| Nanda Devi, in India's northwest province of Uttaranchal, is the highest mountain situated wholly within India. Nanda Devi, whose highest peak rises to an impressive 7816m (25,643 feet), is a highly sacred mountain in Indian mythology and her name translates into "The Bliss-giving Goddess". The worship of this mountain forms an integral part of the religious life of those who live within sight of the mountain. The Wildspace trek goes as far as the east base camp, at an altitude of 13,700 feet, and is one of the most unfrequented and scenic trekking routes in the Himalayas. |
The trip in a nutshell
The entire trip lasts for 18 days. The first few days are spent reaching the jump-off point for the trek, and the last few are spent returning to civilisation. The trek itself will last for ten days. The first five days will be spent travelling from Munsyari to the base camp of Nanda Devi. The trail climbs gently all the way from Munsyari, at a height 3,000 feet, to the base camp, and follows the rushing Gori Ganga river almost the entire way. The scenery changes markedly over the course of 5 days from coniferous forest to scrubby rhododendron and high mountain meadows.
Upon reaching base camp, a full day is spent relaxing and enjoying the awe-inspiring views of the mountain from a distance of merely five kilometres. Her twin peaks are surrounded by a number of lesser peaks, some of which have never been scaled, encompassing a vast wilderness area and forming an almost impenetrable natural wall protecting the fabled Nanda Devi Sanctuary, which is out of bounds to foreigners. At this point of the trek, one is within 20 kilometres of the Tibetan border. On the seventh day, you begin the four-day return journey. Once you arrive back in Munsyari, the return journey to Delhi takes only two days. |
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Day One
Arrive in Delhi. Upon arrival, you will be met and transferred to your hotel, located in central Delhi. Relax for remainder of the day. The group will have a dinner-cum-briefing this evening.
Day Two
Spend the day at your leisure. In the evening the group will board an overnight train that will take them to the foothills of the Himalayas.
Day Three
Upon arrival, the group will be met by vehicles and driven into the hills. The first brief stop will be the hill station of Ranikhet where the group will freshen up and have breakfast. Here you will likely have your first awe-inspiring view of the Himalayas. Afterwards, you will continue up to the small town in the hills where you will overnight in a rustic lodge.
Day Four
After breakfast drive to Munsyari along a road that winds itself up to a height of 2748 metres before descending into the beautiful Munsyari valley. Check in at the resort for a good rest, in preparation for the following day's walking.
About the trek
The trek follows a trail that was once an important trading route between India and Tibet. However after the 1962 invasion of Tibet by the Chinese, the border was closed and all trading was shut down. The only evidence of the once busy route are the few abandoned stone villages that are seen en route to the base camp. The trek is scenically spectacular with its views of the high Himalayas, beautiful mountain meadows and the impressive gorges of the turbulent Gori Ganga river. This region is fairly remote and is blessed with pristine and untouched wilderness. Due to its inaccessibility, few trekkers walk this route each season thus maintaining the sense of being truly out in the wilderness. The only people one is likely to encounter are shepherds bringing their flocks to lower pastures.
Click here to see a detailed map of the trek. |
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Day Five
After breakfast drive the short distance to where the trek begins. Your first destination is Lilam village (10 kilometres) where you will camp for the night.
Day Six
Today is a strenuous walk along a gorge past the Gori Ganga river. The route is fairly up and down but generally eases off before you reach the campsite at Mapang (3100 metres, 9 kilometres).
A typical day on the trek
At around 6 a.m. tea will be brought to you in your tent. The day's walk will typically begin after breakfast at 7 a.m. and you will walk for six or seven hours, on average, each day, covering some 12 to 15 kilometres on average. The emphasis is on enjoying the walk, rather than frenetically getting from point to point. Picnic lunches will be eaten at picturesque spots along the way. In the afternoon, porters will travel ahead and set up camp, so everything will be ready for you when you arrive at around 3 or 4 p.m. Dinner will be early to make the most of the last light of evening. |
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Day Seven
You are in high mountain country now and the tree line disappears, giving way to vast stretches of Alpine pasture. The day's walk is past Lhaspa and Rilkot to the deserted hamlet of Martoli (3385 metres, 12 kilometres). The campsite here is second only to that at base camp.
Day Eight
From Martoli you will continue to Ganghar (3260 metres, 12 kilometres). Throughout the day one gets intermittent views of magnificent Himalayan peaks and just after reaching campsite you will hopefully glimpse Nanda Devi East up the valley leading away from the Gori Ganga.
Day Nine
Today is the Grande Finale, as you hike a difficult 6 kilometres uphill from Ganghar to the base camp at Pachu (3950 metres).
Day Ten
To make the most of this heavenly setting, you will spend the entire day at base camp. It is a day to rest and simply enjoy yourself in this magnificent location.
A day at Nanda Devi base camp
The campsite at Nanda Devi east base camp is in an exquisite location and is the highpoint of this trek, both figuratively and literally. It is located in an Alpine meadow bedecked with pink and white rhododendron bushes, with views over stretches of glacial ice to the Nanda Devi massif rearing up from the valley floor just five kilometres away. Options include hiking up to the snow ridges of Nanda Devi East, a visit to the base of Nanda Lampak (5782 metres), or simply relaxing in the environs of the camp, soaking up the awesome views of the majestic mountain. There have been several sightings of blue sheep in the area.
 
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Day Eleven
Today you will begin the return journey, and descend from Pachu to Burfu (3350 metres, 13 kilometres). The scenery is exciting as the valley opens up. The north faces of the Nanda Devi peaks, several peaks on the Nanda Devi Sanctuary wall and Hardeol group are visible. Your campsite is close to the Gori Ganga River amidst a lush meadow.
Facilities Provided
- Mules
- Dining tent
- Toilet Tent
- Sleeping tents
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Day Twelve
The walk from Burfu to Bugdyar (2700 metres; 15 kilometres) is mostly downhill, past the villages of Rilkot, Lhaspa, Mapang and the narrow gorge at Nahar Devi.
Day Thirteen
From Bugdyar, you will walk downhill throughout the day and reach campsite at Lilam by the late afternoon (1810 metres, 12 kilometres).
Day Fourteen
Today you will retrace your steps of the first day's trek along the Gori Ganga from Lilam, past Jimi Ghat to Dumar (8 kilometres), from where you board a jeep that takes you to the base at Munsyari. You arrive here in the mid-afternoon, and relax for the remainder of the day.
Day Fifteen
Today it is time to bid farewell to Munsyari and to the mountains as the group begins the journey back to Delhi with a drive to the hill station of Ranikhet. Overnight at a basic lodge in the town.
Day Sixteen
Drive from Ranikhet to the plains, from where you will catch an overnight train back to Delhi.
Day Seventeen
Arrive in Delhi in the very early morning. Upon arrival, you will transfer to your hotel, and have the entire day to recuperate after the rigours of the trek.
Day Eighteen
Take a day trip to see the Taj Mahal in Agra. The train will get you there in the morning, and upon arrival you will be met and taken to the Taj Mahal, the Red Fort and Fatehpur Sikri. Return to Delhi in the late evening.
Day Nineteen
Catch taxis to Delhi airport in time for your flight home.
Important points to note
- THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF PEOPLE REQURED IN ORDER TO MAKE THIS TREK FEASIBLE IS 6 PEOPLE. The maximum number of people on this trek is 12.
- The trek to the base camp of Nanda Devi is considered 'moderate' in terms of degree of difficulty. Prior trekking/walking experience is desirable however!
- It must be noted that as this area technically falls within an area known as the "Inner Line", a politically sensitive region on account of its proximity to the Chinese/Tibetan border, the Indian authorities do not allow helicopters to fly above Munsyari. Therefore, in the event of a party member being injured, they would need to be brought down to Munsyari before an evacuation could be arranged. Having said this, Wildspace insists on all members having full medical insurance, including a helicopter evacuation contingency.
- Members will be required to sign indemnity forms, as trekking is a potentially hazardous activity.
- When planning dates for this trip we strongly recommend allowing for an extra day in Delhi at the end of the trip, in case of any unforeseen delays on the journey. This day can be spent relaxing and exploring Delhi's Red Fort, the Taj Mahal and other places of interest.
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Inclusions |
- Transfer from Delhi airport to guesthouse upon arrival.
- Welcome dinner and briefing on first night in India.
- All accommodation in a guesthouse in Delhi (no meals included in Delhi).
- Transport in comfortable Toyota Venture vehicles ("Qualis" in India) from Kathgodam to Munsyari and back.
- Stay on full board at all resorts and lodges outside Delhi, as mentioned in itinerary. (Vijaypur, Munsyari, Ranikhet) and at all campsites.
- Provision of all camping gear like tents, hollow-fibre sleeping bags, simple foam mattresses, toilet tent, kitchen tent, etc.*
- Provision of vegetarian meals throughout the trek.
- Provision of essential support services like escort, cooks, porters, mules, one rider pony (for emergency) and basic medical kit.
- Trekkers will not be expected to carry their personal belongings during this trek, and mules will be provided for this.**
- Tour to Agra, including train fares, guide charges and entrances fees (transport to the station from the guesthouse and from the station to the guesthouse and meals during the tour are not included).
* We strongly suggest though that you bring your own down bag - the weather can be cold, and down makes a tremendous difference! Likewise, although foam mattresses will be provided, an extra Thermarest is advisable for extra comfort.
** As mules will transport all your bags, a strong duffle bag will suffice and you do not therefore need to pack in a backpack. Only one medium-sized duffle bag per person is permitted! However, in order to have your essentials (cameras, sunblock, snacks, water bottles, sunglasses, an extra layer of clothing, raincoat/poncho, etc.) with you 24 hours a day, a small daypack is necessary.
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