Wednesday 30 April 2008

Trekking In Kumaon

Nanda Devi Trekking(Base Camp & Milam Glacier Trek)

The people of Johar, as the Milam valley is locally known, were traders whose caravans crossed from India into Tibet by the high passes of Unta Dhura and Kungribhingri La. Once the trading season was over the entire population of Milam and the surrounding areas migrated to Munsyari or lower during winter. Trade stopped with the Indo-China conflict of 1962 and these once prosperous villages are now deserted. However the trail still exists, linking the villages and beckoning trekkers. Munsyari is the starting point of Nanda Devi Trekking and Wayfarer offers you a combined itinerary that includes a visit to the Nanda Devi base camp area followed up by a trip to Milam glacier. Initially five days of walking takes you to Pachu (3950 mts, 60 kms) the base camp area for Nanda Devi East. The location is exquisite and we usually spend a full day over here. We then return from Pachu to camp at Burfu, across th Gori Ganga river. From Burfu we ascend to Milam where we spend a day and then return to Munsyari. We are sure that Trekking In Nanda Devi will be the most cherish moment of your life.

Kumaon Trekking(Ralam Valley and Birje Ganga Pass Trek)

Kumaon Trekking is ideal for those trekkers who wish to encounter tough challenges amidst splendid Himalayan surroundings. Starting at Munsyari(2290 mts.) the trek route winds its way up the Gori Ganga river past Rargari, Mapang and Martoli to Sumdu. From here the route goes up to the snow clad Birje Ganga pass(4666 mts.) and descends to Ralam village. The views are magnificent with peaks such as Rajrambha, Chaudhara, Chirang We and Suitilla on the eastern side. This trek is primarily porter based.

Panchchulli Glacier & Darma Valley Treks

The Panch Chulli peaks lie in Eastern Kumaon Himalaya and form the watershed between the Gori Ganga and Darma Valleys. The eastern approaches are through Sona and Meola Glaciers. The Uttari and Dakshini Balati glaciers guard the western approaches. Nestling snugly in the lap of the snow capped peaks of Panch Chulli, the Darma Valley in remote Pithoragarh district, bordering Nepal and Tibet, is endowed with extraordinary scenic beauty. Between mid-May and end June and from mid-September to end-October the Wayfarer group regularly organizes trekking trips to Punch Chulli Glacier and Darma Valley. The starting point of this adventure is the Wayfarer Mountain Resort at Munsyari from where we drive by jeep for around 95 kms. to the Indo-Nepal boarder town of Dharchulla. From this town a further drive of 35 kms. along the banks of the Dhauli Ganga river takes us to the village of Sobla. Here onwards it’s a 40 km. trail that passes through Dar, Bungling, Sela, Nagling, Baaling and Duktu / Dantu village in the Darma Valley before reaching Punch Chulli Glacier.

Pindari Glacier Trek

The most easily accessible glacier in the Kumaon region, the Pindari Glacier has a beauty of its own. Situated between the snow-capped Nanda Devi and Nanda Kot Mountains, Pindari is a big and steep glacier measuring 3km in length and 0.25km in breadth. River Pindar originates from this Glacier and flows down to confluence into the river Alaknanda. The trekking route to the glacier traverses along the southern wilderness of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary offering some beautiful views of peaks like Panwali Dwar (6683m) and Maiktoli(6803m). A trek to the Pindari Glacier is a "soft adventrue" experience and well within the capacity of any trekker who is amply rewarded by the magnificance and grandeur of the towering Himalayas. The Wayfarer group conducts regular treks to the Pindari region from its own bases at Wayfarer Solitaire in Ranikhet and Wayfarer Retreat in Vijaypur.

Sunder Dunga Trek

"Sunderdunga" means the valley of beauitiful stones. The valley is situated to the west of Pindari valley and has two glaciers: Maktoli and Sukhram. The main peaks near the glaciers are Tharkot (6100 mts.), Mrigthuni (6856 mts.), Pwalidwar (6663 mts.). Sunderdhunga glacier is filled with natural beauty and is well within the capacity of any trekker to reach. The Wayfarer group conducts regular treks to the Sunderdhunga glacier from its own bases at Wayfarer Solitaire in Ranikhet and Wayfarer Retreat in Vijaypur. The actual trek commences from Saung.

Khaliya Trek

Overlooking Munsyari, situated at a height of 11500 ft. this hill top has a beautiful Alpine meadow surrounded by snow laden peaks. Offering an incredible view of the entire Kumaon Himalaya with towering peaks like the Panch Chulli, Rajrambha, Hardeol, Nanda Kot, Nanda Devi, the trek to Khaliya also allows people to experience the snow line in early summer. This is an ideal beginners' trek and for first timers an ideal introduction to the Himalayan landscape. The trek commences from the Wayfarer Mountain Resort at Munsyari.