Trekking in Indian Himalaya

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Munsyari is a most important base for Ralam, Namik, Poting and Milam glacier treks. Permit from S.D.M. Munisyari is required for the trek. Season : May-June and September-October. Fare : Rs 4025/-per Person. Total 110 km trek.

Day 1 : Munsyari - Lilam, 11 km trek, of which 6 km is motorable.

Day 2 : Trek to Bodyar, 15 km

Day 3 : Trek to Rilkot, 10 km

Day 4 : Trek to Milam village, 14 km

Day 5 : Trek to Milam glacier (3450 m) - Milam village - Rilkot, 18 km

Day 6 : Trek to Bodyar, 10 km

Day 7 : Trek to Lilam, 15 km

Day 8 : Trek to Munsyari, 11 km

The trek passes through magnificent rugged country to the east of Nanda Devi (7816 m) and along the sometimes spectacular gorges of the Gori Ganga river.



Way to Milam glacier



Milam glacier

The trail head is Munsyari (2290 m), where a guide, cook and porters can be hired. Accommodation is available in different rest houses on the route. You need your own food supplies for the trek. A daily bus runs to Munsyari (Rs 155, 11 hour) from Almora.

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A number of rewarding treks are available around Darjeeling. The best season is from Oct and Nov, when the sky is clear. Rhododendrons bloom in May and early June. The most popular trek is from Sandakphu to Phalut, which passes through the scenic Saingalila National Park (Admission Rs 20) and offers fantastic view of the Himalaya. Guides (Rs 200 per day) is now mandatory and can be hired from Darjeeling or from Manebhanjang, the starting point of the trek. Morning buses are available from Chow Bazaar bus/jeep station to Manebhanjang (Rs 15, 2 hour, 26 km). The trekking itinerary is

Day 1 : Manebhanjang (2130 m) to Tonglu (3100 m, 14 km) via Megma Gompa.
Day 2 : Tonglu to Sandakphu(3636 m, 17 km) via Kalipokhri & Garibas.
Day 3 : Sandakphu to Phalut(3600 m, 17 km) via Sabarkum.
Day 4 : Phalut to Rammam (2530 m, 16 km) via Gorkey.
Day 5 : Rammam to Rimbik (2290 m, 19 km) via Srikola.

Rimbik has morning buses to Darjeeling.

You can cut short the trek by following shortcuts from Sandakphu and Sabarkum. The daily starting points of the trek has basic trekker's huts for accommodation (dr/d Rs 80, 300).

Rochela trek is another popular 4 day trek to the gorgeous Samthar plateau. DGAHC in Darjeeling (near Chowrasta) has leaflets with maps for these treks. They arrange all inclusive treks at Rs 2000 per day per person. Adventure sports office near the Railway station rents out jackets and sleeping bags at Rs 10 per day.

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The popular treks in Sikkim through Khangchendzonga National park are Yuksom-Dzongri-Goecha la-Yuksom (view of Khangchendzonga and Kabru (7338 m) and Singalila ridge at Nepal border trek. Yuksom is 6 hour from Darjeeling via Jorethang.

Yuksom - Goecha la trek : This is the most popular trek in Sikkim, also called Khangchendzonga trek (88 km, 8 days). The best time for the trek is from Oct to Nov. Altitude sickness is common during this route and acclimatisation is strongly recommended for the completion of the trek. Do not trek too high too quickly.

The pretty village of Yuksom has share jeep service (5 to 6 am) to Jorethang. Trekking group of four has to get permit for the trek. Trekker's huts are available on the route for camping at Tsokha, Dzongri, Kokchuran, Thangsing and Samiti lake.

Day 1 : Trek from Yuksom (1780 m) to Tsokha (3050 m, 7 hour) via Bakhim (2740 m).
Day 2 : Acclimatisation day.
Day 3 : Trek to Dzongri (4025 m, 5 hour) via Phedang (3760 m). Food & accommodation is available here.
Day 4 : Acclimatisation is recommended. During the day visit the nearby Dzongri la (4550 m), a 4 hour round trip with great views of Mt Pandim (6691 m).
Day 5 : Trek to Samiti lake (4200 m, 7 hour) via Thangsing (3840 m).
Day 6 : An early morning trek to Goecha la (4940 m) for breathtaking views of Khangchendzonga and trek back to Thangsing (9 hour).
Day 7 : Trek to Tsokha (6 hour).
Day 8 : Trek to Yuksom (6 hour).

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The hard & steep trekking route to Dzongri via Dafey Bhir pass (4400 m) takes 8 days. The trek begins at Uttarey village, 2 hour from Pelling/Geyzing (Rs 50, share jeep). Hardcore trekkers can trek up to Goecha la and complete the 14 day trek at Yuksom. Singalila la (pass) to Nepal is near Uttarey.

Pelling and Ravangla has a number of beautiful gompas. Yumthang (3564 m) is the northern most village, 140 km from Gangtok. It is extremely picturesque valley surrounded by forested snow capped peaks and he treeless Tibetan plateau. In winter and summer roads are blocked due to snow and landslides respectively.

[NikitaT]

Haven't you thought of trekking in Himachal Pradesh??