पिथौरागढ़ ग्लेशियर ट्रेक
Uttarakhand, a state in northern India crossed by the Himalayas, is known for its Hindu pilgrimage sites. Rishikesh, a major centre for yoga study, was made famous by the Beatles’ 1968 visit. The city hosts the evening Ganga Aarti, a spiritual gathering on the sacred Ganges River. The state's forested Jim Corbett National Park shelters Bengal tigers and other native wildlife.
Milam Glacier is a major glacier of the Kumaon Himalaya. It is located in the tehsil of Munsiyari, part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, about 15 kilometres (9mi) northeast of Nanda Devi. It ranges in elevation from about 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) to about 3,870 metres (12,700 ft) at its snout. It covers around 37 km2 (14 sq mi) and is 16 km (10 mi) long. Milam glacier was reopened in the year 1994. It was closed in 1962, so it was inaccessible for trekkers and other visitors. It is a popular destination among trekkers now. The suitable time to visit the glacier is from mid of March to May. Monsoons set in during the month June which herald the menace of landslides and roadblocks.The trekking for the Milam glacier commences from Munsiyari.
The enormous snow reservoirs act as a natural source of big rivers originating at the base of the lesser Himalayas. Rougly 30 per cent of the district wears the perpetual snow cover and the gigantic masses of sliding snow feed a number of glaciers which in turn feed the three important northern-most rivers namely Kuti Yangti, Dhauli and Gori having their catchment in the glaciated zones.
Milam Glacier is a major glacier of the Kumaon Himalaya. It is located in the tehsil of Munsiyari, part of the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India, about 15 kilometres (9mi) northeast of Nanda Devi. It ranges in elevation from about 5,500 metres (18,000 ft) to about 3,870 metres (12,700 ft) at its snout.[1] It covers around 37 km2 (14 sq mi) and is 16 km (10 mi) long. Milam glacier was reopened in the year 1994. It was closed in 1962, so it was inaccessible for trekkers and other visitors. It is a popular destination among trekkers now.
The suitable time to visit the glacier is from mid of March to May. Monsoons set in during the month June which herald the menace of landslides and roadblocks. The trekking for the Milam glacier commences from Munsiyari.
Unlike most of our treks which are based in the Garhwal region of Utarakhand, this one takes you to the lofty mountains of the Kumayun district. The easiest way to get till the base of these mountains is by taking an overnight train from Old Delhi Railway station to Kathgodam.
It’s with the early morning mist that you arrive at Kathgodam, our vehicles will be waiting for you here to take you through a picturesque drive (covering Almora, Bageshwar, Chowkri and Tejam) to Munsiyari. You shirk off the journey here by getting a sound sleep either at a tent or a rest house.
Most part of the day is spent in getting some paper work ready to get necessary permits from the local administration. The evenings however are free for you to see around the very beautiful village.
From Munsyari, a 10 km drive will take you to Selapani from where we begin our trail up the hill. This easy 7km walk will take only 2 ½ hours and you will find yourself in Lilam in good time to halt at the tiny rest house for the night.
From Lilam the trail enters a spectacular 25 km long gorge. Etched into the cliff face above the Gori Ganga, the hillsides above are covered in dense bamboo thickets and mixed rain forest. After the junction of the Ralam and Gori Ganga rivers the trek climbs to a tea shop at Radgari, and then goes to a small rest house at Bugdiar (2700 m). Here, there is a memorial which laments the loss of life of villagers and army personals in the avalanche of 1989- Today only a few houses remain on the edge of a waste land-Perhaps a very horrid reminder of what nature’s fury can do to civilizations. Overnight stay in tents/ rest house.
The valley opens up after climbing quite steeply to a huge overhanging cliff, which shelters a local deity. The route then enters progressively drier terrain, but there are two waterfalls of about 100 m, one of them opposite a tea shop at Mapang, where you can rest your weary limbs and take in the limited available refreshments. Further trek uphill brings you to Railkot (3200 m).
The land is now almost arid and the villages in passing are nearly deserted till you get to Burphu village which is backed by the Burphu peak ( 6300 m ). The eastern side of Nanda Devi east comes in to view here while you reach up to Ghanghar village (3300 m) where only three of the farmers of 60 families remain and the carefully walled fields below are also deserted. In spite of the eeriness of this town it is interesting to note the beautifully carved wooden doors and windows
A steep narrow trek leads into the Pachhu valley, dominated by the north face of Nanda Devi East 35,00m above the Pachhu glacier. Dwarf rhododendron and birch, with anemones and the Primulas below line the first section of the trek before it emerges into alpine meadows below the debris of the glacier itself. Tom Longstaff came through this valley in his unsuccessful attempt to climb Nanda Devi East in 1905 before trying the parallel valley to south of Pachhu via what is now known as Longstaff’s Col. There is a camp site (39, 00 m) 3 km from the base of Nanda Devi with both the Col and the summit clearly visible; Provided the weather is clear.
Returning via Ghanghar at Burphu, the trek crosses the Gori Ganga on a wooden bridge then climbs to the former staging post of Milam village(3,300 m). Now, this village where we will stop for an overnight camp was the home of a number of renowned Pundit explorers and is also the last major settlement before Tibet. However, in spite of the vicinity to Tibet most villagers here trace their ancestors to the Rajput clans of the desert state of Rajasthan.
This excursion (3km: 1 hour) is possible from the Milam village to the Milam Glacier (4,100 m). The path can be slippery due to clear ice uncovered by debris from earlier treks and one needs to be careful while crossing the left bank of this glacier.
We now start tracking back on our earlier steps, starting with getting back to Railkot from Milam.
This day is another repeat of our earlier days- Day 5 to be specific and we return back to Bugdigar today making our way once more through the deserted village of barely 3 farmer families.
This day is a repeat of day 4 and we pass once more through the bamboo thickets and dense rain forests, which we did while climbing up to Bugdigar.
We return back to civilization to Munsiyari. Checking preferably into a guest house/hotel or maybe another camp for reminisce sake as we make the end of a wonderful and exciting trek.
Back driver to Kathgodam from munsyari and carry back memorable moments.
This is highly dependent on the seasonal changes. Generally, tourists flock to Ralam in the last weeks of April to mid-October. But like I said, this is subject to change according to the climatic conditions.
Mid-March to Mid-June is an ideal time to visit this trek. Weather remains hot during the summer season. Monsoon (Mid-June to Mid-September) It's not a good time to visit as the trail gets slippery, and trekkers find it tough to make through the route. Spring (Mid-September to late October) Weather remains moderate during these months of the year. Winter (November to late February) Trekkers can't go for trekking during winter as the temperature rolls down in minus and thus, trails remain covered with snow.
The enormous snow reservoirs act as a natural source of big rivers originating at the base of the lesser Himalayas. Rougly 30 per cent of the district wears the perpetual snow cover and the gigantic masses of sliding snow feed a number of glaciers which in turn feed the three important northern-most rivers namely Kuti Yangti, Dhauli and Gori having their catchment in the glaciated zones.
Namik Glacier gets its name from Namik village, which means ‘a place where saline water spring’ is found. Namik Glacier is found in the Kumaon Himalayas at an altitude 3,600 metres in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. Namik Glacier is not a very popular option thereby making it perfect for the solace you are looking for because it is situated right in the heart of Himalayas. Peaks of Nanda Devi (7,848 metres), Trishuli (7,120 metres) and Nanda Kot (6,861 metres) will be your ally. Namik Glacier is the source from where a number of waterfalls and sulphur springs originate. You can also savour the Indo-Tibetan culture as this was the ancient Indo-Tibetan trade route. The eternal beauty of Himalayas through unsoiled villages will put you in a trance. Note: Uttarakhand Tourism has announced Namik Glacier as the 'Trek of the year' for the year 2018, so we will be organising special batches in the month of June comprising of 25 people in a group.
It’s with the early morning mist that you arrive at Kathgodam, our vehicles will be waiting for you here to take you through a picturesque drive (covering Almora, Bageshwar, Chowkri and Tejam) to Munsiyari. You shirk off the journey here by getting a sound sleep either at a tent or a rest house.
In the morning after breakfast trek to Dharamgar with pack lunch. This is an easy walk through a rarely trekked route, a popular trail with the shepherds and commands even more picturesque views of the Panch chuli hills. First 3 hrs. its flat trekking route with the best view of Panchhachuli range till near Bhaisiya tal thai we have to go down till dharamgar and its almost 03 hrs downhill trekking .On arrival set out camp for dinner and overnight stay.
In the morning after breakfast trek to Dharamgar with pack lunch. This is an easy walk through a rarely trekked route, a popular trail with the shepherds and commands even more picturesque views of the Panch chuli hills. First 3 hrs. its flat trekking route with the best view of Panchhachuli range till near Bhaisiya tal thai we have to go down till dharamgar and its almost 03 hrs downhill trekking .On arrival set out camp for dinner and overnight stay.
After breakfast trek up to Thalthok with pack lunch. First 3 hrs. its almost uphill and 02 hrs flat area, its not a proper trekking route but its easy and unforgettable. On arrival set out camp for dinner and overnight stay.
Today we trek a beautiful ridge called ranthang and reach to our camp Sudamkhan, Today you will have a view of Ramganga valley and Johar valley. Dinner and overnight stay at the Camp.
We start our trek with packed lunch for Trek up to the edge of the fantastic environs of Hiramani Glacier. Dinner and Overnight on the margins of the glacier.
Post breakfast we start our trek with packed lunch up to the Namik glacier in the morning with Nanda Kot really close up and return back to Sudamkhan. Dinner and overnight stay at the Camp.
After breakfast we start our trek with packed lunch for Namik village, fairly simple trek down to the Bhotia village, the houses have lots of woodcarvings and traditional structures. We would be staying in one of the village houses for the night followed by Dinner.
We start our trek Gogina, which is 02 hrs trek from Namik Village and gogina is the road head town where we will have taxi for bageshwar and we drive 04 hrs to Bageshwar. Overnight stay in the hotel.
Back driver to Kathgodam from munsyari and carry back memorable moments.
This is highly dependent on the seasonal changes. Generally, tourists flock to Ralam in the last weeks of April to mid-October. But like I said, this is subject to change according to the climatic conditions.
Mid-March to Mid-June is an ideal time to visit this trek. Weather remains hot during the summer season. Monsoon (Mid-June to Mid-September) It's not a good time to visit as the trail gets slippery, and trekkers find it tough to make through the route. Spring (Mid-September to late October) Weather remains moderate during these months of the year. Winter (November to late February) Trekkers can't go for trekking during winter as the temperature rolls down in minus and thus, trails remain covered with snow.
Ralam Glacier is one of the main Himalayan glaciers situated on the hills of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. Munsiyari is the base for the trek. This glacier is situated near Ralam Dhura at Ralam Khal. It lies at the base of the Great Himalayan Wall. It is situated at an altitude of 2,290 m (7,510 ft) above sea level. The glacier is glaciologically divided into two parts named Upper Ralam and Lower Ralam. From Munsiyari to Ralam Glacier it is 15 km (9.3 mi).
Ralam Glacier is one of the main Himalayan glaciers situated on the hills of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, India. Munsiyari is the base for the trek. This glacier is situated near Ralam Dhura at Ralam Khal. It lies at the base of the Great Himalayan Wall. It is situated at an altitude of 2,290 m (7,510 ft) above sea level. The glacier is glaciologically divided into two parts named Upper Ralam and Lower Ralam. From Munsiyari to Ralam Glacier it is 15 km (9.3 mi).
This is highly dependent on the seasonal changes. Generally, tourists flock to Ralam in the last weeks of April to mid-October. But like I said, this is subject to change according to the climatic conditions.
Unlike most of our treks which are based in the Garhwal region of Utarakhand, this one takes you to the lofty mountains of the Kumoun district. The easiest way to get till the base of these mountains is by taking an overnight train from Old Delhi Railway station to Kathgodam.
It’s with the early morning mist that you arrive at Kathgodam, our vehicles will be waiting for you here to take you through a picturesque drive (covering Almora, Bageshwar, Chowkri and Tejam) to Munsiyari. You shirk off the journey here by getting a sound sleep either at a tent or a rest house.
Most part of the day is spent in getting some paper work ready to get necessary permits from the local administration. The evenings however are free for you to see around the very beautiful village.
The hikers can rest at the tiny hamlets of Lilam, Panton and Sapa-Odiyar which will come on the way. From Ralam village, the hikers will have to cover a walking distance of 15 km to reach the glacier. And finally you reach the Ralam Village.
Back driver to Kathgodam from munsyari and carry back memorable moments.
This is highly dependent on the seasonal changes. Generally, tourists flock to Ralam in the last weeks of April to mid-October. But like I said, this is subject to change according to the climatic conditions.
Mid-March to Mid-June is an ideal time to visit this trek. Weather remains hot during the summer season. Monsoon (Mid-June to Mid-September) It's not a good time to visit as the trail gets slippery, and trekkers find it tough to make through the route. Spring (Mid-September to late October) Weather remains moderate during these months of the year. Winter (November to late February) Trekkers can't go for trekking during winter as the temperature rolls down in minus and thus, trails remain covered with snow.
