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Milam Glacier & Nanda Devi East Base Camp

Base : Munsiyari
Pre Trek Days:	Post Trek Days:	Actual Trek Days:	Max. Altitude:	GRADE OF THIS TREK:
3	3	13	4450 M	MODERATE TO STRENUOS

This is a trans-Himalayan trek in the heart of Kumaon Himalayas. At 2290m Munsiyari is on the arterial water body of the Goriganga, which emerges from the Milam glacier in of the eastern flanks of the Nanda Devi sanctuary. Water from the Kalaband glacier and Panchachuli from the east also flows into the Goriganga. Subsidiary glaciers coming off the peaks of Mangraon (7542m), Deo Damla (7,602m) and Sakram (7,182m) also join the Milam glacier.

The trek begins from Munsiyari, the drive to which itself is fascinating, Munsiyari is facing the Panchachuli range and commands an excellent close-up view. Rolling meadows, small bazaars, untouched villages and open valleys form essentially the fairy tale township of Munsiyari. The first part of the trek takes you to through the high Himalayan ridges to open into the wide expanse of the gentler trans-Himalayan region. This is in the rain-shadow area literally behind the Himalayan range from the Indian side. At Martoli, the traditional commercial centre of the Jauhar valley for the indo-Tibetan trade, the echoes of a vibrant township still resound. Rich in heritage this town exemplifies the trans-himalayan Kumaoni lifestyles in its most pristine form. From Martoli onwards the trek turns along Lawan gad through the meadows of Ratagangal and Shiama Kharak to the base camp at Bhitwal Guar. This forms the base of climbing expeditions to Nanda Devi East or the Longstaff Col. The views of Nanda Devi from this vantage points are spellbinding.

DETAILED ITINERARY

PRE TREK
DAY 1: DELHI - KATHGODAM (300 kms by train)
Departure from old Delhi Railway station for Kathgodam (the railhead) for an overnight train journey.

DAY 2: KATHGODAM - MUNSIYARI (2290 m) 210 kms by road.
Arrival at the station early in the morning. Transfer to the base camp Munsiyari, one day journey. (A very picturesque drive that takes you through Almora, Bageshwar, Chowkori, and Tejam). Overnight in tents/resthouse.

DAY 3: ACCLIMATIZING DAY

ACTUAL TREK DAYS
DAY 4: MUNSIYARI - LILAM (1850 m) 14 kms trek.
The first day we take it easy. A fairly easy walk brings us to Lilam the winter home of the Jauhar valley villagers. Most of the residents have become permanent though a few houses continue the tradition of migration to Jauhar during the summer months. Overnight in village guest house.

DAY 5: LILAM - BOGUDIYAR (1850m) 12 kms trek.
In the thick forest of Utees trees, the Ralam rivulet meets the Gori Ganga. After a steep uphill climb one reaches Bogudiyar where the Poting rivulet meets the Gori Ganga. Overnight in tents.

DAY 6: BODGUDIYAR - RILKOT (~5 & 1/2 HRS)
Just after Bodgudiyar cross a stream coming from the Namik glacier from where there is an interesting trek to Song which is at the base of the Pindari glacier trek, which supposedly goes only up to an altitute of 4700mtrs. Route steadly climbs along the river, which is very noisy at this stage. After about one hour reach the upper Bodgudiyar meadow crossing the Goriganga river. A beautiful place for camping, which is guarded by huge cliffs on both side.

DAY 7: RILKOT - MARTOLI - BURFU (~3 & 1/2 HRS)
There is an initial steep climb followed by more or less flat walk of about 7KM. At some distance from the beginning of the flat walk there is a bifurcation -one route goes up and other route (the main trail) going down. The route going up heads to Martoli village and the main trail is the route to Burfu. At the end of the steep climb there is a empty village of upper Rialkot which is essentially a bunch of broken down stone houses. This village is on the edge of the upper plateau of Martoli.
One crosses the river (on a bridge) and walks for about half an hour to reach Burphu. There is a bifurcation on both sides of the Burphu bridge. On one side there is a trail going to the villages Mapha and Ghangar (for the Nandadevi 's east Base camp trek or to Pacchu Glacier). After crossing the bridge there is a trail to Milam village and one climbing towards the Burphu village.

DAY 8: BURFU - MILAM (~3 & 1/2 HRS)
After half an hour of walking one gets the first views of the peak Trishuli (7065 mtrs). Then comes the village called Befni which is an almost empty village. One gets a fantastic view of Nandadevi and Nandadevi east towards the west just above the villages Pacchu and Ghangar on the other side of the Goriganga river.

DAY 9: MILAM - MILAM GLACIER - MILAM (~3HRS) - MARTOLI (~4HRS)
It takes about 45 minutes to reach the start of the glacier where there is a board saying we are at altitude of 3500 mtrs. After this the trail almost disappears with only stone markers kept at small distances. Here the route goes through the glacial moraines, which basically means it is full of rocks and you might have to cross a small streams occationally. In front, there are seven thousand meter peaks Hardeol and Trishuli. Descend back to Martoli

DAY 10: MARTOLI - PATTA (~4HRS)
Start towards Nandadevi east Base camp, Bhitalgwar. The initial parts of the route gradually asscends around 200-300 mtrs traversing the Martoli peak. The Lwan village is empty. This marks the half way point for our journey to Patta. Near Lwan village this trail joins another trail from the Pacchu glacier

DAY 11: PATTA - SHIAMA KHARAK (4200 M)
Just after Patta the trail passes through a lot of rocks. One also sees some beautiful meadows on the way called Satrol Kharak. After about three hours cross the river reach Naspanpati (at an altitude of 4200 mtrs). This a beautiful meadow where lot of flowers bloom and actually it is big enough for helicopters to land. Opposite these green grassy slopes and on the other side of the Lwan gad is Shaima Kharak behind Shaima Kharak is a front view of the huge snow capped Bangatia. At Naspanpati very interestingly the river disappears!

From Naspanpati the route ascends along the true left side of Lwan Gad river which soon reappears to our left. Shiama Kharak with its rolling meadows is our base camp. From here only we can get fantastic views of the biggest Indian Himalayan Peaks.

DAY 12: SHIAMA KHARAK - NANDA DEVI EAST B.C. (BHITALGWAR)
The base camp (Bittalgwar) is a huge 1km by 1km flat meadow with the river flowing in the middle and surrounded by huge mountains on all side. One views of Nandadevi East, Longstaff Col, Nanda Khat, and Trails pass.

DAY 13: An early wake-up is recommended today for the stunning mountain views directly in front of our camp. It is usually possible to walk further up the side of Pachu glacier. There are other numerous walk options up the valley sides for the really energetic. Overnight camp

Day 14: Base camp - Patta (~5hrs)- Martoli (~4hrs)

Day 15: Martoli - Bodgudiyar (~6hrs)

Day 16: Bodgudiyar - Lilam - Munsyari (~6hrs)

POST TREK DAYS
DAY 17: DRIVE MUNSIYARI - NAINITAL

DAY 18: At Lesiure in Nainital Holl Station, In the Evening, drive to Kathgodam for connecting train to Delhi

DAY 19: ARRIVE DELHI

Click here for Milam Glacier & Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trekking Map