20 Places to Visit in Munsiyari 2024 | Munsiyari Uttrakhand | Places to Visit in Munsiyari 2024 | Munsiyari Tourist Places | Munsiyari Tourism | Munsiyari | Best time to visit in Munsiyari | Things to do in Munsiyari | Munsiyari Travel Guide
Munsiyari History
Munsyari, a small village in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district, is a beautiful mountain. Additionally, due to its location near the borders of Nepal and Tibet, we also get to see cultural diversity here. Now what makes Munsiyari an ideal tourist destination is the huge Himalayan mountains visible from Munsiyari like the Panchachuli Mountains (According to the local folklore, the Panchachuli Mountains are considered to be the symbol of the ascension of the Pandavas to heaven).
Apart from Panchachuli, from Munsiyari you also get to see Nanda Devi and Trishul mountain very close. Now if we talk about the history of Munsiyari, it is believed that the history of this place is connected to the time of the Mahabharata period. According to local belief, Pandavas left for their last journey to heaven from Munsiyari. Apart from this, Munsiyari is also connected to the ancient salt route coming from Tibet.
It is believed that the residents here lived a semi-nomadic life, crossing the difficult passes of the Himalayas to trade in Tibet. At that time, it took 20-25 days for those people to return from Tibet to Munsiyari. While returning from Tibet, they used to bring salt with them. It is believed that the salt consumed in the entire Himalayan region at that time used to come from Tibet in the early days.
The native inhabitants here are Shoka people. Local people of Munsiyari worship Goddess Nanda Devi. In 1962, after India’s relations with China deteriorated, the border of Tibet was sealed, due to which the businesses of the local people of Munsiyari were completely closed. Due to this the livelihood of the people here had become very difficult.
Due to the unfavourable climate of Munsiyari, the local people could not increase their dependence on agriculture here. That is why with time people were forced to migrate here, even today villages like Milam and Burfu near Munsiyari are still largely vacant. But in recent years, Munsiyari has become very famous among tourists due to which the opportunities to earn livelihood for the residents are increasing.
Geography of Munsiyari
Munsiyari, located in Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, is a wonderful tourist place situated at an altitude of about 2200 meters (7217 feet) above sea level. Apart from this, the most different thing about this place is that due to its location at the mouth of Johar Valley, Munsiyari also serves as the base camp for many famous treks of the Himalayas.
Apart from this, the clear visibility of huge Himalayan mountains like Panchachuli, Nanda Devi and Trishul from Munsiyari is also the main attraction of this place. If we look around, we will come to know that Gauri Ganga flows through Munsiyari only, due to which you get to see many types of vegetation and wildlife in the forests located in Gauri Valley.
20 Places to Visit in Munsiyari 2024
Birthi Falls
Birthi Waterfall, located about 33 kilometres from Munsiyari, is a huge and attractive waterfall falling from a height of 126 meters. The most special thing about this waterfall is that due to its location at such a high altitude, this waterfall is visible from a long distance.
The distance of this waterfall is only 14 kilometres from Tejam situated at Munsiyari. The fresh environment, cool breeze, and natural beauty of Birthi Falls attract all the tourists visiting Munsiyari. Birthi Waterfall is surrounded by dense forest on all sides, due to which the beauty of this waterfall increases even more.
The trek to Birthi Falls starts near the road, which may take you 20-25 minutes to complete.
Maheshwari Kund
Maheshwari Kund, located just a few kilometres away from Munsiyari, is a very beautiful and delightful place. According to local folklore, the residents here had to face drought for many years after being cursed by a Yakshi who lived in a small lake here.
When the villagers apologized for not allowing Yakshi to marry the village Sarpanch’s daughter and for emptying the lake in revenge, the problem of drought finally ended. Even today, the residents here perform rituals related to Yakshi every year. Today you will see a raw pond in place of the ancient lake from where you get unforgettable views of Panchachuli Peak.
Panchachuli Peak
Panchachuli Peak, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is a snow-peaked range of five mountains. Panchachuli Peak is a group of five peaks of the Himalayas whose height ranges from 6312 meters (20708 feet) to 6904 meters (22650 feet) above sea level.
These five peaks are Panchachuli-01, Panchachuli-02, Panchachuli-03, Panchachuli-04 and Panchachuli-05. Sona Glacier and Ola Glacier are situated on the eastern side of Panchachuli peak and North Balti Glacier and its plateau are situated on the western side. Mountaineers who want to climb Panchachuli have to first come to Pithoragarh.
Then from there they all go through Munsiyari and Dharchula and reach a place named Sobla. Panchachuli Peak is very clearly visible from Munsiyari and Chaukodi of the Kumaon region in Pithoragarh. From both these places the line of Panchachuli peak can be identified very easily.
Thamari Kund
Thamari Kund, located at a distance of 10 kilometres from Munsiyari, is a very beautiful freshwater pond situated amidst dense forests. According to the enduring belief associated with Thamri Kund, when there is very little rainfall here, residents come to worship to seek blessings for rain.
Thamri Kund, situated at a height of about 7500 feet above sea level, is considered one of the hidden gems of Munsiyari. Being surrounded by dense forests and pine trees, Thamri Kund presents a very beautiful view. Apart from this, Thamri Kund located near Munsiyari is one of those few places from where you can easily see the Panchachuli peak.
Kalamuni Top
Kalamuni Temple, located at a distance of about 15 kilometres on the way to Munsiyari and Birthi, is an ancient and sacred place of worship dedicated to Goddess Kali. Situated at an altitude of 9500 feet, Kalamuni Temple has very beautiful murals of Kali Mata carved on the outer walls.
Apart from this, Kalamuni Temple located near Munsiyari is a place where you can see very beautiful surroundings apart from Panchachuli Peak.
Khaliya Top
Khaliya Top, situated at an altitude of 3500 meters above sea level, is considered to be the highest point of Munsiyari. To reach Khalia Top from Munsiyari you have to trek about 7-8 kilometers. Although the total distance of the trek to Khaliya Top is 7-8 kilometres, it is considered an easy category trek.
When you reach the summit of Khalia Top, you get unforgettable views of the highest snow-capped Himalayan peaks including Panchachuli, Rajrambha, Hardeol, Nanda Kot and Nanda Devi. Apart from this, if you do the Khaliya Top trek even during summer, then you get to see snow-covered peaks even at this time of the year.
If you are a wildlife photographer then this trek is no less than heaven for you. During the Khalia Top Trek, you can easily spot various birds and wildlife like Monal, Ghurar, Kakar, Yellow Fronted Marten and Baral (mountain goat). Khaliya Top is also a very rich place in terms of vegetation. Throughout the trek, you get to see trees like pine, oak, cypress and spruce.
Shopping in Munsiyari
If you like hand-made woollen goods, then the handicrafts and weaving centres running in Munsiyari and its surrounding villages can be ideal for shopping. The people living in Munsiyari and its surrounding villages depend on tourism to a great extent for their livelihood.
For this reason, you can get handmade woollen items like pashmina shawls, caps, carpets Angola fur etc. in Munsiyari at excellent prices. Apart from woollen clothes, organic farming is also done here where residents mostly grow potatoes and kidney beans. And if you are fond of gardening in your home, then you can also buy many varieties of plants from the nursery here.
River rafting in Gori Ganga River
If you like adventure activities then you must do river rafting in the Gauri Ganga river flowing near Munsiyari. River rafting in the Gauri Ganga river surrounded by the dense forests of the Himalayas is a different thrill in itself. However, the fees and duration associated with Gauri Ganga river rafting are different, please find out about it before doing rafting.
Before going river rafting, you should get complete information related to safety. A maximum of 08 people are allowed rafting at a time in the Gauri Ganga river.
Betulidhar
Betulidhar, located near Munsiyari, is a huge garden situated at an altitude of 2748 meters (9015 feet) above sea level, which is blooming with red-coloured rhododendrons. Winter season is considered to be the best time to visit Betulidhar because this is the time when you can enjoy sports like skiing here.
The skiing season in Betulidhar is considered to be from December to February. Apart from skiing, you can also see the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas very closely from here. Whenever you visit Betulidhar, do not forget to see the attractive views of Balati and Ralam Glacier from here.
Apart from this, it is considered very important to see sunrise and sunset from this place.
Nanda Devi Temple
Nanda Devi Temple, located just 03 kilometres from Munsiyari City, is one of the oldest temples located in Uttarakhand. Apart from being a sacred Hindu temple, Nanda Devi Temple is also a symbol of the religious faith of the local people.
Situated at a height of only 2286 meters (7500 feet) above sea level, Nanda Devi Temple is only 200 meters walking distance from the main road. Nanda Devi Temple is a very small ancient temple whose facade is suspicious. The figure of Lord Ganesha is carved on the outer walls of the temple.
Nanda Devi is worshipped in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple. Apart from being a sacred religious place, Nanda Devi also offers stunning views of the Panchachuli Mountains.
Skiing in Munsiyari
Apart from being a famous tourist destination, Munsiyari has in recent years been creating its own identity as an adventure tourism destination. The only reason for this is that the tourists who come to visit the mountains get to see more than one tourist attraction here and also get the opportunity to do many types of adventure activities.
One such adventure activity is skiing which in recent years has emerged as a major activity to be done in Munsiyari for adventure-loving tourists. This is the reason why during the winter season you can easily see tourists who like skiing near Munsiyari during the winter season. The two most famous slopes for skiing in Munsiyari are Khaliya Top and Betulidhar from where you can enjoy winter season skiing.
Camping in Munsiyari
Munsiyari, located in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, is a wonderful tourist place. Apart from being a beautiful tourist destination, Munsiyari also has many places where you can enjoy camping. Although solo camping is allowed (before camping in Munsiyari, you must get permission from the local people and authorities), there are many agencies here that provide you with camping facilities.
Still, if you want to go camping here on your own, then you should first get permission from the concerned officer. Apart from this, try to ensure that your camping site is not far from the main city or populated area, and it is even better if you have all types of camping-related items.
The most important thing is that whenever you go camping in Munsiyari and its surrounding places, you have to take special care that you are not causing any harm to the environment around you. Apart from this, also keep in mind that your activity should completely respect the privacy, culture and traditions of the local people. Last but not least, you have to completely follow the principle of Leave No Trace Behind.
Nanda Devi Trek
Nanda Devi Trek is one of the most prominent attractions of the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand, located near Munsiyari. Nanda Devi trek starting from Munsiyari is a trans Himalayan trek. During the entire trek, you pass through local settlements like Martoli and Rilkot, which gives you a chance to see the rural lifestyle from close.
These settlements encountered during the Nanda Devi trek are at least 100-150 years old, whose history is linked to Indo-Tibet trade through the Silk Road. Nanda Devi trek is no less than a paradise for trekkers as well as photographers, nature lovers and poets.
Trekking in Munsiyari
Munsiyari, apart from being a famous tourist destination, is also known for various adventure activities like bird watching, camping, river rafting and trekking. Munsiyari is also known as a trekkers’ paradise. Munsiyari is also considered a base point for many types of medium and high-altitude treks.
01 Khaliya Top Trek
02 Thamri Kund Trek
03 Maheshwari Kund Trek
04 Madkot Hot Spring
05 Kalika Pass Trek
06 Trek to the alpine meadows of Chiplakot Bugyal
07 Milam Glacier
08 Ralam Glacier
09 Nanda Devi East Base Camp
10 Namik Glacier Trek
Bird Watching in Munsiyari
Just as Munsiyari is no less than a paradise for tourists doing trekking and adventure activities, similarly this place is also considered to be the favourite place for bird lovers. In fact, due to the botanical diversity found in Munsiyari and its surrounding places, you can easily see many native and foreign birds here.
Here you can easily spot birds like Black Red Start, Verditor Flycatcher, Himalayan Woodpecker, Streaked Laughing Thrush, Little Pied Flycatcher, Scaly Billed Woodpecker, Gray Winged Black Bird and Black-Lord Titre.
Darkot
Situated at a distance of only 06 kilometres from Munsiyari in Uttarakhand, Darkot is much liked by tourists due to its natural beauty and its location near the huge Himalayan mountains. Darkot, located in the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, is a remote and picturesque destination in the Himalayas which is mainly known for its culture and natural beauty.
Apart from being a natural and beautiful tourist destination, Darkot is also known for its local handicrafts. That’s why many tourists come here only to buy pashmina shawls and blankets made of sheep’s wool. Apart from this, this village situated in the Kumaon region is very famous among tourists because of its artistic houses, folk culture and craftsmanship.
Balanti Potato Farm
Balanti Potato Farm, situated at an altitude of 9000 feet above sea level, is a wonderful place located near Munsiyari. Balanti Potato Farm located near Munsiyari is one of those very few places from where on one side you can see huge green trees and on the other side, you can also see the unforgettable view of the huge Panchachuli peak of the Himalayas.
You can easily reach Balanti Potato Farm after doing a short trek of about 02 kilometres in the middle of dense forests. Along with the amazing views of the Himalayas, you also get to see potato and apple farming here. Apart from this, there are also oak and rhododendron trees near this farm.
Madkot Village
Madkot, located at a distance of about 22 kilometres from Munsiyari, is a very beautiful and botanically rich village. Madkot village, located at a distance of a few kilometres from Munsiyari, is famous not only for its natural beauty but also because of the hot water springs located near the village. It is believed that the water of this hot spring located in this village has medicinal properties.
It is said that the use of the water of this spring can relieve joint and muscle pain, apart from this, many types of diseases related to arthritis and skin are also cured by the water of this spring. Apart from the hot water spring, the natural beauty of this village, vegetation, snowfall and cultural richness of the local Bhotiya tribe are also worth seeing.
Dharchula
Located in the centre of Pithoragarh district, Dharchula is a hilly region known for its rich culture and traditions. Although Dharchula is situated on the route of Kailash Mansarovar and Chhota Kailash, that is why Dharchula is seen as an important camp for both these religious pilgrimages of the Hindu religion. Dharchula is mainly known for its cultural richness and traditions.
People of the Shauna community (Bhotiya tribe), the main ethnic group of Uttarakhand, are still keeping alive thousands of years old traditions. This is the reason why thousands of tourists come here every year to see the cultural richness of Dharchula closely. Apart from cultural richness, the wildlife around Dharchula is also very rich. Here you can easily see wild animals like deer, bears, foxes and leopards.
Also, during your visit to Dharchula, do not forget to buy local handicraft items and regional cuisines which are quite famous among the tourists.
Narayan Ashram
Situated at an altitude of 2734 meters (8969 feet) in Pithoragarh district, Narayan Ashram is a spiritual cum socio-educational centre. Located about 136 kilometres north of Pithoragarh and 14 kilometres from Tawaghat, this ashram was established by Narayan Swami in the year 1936.
A school for local children and a spiritual cum social educational centre to give admission to the local youth have also been built in this ashram. Here you will also find a meditation room, a library and a mausoleum.
Best Time to Visit Munsiyari
Although you can visit Munsiyari any time of the year, the period from March to June is considered to be the best time to visit Munsiyari. Apart from this, you can also visit Munsiyari in September and October. It is better if you do not visit Munsiyari during the rest of the monsoon season because the risk of landslides and slippage increases at this time of the year.
Apart from this, only if you can bear extreme cold then you should visit Munsiyari from November to February, although at this time of the year, you can get very cheap hotels and homestays here. Jaulajibi fair is organized in Munsiyari in November in which traders from all over the world come to participate. Apart from this, the festival of Makar Sankranti is also celebrated here with great pomp.
Munsiyari Local Food
Being a famous tourist place, you will easily get North Indian food in Munsiyari, apart from this, you can also get noodles and momos easily here. And if we talk about the local food here, then you can enjoy the local Kumaoni food in Munsiyari.
Hotels in Munsiyari
However, Munsiyari is a small village in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. But being a famous trekking destination and tourist spot, you will find many local options to stay here. To stay at places in and around Munsiyari, you can book a hotel room for yourself through an online hotel booking website.
Apart from this, you can also stay in many homestays built-in Munsiyari. If you like camping then there are many spots around Munsiyari where you can enjoy camping.
How to Reach Munsiyari
How to Reach Munsiyari By Air
Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Munsiyari. The distance of Munsiyari from Pantnagar airport is 370 kilometers. From Pantnagar, you can easily reach Munsiyari via Haldwani by taxi and bus service. You will get weekly and regular flights to Pantnagar Airport from Delhi and some other cities in the country.
How to Reach Munsiyari By Train
Both Tanakpur and Kathgodam railway stations are the nearest railway stations to Munsiyari. The distance from Kathgodam to Munsiyari is 280 kilometres and from Tanakpur to Munsiyari is 278 kilometres. From both these railway stations, you can easily reach Munsiyari by taking a taxi and bus service.
How to Reach Munsiyari By Road
Munsiyari is very well connected by road to almost all major cities of Uttarakhand. You can easily reach Munsiyari by Uttarakhand Transport buses. Otherwise, if you are coming to visit Munsiyari from any other city in the country, then first come to Haldwani or Nainital.
After that, you can easily reach Munsiyari from both these cities by bus or taxi. Rest, you can reach Munsiyari very easily by road in your vehicle.
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