Nanda Devi

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 (6354 m), 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.

The twin peaks of 7818m Nanda Devi, the bliss-giving goddess, form India's second highest mountain, situated in a remote region bordering Nepal and Tibet. The alpine glaciers, high valleys and flower-strewn meadows on the eastern approach to this magnificent mountain are an enticing world apart and ideal for trekking holiday. The Hindu shrine of Naha Devi heralds new vistas as the valley opens up to reveal the snow-capped peaks that tower above it. The best season is from April – November