Trek to the MILAM GLACIER + NANDA DEVI

dirk-trekking

Hellow,

With 3 friends from BELGIUM I plan to make a trek to the MILAM CLACIER and the NANDA DEVI in OKTOBER 2005. We are about 50 years but all in a good physical condition. We want to start in MUNSIYARI.

We would be very pleased to get some information by this forum.

First we are looking a guesthouse at Munsiyari.
After one night we would like to start with the trek who will take 13 days. We liked to follow the road to the Milam glacier and afterwards to the Nanda Devi Base Camp and also further on to the Traill’s Pass and/or Longstaff Coll with the schedule as follows :

Day 1 to day 3 Munsyari via Ralam to Birjeganj Dora pass (east of the main path)
Day 4 To Burphu (north of Martoli)
Day 5 To Milam Glacier
Day 6 Back to Martoli
Day 7 To Nanda Devi BASE CAMP

If our physical condition and the weather are good:

Day 8 To Traill’s Pass - Longstaff Coll ?
Day 9 to day13 Alternative path (to the South) via Dwali, (and further to the East) to Namik and to Munsyari.

If our physical condition/ or the weather is not good:

Day 8 to 9 Stay at the base camp and surrounding
Day 10 To Martoli
Day 11 To Mapang
Day 12 Raurgari
Day 13 Back to Munsyari.

Afterwards again one overnight at the guesthouse in Munsiyari.

Concerning the guiding of the trek :
We would like that someone could guide us. Perhaps we only need a specialised guide from Martoli to Nanda Devi base camp and further on to the Traills Pass - Longstaff Col (and not for the first days).

We would like our luggage (4 rucksacks) to be carried by mule (pony) or are there any alternative solutions. We presume that the people who are taking care of the mules and the luggage can guide us during the major part of the trek and cook the meals.

We will bring our own tents to save weight (and money…).

Please let us know your suggestions. Does anyone know prices expenses for such a trip (guide, combination with cooking, mules ... porters).
Also the prices for the two overnights (including mail) and names of good guesthouse are welcome.

Can anyone give us the right information about the special PERMIT for this trek (it is a bit confusing)?

I already got a very interesting reaction of KAUSHIK, member of this forum.

Kind regards.
In the name of all four.

Dirk
BELGIUM (EUROPE)
E-mail : dirknadine@pandora.be

Jeroen

Hi Dirk,

You've read the description I gave of the 'standard' Milam trek on the trekking forum at IndiaMike (here: The Milam glacier teahouse trek - the details) - basically that's all I know about it! I hear the trek west from Martoli is difficult - see if AvidTrekker can advise you about it.

Some more pointers:

Perhaps post this question in the Trekking forum rather than in destinations for better replies

>guesthouse at Munsiyari.
The Hansling is fine. Find the details about it in Indiamike's fabulous hotel listings (http://www.indiamike.com/india/listi...g&l istid=265)

>Perhaps we only need a specialised guide from Martoli to Nanda Devi base camp

I think that's right - your trek up to Milam and to Martoli is relatively easy...
Contact the Hansling for this - they are friendly, used to trekkers and have the local contacts. I think you could arrive, arrange and meet the guides there, do the stage to Martoli yourself and then meet the guide at Martoli for the next stage. Leave an extra day somewhere for unforseen circumstances...

>Can anyone give us the right information about the special PERMIT
No permit needed for the normal up-down trek to the glacier - I think that you only need one if you plan to go further northeast (= towards China), so this would not affect you. When I asked them, they said that if you stay below the glactier it's no problem. To be sure ask at the police post, in the bungalows across the road from the Hansling hotel, and ask at the hotel too.

Hope this helps, Jeroen.

__________________
'To see the world in a grain of sand; and heaven in a wild flower; to hold infinity in the palm of your hand; and eternity in an hour'