Kumaon division of Uttarakhand has 6 districts that are Almora, Nainital, Pithoragarh, Champawat, Bageshwar and Udham Singh Nagar. Each and every district has many hill-stations, which are popular for their glaciers, river valleys, landscapes, snowy peaks, and climate. Here, we’ll be listing 5 lesser known treks of Kumaon.
There are many well-known treks in Uttarakhand, everybody knows about them. Since, they are popular and no doubt amazing, one can easily find itineraries for them online. Hence, they have become among the first choices of many amateur trekkers. For example, Valley of flowers, Roopkund trek, Chopta-Tungnath trek, China peak trek etc.
But the beauty of Uttarakhand is so vast and rich that it is not limited to these treks only. There are many such treks which are equally amazing but so remote that one would need a week or more to reach there, complete the trek and come back home. Here, I am listing 5 treks in Kumaon division of Uttarakhand that are worth visiting:
1. Pindari Glacier Trek:
Pindari glacier is one of the easily accessible glaciers. It is an easy but amazing trek to complete. The best part is, you don’t need a high stamina or courage to complete it but the end result is very satisfying. The Pindari Glacier trek commences from Loharkhet village in Bageshwar district.
The length of the trek is about 10 km and it would take 5-6 hours to complete it. The trek becomes a little harder after a certain distance among spectacular landscapes but the final point would make you forget about all the hard work.
- Distance of Bageshwar from Kathgodam railway station: 158 km.
- Best time to visit Pindari glacier: October month when the temperature starts to come down.
2. Khaliya Top Trek:
Khaliya or Khalia top is located in Munsiyari region of Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand. It is the highest point of Munsiyari and among one of the well-known treks of Kumaon. Munsiyari is the base camp of the trek. The whole trek is full of dense oak and rhododendron trees.
In the months of March and April, rhododendron flowers fully blossom and the whole trek becomes reddish and pinkish. As the trek begins, Khaliya top welcomes you with beautiful landscapes and sky touching Himalayan peaks. Panchachuli and Rajrambha peaks are visible from here.
- Distance of Munsiyari from Kathgodam railway station: 283 km.
- Best time to visit Khaliya top: March and April months are the best time for Khaliya top trek as the rhododendrons flowers blossom in the region, making it amazing.
3. Sinla Pass Trek:
It is one of the high altitude treks in Pithoragarh district. Sinla pass in located at a height of 5495 m. Chhota Kailash mountain range is clearly visible from here.
The Sinla Pass usually remains under a blanket of snow. The trail takes you through untouched landscapes, lush green meadows and remote villages. Furthermore, it connects Bidang in Darma Valley to Jolingkong Lake in the Kuthi Yankti valley.
- Pangu village is the base camp for Sinla trek, which is 145 km from Pithoragarh.
- Best time to visit Sinla trek: April to June or September to October is best time for this trek. But landslides often block the route to Sinla trek.
4. Sunderdhunga Trek:
Pindari glacier base camp village Loharkhet in Bageshwar district, also serves as a base camp for Sunderdhunga glacier trek. It is a neighbor trek of the Pindari and Kafni glacier treks. It is one of the lesser known treks of Kumaon.
This trek might not be as famous as the other two but it is considered as the most beautiful trek out of these three. The trail takes you through virgin forests, remote villages, glaciers and high altitude lush meadows. The trek follows river Sunderdhunga upstream from Khati village until its the glacier, which is the origin of Sunderdhunga river.
- Distance of Bageshwar from Kathgodam railway station: 158 km.
- Best time to visit Pindari glacier and Sunderdhunga: October month when the temperature starts to come down.
5. Namik Glacier Trek:
The Namik glacier sits at an attitude of 3,600 m in Pithoragarh district. The base camp is 40 km from Munsiyari at the villages of Gogina and Namik. One can also reach the glacier by trekking from Bala village on Thal-Munsiyari road near Birthi Fall. Namik glacier is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the world such as
- Nanda Devi (7,848 m)
- Nanda Kot (6,861 m)
- Trishul (7,120 m)
Namik glacier trek roughly follows the Ramganga River. Great Himalayan peaks, deep forests and green meadows welcome you throughout the whole trek.
- Distance between Pithoragarh and Namik village: 182 km via Thal – Muwani Road.
- Best time to visit Namik glacier: Summer season (May to Mid October).