Starting
from Munsiyari (Kumaon Himalayas) and finishing at Malari (Garhwal Himalayas)
- a 2-week trip from takes you to experience the area of complete wilderness
with outstanding view of Nanda Devi group of peaks. Chances of encountering
rare high altitude flora and fauna are very great on the trek.
The Around Nanda Devi Trek passes through one of the most varied topography
in the Indian Himalayas. The road head at Munsiari provides for an unparalleled
view of the awe inspiring Panchachuli range. Dropping down into the Gauri Ganga
valley the path passes through thick tropical forests, which soon give way to
snow bridges and alpine meadows. As we climb and cross over the Untadhura (17,500
ft.) and the Khingrudhura (17,900 ft) passes the landscape changes to a Tibetan
like high altitude desert. The grand finale is the last day's trek over a deep
gorge with a narrow path cut out of the rock face. The trek finishes with a
drive to Auli, which will give us our last grand view of the enigma, that is
Nanda Devi.
A unique mix of flora and fauna is characteristic of this park. The fauna includes
the brown and Himalayan black bears, Himalayan thar, snow leopards, serow and
chir pheasants.
ITINERARY (Delhi - Munsiyari - Malana - Delhi) :
Grade : Tough
Time : Summer
Duration : 15 days
Average Walking time : 6-7 hours per day
Day 1 : (New Delhi - Almora):
Arrive New Delhi. Meet Gypsy Feet representative. Bus/train to Almora. Dinner
and overnight in Almora.
Day 2 : (Almora - Pithoragarh - Munsiyari (2000
M):
On day 2 of Munsiyari - Malana Trek, after an early breakfast we drive to the
road head to reach Munsiyari via Pithoragarh. Overnight in resort/camp.
Day 3 : Day 3 (Munsiyari - Lilam (2200 M):
In the morning, we finish legal formalities. Then we start our trek to Lilam.
We trek along the river through thick pine forests to reach Lilam. Lilam is
a small gathering of huts with a small camping place. We pitch our tents there.
Overnight in tents.
Day 4 : Day 4 (Lilam - Bugdiar (2600 M):
Gradual ascending and some ups and downs through scenic meadows and shepherd
pasture. Overnight in Tents.
Day 5 : (Bugdiar - Martoli (3430 M):
Spectacular trek of around 14 km, we gradually ascend via village Reelkot 3100m.
Martoli has very old history as people used to trade with Tibet in old times.
But now a deserted village, which is slowly coming forward to house, a few due
to trekkers and climbers who likes to spend weeks, months here. A high plateau
of grassy fields situated at 3430m. Overnight in tents.
Day 6 : (Martoli - Milam Village (4000 M):
On day 5, Milam used to be a village of Rajputs who some from Rajasthan and
they do not like to be called Bhotias or Tibetans. Although they had been trading
animals and dairy products, many house hold items with Tibet up to 1962. This
was also part of the old trade route between Kumaon and Tibet. This village
had many houses at one time and now only a few occupied huts remain. Overnight
in tents.
Day 7 : (Milam Village - Milam Glacier - Milam (3926
M):
This short and easy trail is full of scenic view and spectacular vision of high
Himalayan Ranges and peaks. Spend the day at Glacier return to Milam Village
& night stay.
Day 8 : (Milam - Dung Trek (4200 M):
On day 7, we continue trekking to Dung. The views are spectacular and terrain
rewarding giving every trekker a delight and memories that he would cherish
for a lifetime. We leave Gauri Ganga and climb towards Goonkha river. There
is an alpine meadow here which is ideal for camping. We set our tents here.
Overnight in tents.
Day 9 : (Dung - Topidunga (4850 M):
We start early morning after breakfast as today we trek a pass, Untadhura (17,500
ft). Then we undertake a 14-km descent to reach our camp site. Overnight in
tents.
Day 10 : (Topidunga - Chadamu (4500 M):
We climb a pass and undertake a steep descent to camp. Overnight in tents.
Day 11 : (Chadamu - Lapthal (4150 M):
After early morning breakfast, we trek through a very scenic plateau with a
small unnamed pass of 15000 ft. Overnight in camp.
Day 12 : (Lapthal - Sumna (3450 M):
After early morning breakfast, we enter an incredible gorge where track has
been cut into the rock. Overnight camp.
Day 13 : (Sumna - Malari (3250 M):
After early morning breakfast, we continue our trek through the gorge to reach
the road head. From road head, we drive to Malari. From Malari, we drive to
Joshimath. Overnight in resort/camp.
Day 14 : (Joshimath - Rishikesh):
We drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh. Overnight in Rishikesh.
Day 15 (Rishikesh - New Delhi):
Train/Bus to New Delhi. Arrive New Delhi. Trek concludes.
The Nanda Devi Sanctuary Trek
Duration : 15
days / 14 Nights
Destinations : New Delhi - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Badrinath - Lata Village
- Lata Kharak - Dharansi Pass - Debrugheta - Hitoli Camp Site - Joshimath
- Rishikesh - New Delhi.
The
Nanda Devi National Park is one of the most spectacular wilderness areas in
the Himalayas. It is dominated by the peak of Nanda Devi, which rises to over
7,800 m. No humans live in the park, which has remained more or less intact
because of its inaccessibility. It is the habitat of several endangered mammals,
especially the snow leopard, Himalayan musk deer and bharal.
Nanda Devi National Park is spread over an area of 630 sq. kms., just next to
the Nanda Devi Peak (which is the second highest mountain in India -7817 mts.),
is the Nanda Devi sanctuary. It was established in 1980. The first men on record
to have reached this Sanctuary, while yet in its pristine form, were the the
British Mountaineers Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman. The area had largely remained
undisturbed till then, except for Tilman's successful attempt on Nanda Devi
in 1936. However, from 1950 onwards the increasing number of treks & climbing
expeditions to the area has somewhat affected the virgin character of this place.
A unique mix of flora and fauna is characteristic of this park. The fauna inlcudes
the brown and Himalayan black bears, Himalayan thar, snow leopards, serow and
chir pheasants.
ITINERARY (Delhi - Nanda Devi Sanctuary - Delhi) :
Grade : Moderate
Time : Summer
Duration : 11 days
Duration : Between 2400 to 6817 mts
Average Walking time : 6-7 hours per day
Day 1 : (New Delhi):
Arrive New Delhi. Meet our representative. Bus/train to Rishikesh. Dinner and
overnight in Rishikesh.
Day 2 : (Rishikesh - Joshimath (1890 M):
On day 2 of Nanda Devi Sanctuary Trek, after an early breakfast we drive to
Joshimath, which is at a distance of 250 km. Overnight in guesthouse at Joshimath.
Day 3 : (Joshimath - Badrinath - Joshimath):
In the morning, we inform the local authorities, clearance of permits, complete
legal formailities. In afternoon, we visit the Badrinath temple. Overnight in
guesthouse at Joshimath.
Day 4 : (Joshimath - Lata Village ( 2317 M):
Spectacular journey by jeep to the roadhead near Lata Village. Then we trek
to Lata village, which is 1.5 km from the roadhead. We visit the Nanda devi
Temple and explore the distinctive culture of the region. Overnight in the village.
Day 5 : (Lata Village - Lata Kharak (3689 M):
On day 5, we trek an 8.5-km steep climb. The climb is strenous but extremely
rewarding as the glimpses of the peaks are mesmerising. We reach Lata Kharak,
which is a high plateau with high peaks surrounding it. We try and wrap up the
trek in 6 hours but could take upto 9 hours so we move very early in the morning.
Overnight in Camp.
Day 6 : (Lata Kharak - Dharansi Pass (4250 M):
We wake up to view mighty snow-clad peaks all around, viz., Dronagiri, Nanda
Gunthi and many more. Today, we take a steep climb to Jhandi Dhar and Bagfyana
Pass. From here the trail ascends and descends through the Narrow gorge of Satkul
to Dharansi Pass. Overnight at Camp.
Day 7 : (Dharansi Pass - Debrugheta - Dharansi Pass
(4250 M):
On day 7, we continue trekking to the Malthuni - Bethratoli Ridge's of the inner
and outer sanctuary form a magnificient pass upto Rani Kholi and Donidar. The
trail is a steep descent of about a kilometer to Debrugheta. Return to Dharansi
Pass by late afternoon. Overnight at Camp.
Day 8 : (Dharansi Pass - Hitoli Camp Site (2900
M):
We cover a distance of 11 km. From Jhandi Dhar a steep descent of 4.5 km to
the Hitoli camp site through thick forests of Rhododendron, Birch and Fir. Overnight
at Camp.
Day 9 : (Hitoli Campsite - Joshimath (1890 M):
On day 9, we trek for 8 km. The trail takes us through the village of Tolma
to the roadhead from where it is a 30 km drive to Joshimath. The trek is through
thick forests. Overnight at guesthouse in Joshimath.
Day 10 : (Joshimath - Rishikesh):
After early morning breakfast, we drive back to Rishikesh. Dinner and overnight
in Rishikesh.
Day 11 : (New Delhi):
Train/Bus to New Delhi. Arrive New Delhi. Trek concludes.
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