From Malari to Milam

rajkumar

Hi,
I would like to hear from anyone who trekked from Malari near Joshimath in Garhwal) to Milam in Kumaon via Untadhura pass.

Can you suggest me how this high altitute trek is possible? ie the permits info..where to take, how to apply...how easy...( I am an Indian)
And about the trek route. Please suggest some literature/web site.

If anybody is interested in taking this route in May/June...I am also looking for compnions.

thank you
Raj

AvidTrekker

In May-June, Unta Dhura Pass will be full of deep snow. In August even fully laden khacchars (mules) cross it. The Army uses this Pass regularly. Technically you need a permit from Pithoragarh distt. DM as well as Chamoli distt. DM BEFORE you cross the Pass. In actual practice, you'd better ask someone at Munsiari for the current picture. I have never heard of Indians arrested for "not having permit" but , yes, they have been detained and questioned for two to three days by the Army now and then.

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rajkumar

Hi,

How easy is it to get permits from bothe DMs and how early one has to apply?

Can you give me some poiters like the web sites or travel literature, where I can find some descriptions of the trek. I am not able to find any info on the web.


Thank you and cheers
Raj

sapta_roy

I am not sure raj, but these links might help you.

http://www.upportal.com/uttaranchal/...yarimalari.asp
http://pithoragarh.nic.in/Peaks.htm

rajkumar

hi
This is the information I received from KMVN( Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam) for my query:
1. This trek is ideal in the month of July-August.
2. The inner line permit can be obtained from District
Magistrate Office, Pithoragarh.
3. KMVN organise trek. The minimum groups size not
less then 10 persons.
4. The price of this expedition cum trekking is
Rs.2250/- per head per day. It includes equipments,
all meals, porters, guide and transportation.
5. The porters can be hired from Munsiyari. The rates
of porters are variable.
--------------
happy trekking
Raj

AvidTrekker

Found some info about the Pass, especially some paragraphs in the book written by Harish Kapadia.

The Unta Dhura Pass route has been mentioned from pages 52 to 56.

Hope that does something good for you. Happy trekking!

aaditeshwar

Hi

I am interested in doing the circuit in august of 2006. If you were able to find out information about the permits, then please pass them on to me. Also for foreign visitors because I have a few friends who would like to come.

If somebody else is interested, then please let me know.

Adi.

AvidTrekker

Permits for Foreign visitors are given without fuss in Leh nowadays. Don't know the current status in Kumaon. rajkumar is the IM man who has extensively travelled to the Kumaon inner line areas with permit. He may be able to give a current status report. You will have to budget three extra days for getting the two permits. AFAIK they are not issued in advanced. Keep many passport photos handy.

August is the perfect month for this trek. The porters in Kumaon are a bit lazy. They might ask for extra wages mid way. Just take care.

All the best and HAPPY TREKKING!

aaditeshwar

Thanks a lot for the quick reply! I will get in touch with Rajkumar for sure. Btw: Can you send me your email address - it's always good to know people with similar interests :-)

I had a couple of more questions. Are you aware of the status with permits for the Nanda Devi inner sanctuary? I believe that these permits are different from the innerline permits, and maybe it costs quite a bit as well. Just curious to know...

I actually want to do the Malari to Munsiyari circuit, and on the way I want to visit the Nanda Devi East base camp as well. I have also heard great things about the Longstaff Col, but I wasn't able to find any information about it on the Internet. Specifically, what is the grade of the climb, and the length, and what would be the best place to look for guides who may have done it before? Or, do you know of anybody who has done it and can tell me more about it...

Thanks,
Adi.

rajkumar

hi
received your e-mail as well.
This year in May I was in Malari, exploring Niti valley.
For Milam-Malari, I suggest you go thru' some governament trekking agency KMVN or GMVN. For foreigners, the permits are to be issued by Central home ministry.
Even if you got the permits, you can be denied entry into this region by local military and police. I know last year one foreign expedition could n't enter this area, even after the required permissions. Because of the policies by military top brass. If the trek is conducted by the govt. agencies, there is less chance of refusal.
Yes, it's a trans himalayan high altitude trek. This trekking area passes thru' a very hotly contested border region, Hence 'sensitive'. And it's quite easy to get lost into Tibet. And a very less frequented trek. So if you have access to top military or home official, your job will become little easier.

As for Nandadevi 'inner' sanctuary, contact GMVN. They are organizing eco-treks upto Dibru getta, I think. Not beyond THAT place. It does n't take you to the actual inner santuary, I mean the base of Nandadevi.You can independently obtain permits from district forest officer in Joshimath. They are NOT innerline permits. Nandadevi National park entry permits.

As for Nandadevi ( east) base, the approach is from Munsyari side. On the way to Munsyari, after Martoli the path diverges for Nandadevi east base camp. Tents and food provisions required. No permits .
And crossing Longstaff col is a mini mountaineering expedition. That's all I can say.
In the pictures below what you see is Nandadevi east base camp from Pacchu glaciar, up a side valley near Pacchu village on Martoli- Milam route.

All the best.

Attached Thumbnails

     

AvidTrekker

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rajkumar

can somebody share their experiences and/or info on this trek?

Almoraboy

i have not been on this trek. was tired after going till milam . however, my guide (ganga ram) knew about this trek and we have decided to go on this trip sometimes in the future.
but it is a long one and u need to keep 10-15 days for it. last time, while i was leaving munsyari and heading towards lilam, i met a group of very very tired trekkers on their way back. they told me that they had trekked all the way from joshimath. i mean, their faces were soooooo tired...but going through such an awesome route must be equally rewarding.

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Almoraboy

yipeee, it is snowing in the hills now...

ऊंची पहाडि़यों पर हिमपात से मौसम खुशगवार

गोपेश्वर (चमोली)। हल्की बूंदाबांदी के साथ ऊंची पहाडि़यों में बर्फबारी से यहां का मौसम खुशगवार है। पर्यटकों के आने से औली-गौरसों व चोपता में व्यवसायियों के चेहरों पर रौनक है।
आज प्रात: से ही रुक-रुक कर औली-गौरसों, चोपता, रुद्रनाथ, तुंगनाथ, बुग्यालों का राजा आली व बेदनी बुग्याल सहित ऊंची पहाडि़यों में बर्फबारी का दौर चला जो देर सांय तक भी जारी रहा। बर्फबारी का आनंद लेने के लिए देशी-विदेशी पर्यटकों का रुख चमोली की ओर है। पौड़ी: मंडल मुख्यालय व इससे सटे आस-पास के क्षेत्रों में सुबह से ही मौसम का मिजाज बदला रहा। आसमान में चारों ओर से बादलों के घिरे होने के कारण चटक की धूप नहीं खिली जिसके चलते सुबह से ही मौसम ठंडा रहा। मंडल मुख्यालय व आस-पास के इलाकों में रविवार को हल्की बारिश की बूंदा-बांदी ने पिछले दिन की अपेक्षा ठंड में बढ़ोत्तरी हुई है। रविवार को मौसम की इस बदली फिजा का असर बाजारों पर भी दिखाई दिया। एक तरफ जहां रविवार अवकाश के चलते मंडल मुख्यालय में आवाजाही कमोवेश कम ही रहती है तो दूसरी ओर इस मौसम के कारण भी बाजारों की तरफ लोगों ने कम ही रुख किया। लोग अपने घरों में दुबके रहे।

rajkumar

yes, it's snowing in Darma, Byas, Chaudans valleys also. I went to Milam, two years back, Mr. Khim Ram, my guide, an experienced old man had been to Tibet before the border was sealed in 1962. He is full of stories about the bygone days and a good singer too, entertaning with Tibetan songs. He has a good knowledge of the passes. And he has got a "better" military strategy than Indian army in the event of Chinese attack, which he never tired of repeating. Even after 2 years when I visited him this year, he says the same story.
Tibet is just 3 passes away, it seems. Unta dhura( the ridge shaped like a camel back), Jandi Dhura and Kingribingi dhura( because of the convoluted way), you are in Tibet.
But for Malari, one has to cross Unta dhura and camp at Topi dunga and then go across Khinger pass to Lapthal and then onto the road head at Sumna and finally Malari. It seems there are two routes from Topidunga to Malari. One is the above route and the second one seems to be along Girthi river by-passing the the disputed territory of Lapthal and Barahoti which constitute the middle sector in India-China contention over actual border. Google earth which shows the line of actual control does n't show Lapthal to be in Indian territory.
Very few trekking parties who went to that area also visited Lapthal as per the trek reports.
Someday I think I should be able make it as the tentions ease between the two countries.