Munsiyari Snowfall Tour Package from Kathgodam (4 Days)

Our driver picks you up from your hotel or home in Kathgodam in the morning. Drive from Kathgodam to Chaukori (about 221 km, 4 hrs 30 min). Check in at your hotel in Chaukori. The drive climbs past Bhimtal and Almora and follows the Saryu valley before rising to Chaukori, a quiet ridge of tea gardens and pine at about 2,000 m. Stop for lunch on the way. In the evening, walk out to the tea garden edge to watch the last light on the Himalayan range, which stretches from Nanda Devi to Panchachuli on a clear day. Overnight stay in Chaukori.

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   Chaukori tea gardens

   Old tea estates on the Chaukori ridge, with a wide view of the high Himalaya to the north.

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   Himalayan sunset at Chaukori

   On a clear winter evening the snow peaks from Trishul to Panchachuli turn pink after sunset.

Today's travel: from Chaukori to Munsiyari (about 96 km, 2 hrs). The road climbs through Thal and along the Ramganga valley to Birthi Falls, where a short path leads to the foot of the long drop of water. Above Birthi the road crosses the Kalamuni pass at about 2,700 m, the stretch most likely to have snow on it in winter; our driver knows where to slow down and when to wait for the road crew. Reach Munsiyari by mid-afternoon, when the Panchachuli peaks across the valley turn gold. Evenings drop well below freezing in January, so keep a thermal layer, cap and gloves at hand. Overnight stay in Munsiyari.

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   Birthi Falls

   A tall waterfall right beside the Thal–Munsiyari road, reached by a short walk; a favourite tea stop on the way up.

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   Kalamuni Pass

   A forested pass at about 2,700 m with a small temple, often under snow from late December to February.

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   Panchachuli view

   The five-peaked massif seen from Munsiyari across the Gori Ganga valley, best at sunrise and sunset.

After breakfast drive to the start of the Khaliya Top trail near Balati and walk up through oak and rhododendron forest; in winter the upper meadows are usually under snow, so the guide decides how far it is safe to go (a fit walker needs three to four hours up). In the afternoon visit the Nanda Devi temple on its ridge, the small Tribal Heritage Museum run by a local family, and Darkot village, where Bhotiya families weave woollen shawls and rugs. If it snows, simply enjoy the white town and the views from the hotel. Overnight stay in Munsiyari.

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   Khaliya Top

   Alpine meadows at about 3,500 m above Munsiyari with a close view of Panchachuli and Rajrambha; a snow walk in winter, done with a local guide.

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   Nanda Devi Temple

   A temple of the goddess on a ridge a short drive from town, with wide views of the snow peaks.

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   Tribal Heritage Museum

   A small private museum of Bhotiya life and the old Johar trade route to Tibet, with tools, clothes and photographs.

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   Darkot village

   A village of weavers below Munsiyari known for hand-woven woollen shawls, pankhis and carpets.

Leave early, around 6:30 am, since this is a long mountain drive and it gets dark by about 5:30 pm in winter. Stop at Thal or Berinag for breakfast and at Almora or Bhowali for lunch. Drive from Munsiyari to Kathgodam (about 277 km, 5 hrs 30 min), and drop at your hotel, home or the railway station in Kathgodam. The tour ends here.

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   Morning view of Panchachuli

   A last look at the peaks from the hotel before leaving; the early light is usually the clearest of the day.