Kumaon trip

Dear IM members, viewers,


I am a very new member but a regular review reader in IM. I like to travel a lot and IM helps me to plan each and every tour. Few months back, I came back from one of my long awaited dream tour and want to share my experience to all of you.

This trip was with my family; my wife, pinky and my 1year old dauther, Swati.

My thanks to IM member like PROBIR BANERGI in and many others whose experience and reviews helped me a lot to plan my trip, starting from information on hotels and must see places.

My tour plan was like -

9th June - Took a flight from Mumbai and reached Delhi. From Delhi we had a reservation on Ranikhet Exp.
10th June - Reached Kathgodam and overstayed at Deenapani/Deenapani.
11th, 12th & 13th - Munsiyari
14th - Chaukori
15th & 16th Kausani.
17th - back to Nainital and took a bus to Delhi by guidens
18th - Morning reached Delhi and then had a flight for MUMBAI




Food-n-Feeling and Lodging
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Deenapani - KMVN booked through Internet. Rs 1200/- . Rooms are big. Dinner and Breakfast are cheap but the quality of food is good. No chicken or fish curries, eggs available.

Munsiyari - Pandey Lodge. Rent Rs 750/- per day. Room was moderate. Not big or clean enough. Food quality was good. But Mr. Pandey is very cordial and caring person. He keeps us guiding for sightseeing.

Chaukori - Angan Resort. Advance booking. Rent Rs. 800/- per day.
Food cooked in home style. Don’t expect too much in this serene village - only enjoy the warmth and beauty.

Kausani – Hotel Uttarakhand . RentRs 1200/-perday. Open restaurant is there & Food is delicious.


About the places
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Deenapani: -
District : Almora
Altitude : 1,651 m (5,417 ft)
Distance : 12 km from Almora and 101 km from Kathgodum (via Bhimtal)
Climate : Summers (April to July) are moderate with maximum temperature below 30°C and is ideal for all sightseeing visits. Monsoons (August to October, but depends on the present wind flow) are associated with moderate rains, it makes Deenapani beautiful and attractive with fresh greeneries. Winters (December to February) offer chilly cool climate with temperature touching down to 4°C. December and January months are freezing.

It is a lonely spot in the Almora district, very calm and cool. If you wish to avoid rush of Almora, come to Deenapani.

Munsiyari:-
District : Pithoragarh
Altitude : 2,200 m (7,218 ft)
Distance : 190 km from Deenapani (Deenapani <--- 88 ---> Berinag <--- 6 ---> Udiyari Bend <--- 96 ---> Munsiyari)
Climate : Summer begins in Munsiyari from March and is extended till June. This is also the season when tourists can enjoy a clear view of high peaks. The maximum temperature summer in Munsiyari is 24°C, minimum is 18°C. Light woolen clothes are required in summer and then the rain started and last till September. Winter season begins to Munsiyari at November and stay till March. Temperature touches sub 0°C and 2°C in winter season.

Its name refers to a 'place with snow'. Situated on the banks of Goriganga River, it is a fast growing tourist destination, and mountaineers, glacier enthusiasts, high altitude trekkers and nature lovers commonly use it as their base camp. Munsiyari also falls on the ancient salt route from Tibet and is at the entrance of the Johar Valley, which extends along the path of the Goriganga River to its source at the Milam Glacier. It is inhabited mainly by the Shauka people. The town is surrounded by snow capped peaks, with a key attraction being the trekking route to Khalia Top and Kalamuni Top.

The roads from Berinag to Munsiyari was exotic, the more I speak about it does not suffice, and one has to experience to feel it. The curves, the rocks the river the fall (Birthi) was leading us to heaven, though the hills were not so greenly. It was the best part of the journey. On increasing altitude, the number, the frequencies of Pine trees becoming lower and lower and lower. One will find then the series of Deodar trees. At Munsiyari, the Himalayan range was at handshaking distances. Started at 10:15 in the morning from Deenapani, we reached Munsiyari at 7:00 pm. In the very evening we saw Panchchuli. The night was full of shower. Lightening and thundering. We were demoralized. Full next day was cloudy, we went to sightseeing. We met amazing Goriganga River at Mad Kot. At the afternoon, all the clouds were clearing, leaves were trembling and the Great Great Himalayan Range was unfolding its beauty within a handshaking distance!!! Dawning sun was painting with all his colors like anything, on each & every top of the mountains. It was a breath taking experience!!!
• Birthi Falls : It is a picturesque cascading water fall, 35 km on the way to Munsiyari. Wayside facilities and fast food center is also available.
• Dar Kot : A small village, around 6 Km from Munsiyari allows visualizing the 100 year old wooden houses with traditionally carved doors and windows. You can also buy authentic handmade shawls of Pashmina and Angora wool and sheep wool blankets.
• Mad Kot : We went there to see Goriganga. It is 22 km from Munsiyari and 16 km from Dar Kot. Amazing experience. The color of the river was dull though, the spot was most picturesque. You will find bluish-green colored Goriganga at the time of November, and will be with more water.
• Nanda Devi Temple : An easy 3 km stimulating trek from Munsiyari will take you to Nanda Devi Temple. Cabs also reach to the gate. This sacred shrine holds immense importance amongst the local people of Munsiyari. View of peaks is the best compare to other spot, near Munsiyari (other than trek route). One must visit this place in the time of dawn. Rajma cultivation in the side by hill area is also eye catching.
• Khalia top : Khalia top (starting point is 8 km from Munsiyari) presents a fascinating view of Panchchuli peaks and also a skiing spot during winter. This is a trekking route, at around 7 km from the road. It is a large meadow surrounded on three sides by picturesque mountains with great patches of snow.
• Maheshwari Kund : This is a natural lake on top of a mountain, with a very picturesque view. A must visit for first timers to Munsiyari. 2 km trek.
• Kalamuni Top : This place comes en route (15 km) Munsiyari and gives an awe inspiring view of the Panchchuli Peaks. This place is at a height of more than 2700 m above sea level and is a trek route.

Himalayan Peaks seen from Munsiyari:-
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Nanda Devi East-7434 M
Hardeol-7,151 M
Trishuli-7,099 M
Rishi Pahar-6,992 M
Panchchuli II-6,904 M
Nanda Kot-6,861 M
Panchchuli V-6,437 M
Panchchuli I-6,355 M
Panchchuli IV-6,334 M
Nanda Gond-6,315 M
Panchchuli III-6,312 M
And many others....

Chaukori:-
District : Pithoragarh
Altitude : 2,010 m (6,595 ft)
Distance : 97 km from Deenapani (Deenapani <--- 88 ---> Berinag <--- 6 ---> Udiyari Bend <--- 3 ---> Chaukori)
Climate : Chaukori experiences moderate summers, during which temperature ranges between 28° Celsius and 15° Celsius. In winter 2 – 15°.

Chaukori is a tiny hill station in the Pithoragarh district set among the lofty peaks, of the western Himalayan Range in the Kumaon Division of Uttarakhand, India. To the north is Tibet and to the south is Terai. The Mahakali River, running along its eastern boundary, forms the Indo-Nepal international border. One will find spectacular view of the snowy peaks of peaks of Nanda Devi, and Nanda Kot.

When we were coming from Munsiyari, there was a land-slide, after Kalamuni, and were stuck full day there. We reached Angan Resort at 10 pm, passing through a deadly fog. It was so dense, driving with a speed of 0.2 km was impossible. We didn't see the peaks from here, as it was cloudy. Unfortunately, rain started from the 1st week of June, where, average monsoon comes after 22nd June. But the place was very beautiful, a perfect place to rest with panoramic view of great Himalaya. We met Kundan Sing, our caretaker, gave an idea to touch glacier without trekking. Wondered!!! But how? He unfolded. I never heard about that glacier, “Hiramoni”, may be some local name. It is near to the Leti village, have to go touching Bageshwar. In his words “There are fewer and fewer places one can go in this world like this”. We didn’t have enough time to visit the place and the road condition also was not good enough. We didn’t take risk for our kid also. I’ve decided to come again at Kumaon to see all unseen.
From Chaukori we must went to Patal Bhuvaneshwar but due to time constraints and as well as it was bit difficult to go inside with my little son. So we missed it.

Kausani:-
District : Bageshwar
Altitude : 6596 m
Distance : 117 km from Nainital, 142 km from Kathgoda
Kausani is afamous hill station . MR TIWARI says the kausani is a swarerland. He says write. The glory of the snowcrowned Himalaya range reached it’s a pinnacle when the sun raysturm them into crimsom and gold.



On the way to Bhimtal we had been to Naukuchiatal and did boating. It was really a nice experience.


Roads condition
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80% of roads are good to give you smooth ride.


THANKS
Bye bye Kumaon; will see you soon!!!

Good Trip Report Ravindra......But please post the pictures,Fellow members would like to see the pictures.

Kunal.

yeh.....why not with some good snaps

@ Ravi

Well Informative...It will really help us.

Share Some Pics..

Fiends sorry my camera is missing in bus so i cant give the snaps but any other help u say me .

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