This is a trans-Himalayan trek which commences at Munsyari(2290 mts) and the route ascends up the Gori Ganga river gorge which separates the Nanda Devi group from the beautiful peaks of the Panch Chulli group. The initial part of the trek leads you through the high Himalayan ridges to open up into the wide expanse of the gentler trans-Himalayan region. There are quaint Himalayan settlements on the way and villages like Rilkot and Martoli have houses that are at least one hundred and fifty years old reminding every one of the extent of Indo-Tibetan trade through the old silk route. Five days of steady walking takes you to Pachu(3950 mts) the base camp area for Nanda Devi East.

The location is exquisite and we usually spend a fullday over here. The return trip is completed in four days from here back to the Wayfarer Mountain Resort at Munsyari.

Day 0 : Arrive in Delhi : Check into your choice of hotel, preferably in Central Delhi.

Day 1 : Take the overnight train from Old Delhi railway station to Kathgodam (Train No. 5013, Departure-22:40 hrs IST)

Day 2 : Arrive at Kathgodam 06:30 hrs. Received by Wayfarer escort and transferred to waiting vehicle after brief rest. Drive to Vijaypur (210 kms, 6 hrs). Check in at Wayfarer Retreat.

Day 3 : After breakfast drive to Munsyari(115 kms, 4 hrs) along a road that winds itself up to a height of 2748 mts before descending into the glorious Munsyari valley. Check in at Wayfarer Mountain Resort for a good rest.

Day 4 : After breakfast drive for 6kms to Dumar and then the trek begins. Our destination is past Lilam village to Rargari (10 kms) where we camp for the night.

Day 5 : Today is a strenous walk along a gorge past the Gori Ganga river. The route is fairly up and down but generally eases off before reaching the camp site at Mapang(3100 mts, 9 kms).

Day 6 : You are in high mountain country now and the tree line disappears giving access to vast stretches of Alpine pastures. The day's walk is past Lhaspa and Rilkot to a magnificent and deserted hamlet called Martoli(3385 mts, 12 kms)

Day 7 : From Martoli you will continue to Ganghar (3260 mts, 12 kms). Throughout the day one gets intermittent views of magnificent Himalayan peaks and just after reaching campsite you will glimpse Nanda Devi East.

Day 8 : It is the big day when you walk from Ganghar to Pachu(3950 mts, 6 kms) and the camp site is in an exquisite location. An Alpine meadow laden with rhododendron bushes blooming pink and white, stretches of glacial ice and the massive Nanda Devi looming infront ... it is just another 5 kms away.

Day 9 : How can you walk away from here ? It is a day to rest and simply enjoy yourself in this magnificent location. Options include the hike up to the snow ridges of Nanda Devi East and a visit to the base of Nanda Lampak(5782 mts.). There have been several sightings of bluesheep in the region.

Day 10 : It is time to return and we descend form Pachu to Burfu(3350 mts, 13 kms). The scenery is exciting as the valley opens up. The north faces of the Nanda Devi peaks, several peaks on the Nanda Devi Sancturay wall and Hardeol group are visible. Our camp site is close to the Goriganga River amidst a lushgreen meadow.

Day 11 : Burfu to Bugdyar (2700 mts, 15 kms). This is a steady walk and mostly downhill past the vllages of Rilkot, Lhaspa, Mapang and the narrow gorge at Nahar Devi.

Day 12 : Bugdyar to Lilam (1810 mts, 12 kms). We walk downhill all throughout and reach camp site by late afternoon.

Day 13 : Lilam to Munsyari (2290 mts, 12 kms). We retrace our steps along the Gori river past Jimi ghat to Dumar(8kms) from where we board a jeep that takes us to Wayfarer Mountain Resort at Munsyari. We arrive here by noon.

Day 14 : Munsyari to Ranikhet (240 kms). It is time to bid farewell to Munsyari and its mountains. Today we board a vehicle that drives us to Ranikhet through Vijaypur, Bageshwar and Kausani. We checkin for the night at Wayfarer Solitaire [more...]

Day 15 : Ranikhet to Kathgodam (90 kms). Today is another day when we can chill out and relax. Late afternoon we board a vehicle that drives us to Kathgodam. There is also the option of leaving Ranikhet after breakfast and driving to the legendary Jim Corbett Park. The train to Delhi departs from Kathgodam at 20:40 hrs.