The Nanda Devi (East) Trek

Remote Himalayan peaks, beautiful meadows, ancient forests and the spectacular roaring Gori Ganga river.

The Nanda Devi Peak, at an impressive 25,636 feet above sea level, is a sacred mountain in Indian mythology. The name means ‘Bliss giving Goddess’. It is also the highest peak that is totally in India.
While we don’t have any high pass crossing on this trek, the terrain can be rugged in places, particularly on our way to the Nanda Devi East base camp.

Our trek explores a remote corner of Kumaon, close to the border with Tibet and is going to take us right up to the East base camp of this peak, located at a height of 13,700 feet with a breathtaking view of the surrounding peaks.

The trail we follow was once an important trading route between India and Tibet which sadly stopped once the Chinese invaded Tibet.

The trek is scenically spectacular with spectacular views of the East face of Nanda Devi, beautiful meadows and the super energetic, rushing, gurgling, dancing ‘Gori Ganga’ River.

Very few trekkers frequent this route therefore you are truly communing with nature with the people you are most likely to meet are shepherds moving their flocks from one pasture to another.

The itinerary at a glance

Day 1:
You arrive at Sitla Estate with the rest of the day spent at leisure. Overnight: Sitla Estate.

Day 2:
Drive to Munsiyari, the starting point for our trek. Located at 11,500 feet provides a panoramic view of the great Himalayan peaks. Overnight: Lodge, Munsiyari.

Day 3:
A relatively level walk to Darkot from where our trail descends until we meet the River at Jimighat. From here we ascend a little to our camp site at Lilam. Overnight: Camp – Lilam (6068 feet, 10 km).

Day 4:
Today our trail takes us past forests and through gorges until we reach our camp site at Mapang. Overnight: Camp – Mapang (9000 feet, 12 km)..

Day 5:
From here thick forests give way to Alpine meadows as we climb to typical ‘high altitude’ terrain. Our trail goes along the energetic Gori Ganga River and past Rilkot till we reach Martoli. Overnight: Camp – Martoli (11,800 feet, 12 km).

Day 6:
From Martoli, our trail takes us over high alpine meadows with great views of several snow clad peaks, till we reach our destination for the day – Ganghar. Overnight: Camp – Ganghar (11,000 feet, 12 km).

Day 7:
Today though our trek is not a long one, we do have a climb ahead of us as we undertake the final stretch to the base camp. Overnight: Camp – Nanda Devi Base camp (13,700 feet, 6km).

Day 8:
A rest day. An ideal opportunity to soak in this amazingly beautiful spot. Overnight: Camp – Nanda Devi Base camp.

Day 9:
Today we start our return journey and set course for Burfu as the valley opens up and we get great views of the high peaks. Our camp site is on a meadow, close to the Gori Ganga River. Overnight: Camp – Burfu (11,000 feet, 13km).

Day 10:
Our trek today is the longest distance we will cover in a single day but most of it is a gentle downhill walk past the villages if Rilkot and Mapang till we reach Bugdyar. Overnight: Camp – Bugdyar (8850 feet, 15km).

Day 11:
From Bugdyar our walk is an easy downhill throughout the day till we reach our campsite at Lilam. Overnight: Camp – Lilam (6,000 feet, 12km).

Day 12:
Today we first walk past Jimighat and then climb up to Dumar (8km). Here there will be vehicles waiting to take us to Munsiyari. Overnight: Lodge – Munsiyari.

Day 13:
After breakfast, we board our vehicles and set course for Sitla Estate and hot showers – finally! Overnight: Sitla Estate.

Day 14:
Full day of relaxation at Sitla Estate! Overnight: Sitla Estate.

Day 15:
Today you make your way back to Delhi.

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