Duration : 11 Days / 10 Nights
Best season : June to October
Destination Covered : Nanda Devi Trek

The Nanda Devi National Park has been closed since 1982 to protect its bio-diversity and only now parts of the park have been open to the interested tourist. None less than Sir Edmund Hilary has described the sanctuary in glowing terms as "the training ground for adventure in India". No description of this trek would do justice to the scenery that unfolds in front of your eyes. The snow-clad peaks like Mount Bithartoli-Himal (6354m)

Nanda Ghunti (6309 m), Ranthi Peak (6003 m), Dronagiri (7066 m) and of course India's highest peak Nanda Devi (7817 M) herself in all their Majesty. 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 Traill, Graham and Longstaff 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, The trek also offers great views of the Auli bugyals, Urgam valley and Lata village and moving through forests of Rhododendron, Birch and Fir.

Detailed Tour Itinerary:

Day 1 : Delhi to Rishikesh
Morning Transfer to the station and time to catch train/flight for Rishikesh. On arrival met at the station and transfer to the Hotel. Evening free to visit Ghats and Temples on the Bank of river Ganges. Also witness the famous Aarti of Ganges in the evening. Overnight stay at Hotel.

Day 2 : Hardwar - Joshimath (1890 M/ 6197 FT)
After an early breakfast drive 270 km to Joshimath. Overnight in guesthouse at Joshimath.

Day 3 : Joshimath - Badrinath - Joshimath
Clear all legal formalities at Joshimath and visit the Badrinath temple. Overnight in guesthouse at Joshimath.

Day 4 : Joshimath - Lata Village ( 2317 M / 7646 FT)
An hours drive takes you to the Lata Village road head. The trek to the village is 1.5 km. Visit the Nanda devi Temple and get a first hand experience of the distinctive culture of the region. Overnight in the village.

Day 5 : Lata Village - Lata Kharak (3689 M/ 12174 FT)
Today's trek is an 8.5 km trek with 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 5-10 hrs! Overnight in Camp.

Day 6 : Lata Kharak - Dharansi Pass (4250 M / 14025 FT)
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. Today's trekking distance is a total of 10 km. Overnight at Camp.

Day 7 : Dharansi Pass - Debrugheta - Dharansi Pass (4250 M / 14025 FT)
On today's trail the Malthuni - Bethratoli Ridge's of the inner and outer sanctuary form a magnificient pass upto 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 8 : Dharansi Pass - Hitoli Camp Site (2900 M / 9570 FT)
A total of 12 km is covered today. From 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 9 : Hitoli Campsite - Joshimath (1890 M/ 6197 FT)
The 8 km trail takes one through the village of Tolma to the road head from where it is a 30 km drive to Joshimath. The trek is through thick forests. Overnight at guesthouse in Joshimath.

Day 10 : Joshimath - Rishikesh
After an early breakfast drive down to Rishikesh. On arrival check in at hotel. Evening free O/N stay at Hotel.

Day 11 : Rishikesh/Delhi
Morning sightseeing of Rishikesh in the evening transfer to the hardwar station time to catch train for Delhi. On arrival met at the station and transfer to the Hotel O/N stay at Hotel.

Day 12 : Delhi/Departure
Morning sightseeing tour Delhi. In the evening transfer to the airport time to catch train/flight for Onward destination.
TOUR ENDS WITH SWEET MEMORIES TAKE HOME