Nanda Devi Sanctuary Tour
Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Lata Village - Lata Kharak - Dharansi Pass - Debrugheta - Dharansi Pass - Hitoli Camp Site - Joshimath - Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
A classic trek that retraces the pioneering steps of Shipton and Tilman through the Garhwal Himalaya. The Nanda Devi basin must surely be one of the most legendary regions in the entire Himalayan chain. The mountain itself, revered since time immemorial by all those who live in its shadow, has long attracted the attention of the pioneering mountaineers and explorers, mystics and spiritualists, writers and everyday travellers who have visited the area.
Everest may well be the highest peak in the world but the beautiful peak of Nanda Devi must surely be the most fascinating. The area first came to the attention of the Western world as a result of the 19th century explorations by Trail, Graham and Long staff but shot to fame in the 1930's when Shipton and Tilman forced a route into the Inner Sanctuary. Nanda Devi is the highest mountain situated completely within India and is surrounded by a ridge wall of nearly 6000m. The only break in this wall is the Rishi Ganga, a wild and seemingly impenetrable gorge.
This classic trek takes us across the picturesque meadows and valleys that border the western edge of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. The route we follow was used by Shipton and Tilman on their amazing journey to the Nanda Devi basin. During the trek there are many views of the surrounding peaks and the Kuari Pass (3658m) itself has an unrivalled panorama of the Great Himalayan peaks including Nanda Devi (7816m), Changabang (6864m), Doonagiri (7066m) and Kamet (7756m).
This amazing feat of endurance and determination was capped when Tilman later returned to conquer the peak itself. Sadly, the mystic of the area led to an excess of expeditions and ecological damage and the Sanctuary was closed in the 1980's. Investigations are currently underway to assess the recovery.
Day 01: Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh (230 kms/6 hrs)
In the morning after breakfast drive to Rishikesh via Haridwar. On arrival check in to hotel. Evening free to explore the near by area by your own. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02: Rishikesh - Joshimath (270 kms/8-9 hrs)
Today after breakfast we will take a hill drive to Joshimath via Devprayag, Rudraprayag. Lunch enroute. Upon Arrival at Joshimath check into hotel. Evening explore Joshimath. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 03: Joshimath - Lata Village (2317 mts/7599 ft) (2 kms/ 1 hrs)
An hour's drive takes you to the Lata Village road head. Then trek to the village. Visit the Nanda Devi Temple and get a first hand experience of the distinctive culture of the region. Overnight in the village.
Day 04: Lata Village - Lata Kharak (3689 mts/12099 ft) (9 kms/4-5 hrs)
Today's trek is a steep incline. The going is arduous but very satisfying as the trail unfolds before ones eyes. Lata Kharak is a high plateau with high peaks surrounding it. Trekking time could vary from 5 - 7 hrs! Overnight in Camp.
Day 05: Lata Kharak - Dharansi Pass (4250 mts/13940 ft) (10 kms/4 -5 hrs)
A good nights sleep and what a morning! Towering snow clad peaks all around. Dronagiri, Nanda Gunthi and many more. The trail today takes a steep climb to Jhandi Dhar and Bagfyana Pass. From here on it ascends and descends through the narrow gorge of Satkul to Dharansi Pass. Over night in Camp.
Day 06: Dharansi Pass - Debrugheta (3500 mts/11480 ft) - Dharansi Pass (6 kms/3 -4 hrs)
On today's trail the Malthuni - Bithartoli Ridges of the inner and outer sanctuary form a magnificent pass up to Rani Kholi and Donidar. The trail is a steep descent of about a kilometer to Debrugheta. Return to Dharansi Pass by late afternoon. Overnight at Camp.
Day 07: Dharansi Pass - Hitoli Camp Site (2900 mts/9512 ft) (12 kms/5-6 hrs)
Today we go through Jhandi Dhar a steep descent of 4.5 km to the Hitoli camp site through thick forests of Rhododendron, Birch and Fir. Overnight at Camp.
Day 08: Hitoli Campsite - Joshimath (1890 mts/6199 ft) (8 kms/3-4 hrs)
The trek goes through the village of Tolma to the road head from where it is a 30 km drive to Joshimath. We will trek through thick forests of Rhododendron, birch and many others. Upon arrival at Joshimath check into hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Day 09: Joshimath - Rishikesh
After an early breakfast drive to Rishikesh via Nandprayag, Karnprayag, Rudraprayag and Devprayag. Upon arrival at Rishikesh check into hotel. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 10: Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi
In the morning after breakfast drive to Delhi via Haridwar. On arrival transfer to hotel for relaxes. Overnight stay at hotel.
Tour and Services Ends.
Animal Spotting Tips
If you're serious about observing wildlife there are a few things you can do to enhance your experience and bring you even closer to nature.
1) Once you've planned your trip, visit your local bookshop, library or go on the internet to find a wildlife guide for the area you intend visiting. This will give you the best idea of the kinds of plants and animals you can expect to see.
2) Always take services of a local and experienced naturalist/guide who knows the area better. There is nothing better than local knowledge when it comes to spotting wildlife.
3) Wild animals have their distinct daily and seasonal patterns of activities. a baisc knowledge of these patterns increases one's chances of seeing them. The frequency of wildlife sightings in national parks and reserves varies, depending on the time of year.In India the best times are from February to May,during these months the trees are often bare, so visibility is considerably improved. Since there is also a general scarcity of water, the animals concentrate near sources of water.
4) Many animals have an amazingly alert sense of sight which helps them survive in the wild. To get close takes a great degree of patience and time but you can increase your chances by wearing natural or neutral colours that blend into your surroundings. Keep your movements to a minimum and when you do move, do it slowly and quietly.
5) Animals are very wary of the human voice. So, in order to get close to them, absolute silence is essential. Walk softly and watch where you're placing your feet so as not to snap branches or twigs or create other noise as you make your approach. Even if you have to take a less direct route, avoid walking through dense undergrowth as the animal is more likely to hear you and run away. Avoid carrying any metal objects in your pockets which will make noise. This includes things like car keys and loose change.
6 ) A highly attuned sense of smell is one of the key aspects for many species of wildlife to detect where food is or, indeed, even prey. It is, for many, the most important of their senses in their battle for survival. Don't wear any aftershave or perfume and avoid scented soaps and deodorants. There are plenty of environmentally friendly non-scented soaps and toiletries on the market from specialist camping stores. Although you may baulk at this suggestion, wear your clothes for several days if you're really serious about wildlife spotting. The more you wear your clothes outdoors, the more the fabrics will absorb natural outdoors scents and smells. Always be aware of the wind direction and make sure that the direction in which you approach an animal is where the wind is blowing towards you. If it's blowing away from you, animals can detect your scent from many hundreds of yards away.
7) It shouldn't be important to get too close up to an animal to enjoy the experience and, in some instances, if you do get too near, it can even be dangerous and sometimes life-threatening. Binoculars can keep you at a safe distance from your quarry and means they are less likely to run away. Also, binoculars are the only way to view nesting birds or other forms of young wildlife. You should never get too close to a burrow, a nest or animals out and about with their young.
A magnifying glass will also come in handy if you're interested in examining insects and smaller wildlife alongside plants, flowers etc.
Following these tips and advice will ensure that your experience will be heightened as you marvel at all the wildlife and nature you've witnessed.
Nanda Devi Sanctuary Tour (Tour Highlight)
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