Journeys to the ends of India

rajkumar

hello friends,

I am back from my 1 month long vacation in the Himalayas from 11th May to 14th June. I trekked and travelled through Gadhwal and Kumaon in Uttaranchal state. This year being a heavy snow fall year, I had to cross many glaciers and snow bridges on my way. Visited Mana, Niti and Sipu-all the three last villages in Badrinath, Niti and Darma valleys. Had to face snow fall in Lata Kharak and Dronagiri and Badrinath. Spent nearly 10 days in Niti valley and went to Darma via Gwaldam and Dharchula to meet my old friends. It is my third consecutive visit to Darma. Could not go to Bedang and Dawe as there was heavy snow at that time and ITBP had n't reached it yet. So spent my 10 days in darma with the friends in Dantu village over endless cups of chai, Marthi, Chakthi and ofcourse, dry meat relishing the sights of Panchachuli peaks.
This is my itinerary:
Rishikesh-Badrinath-Mana- Vasudhara falls- Joshimath- Lata- Lata Kharak- Lata- Juma- Dronagiri- Ruing- Jelum- Malari- Pharkiya- Niti- Ghamsali- Malari- Lata- Joshimath- Gwaldam- Dharchula- Kanchouthi- Sela- Dantu- Tedang- Sipu-Dantu- Dhar- Dharchula- Almora- Kathgodam Delhi- Hyderabad

Last year I visited Milam valley. If any body wants information about these places, I will be glad to share it with you.

Happy Journey !
Raj

jyotipg

Raj,

You seemed to have a gr8 time..
I can just envy at the amount of time you can afford to spend in Himalayas..
Do pen down your travellogue so that ppl like me can can the virtual of being there through it..
Also put some light on the Darma valley.. that looks like one less visited/heard area..

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http://groups.yahoo.com/group/himalaya_trekkers/

SHIMLA

You must have had a fantastic time ! A month in the Himalayas, wow ! If you've taken photos, would you care to post some in the Photo gallery, please ?

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Whoever said money can't buy happiness didn't know where to shop !

Bigzero

great to know this, and as shimla said, eagerly waiting for your photos!

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miles to go....

Bigzero's Photo Gallery

ddutta

Raj , seems you had a wonderful holiday.It will be great to hear more about your treking. As said by Shimla , waiting for some beautiful snaps .



For some details about Darma Valley , please log here :-
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2002/200...rum/travel.htm

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"If you smile at me I will understand, because that is something everyone everywhere does in the same language"

lonelyaztec

1 month in Himalayas is NIRVANA.

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Aztec

My photoblog

rajkumar

hi all,
Thanks for the enthusiastic replies. I am converting the large sized digital photos to low resolution ones so that I can upload them to the site. Have patience.
In Niti Valley photography is prohibited beyond Ghamsali.
I am as eager to share the experiences with you all.
Raj

rajkumar

hi
I have uploaded 10 pictures taken in Niti, Mana and Darma valleys.
Will be uploading a few more later. Have a nice view.
Raj

rajkumar

friends,
I have posted the photos of my travels in Niti Mana and Darma valleys in this summer. Go to the photography section and have a nice view.
Raj

Attached Thumbnails

   

rajkumar

Hi

First of all let me tell you that all these valleys are seasonally populated ( May- October) by people who are loosely named " Bhotias"). Thse valleys offer many off the beaten trail trekking opportunities as well as popular ones.
These places are also excellent to learn about semi-nomadic peoples culture.
As for me I wanted to stay with people as far as possible. So I did n't carry tents and the gear with me. In case you are intersted in trekking mainly, you should be on your own.

Badrinath Valley: Valley of flowers( V O F) and Hemkund are very popular treks- for VOF, no need to carry any gear. accomodation is available.


Mana village is 3 km beyond Badrinath. so you can stay in Badrinath - accomodation and food are not a problem.
A day trek:
start early, reach Mana and from there , Vasudhara falls is 4 km( easy trek). The scenary on the way is spectacular. You can reach Badrinath in the evening. In Mana village Noodles and snacks are available.Visit Vyas gufa and Bhim pul. If you want to camp at the falls, yes, you need to carry the gear and provisions.
Mana is the starting point for Satopanth and Gangotri treks.( a bit difficult expeditionary high altitude treks).

Niti Valley:
From Joshimath follow Dhauliganga river, there are villages like Reni, lata, Juma, Jeelum, Malari, Bampa, Ghansali, and the last one : Niti.
Mode of travel: upto Ghansali : jeep

In Lata, thesre is no problem for accomodation and food. There are village guest houses available.(Rs. 200 to rs 300 including food for one day).

From Lata, one can trek towards Nandadevi base camp upto Dibru getta via Lata kharak, Dharansi pass. ( 3 days, moderate to difficult). Permits to visit Nandadevi National park can be obtained from DFO, Joshimath.

You can make a night halt in Lata kharak-trekker hut is available NO food.
Beyond that point carry your gear.

From Juma, One cross the river and go to Dronagiri village and from there to Nandi Kund and Dronagiri Basecamp. (3-4 dayscarry your tents and food)

Beyond Niti village is the base camp of Kamet: 3 days of trekking.
Jeeps can go upto Ghansali. Niti is just 3 km away. But I suggest you from Malari for a wonder ful scenary alonk Dhauli ganga. Upto Malari you can find Accomoidation in villages houses and food in road side eateries. Beyond Malari carry your own provisions and tents.

From Malari there are some side treks like Chopig meadows, Kunti Bhandar, Kalla Khal. These are all day treks.Just carry day pack and lunch.

Badrinath and Niti Valleys are accessible from Joshimath which is a major town on the way to Badrinath( A holy place) So you will find lot of pilgrims in Joshimath and Badrinath. But these side valleys offer peaceful environs and almost unspoilt forests.

And Darma valley is on the extreme right side of Kumaon, bordering Nepal. Dharchula is the place where you start. Upto Sobla, and Dhar there are jeeps. From there trek for 35 km to reach Panchachuli base camp. On the way accomodation and food is availble in village houses and Make shift hotels
you will get a simple village diet and don't expect much. carry tents and your own food if you want to camp at the base of Panchachuli.
The route - Dhar- Bungling-sela-Nangling- Baling- Duktu- Dantu. The village is Sipu ie 8 km from Dantu. permits required from Dharchula. Beyond Sipu, theer are places like Ancharital that requires tents and provisions. Beyond Baling you have to be on your own.

From Dharchula, you can visit Adikailash in Kuti valley.( 15 days) That is a side valley of Kali ganga river valley. Food and accomodation available in rest houses.

To cover the above routes, you require one and half months approximately. And you can also visit Johar valley from Munsiary, and visit Milam village, and Nadadevi East base camp.if you can add 10 days. Food and accomodation available in village hotels. a vey basic diet like roti, rice, dal, sabji.

These are some of the basic trek routes. And all these last villages are directly connected by High altitude routes that should be attempted by experienced climbers and die hard trekkers. It's possible to go
to valley of flowers from Badrinath- Mana, and from there
to Ghansali in Niti valley, from
Ghansali -Malari To Milam along the Indo-Tibet border via Khingar, Topi Dhunga ,
from Milam to Sipu via Ralam pass
and from Sipu to Adikailash via Gangchal dhura or Tedang-Bedang- sinla pass.

All along the border with Tibet. So permits are necessary. And Indo-Tibetan border police are generally helpful, if you have sufficient documentation.
...all these areas are accessible only from May to October.

Happy trekking!
raj