Munsiyari Road Trip
Munsiyari Road Trip*
Munsiyari: Remote, Rugged, Rewarding
Intermediate
A seven-day journey into the heart of the Kumaon Himalayas — from forest retreats to riverside safaris and finally, the last village before the border. Munsiyari is flanked by the towering Panchachuli peaks and is your gateway to high-altitude treks, local crafts, ancient temples, and snow-fed rivers. This one’s for those who want to travel deeper — not just higher.
One trek. Many views. Here’s how.
Day 1 – Forests & First Light (Binsar)
A ~10-hour drive from Delhi drops you into the deodar–oak silence of Binsar Sanctuary. Stretch your legs on a short forest walk, catch zero-point vistas at sunset, and wind down by a bonfire.
Day 2 – Into the Greater Himalayas (Munsiyari)
Drive ~190 km / 6.5 hrs via rolling valleys and rivers, skirting Chaukori’s Himalayan views. Pause at the mighty Birthi Falls (quick uphill walk) before the final descent into Munsiyari.
Day 3 – Village Life & River Picnics (Munsiyari)
Explore Munsiyari’s market and museum, then head to Darkot— a traditional weavers’ village— for pashmina crafts. End with a laid-back picnic along the glacial Gori Ganga’s banks.
Day 4 – High Meadow Trek (Khaliya Peak)
Trek to ~11,500 ft for vast alpine meadows and a 360° sweep of Panchachuli, Rajrambha, Hardeol, Nanda Kot, and Nanda Devi. Early summer often touches the snow line—perfect for first-timers.
Day 5 – Wide Horizons (Kausani)
Return via Sama–Kapkot–Bageshwar–Baijnath to Kausani (1890 m) for big-sky Himalayan panoramas. Visit Gandhi’s Anasakti Ashram, the tea estates, and the stargazer-friendly observatory.
Day 6 – Into the Wild (Jim Corbett NP)
Drive ~160 km / 5 hrs to India’s oldest tiger reserve and settle into your jungle stay. Soak up the sal forests and riverine landscapes—tomorrow’s dawn is safari time.
Day 7 – Safari & Send-off
Roll out at first light for a ~3-hour jeep safari: tigers, elephants, leopards, deer, and 500+ bird species thrive along Ramganga and Kosi. Return for breakfast, freshen up, and depart.
Gallery
Meadows, ridgelines, starry camps, and the Panchachuli skyline.
Breaking Down Each Location
Binsar
About the Location
A hilltop sanctuary town wrapped in dense deodar and oak forests. Known for rhododendron trails and wildlife, it’s crowned by Zero Point with sweeping views of Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, and Trishul. A quiet, restorative stop before the higher Himalayas.
Munsiyari
About the Location
End-of-the-road village facing the Panchachuli. Start point for serious Himalayan treks, famous for pink rhododendrons, local pashmina, and views that punch the soul.
Kausani
About the Location
A historic hill retreat once cherished by Gandhi as his writing refuge. At 1,890 m, it offers wide-angle Himalayan views dominated by Trishul and Nanda Devi, along with tea estates and quiet temple trails. Evenings bring clear skies, perfect for stargazing at the observatory.
Corbett National Park
About the Location
India’s first and most celebrated tiger reserve, alive with sal forests, river valleys, and open grasslands. Safaris reveal elephants, leopards, deer herds, and over 500 species of birds, making it a biodiversity hotspot. The Ramganga and Kosi rivers lend drama and life to the wild landscape.
