About Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary Trek
The foremost part of this trek is its geographical location mingled
with scenic beauty and craggy paths. The mulish rock walls do hear the
ringing of the peaks that offers feeling of humbleness and beauty
inside. Travellers are all astonished with the river Rishi Ganga that
formed astounding gorges famous all around the globe. Trekkers come and
visit this place almost throughout the year, even if there are swelling
places and risky areas. This area posses amazing twelve peaks about 6500
metres long. Few eminent are –Dunagiri , Changabang in its Northern
side and Nanda Kot and Trishul to its western and southern part
circling Nanda Devi that is in between.
The year 1983 saw this part of the trekking area completely blocked
by the management due to the maintenance of the ecological development
that restricted its lovers. But later on due to its influx of the trek
lovers and also for shepherds it did inhale its wings out. The year
1939 opened up Nanda Devi sanctuary by Tilman and Shipton. The untold
and unrevealed history gave birth to its finest writers, poets,
photographers, and filmmakers from its womb. This place has a perfect
place for Hinduism –often popular as Bliss giving divinity blessed from
natures lap. Due to its superfluous history the Uttaranchal Forest
department often conduct various programmers with all the visitors who
are usually available in Nanda Devi trekking, the other professionals
are not thrown out though. The history reveals that this is an important
trading point for crop growing villages of Kumaon and Tibet. One must
know that every 12 years this Nanda Devi commences its voyage from her
home based out in Trishul via jagged, mountains and gurgling streams and
often blesses the path full of trekkers, villagers and other
professionals.
The trekker's main ideology to visit this place is for its fame and
then the spectacular beauty offered to them in the name of World
heritage place surrounded with most famous five peaks. On the way to the
path the lovers can meet few exceptional species – musk deer, Himalaya
Thar, snow leopards, and blue sheep's. They are most of the time
available to meet you without appointments. Do visit Tolma just
adjoining to the national part a small tranquil village with captivating
flavours of the cooked tribal food, from the tribal homes. While
meandering via the route the birdwatchers often conduct breakfast with
100 varieties of birds that offers a lifelong memory. The mythological
significance would make you peaceful when you casade through the
confluence of Bhagirathi, Alaknanda leaving behind Rudraprayag and
Nandprayag. The best time when trekkers visit during May – August this
is because of its life soothing climate that embraces' all who step's
the place.
Well while on the expedition one most of the times comes across myths
and stories few are true enough about more than 500 kind of medicinal
herbs are found here in this Himalayan ranges and beside passes. There
are many business owners who visit this place due to its medicinal
benefits and often take for their own consumption and some make
medicines out of it offering employment to the tribal bunch of the
village. Apart from this the power of Himalayas named Nanda Devi is the
centre of attraction as during her journey the sheep's are being
decorated with ornaments and cloths – treated as the siblings of Devi
herself.
Area : Garhwal Himalayas
Duration : 21 Days (6 day travel/15 days trekking)
Best Season : May - October
Grade :Tough
Altitude : 4900 mts
Total Trekking : 165 K.M
Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary Trekking Tours Highlights
- Visit the legendary villages of Rainee and Lata, which were the birthplace of the Chipko movement in the Himalayas
- Witness the rare and endangered mammals of the Indian Himalaya like the musk deer, blue sheep, serow, Himalayan black bear, Thar and snow leopard.
- Opportunity to witness the flights of varied bird species as the entire trail is blessed with 100 species of high altitude birds
- Avail the exclusive opportunity of interaction with locals and villagers and get a sneak peek in to their simple lives.
- Behold the sacred confluence of holy rivers at Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Nandprayag
Best Time to Visit Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary Trek
April to June (Summer) and September to October (Autumn)
Summer: Throughout the summer season, the weather remains mild and salubrious, it not too good nor hot.
Monsoon: During monsoon, the area receives rainfall, thus the
roads remain blocked due to landslide. It will be a strenous trek, but
the scenic view of surrounding mountains is worth all the effort.
Autumn: Best time to go for trekking as the landscapes have an exotic bloom.
Where is the Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary?
One of the most spectacular forest reserve in India, Nanda Devi
National Park, along with the valley of flowers, forms the Nanda Devi
Biosphere Reserve. The park was formed in 1982 and in 1988, it was
titled as the UNESCO world heritage site. Langurs, Himalayan musk deer,
Gorals, snow leopards, Himalayan Black Bear, Rhesus macaque, Mainland
Serow, Himalayan Maple, Snow leopards and Himalayan Thar are some
prominent animals that can be spotted in the park.
How to Reach?
By Air: Jolly Grant Airport (Dehradun), 295 km from
Nanda Devi National Park, is the closest airport. You can easily get
regular flights to Dehradun from other major cities of the country.
By Rail: Haridwar/Rishikesh Railway Stations are the
nearest railheads from Joshimath. Rishikesh is 276kms away from Nanda
Devi National Park. Rishikesh Railway Station is 252 km from Nanda Devi
National Park
By Road: To reach Nanda Devi National Park, one can
take bus or taxi from the neighbouring cities like Joshimath (254 Km),
Rishikesh (274 Km) and Dehradun (293 km).
Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary Trek (Detailed Itinerary)
Day 01: Delhi - Rishikesh (Train)
Board a 06:50 am Shatabdi Express to reach Haridwar at 11:25 am. On arrival at Haridwar meet our executive and drive to Rishikesh by road and check in to hotel. By evening one can go for sightseeing of Rishikesh. Dinner and overnight stay at the hotel.Day 02: Rishikesh - Joshimath (6200 ft/ 1890 metres)
We will start early for Joshimath, driving on road with spectacular views of mountains and gushing rivers coming from the Himalayas. On the way, an interesting spot will be chosen by the banks of a river to have a yummy lunch. Reaching Joshimath, check-in to a hotel for an overnight stay.Day 03: At Leisure in Joshimath
The day will be spent relaxing at the small town of Joshimath. Being placed in the way towards Badrinath, one of the most prominent destinations for worship in Hindu religion, the place is often swarming with pilgrims. Overnight stay will be in the hotel at Joshimath.Day 04: Joshimath - Lata (7995 ft/ 2437 metres/ 45 minutes)
Today we will be driving till the Lata Village. It is a small village near the confluence of Rishi Ganga and Dhauli Ganga Rivers. After five hours of the drive, we will reach Tapovan; it is known for its natural hot springs. Reach Lata. It is the place from where dirt road starts and our trip by car ends. Overnight stay in tents at Lata Village.Day 05: Lata - Lata Kharak (12467 ft / 3800 metres/ 7 hours)
Begin trek from Lata Village to Lata Kharak. It is a little hard trek with stiff slopes, but it will be surrounded with nature's beauty in the form of rhododendron, oak and pine forest. Enjoying the flora and fauna, reach Lata Kharak where the night will be spent in tents.Day 06: Rest and Acclimatization
The day will be used for the purpose of rest and acclimatization, enjoying the views from the Lata Kharak. A two hour trek to Semi Kharak is advisable to provide a light trekking exercise in the new environment. From Semi Kharak, you can witness an amazing vista of Nanda Devi and Rishi Valley. Night in tents at Lata Kharak.Day 07: Lata Kharak - Debrugheta (10827 ft/ 3300 metres/ 8 hours)
Today we will cross the Dharansi Khal (pass), which is located at the height of 13,943 ft / 4250 metres. From the pass we will trek on a curved path to arrive at the meadows of the Dharansi Plateau. Due to shortage of water, this place is not chosen for camping. Walk across the plateau and embark upon a long and steep descend (about 3 km) to reach a grazing pasture at Debrugheta. After crossing a stream, the camp is just a short climb away. Overnight stay in tents.Day 08: Debrugheta
Spend the day resting and relishing at the camp which is placed above a picturesque location. An English Himalayan Mountaineer, Eric Earle Shipton, greatly praised the beauty of this location with these words"...one of the loveliest spots it had ever been his good fortune to behold." Overnight stay in tents.Day 09: Debrugheta - Deodi (7545 ft/ 2300 metres)
Embark on a trek down the gorge of Rishi Ganga. It is a relatively easy walk with trail going up and down several times. Cross the Rishi Ganga at Deodi to reach our campsite. Overnight stay in tents.Day 10: Deodi - Ramni
Start the trek which snakes up the gorge on the southern side. Reach Ramni, the next campsite which is located in a small area between the cliffs and the surging flow of Rishi Ganga. Stay overnight in the tents.Day 11: Ramni - Patalkakhan
This day involves a very critical stage of our expedition. We will be entering into the Nanda Devi Sanctuary while treading a difficult terrain. Depending on the weather and time, we can camp at a slab platform at Tilchaunani. Or trek a little more to reach Patalkakhan (placed inside the Inner Sanctuary), which is located at a slightly higher altitude of 14,763 ft/ 4500 metres, and camp there. Overnight stay in tents.Day 12: Patalkakhan - Nanda Devi Base Camp
From our campsite, Nanda Devi is about 10,000 ft/ 3000 metres above. Near our camp takes place the confluence of two rivers that together create the Rishi Ganga River. We will trek towards the south to reach our Nanda Devi Base Camp. Overnight stay in the tents.Day 13: Exploration of the Inner Sanctuary
Now there are three days with us to explore and travel around the sanctuary. There are several ways in which the Nanda Devi Sanctuary can be explored. Provided the weather is fine, we can see the glaciers situated to the south of the sanctuary and make an exit from the south side, just as the famous British Mountaineers Shipton and Tilman did in 1934. Or, we can go across the Rishi River and tour the Northern part of the sanctuary from where one can have a marvellous northern view of Nanda Devi Mountain. Overnight stay in tents.Day 14 – Day 15:
Travelling around the Inner Sanctuary.Day 16: Inner Sanctuary - Bhojgara
After three days of touring the Inner Sanctuary, we will start our journey back. The descent will continue till Bhojgara, where we will camp for the night. The landscape around the campsite is simple amazing.Day 17: Bhojgara - Deodi
Continue the journey down the trail. Negotiating through slabs of rock, reach a comparatively simpler trail at Ramni. Reach the camp at Deodi and spend the night in the tents.Day 18: Deodi - Dharansi
Cross Rishi Ganga, tread on a winding path through the gorge on the northern bank of the river. Pass by the meadows of Debrugheta and embark on a steep ascend towards Dharansi. Overnight stay in tents.Day 19: Dharansi - Lata
From Dharansi Khal we will be moving to Lata Village via Lata Kharak. On the way you will be able to see Dhauli Ganga River flowing below. Making our way down the forests, we will be camping at Lata.Day 20: Lata - Joshimath - Rudraprayag
In the morning after breakfast drive to Rudraprayag via Joshimath. If you wish, you can take a dip at the hot springs of Tapovan. On arrival at Rudraprayag check in to to hotel. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel.Day 21: Rudraprayag - Haridwar - Delhi
In the morning transfer to Haridwar train station and from here catch morning train for Delhi at 18:10 hrs. Arrival at Delhi by 22:45 hrs.Tour & Services End.
Things to Carry for Nanda Devi Inner Sanctuary Trek
- Windproof jacket
- Warm and thick Fleece / Full-sleeve
- Woolen sweater
- Thermal inner wear (upper & lower)
- Woolen cap, Woolen gloves
- Woolen socks and regular socks (3-4 pairs)
- Scarf/muffler (optional)
- Comfortable Trekking/Hiking shoes
- Lightweight floaters/sandals/slippers
- Raincoat / Poncho
- Small light weight towel
- Sturdy Water bottle
- Cap / Hat
- Sun glasses
- Walking stick / Trekking pole
- Sunscreen Lotion
- Lip Balm
- Torch / Flashlight (with extra batteries)
- Personal medications
- Personal toiletries
