Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya

  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Nanda Devi, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , The view from Binsar of the Greatest Himalayan Range, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , , Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Valley of Flowers na, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Pindari Glacier Walk, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Dodi Tal , Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Flowers, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Hanuman Chatti, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , , Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Nanda Devi, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Parth Joshi, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Small Valley of flowers, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Tornant del Kuari, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Valley of Flowers, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Valley of Flowers, Walkopedia
  • India NW: Uttarakhand, Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya , Zero Point in Binsar, Walkopedia

Key information: Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya

    • These mountains remain some of the loveliest and remotest areas of the Indian Himalayas.
    • Many superb trekking options among the area’s peaks. 

Walkopedia rating

  • Walkopedia rating94
  • Beauty36
  • Natural interest17
  • Human interest12
  • Charisma34
  • Negative points5
  • Total rating94

Vital Statistics

  • Length: Your choice
  • Maximum Altitude: Variable
  • Level of Difficulty: Variable

This walk description page is at an early stage of development, and will be expanded over time. Your comments on this walk, your experiences and tips, and your photos are very welcome.

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Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya : The view from Binsar of the Greatest Himalayan Range - ©flickr user gkrishna63

WALK SUMMARY

The Garwhal and Kumaon Himalayas remain some of the loveliest and remotest areas of the Indian Himalayas, often called "Himchal" or "snowy mountains". Ironically, they were long beloved by adventurers of the British Raj, but fell into benign obscurity when Nepal opened up for tourism.

The Nanda Devi area is the star jewel in a generously studded crown, home to miraculous mountains and its own UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. As well as Nanda Devi itself, at 7,817m, India's highest (exclusively Indian) mountain, other peaks in the massif include the pyramidic Kamet (at 7,756m), and Trisul (7,12m). To the west, the mountains curve round in a huge horseshoe, to create the vast and dramatic Nanda Devi Sanctuary. The area has many trekking options. The area's best-known trek is the so-called Curzon Trail,  a relatively moderate climb, altitude-wise, to the Kuari Pass and its outstanding views (claimed to be among the best in the world). There are many other options: See our Nanda Devi Area page.

 Other walks in the region include:

  • Trekking to the high meadows at Bedni Bugyal (3,400m - ish), which have huge and stupendous views, in 5 days or so. You can extend this to the Bhogubasa cave and Rup Kund (see below).
  • A 4 day trek, along with a throng of Sikh pilgrims in the high season, to the superbly sited Hem Kund [link] lake (at 4,330m), surrounded by seven peaks, and the Bhyundar Valley  (Valley of the Flowers), a large and magnificent glacial valley with florality considered to be outstanding even in Himalayan terms.
  • A 7 day trek to the high and mysterious Rup Kund lake.
  • The 7 day trail to the Pindari Glacier, to the south of the Massif.
  • Milam Glacier and Nanda Devi East Base Camp [link later] in the Kumaon Himalaya. 10 days or so.
  • Dodi Tal: a 2-day, mainly forest trek to this lovely lake in the north-west of  Uttaranchal, near Uttarkashi.
  • A famous trek up the Bhilan Ganga Valley to the base of the huge and dramatic Khatling Glacier [link], set in a great circle of mountains over 6,000m.
  • Kush Kalyan/Gharwal Lakes: A fine trek up to the lovely meadows of the Kush Kalyan Plateau and then on up ridges and valleys to gorgeous Lamb Tal and  sacred, cliff-girt Shastra Tal, high lakes in rough grasslands with excellent views of peaks all around, the Bandarpunch Range in particular.
  • Rupin Pass: this fine trek crosses the remote Dhaula Dhar range, heading north in the Govind National Park from the Tons Valley in the far north of Uttranchal across the 4,540m Rupin Pass to end in the Sangla Valley at the foot of the Kinnaur Kailash Range in Himachal Pradesh.
  • Saryu to Ram Ganga Valleys : delightful but not difficult 10-ish day trek at lowish altitude in remote valleys, crossing passes with excellent views of the nearby Pankhwa Dhar range and the further Nanda Devi group. Lovely meadow campsites.

This page is at an early stage of development. Please help us by recommending your best walks in the area, making suggestions and sending photos! Thank you!

Other accounts: share your experiences

Your comments on this walk, your experiences and suggestions, and your photos are very welcome. Where appropriate, you will be credited for your contribution.

Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya : © flickr user Arun Roy

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

We have a lot of helpful practical information and tips about this walk, covering everything from the best books and maps, to timing and weather, geting there, possible problems, whether you need a guide and where to find them, and useful websites. This section is only open to members.

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Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.

Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.

Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

Safety and problems: All walks have inherent risks and potential problems, and many of the walks featured on this website involve significant risks, dangers and problems. Problems of any sort can arise on any walk. This website does not purport to identify any (or all) actual or potential risks, dangers and problems that may relate to any particular walk.

Any person who is considering undertaking this walk should do careful research and make their own assessment of the risks, dangers and possible problems involved. They should also go to “Important information” for further important information.

Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya : Pindari Glacier Walk - ©Flickr user Laura7581

OTHER ACCOUNTS
share your experiences

Add your experiences, suggestions and photos. We would be delighted to receive your writing and ideas (which will be attributed appropriately where published).

Anyone planning an expedition to this place should see further important information about this walk.

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Garwhal, Kumaon Himalaya : Valley of Flowers na - © Flickr user Prashant Ram 2...
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