Nanda Devi Tour

Destinations Covered: Delhi - Nainital - Debal - Mandoli - Didina - Pathar Nachuni - Bhagwabasa - Roop Kund - Kunol - Dekhnadhar - Ramni - Jhenji - Pana - Kuari - Joshimath - Badrinath - Pipal Koti - Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
Duration: 19 Nights/20 Days

Day 01: Arrival at Delhi
Upon your arrival at Delhi international airport, our representative will receive you and help you to check in a hotel, where you can relax for a while. After some rest, you will be visiting Red Fort, Jama Masjid, Qutab Minar, Shanti Van which would be followed by Raj Ghat, India Gate and Parliament House later in the noon and finally ending with President's Estate. Return to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 02: Delhi - Nainital
With a new day, your excursion to all the wonderful places commences. After having delightful breakfast, get ready for a drive of 303 km/8 hr to Nainital. Nainital, a diamond in the Himalayan necklace, is a hill station set around of Naini Lake, named after Naina (eyes) of Parvati, Lord Shiva's wife. It is believed that emerald lake is one of the green eyes of her. Check in a guest house / hotel for overnight stay. Enjoy the scenic beauty of this exotic place at night along with luscious Kumaon cuisine.

Day 03: Nainital
In the morning, after breakfast, you will be taken to Naina Peak also known as China Peak (2610 m) from where you can have a glimpse of Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi (7826 m). Nanda Devi is the highest peak of Kumaon region. Later in the afternoon you will be taken to the drive around other 'tal' or lakes of Nainital like Bhimtal, Sat Tal and Naukuchia Tal. Delve into the scenic beauty and give your parched nerves a respite as your senses calm down from the pleasant greens and the mesmerizing blues.

Day 04: Nainital - Debal
Your day begins with a drive of approximately 182 km to Debal via Kausani and Gwaldam. En route, you will experience the scenic beauty of terraced fields, villages and snow clad Himalayan Mountains and many more. Though distant, you can also see Nanda Devi peak, Trishul peak and other peaks. Night stay will be in tents.

Day 05: Debal - Mandoli - Didina
Day 5 begins with a drive of 24 km which would hardly take 1 ½ hours to reach Mandoli by jeep. After reaching there, you rest for a while and later start the trek trip towards Didina village. The first 1 ½ hours wouldn't be tough as you walk through almost leveled roads through villages. It is only after that the vertical incline starts which continues till you reach the ultimate destination for the day, Didina village. This trek is 4/5 hrs long post which you suspend in the tents wherein you put up for the night.

Day 06: Didina - Pathar Nachuni
The adventure quotient takes a leap as day six takes you to a steep trek through oak trees and bamboo shrubs up to Ali Bugyal. The walk from Didina over Ali Bugyal, enjoying the view of Himalayan peaks ends at Bedni Bugyal. Bugyal means meadow (field) in Garhwali language. From Bedni Bugyal, you get an unrestricted view of Mt. Nanda Ghunti, Trishul massif and other peaks on the north of Garhwal. Post lunch and some rest, the trek continues towards the last destination of the day Pathar Nachuni. Suspend for the night in the breezy cool place under the starry night.

Day 07: The adventure quotient takes a leap as day six takes you to a steep trek through oak trees and bambo
Day seven would be exciting as well as excruciating, for you would get to satisfy the urge for adventure as well as revel in the glorious bounty of nature. During the months of August to October, this valley of Himalayan is full of fragrance of Saussurea Obvallata flower, locally known as Brahmkamal. According to ancient history, this flower acquires special importance to make offerings to Gods, especially to Lord Shiva and is found only in certain places in high altitudes. What's more, a mere touch of the flower by hand is enough to make the smell lasts for hours. This trek is approximately for 7 to 8 hours. From Bhagwabasa, the next goal is Roopkund. Roopkund, also known as Skeleton Lake, is a glacial lake which became famous due to human skeletons, 500-600 years old, found at the edge of the lake. There are several beliefs about the mystic presence of these skeletons. Some say refugees fleeing from prosecution of Tuglak's army under General Zorawar Singh died here on the way. Others believe traders from Tibet might have died in a natural calamity. Yet another belief is that King Jasdal of Kanauj was on his way with his wife undertaking a pilgrimage called, Nanda Jat, to propitiate Goddess Nanda Devi 560 years ago. The Queen delivered a child on the way. This made the Goddess Nanda Devi angry by spoiling Her Holy Land. A snow storm was sent down by the Goddess killing hundreds on the trail of pilgrimage. According to the artifacts recovered so far this explanation of Nanda Jat seems more viable. Yet curiosity is unsatisfied to find reason for this mystery.

Day 08: Pathar Nachuni - Kunol
This day is also a trekking day for you. It starts with the trek from over the ridge enjoying the superb closer view of Trishul and Nanda Ghunti peaks and then down to Kunol village. A 6 to 7 hours long trek, it offers you an opportunity to explore the unexplored as you reach the final destination of the day. You would spend the night at Kunol village. Enjoy the picturesque beauty of the incomparable valley, as you nature embarks and takes over your entirety.

Day 09: Kunol - Dekhnadhar
This day we will trek through beautiful remote villages. For the first 3 hours we steep down till the village of Sitail. Continue with crossing the River Nandakini. Sitail is a small village with few shops. From Sitail we go for 2 hours more steep climb to Dekhnadhar. After reaching there, overnight stay will be in tents.

Day 10: Dekhnadhar - Ramni (2200 m)
This day we start our trek further till Ramni. We trek through villages which gives us a chance to see the local people engaged in various day to day activities. This will be an easy trek with little ups and downs. At the end, we stay in tents overnight for 4 to 5 hours.

Day 11: Ramni - Jhenji
Day eleven begins with trudging through beautiful forest with a nice view of snow capped peaks. It will be uphill trek for first 2 hrs till Binayak top. But know that it would be worth the effort for once atop Binayak, you would be mesmerized by the magnificent view of the Nanda Ghunti peak. After that we go for very steep descend to village Jhenji. Here we stay in guest house / tents for overnight for 6 to 7 hours.

Day 12: Jhenji - Pana
This day the aim is to reach Pana, the last village on the route before we reach Kuari Pass. The journey would be extremely exciting for the first ½ hour you would take a steep descend and then steep ascend till Pana. While trekking, you will experience the astonishing beauty of the snow clad valley all through. This trek wouldn't be a long one as you are likely to reach Pana in just about 3 to 4 hours.

Day 13: Pana / Kuari
Get geared up for this trek day would be the longest of all that you have experienced until yet. You would trudge past the forests and creeks. Expect to get one to one with wildlife as well. After ½ hour walk, you would reach Syaartoli from where we can get the view of Kuari Pass. Literally meaning door way, it actually opens the door for a compelling and benevolent nature. From Syaartoli, the trek goes down to Doma Bheti. From this point, the trek will turn into very steep climb till Kuari pass. However, the enticing view of the snow peak is sure to act as a fuel and energize you further for the journey. Hands down, this journey would be the most immaculate of all you ever had. From here you will get the complete view of some of the highest peaks of Garhwal such as Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mana, Chowkhamba, Dunagiri, Neel Kanth, etc. To let you take in every bit of the pristine beauty of the nature, we camp here for this night and the next as well.

Day 14: Kuari Pass
This day will be the rest day for you after the hectic treks. It will be an opportunity to relax with nature, enjoy natural beauty, explore India's most striking mountains and get familiar with the real natural essence of the hill resorts. It will offer you chance to explore new ways in the beautiful grassy valleys.

Day 15: Kuari Pass - Auli (2400 M) - Joshimath (1875 m)
This day, we will descend to Tali moving past lush green forest of Cedars while taking the view of Nanda Devi that continues to play hide and seek till our last trekking destination Ski Resort. From Ski Resort, we make end to our trek and go down to Joshimath by road for 14 km. The overnight stay will be in a guest house / hotel.

Day 16: Joshimath - Badrinath (3096 m) - Pipal Koti
This day will be a day for religious visits. We start our day with drive of 65 km to the Badrinath Temple, one of the most important shrines for Hindus, also the last town before Tibet border. Badrinath Temple is situated on the bank Alaknanda River, one of the main tributaries of River Ganga. After the visit, from Joshimath we drive further to 35 km to Pipal Koti for our over night stay in a guest house or hotel.

Day 17: Pipal Koti - Rishikesh
After having breakfast, we start our journey from 8 hour drive till Rishikesh. You are likely to reach Rishikesh by the night. A delicious dinner, coupled with an overnight stay in Rishikesh will be a chance for you to relax and revitalize yourself.

Day 18: Rishikesh
This will be day of enjoyment, pleasure and shopping. You would start the day with sightseeing of Ashrams, Ghats, Yoga Centre were you get chance to learn about meditation & yoga. From afternoon, you will get complete time to enjoy the exquisiteness of Rishikesh. You can go for shopping, visit temples and enjoy variety of local food.

Day 19: Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
This day will be a last day for the trip. Post breakfast, the journey commences with drive of 225 km/ via Haridwar. En route there be will a small stop at Haridwar, one of the holy places out of seven main holistic places of Hindus. A paradise for nature lovers, it will provide a kaleidoscopic view of Indian culture and civilization. You would get to see all the major spots of Haridwar and explore the superlative holy places set around of the Ganga River, after which you would move towards the final destination Delhi.

Day 20: Departure from Delhi
With warm memories of your visit, proceed to the international airport and catch the flight to your onward destination.

Also Mapped to: • New Delhi Tours • Rishikesh Tours • Haridwar Tours