners and pilgrims alike.

Read more about this trek here.

9. Narayana Parvat Yatra, Uttarakhand

• Dates: Around Raksha Bandhan (Aug)
• Base: Tapovan near Joshimath
  This is a lesser-known but sacred hike undertaken by locals during a specific window. With narrow trails and high meadows, it offers a peaceful, raw, and deeply devotional experience away from commercial circuits.

10. Phugtal Monastery Trail, Zanskar (Ladakh)

• Season: July to September
• Base: Anmu or Cha Village
  The Phugtal Gompa is built into a cliffside cave and can only be reached on foot or mule. The serenity of the Zanskar valley and the spiritual vibrations of the monastery, active since ancient times, make this a life-changing walk for many.

11. Girnar Parikrama, Gujarat

• Dates: November 2025 (during Kartik Purnima)
• Base: Junagadh
• Distance: ~36 km circuit
  A revered Hindu and Jain pilgrimage, Girnar Parikrama involves a circumambulation of the Girnar Hills. Thousands of devotees undertake this barefoot journey through forests and hill temples, seeking blessings from various deities including Dattatreya.

12. Padyatra to Pandharpur (Wari), Maharashtra

• Dates: June to July 2025 (Ashadi Ekadashi)
• Base: Alandi or Dehu, Pune
• Distance: 200+ km
  Warkaris walk hundreds of kilometers over 20 days, singing bhajans and carrying palkhis (palanquins) of saints to the Vitthal temple in Pandharpur. It’s one of the most community-driven spiritual events in India.

13. Vaishno Devi Yatra, Jammu

• Open Year-Round
• Base: Katra
• Distance: 12 km one way
  Dedicated to Goddess Vaishnavi, this trek sees millions each year climbing to the sacred cave shrine in the Trikuta Hills. Now supported by helicopter and battery-car options for accessibility.

14. Sabarimala Yatra, Kerala

• Main Season: November to January (Mandala Pooja)
• Base: Pamba
• Distance: 5 km uphill trek
  A 41-day penance precedes this forested pilgrimage to the hilltop shrine of Lord Ayyappa. Devotees wear black, maintain celibacy, and travel in groups chanting ‘Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa’.

15. Baba Budangiri Dattatreya Peetha Trek, Karnataka

• Best Time: October–February
• Base: Chikmagalur
  A spiritually syncretic site revered by both Hindus and Sufis, this moderate trek leads to caves where saints meditated. Surrounded by rolling coffee hills and mist-laden forests.

16. Yamunotri Dham Trek, Uttarakhand

• Season: May to October
• Base: Janki Chatti
• Distance: 6 km
  The source of river Yamuna and the first stop in the Char Dham circuit, this trek is short but steep. Pilgrims often perform rituals by the hot springs and riverbanks.

17. Muktinath Yatra, Nepal

• Season: May to October
• Base Access: Jomsom (via Pokhara)
  A sacred temple for both Hindus and Buddhists, Muktinath sits near the Thorong La Pass. It’s accessible via a combination of flights, jeeps, and light trekking. The 108 water spouts are believed to purify the soul.

18. Pindari Glacier Trek, Uttarakhand

• Season: May to October
• Base: Loharkhet
  A 45–50 km trek to the source of the Pindari River, revered by local communities. The trail passes through charming villages like Khati and offers rich biodiversity alongside sacred connections.

19. Maa Shoolini Yatra, Himachal Pradesh

• Dates: June 2025 (3-day festival)
• Base: Solan
  One of the grandest fairs in Himachal, this yatra celebrates Goddess Shoolini with vibrant processions, temple rituals, and a carnival atmosphere. While urban, it has deep roots in local spirituality.

20. Tara Tarini Hill Shrine Trek, Odisha

• Best Time: February to April (Tuesdays in Chaitra)
• Base: Purushottampur, near Berhampur
  The 999-step climb to the twin deity shrine of Tara and Tarini is both physically and spiritually uplifting. The site is among the oldest Shakti Peethas in India.

These yatras are more than events; they are personal revolutions written in silence, altitude, and mantra. Whether you follow the footsteps of Shiva, Krishna, or the devtas of your ancestors, these paths ask for presence, not performance.

Stay connected with ShepherdTrail for in-depth guides to each of these sacred journeys.

Where Every Trail Tells a Story.