MUNSIYARI

This tiny mountain village, translating to ‘the place with snow’ is located in Uttarakhand’s Pithoragarh district at the foothills of the Greater Himalayan ranges. One of the most picturesque places to see in Uttarakhand, Munsiyari borders Tibet and lies on the erstwhile salt route and is inhabited by the elusive Shauka (Tibetan-Burman) tribe.

The landscape here is astonishingly diverse that comprises of waterfalls, small lakes, pine & oak forests that house the rare flacons, serpent eagles, Himalayan griffons, etc. and offers close views of the majestic Panchachuli, Nandadevi, and Rajarambha peaks. This is a great place to explore the local Kumaoni culture and traditional foods like kulka, siddu, and dhungar.

Highlight of the place: Glacier treks to Namik, Milam and Ralam and the Nanda Devi base camp trek. Picturesque forested shepherd villages like Betulidhar & Darkot. The 9000 ft. Balanti Potato Farm for panoramic Himalayan views. Pilgrimage places like Maheshwari Kund, Kalamuni & Nanda Devi Temples. Birthi waterfalls.

Best time to visit: The best months to visit are March-June and September-October when the weather is cool and you can be outdoors. Monsoon months (July-September) are best avoided due to constant rains. Winters (October-February) are perfect for winter sport enthusiasts and the famous Jaulajibi fair and Makar Sankranti celebrations.