Niti, Mana and Darma Valley - photos and info

rajkumar

From Joshimath, first go to Lata village on the motorable road by jeep. From Lata trek uphill to Lata kharak. Saini kharak is after Lata Kharak. Nandadevi can be glimpsed from Saini kharak. Trekkers can go upto Dibrughetta via Dharansi pass. from there better to return via Jhandidhar and Tolma village. From Tolma, take a jeep back to Joshimath.

Innerline permit is not required for Indian or Non Indian visitors. But all visitors require a permit from District forest officer, Joshimath to enter Nandadevi National park, ie beyond Lata village.

niro

Hi rajkumar,
How much time do you think it's take to arrange a permit from the District forest officer, Joshimath?
Is it the same place you arrange permit for the Kuari pass trek?

How many day is the trek you describe?
If you should choose one trek, what would you choose:
Dharansi pass or Kuari pass?

Many thanks.

rajkumar

The DFO office at Joshimath opens at 1000AM. If you have the identity proof and 2 passport size photographs, the issuing process does n't take more than an hour.
The above trek can be done in 5-6 days leisurely ex Joshimath.
I think it's the same place where you get the permit to do Kuari pass.
Dharansi vs Kuari:
I have n't done Kuari yet. But what I can say is that Kuari is well trodden trek. Dharansi is a bit remote and less frequented. But the views are spectacular as Dharansi is closer to the snow peaks.
Probably people who have done the both treks will give a realistic comparison.

niro

rajkumar,

Can you please describe the day and itinerary for the Dharansi pass trek?
Can you please tell me what will I need for that trek? do I need tent and cooking gear? if so- can it be rent?

Thank you.

rajkumar

Here you will find the details of GMVN organized trek to Nandadevi outer sanctuary:
http://www.gmvnl.com/newgmvn/nandadevi.aspx

You can do it independently too with Govt. approved porters and guides. After Lata village, you are on your own. you must carry tents and food along with you. In Lata Kharak there is a trekker's hut. In Lata and Tolma villages, home stay is possible.
You can rent all the trekking gear from GMVN office in Rishikesh. Guides can be found in Joshimath/ Lata village.

niro

can I get a permit for 2 people?
can you please recommand for a guide and porters in Joshimath?

Many thanks,
Niro.

rajkumar

Yes, You can get permits for 2 people. your guide/porter has to be a registered one.
Contact GMVN, Joshimath where you will find Mr. Kundan Singh who will arrange porters/guides for a small fee.

rajkumar

Here is a link to the pictures taken by Dr. Vineeta Hoon in Darma valley during monsoon season( August 2007).
Darma Valley - August,2007

nyraghu

Apropos Dharansi and Dibrugheta, people may be interested in the photographs by Shobhit Gupta of his trek to Dibrugheta in October, 2004, available at http://www.netecho.com/photos/sanctuary/ They are truly beautiful pictures. Shobhit Gupta appears to be an IM member, as indicated by a posting about the Outer Sanctuary. Several other photographs of his are available at http://www.netecho.com/photos/gal.html

There is also a nice article, `Flipping Back the Pages,' by Joydeep Mutsuddi, who apparently accompanied Gupta up to Jhandidhar, and returned separately through Tolma.

Raghu.

ks_bluechip

Thanks for these links .... really wonderful photos!

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Almoraboy

awesome....

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Dilliwala

I've just returned 2 days ago from the region. Here's the latest on getting there:

Niti/Dhauliganga Valley
1) The road now extends from Malari right upto Niti village (23 km). The last 13 km is unmetalled, but will be completed next year. From Gamshali to Niti (6 km), the road is only jeepable/bikeable at present.
2) Inner Line Permits are required at any time of year for all visitors, regardless of nationality, to go beyond the ITBP Check-post at Gamshali. A signboard says your belongings will be inspected as well, so that wud confirm that no cameras are allowed, as mentioned earlier in this thread.
3) Transport is available in season right upto Niti. At present a few jeeps are going upto Malari, but that will stop in a few days. In fact all the villages after Reni have already been vacated for the winter, altho a few shops were open in Suraithota and Malari.
4) The concerned POs close on 31st October and reopen in May. There are no mobile towers as yet anywhere beyond Joshimath.
5) 19 km from Joshimath and 4.5 km from Tapovan is the village of Saldhar, from where u can walk 5 km uphill to Bhavishya Badri. No permit required.

Alaknanda Valley
1) During the Badrinath pilgrimage season all visitors, regardless of nationality, can go without a permit upto Mana village, and from there a) up the Alaknanda valley - upto Vasudhara; b) up the Saraswati valley - upto Vyas Gupha, so effectively u are limited to Mana village. For any point/s beyond, all visitors require an Inner Line Permit, which will be checked at Mana. This is clearly stated on a police sign-board in the middle of Mana village.
In other words, u can go beyond Vasudhara without a permit to e.g. Satopanth Tal, becos there is no check-post on that route, but technically u are in breach of the regulations. I'm told by locals that the Badrinath Temple Committee and the Mana police post are authorised to give permission as well for treks upto Satopanth Tal, so best wud be to get a permit and be safe.
2) From Mana, the motor road now extends to Musapani and beyond, to 2.5 km short of Ghastoli. This last bit will be completed next year. Of course, all visitors need an ILP to travel on this road, to be shown at the Army Check-post at Mana. ILPs are issued only by the SDM Joshimath or the DM at Gopeshwar.
3) During the off-season (Badrinath temple closure), all visitors, regardless of nationality, need a permit to go beyond the State Police Check-post at Hanumanchatti (half-way between Pandukeshwar and Badrinath).

rajkumar

Very informative update Dilliwla. Thanks !

rajkumar

Another trek report and pictures of Darma Valley at:
Trip report- Darma valley/ Pancha chuli base camp trek

The interesting side trek is towards Nangling( Sheshnag) peak through four bugyals from Nangling village.