Nandadevi Base Camp Trek
Time : May/ June -Sept/October
Trek Duration : 14 days
Region : Kumaon Hills (Almora)
Max. Altitude : 3880 mts.
This is a trans-Himalayan trek in the heart of Kumaon Himalayas. Nanda Devi of course, needs no introduction. The second highest peak in the Indian Himalayas and touted by many as one of the most beautiful peaks in the world. The trek is through the Jauher valley the centre of ancient Indo Tibetan trade route. Once upon a time this was one of the most important commercial centres with a throbbing civilization influenced by the Tibetan culture in so many ways.
At 2290 mts. Munsiyari is on the arterial water body of Gori ganga,
which emerges from the Milam Glacier on the eastern flanks of the Nandadevi santuary,fed also by the kalaband glacier and Panchachuli from the east.The jauher valley is on the outer ring of the Nandadevi santuary.Apart from the spectacular views of the Nandadevi and Nandakhot peaks the trek is along the Goriganga river through ancient villages and rolling grass meadows.
The Martoli village, one of the centres of the Jauher valley, .Once a big village and a commercial centre, that is now in ruins it truly represents the history of the Indo-Tibetian trade route.
itinerary
Day 1
Air conditioned train travel to Delhi by Golden Temple Express departure at 9.15 p.m.
Day 2. Arrive in Delhi Station 6.30 p.m.
Departure from old Delhi in the night by train Ranikhet express at 9.55 pm.
Day 3. Arrival at Kathgodam station at 5.45 a.m.
Freshen up at Kathgodham station, assembly at 8.00 a.m. at station. From Kathgodam we take you to chowkhori Lunch and rest at chowkhori tea and snacks en-route will be provided. Overnight at Tourist Rest House/Hotel – chowkhori-2010 mts.-198 kms.
Day 4. Chowkhori to Munsiyari a run of 98 kms.
MUNSIYARI-LILAM A fairly easy walk (7kms.) brings us to Lilam (1850 mts.)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. Overnight in tents/village
Day 5. LILAM to BOGOUDIYAR(2609mts.) trek of 12 kms.
12 km trek in the thick forest of Utees trees, the Ralam rivulet meets the Gori Ganga. After a steep uphill climb one reaches Bogudiyar where the Poting River meets the Gori Ganga. Overnight in tents.
Day 6. BOGOUDIYAR to RILKHOT (3130mts.) trek of 12 kms.
This is truly the Trans-Himalayan region. En route one can divert to the Laspa village and further to northern glacier of Nanda Kot. Rilkot village is situated above the river and one can visit the ruins of old Rilkot. Overnight can be in a camp set up near the river.
Day 7. RILKHOT to GHANGHAR (3300mts.) trek of 13 kms.
One gets the view of the Martoli peak soon after Rilkot and the valley really opens out into the typical trans-Himalayan terrain. The walk through the sunny meadows is very enticing to the ancient village of Ghangar. Here we are entering into the Pachu valley which leads upto the Nanda devi base camp. Ghangar village is also exciting in terms of the typical Jauhar houses with woodcarvings and an ancient temple.Here we can experience high altitude of Himalayas and pink and white rhododendrons and fresh green birth forests.
Day 8. GHANGHAR - PACHU GLACIER (3880 m) 7 kms. trek
The climb is rather strenuous from Ghangar. And the 7 km would take approximately 5 hours. The view just keeps getting better with Nanda devi looming closer with each step. The rolling High altitude rhododendron with the pink and white flowers and the fresh green birch forests make the trek an ultimate experience. We reach an open alpine meadow with varied flora and at the head of the Pachu Glacier emanating from the northern face of Nanda Devi. Overnight in the tents.
Day 9. EXPLORING THE BASE CAMP 6 kms.
We spend the day walking up along the glacier towards the peaks and get real close up views of Nanda devi. Overnight in tents.On this day we explore the spectacular views of the famous peaks such as Nandadevi,Nandakhot.
Day 10
PACHU GLACIER TO MARTOLI 17 kms.trek
We will trek from Pachu Glacier to Martoli village mostly downhill
and last bit uphill.Here exquisite wood carvings on old houses, speak stories of an ancient time.Martoli is one of the centres of the Jauher valley.It is one of the very important destinations from the ancient Indo Tibetian trade route.From Martoli one can get great views of Nandadevi(east) and Nandakhot.The night stay at Martoli is Tented accomaodation.
Day 11. MARTOLI - RARGARI 18 kms. trek
We return to Munsiyari on a fairly easy downhill path. overnight tents.
day 12. RARGARI - MUNSIYARI 14 kms. trek -CHAUKORI 98 Kms. by road
Back to roads we stay overnight in guest house/Tents
Day 13. CHAUKORI - KATHGODAM - 198 kms.
Day 14:
Arrival at DELHI by 5 a.m. Group Disperses
inclusions
- Air conditioned train travel to Delhi and back. Airconditioned train travel Delhi to Kathgodham and back.
- Chartered non a/c. bus/jeep/Sumo from Kathgodam to Bageshwar and further to Munsiyari and back after the trek to Kathgodam.
- All food expenses, hotel stay at Munsiyari and Bageshwar, porters carrying your loads, mules/ponies, cooks, and guide charges.