Munsiyari, Uttarakhand, India

 

Way to Munsiyari

         In the Kumaun region of Uttarakhand, various Himalayan peaks are seen almost everywhere. But life will be blessed if you can see at the time of sunset, the sun-shining Panchachuli in the cloud-free sky from Munsiyari. Munsiyari is called the Kingdom of the Trekkers. Also known as "Little Kashmir," Munsiyari is an amazing location in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. The beautiful little hill town is known for its snow-capped Himalayan Range panorama and some adventurous trekking trails, at an altitude of 2300 mtrs. Munsiyari is a base for three glaciers, namely Namik, Milam and Ralam Glaciers, perched between the borders of India, Tibet, and Nepal.

           Nestled deep in the remote corner of Uttarakhand, Munsiyari on Panchchulli Peaks is well known for its quaintness at the time of sunset & sunrise. So if you want to see a golden Himalayan sunrise or sunset sitting on your hotel balcony, you can pack your bags and plan a trip to Munsiyari. Likewise, if you're on trekking, hiking or camping, the beauty of this beautiful scenario in Kumaon will impress everyone.

Location

         Located in the Uttarakhand district of Pithoragarh, Munsiyari height is approximately 7,590 feet or 2300 metres. The best part about this offbeat location is the views of snow-capped Himalayan peaks in Uttarakhand. It falls on Tibet's ancient trade route and also acts as the gateway to the Johar Valley.

Weather 

        The Munsiyari weather is mostly charming all year. The summer months are a delight while the seasons of Spring and Fall offer cool mornings and evenings. Munsiyari sees snowfall in winter. At Kalimuni top, the road is also sometimes closed due to the presence of snow. Munsiyari, therefore, has a special mention in our list of places in Uttarakhand to experience snowfall during winter.

           Yet overall the temperature of Munsiyari is very good and a pleasant to the senses. Expect an average of 20 dgr Celcius during the summer season and reach about -5 to 8 dgr Celsius during the coldest winter months.

Time to Visit

            One can visit Munsiyari at any time of the year. But again it depends on what backdrop you want to experience and the season. Tourists come mostly from March through April. Rhododendron flowers along with pleasant weather and busy streets can be observed during these months. Since the weather is clear, it's not a problem to reach during these months and the view of distant peaks is also clear.

           However, if you want to experience snow and see the long stretches of white all over the place, the best time to visit Munsiyari is November through February. Therefore the best time to visit Munsiyari is from September to June at any time.

Distance and Transport

           550 km away from Delhi (Share Jeep or Private car or by Bus). Munsiyari's nearest airport is Pantnagar Airport, which is located in Uttarakhand's Nainital region. The distance from Pantnagar to Munsiyari is roughly 320 km. Munsiyari's nearest Rail Station is Kathgodam, located 280 km away. Two trains run daily from Delhi to Kathgodam, as this is a gateway for the Kumaon area. Booking your train seats well in advance is advisable, as the train fills quickly.

Sight Scenes 

Panchachulli

        Panchachuli Peaks Mythology:' Chuli' in the term Panchachuli means Chulah, or heartbeats for cooking. Some say the last meal cooked by Mahabharata's Pandavas was in Munsiyari before they left for heaven. Thus the five mighty peaks were given the name Panchachuli.

              Visible from all over Munsiyari are those peaks. One can also see the beautiful sunrise just behind those peaks as the sun rises. In addition, if you're lucky, you can also see the moonrise just behind those peaks right after the sunset.

Birthi Waterfalls 

             This Birthi waterfall near Munsiyari lies towards Chaukori, about 30 km away. This location can easily be trekked to. It lies amidst the forest area, and the ideal time to visit this place is from September to 2nd week of July. When the Monsoon time ends in July-August, the Birthi waterfall flows more than in the other months.

         Birthi Falls, falling from 126 m high, provides an incredibly refreshing experience. It makes for an ideal place to sit and enjoy tea and lunch with lush green surroundings blooming in different colours.

Nanda Devi Temple

              Nanda Devi Munsiyari is the base camp for getting to the temple of Nanda Devi. After 3 km of trekking from Munsiyari's main market itself, this temple can be reached.

Nanda Devi Temple

               The culture of Kumaun, almost always relates to Gods everything monumental in the city. There is a large tradition of worshipping the god, and the number of those deities can be dizzying. But all the myths and legends make up a plausible and unforgettable tale to take back with you. This dates back to 1000 years and is well preserved, obviously. The Nanda Devi Fair, which began in the 16th century, continues here, and falls every August, to the delight of all lovers of lesser-known mythologies.

Khaliya Top, Munsiyari (Pic. credited to tripadvisor.in)