Ideally located for high altitude trekking in Himalayas
Munsiyari is a town in Pithorgarh district of the state of Uttarakhand. Located at the base of the Himalayas, on the banks of a river called the Goriganga, it is the spot where many Himalayan treks have their origin. The place is fast becoming an important tourist destination among many trekkers and mountain climbing enthusiasts. Some of the main treks in the area are Namik Trek, Milam Trek and the Ralam Glacier Trek. Permits are required for trekking into the inner line places.
Munsiyari is surrounded by snow clad peaks and the views from it are phenomenal. The town is situated at the gateway to the Johar Valley and many high altitude climbers, nature enthusiasts and other visitors can be found here throughout the year.
There are many small waterfalls that are located near the town and these are interesting picnic spots. One of the main waterfalls in the region is the Vrithi Falls.
The jungles surrounding the town teem with many species of wildlife. Some of the animals that can be spotted here are bears, leopards, panthers and deer.
The best time to visit Munsiyari is from the months of March to June and September to October.
Tourist Attractions
Birthy Falls: Located 19 km from Tejam on the Munsiyari motorway is the spectacular Birthy Falls. It is an hour’s drive from Munsiyari and is an ideal spot for picnicking. Surrounded by dense forests and Himalayas, the site offers a scenic view of nature.
Kala Muni Mandir: Devoted to Naga god, it is just a 20 minutes’ drive from Munsiyari en route to Thal and offers the amazing views of Gori Ganga valley. Set amidst pine forests, the temple has beautiful scenic surrounding, making it an ideal location for nature enthusiasts.
Skiing: Munsiyari offers the adventurous sport of skiing for the tourists to enjoy. The snow-laden slopes of Khaliatop and Betulidhar at higher altitudes are good spots to enjoy skiing at Munsiyari. So, never miss the opportunity of skiing while in Munsiyari.
Trekking: Situated at an altitude of 2200 m above sea level, Munsiyari is an ideal place for trekking and mountaineering. The most popular trekking trails in Munsiyari are the routes to the lovely Milam and Namik Glaciers. Munsyari is ideally located for the experience of high altitude trekking and it’s the base camp for Nanda Devi.
The best time to trek is during the months of June to October.
How to reach
By Train: The closest railway station is located at Kathgodam. Kathgodam is well connected to many places in the country.
By Air: The closest airport is located at Pantnagar, around 250 km from the hill station. Pantnagar is connected to Delhi by scheduled flights
By Bus: Munsiyari can be reached by buses from places such as Kathgodam and Tanakpur by frequent buses.