Munsiyari
the base for this trek in Pithoragarh distict of Kumaon. It is a most
important base for Ralam, Namik, Poting, Milam Glaciers. Munsiari is on
the arterial water body of Gauriganga which emerges from the Milam
Glacier system of the eastern flanks of the Nanda Devi Sanctury, fed
also by the Kalabaland Glacier and the Panchichullu from further east.
The Milam Glacier snout at 3872 metres is not the only objective of the
trek route indicated but also the nodal point for a variety of high
grade routes and peaks. Majsiari is located at the bank of Gauri Ganga
stream at an altitude of 2290 metres is last road terminus on this
route. Provision for food, porters can be done here.
DAY 01: ARRIVAL DELHI :
Upon arrival at Delhi International airport, meet to our
representatative, transfer to hotel for rest of the night.
DAY 02: DELHI-OVERNGIHT TRAIN TO KATHGODAM :
Moring leisure, for relax, afternoon being half day Old Delhi
sightseeing, visit Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Chadani Chowk &
Gandhi Memorial. Late evening board train to Kathgodam, Overnight train
DAY 02: ARRIVAL KATHGODAM - DRIVE TO PITHORAGARH 1700m : 210km/ 6-7 hrs
drive :
Early in the morning arrival at Kathgodam, on arrival meet to your
driver and en route to Pithoragarh, On arrival check in hotel for
overnight stay.
DAY 03: PITHORAGARH :
Full day leisure for local sightseeing, Pithoragarh is also known as
miniature Kashmir for the splendid view of the vast & beautiful
valley and stunning & picturesque views of Nanda Devi,
Panchachuli peaks and some peaks of Nepal Himalaya like Api &
Nampa. Pithoragarh is famous for its Temples, Ashrams, Carpet weaving,
folk lore and dances like Phag, Chabeli, Aathoon and Chaliya dance.
Ever year in the month of September-October a big cultural festival is
organized known as Chaliya Mahotsava which shows the culture of Kumaun,
Chaliya dance and Hiljatra are the main attractions. Pithoragarh gives
way to many treks in Kumaun like Milam Glacier trek, Nanda devi east
base camp trek,Panchachuli Glacier trek, Nabidang Parwat trek, Adi
kailash trek etc. The famous Hindu pilgrimage tour to
Kailash-Mansarover passes through the district. Overnight stay at a
simple neat and clean hotel.
DAY 03: FULL DAY BIRTHI FALL-MUNSIYARI
(2290mtrs.) 110kms- 5 Hrs :
Start early to enjoy your lunch in front of the gigantic Birthi
waterfall,125 metres from the ground. The onward drive takes you
through the beautiful jungles of Pine, Cedar and Rhododendrons,
breathtaking view of the giant look of Panchachuli ranges from Kala
Muni Temple the topmost point of munsiyari (2700 metres). Munsiyari has
very large and varied vegetation, with many herbs exclusively available
here. In winter, the alpine slopes of Khaliatop and Betulidhar in the
higher reaches offer some splendid skiing opportunities. Enjoy the
golden colours of Panchuli peaks and rhythmic sound of Goriganga River
with a cup of coffee/Tea in the evening. Overnight stay at the hotel.
DAY 04: MUNSIYARI - LILAM (1850 mtrs.) : 13 kms.4-5 Hrs Trek :
After the breakfast drive 5 km till Selapani where the trek starts. You
have to descend about 1800 metres, then walk along the Gori ganga River
with Paton and Bhuj villages on the left banks and again ascend for
about 1 hr to reach Lilam. Lilam is a small gathering of huts with a
small camping place. It is the winter home of the Milam Villagers. Most
of the residents have become permanent though a few houses continue the
tradition of migration to Milam during the summer months. These
villages have potatoes and rajma as their main crops and are famous for
them. Overnight in tents.
DAY 05: LILAM - BUGUDIYAR (2410 mtrs.) 5-6 Hrs. Trek :
Walk through thick forest of Utees trees and on the way cross various
small tributaries and the Ralam rivulet which meets in the water of the
Gori Ganga. After a steep uphill climb and some ups and downs reach
Bogudiyar where the Poting River meets the Gori Ganga. The route goes
very close to the river and in fact at some stage it almost becomes a
bridge parallel and clinging to the rock face. On this route you do get
to see some scenic alpine meadows and shepherd pasture and some
nameless snow capped peaks mainly leading towards the Ralam village.
Get your passports checked and legal formalities done by the ITBP
personnel. Overnight in tents at a neat and clean place in Bugudiyar.
DAY 06: BUGUDIYAR - RELKOT (3130 mtrs.) 5-6
Hrs Trek :
Just after Bodgudiyar you have to cross the river which merges into the
river Gori. The route steadly climbs along the river which is very
noisy at this stage. An hour after you reach the upper Bugudiyar meadow
crossing the Gori ganga to reach the left side of the river and again
at the other end of this meadow a bridge have to be crossed to get back
to the right side of the river. This is a beautiful place which is
guarded by huge cliffs on both side and looks very impressive. From now
on, the route starts to go up and down and flat at times, some time you
get to eat some wild strawberries if you are lucky enough to find them
and after about an hour walk you get to a place where you have to walk
on the thick ice for about a minute. On the way there is a bifurcation
which heads to Laspa village and crossing the Laspa pass one reaches
the east Shalang glacier or northern glacier of Nandakot. The route
then goes along the river going up and down to reach Rilkot. Rilkot is
covered by nameless snow capped peaks on all the sides. In the evening
one can visit the old ruins of the village. Overnight in Rilkot on the
river beach.
DAY 07: RELKOT - BHUJ (3310M) VIA MARTOLI
(3310 mtrs) 5-6 Hrs Trefk :
After breakfast being trek towards Martoli, after half an hour walk
there is a bifurcation -one route going up and other route going down.
The route going up heads to Martoli village and the main trail is the
route to Burfu, a village just before Bilju. At the end of the steep
climb you come across the ruins of Rilkot which is a bunch of broken
down stone houses. At this stage you get a view of the Sumdu village
which is on the other side of Goriganga, from here the path from Sumdu
village goes up towards the Ralam Glacier (4700 mtrs). Martoli(3340
mtrs.) is a huge village which used to be the major center of the
Indo-Tibetan trade route before 1962. There used to be 500 families in
this village, but now you can hardly find five inhabited houses. The
carvings on the doors and windows of the houses in the village are very
beautiful. At Martoli we get the first views of Nanda Devi ranges and
the peaks behind the Milam glacier. One could get a good view of the
Martoli peak (4550 mtrs) which is a small and beautiful hill towering
the village. From one end of the village the trail descends sharply
towards the meeting of the Goriganga and the Lwan gaad river which
flows from the Nanda devi east and Nanda Khat. It is about 250m on a
easy scree slope which zig-zag till it reaches Lwan gaad river. There
is a bifurcation now on both sides of the Burphu bridge, there is a
route going to the Pacchu Glacier and another to Burfu village. Another
bifurcation just after crossing the bridge leads one to Milam village
and one climbing towards the Burphu village. Carrying on towards the
Milam route, after half an hour of walking you get the first views of
the peak Trishuli (7065 mtrs) and gigantic view of Nandadevi and
Nandadevi east. Overnight in the camps at Bilju.
DAY 08: FULL DAY LEISURE AT BILJU :
Relax yourself in the camps and enjoy the fantastic view o fNanda Devi
east and Nanda devi towards the west just above the villages Pacchu and
Ghangar on the other side of the Gori ganga river or climb up to the
Bugyals with theShepherds and listen some interesting stories from the
villagers in the evening.
DAY 09: BILJU - MILLAM VILLAGE (3430 mtrs.) 4-5 Hrs Trek :
Follow the calmer water of Gori ganga towards the Milam village. On the
east there is a long snow ridge which is parallel to the route to Milam
village. Just before reaching the Milam ITBP post you have to cross a
bridge across a small river which flows from peaks near the Unta dhura
pass (5300 mtrs) and Kungribhingri la (5600mtrs) pass at the
Indo-Tibetian border from where the people of Johar valley used to
trade with the Tibetans. Milam Village is located near the glacier and
is one of the highest villages in the Himalayan range at an outstanding
height of about 3430 metres above sea level. The people of Milam claim
themselves to be Rajputs. Get your passports checked at the check post
and take a round of the beautiful village. Overnight in the tent.
DAY 10:MILAM VILLAGE - NANDA DEVI EAST (4150 Mtrs.) 4-5 Hrs Trek :
We take explore the valley leading to the Nanda Devi East base camp.
DAY 11: NANDA DEVI EAST :
Full day excursion of the Nanda Devi East. Overnight at camp.
DAY 12: NANDA DEVI EAST BASE CAMP - MILLAM GLACIER: 4-5 Hrs Trek :
Milam Glacier is just 4 kms away from the Village, this is a short and
easy trek and is full of scenic beauty and spectacular vision of high
Himalaya and snow capped peaks. On the start of the glacier there is a
board saying we are at an altitude of 3500 mtrs., after this the trail
almost disappears with only stone markers kept at small distances. The
route goes through the glacial moraines which is full of rocks and you
might have to cross a small streams occasionally. In front of you seen
the seven thousand meter peaks Hardeol(7161 metres) and Trishuli(7070
mtrs.). Reach the snout of the glacier and take some good pictures with
your fellow members. The best bit is to the left, where most water
roars from underneath the ice; you can get very close but beware of
shifting and falling stones, it can get really dangerous here,
especially when the sun starts heating things up. One could have a bath
in the icy cold water of Gori ganga coming out from the snout. Spend
the day there and return to the Village in the evening. Overnight in
the tents.
DAY 13: MILAM VILLAGE - RELKOT (3130 mtrs.) 6-7 Hrs. Trek :
Trek back from Milam Village to Rilkot enjoying the beauty of the peaks
Nanda devi, Martoli, and others with ups and down along the soft roars
of the river Gori, reach Rilkot and enjoy the evening there. Overnight
in the tents.
DAY 15: RELKOT - LILAM (1850 mtrs.) 7-8 Hrs. Trek :
Morning being trek slowly from Rilkot to Lilam enjoying the beautiful
views of grasslands, streams and waterfall. It’s a long day but quite
an easy one as you just have to descend but mind your foot and be very
careful in stepping down the rocky terrain. Relax yourself inside the
tents at night.
DAY 16: LILAM - MUNSIYARI (2290 mtrs.) 5-6
Hrs. Trek :
Trek to Munsiyari from Lilam is small and quite easy so start late as
you can sleep for long hours. Reach Munsiyari in the evening and have a
great dinner after the successful trek. Overnight stay in the hotel in
a cozy bed.
DAY 17: MUNSIYAR :
Enjoy the beautiful view of Panchachuli peaks or take a walk to
Kalamuni temple or simply take rest to prepare yourself for the next
day long drive in the hills. Overnight stay in the guest house or hotel.
DAY 18: MUNSIYARI - KAUSANI : 165 Km/6 Hrs.
Drive :
Early in the morning drive to Kausani via Bageshwar, en route visi the
Shiva temple, on arrival check in hotel.
DAY 19: KAUSANI :
Full day local ecursion, The altitude of this place is about 1890 mts.
This place offers a 350 km view of the Himalayan peaks like Trisul,
Nanda Devi and Panchchuli. There are very few places in the Himalayas
which can compare with the beauty of Kausani - a picturesque hill
station famous for its scenic splendor and its spectacular 300 km-wide
panoramic view of the Himalayas. Kausani lies on the atop the ridge
amidst dense Pine trees overlooking Someshwar valley on one side and
Garur and Baijnath Katyuri valley on the other on
Almora-Bageshwar-Didihat Highway. Mahatma Gandhi called this place the
'Switzerland of India', due to similarity in landscap. Late evening
organize the folk cultural program as Kumaoni song, Chholiya dance,
etc. overnight at hotel.
DAY 20: KAUSANI-NAINITAL (1950m) 3-4 hrs drive :
Mornign leav Kausani to Nainital via Almora, where we can take lunch
break, continue drive to Nainital, upon arrival check in hotel rest of
the time visit lake city. Situated at an altitude of 1,950 metres,
Nainital is set in a valley containing a pear-shaped lake,
approximately two miles in circumference, and surrounded by mountains,
of which the highest are Naina (2,615 m, on the north, Deopatha (2,438
m. on the west, and Ayarpatha (2,278 m, on the south. From the tops of
the higher peaks, "magnificent views can be obtained of the vast plain
to the south, or of the mass of tangled ridges lying north, bounded by
the great snowy range which forms the central axis of the Himalayas."
Overnight at hotel.
DAY 21: NAINITAL-DELHI (9310KM) 6-7 Hrs Drive :
Morning drive to Delhi long day through the plane of Ganga and Yamuna,
most cultivated land in India. Rest of the time leisure for shopping
etc. Late evening dinner than departure transfer to International
airport to take onward flight. End the services.
The major attraction at Kausani is that is offers wondrous vistas of
the Kumaon Himalayas. You may enjoy the endless stretch of famous peaks
like the Nanda Devi, Trishul, and the Nandakot. While in Kausani you
may move to the various vintage-points in order to capture the
spectacular sights of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas that are
spread majestically across the 300 km range. The sunrise and the sunset
are the special moments for the nature lovers and the photographers
alike.
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