Munsyari trip

Hi

we are planning to visit munsyari this nov end.
We reach kathgodam around noon and plan to go to almora for night stay. Next day we intend to reach munsiyari. Our stay on day 1 is purely to reduce the travel time at a stretch given that we have 2 elderly with us on this trip.

Quick questions:
1. Its abt 225 kms from almora to munsyari. How many hrs would it take to travel this distance?
2. Is it wise to stay at almora on day 1 or should we move further north to Bageshwar to reduce the travel time the next day.
3. How much time would it take to reach bageshwar (160 kms)

help !!

Though you have not mentioned, I am assuming that you would be travelling on a hired cab. So, my answers are based on that

1. Its about 225 kms from almora to munsyari. How many hrs would it take to travel this distance?

As a rule of thumb, take the travelling speed at about 30 km/hr, which translates to about 7-8 hours.

2. Is it wise to stay at almora on day 1 or should we move further north to Bageshwar to reduce the travel time the next day.

Chaukori would be a recommended stop.

3. How much time would it take to reach bageshwar (160 kms)

Please see answer to the first question.

Thanks for the prompt response. Yes i did miss out on mentioning that we would be hiring a cab

We reach kathgodam at 12 noon. we should be good to go around 1:30 - 2 pm. Almora is abt 3 hrs away. and the next day travel almora tp munsyari would take abt 7-8 hrs.

Choukori would be abt 5-6 hrs from kathgodam. Dont know if it is a good idea to travel in dark ( assuming it would get dark post 5:30/ 6)

Is there an option other than choukori? a little ahead of almora perhaps? Maybe between almora and bageshwar?

chaukori is in midway between almora and munsiyari. some 80/100 km from almora i guess.

you reach kathgodam at 12 . if you start at 1/2 pm then you should stay the night in any of these four places - nainital/kaushani/ranikhet/almora

next day move to chaukori which is about 100 km

next day reach munsiyari which 70 or 100 km from chaukori.

remember in hills your average speed would be 30 km, but that does not mean you can cover 180 km in 6 hours. often there will be road blockage due to landslide and it may take 1/2 hours. the road is very beautiful and you may want to stop sometime near a river or in a valley and take some pictures.

try to limit your journey 80/120 km in a day, otherwise you will see the great Himalayas only from within a car , and will be too tired when you reach your destination. then you will return home with a painful memory and wonder why some people love hill.

BTW - In the hills i never think roadblock for any reason is a waste of time. i just go out of the car, take photographs, talk with local people or enjoy the surroundings.

You have a few options. Some of them have been discussed in the previous post.

1. Kausani - About 45 Km from Almora. From here you can continue your journey to Bageshwar, Chaukori, Thal, and Munsyari.

2. Jageshwar - A 9-10th century temple complex. Quite serene place to be. It would be a slight detour. Next morning you will have to come back to Barechina (about 12 Km) and continue towards Sheraghat, Berinag, Thal, and Munsyari.

3. Almora - Almora in itself is not a bad choice. Quite a few people like it, though it is a typical busy and crowded hill town. There are few good locations around Almora, such as Kasar Devi, where you can find good accommodation; However, while travelling in hills, it is always recommended to travel as much as practically possible to get closer to you destination

4. Bageshwar - As you have also planned I guess, you can always decide to break your journey at Bageshwar.

PS: If your cab driver is driving safely, you can travel up till 7-8 PM. It is quite normal these days (at least in Kumaon)

its a wonderful place to stay the place of Swami Vivekananda, Bob Dylan, Cat Stevens and its the origin-place of famous Hippy culture/movement

What is the quickest route by taxi from Kathgodam to Munsyari?

We are planning the following itinerary
Day 1: Delhi to kathgodam by train- reach by noon. Kathgodam to Almora by cab night stay at almora
Day 2: Almora to Chaukori by cab. Overnight at Chaukori
Day 3: Chaukori to Munsiyari, Overnight at Munsyari
Day 4: Stay at Munsiyari
Day 5: Munsiyari to Kausani. Overnight at Kausani
Day 6: Stay at Kausani
Day 7: Kausani to Nainital. Overnight at Nainital
Day 8: Post noon - From kathgodam train back to delhi

What say?

Also, we came across Misty mountains resort in Jhaltola. Seems to be a good property. Is it feasible to do Jhaltola instead of Chaukori as a mid-way stoppage between almora and munsiyari?

any suggestions?

via Almora-Bharad Bend

@ Varshita
Jhaltola is a nice place to stay .................while Almora is tasteless I think

you may start your trip like this: Kathgodam - Kausani - Chaukori - Munsiyari - Jhaltola - Nainital

Thanks PKanti, is that via Bageshwar, Rameshwar, or Dhaul Chhina?

Dhaula Chhina.

Difference is about 30 Km. (as compared with via Bageshwar)

Hi Varshita,

I visited Munsiyari in Oct first week. Munsiyari is a beautiful place. Don't miss khaliya top, its a beautiful trek. You can stay at Pandey ji's lodge(Pandey ji's No. 9411130370), you will get beautiful views. If you want to take a cab then you can contact Mr. Dev (Thapa ji) 9837841122, he is very talkitive and nice person, he will arrange everything for you. If you want shared jeep then contact Mr. Amroo 9410024281 or Sooli 9410183280.

@ leem

Yes! my fellow IMrs is right

Hello Varshita,

Yesterday I added my comment on your post at this thread that you started: Trip to Nainital in end-Nov

It seems that you have changed your travel plan. Few points I would suggest since I am back from that region after a 10 days trip just 4 days ago.

1) Few parts of the road b/w Chaukori and Munsiyari is quite bad right now. It will take 4-5 hours to reach Chaukori to Munsiyari.

2) Staying 1 day in Kausani is ok, you need not spend 2 days there.

3) I will tell again that Binsar is the BEST place to stay at Kumaon. If possible, drop Kausani and Jhaltola and spend time at Binsar. It's a guarantee that you will not be disappointed. Try to book KMVN via online at Chaukori and Binsar.

4) At Munsiyari, if you are willing, stay at Sarmoli village. I had booking near bus stand, near Pandey lodge (which is very good staying option), at Maa Nanda Devi hotel, but for some reason we have been shifted to "Martolia Lodge" at Sarmoli village. It's 2 km from Munsiyari village. The owner is Mangal Singh Martolia and it's the oldest home-stay in that area. First we were doubtful about the quality of stay, but then it became the best (except Binsar) experience in the whole tour. It was completely home-like with simple and fresh food (veggies plucked from their own garden) and surprisingly low-cost. Owner and his family members are wonderful.