Niti, Mana and Darma Valley - photos and info

Thanks Dilliwalla!

A 3-4 p.m. bus/ jeep would reach Rudraprayag/ Srinagar by 8-9p.m. Would it not be stopped by the police as night driving is prohibited in the hills?

Would there be an early morning direct bus connection from Rudraprayag/ Srinagar to Delhi? How much time would it consume?

I am aware, in one of your post you had suggested that all buses from UK to Delhi, terminate at Anand-Vihar ISBT. Is it the same at present?

I need to catch a train from Nizammuddin at 8.00p.m. Is there a frequent bus connection between Anand-Vihar ISBT and Nizammuddin ISBT? How much time would it consume?

I am asking detailed questions as I would like to avoid hassles during my return journey. I hope you understand my concerns.
Thanks once again.

Joshimath to Rudraprayag is 4-4.5 hours, to Shrinagar 5-5.5 hours. The night-driving ban starts at 8 pm. Therefore it's best to check locally what the last departure times are.

To Delhi by bus from Shrinagar - 9-10 hours, from Rudraprayag - 1 hour extra.
UTC has one bus to Delhi from Shrinagar, and others from Guptkashi, Gopeshwar and Karnprayag respectively via Rudraprayag/Shrinagar. I'm guessing they leave early morning but I can't confirm that.

At present all UTC buses between Delhi and Garhwal are still operating from/to Anand Vihar ISBT.

Between Anand Vihar and Nizamuddin RS you'd be best off by radio taxi or prepaid three-wheeler (stand on opposite side of road from ISBT main entrance). Should take not more than 20 mins (ask to be dropped on Sarai Kale Khan side of the RS).

Thanks DW, SK, KS and Rajkumar! I had a hectic week; feeling “relieved” to be back, and rambling virtually in the Himalayas with IM!

@ Rajkumar and others.
Our team would be visting the Niti valley in the first week of May. A physician would be a part of our group; could he be of any help for the locals? Kindly suggest villages which lack Primary Health Centers, where he could be of any help.

@XIRO,

Which villages in Niti valley are you visiting? Upper villages ( beyond Jumma) will not be fully populated till 15th May. Anyway carry basic medicines and whichever village you will visit you can distribute among the needy. PH centers, even if they exist, are mostly non functional beyond Joshimath-Tapovan.

Based on SK, KS and DW inputs we plan to visit:

1) Reni

2) Lata- L kharak- Saini K- Surai thota ( Dharansi pass would be snow-bound)

3) Ruing- Dunagiri- Garpak (I am not aware of the route, but assume its possibilities based on SK’s blog.)


Depending on the route/snow conditions and the availability of accommodation; the itinerary would change. Our intention is to trek through some scenic places which host basic accommodation facilities like GMVNL dormitories/ Panchayat house/ “home stay” (we would not be carrying camping gear).

Kindly suggest villages on the route based on the above criteria where we would be of any help.

N.B. Please suggest any specific medications (other than the basic)required by the villagers based on the local prevalence of ailments e.g. Gout, Goitre etc

Glorious pics. and write up.

Topography resembles with Kinnaur....happen to be there lot of times. In Kamet expeditions....it's very scenic and beautiful out there but army rules and people were not happy....check out village BOMPA....! this is perhpas last village to Tibetan border !

Hi,

I am planning to go Auli in early December, so it is possible to go Mana in that part of time. Please let me know.

Thanks

There is a surge of infrastructure development in these valleys recently. Especially transportation and communication facilities are being upgraded under Border Area Development Scheme ( BADS ) apart from providing better facilities to the army and ITBP personnel.

With the construction of roads, the time it takes to reach the border will reduce drastically.
Already there is a motorable road to Mana Pass.
In Johar and Byas valleys, the roads are completed after Greater Himalayan Range where the terrain is not challenging for road construction.
In Darma and Niti valleys, the work is in progress on Sobla - Tidang, Sumna - Rimkhim and Niti- Geldung sections.

For Panchachuli base camp in Darma valley, now the road head is Bongling ( as of April 2013 ). Unless monsoon rains hamper the work, it will go upto Sela village by the end of this year.

I see the present Chinese activity in Daulat Beg Oldi ( DBO ) sector in Ladakh as a response to this enhanced Indian engagement with the Tibetan border areas.

Last year the last section of road to Mana pass was still being cut, and it was definitely not motorable beyond New Jagrao. Do you have confirmation that it is motorable all the way now?