Munshiyari, Uttarakhand – Also known as ‘Little Kashmir’, this is a heaven of the nature lovers and adventurous ones

Located at a height of 3853 Metres ( 12634 Feet) above the Sea Level, Munshiyari is known as the “Queen of Kumaon” hill range. The place is also nick-named as “Little Kashmir”. The region is the heaven of the nature lovers and adventurous ones. Catch a glance of the mesmerizing Himalayan peak, Panchchuli from here. Munsiyari is a very newly discovered tourist place in Uttarakhand. Until recently Munsiyari remained a restricted area in Himalayan inner line wedged in between borders of India, China & Nepal. Visiting the place is an unique experience and gives a completely different feeeling.

Places to see in Munshiyari: Munshiyari forms a good base for a number of scenic tourist location. These include:

Majestic Peak of Panchchuli 

Though easily visible from all view points in the Pithoragarh district, a close and vivid view of this most prominent cluster of five peaks we can have from Munsiyari situated in the Johar valley. The imperial beauty of this traditional home of Shauka tribe blended with the hospitality of the KMVN is what has given Munshiyari, the status of being one of the most inviting tourist destination in the recent years.

Birthi Falls

This wonderful cascade is combined with profuse greenery of nature. Falling from a height of 126 mts, this is an ideal spot for tea and lunch breaks and is located at a span of 35kms before Munsiyari.

Maheshwari Kund (Mehsar Kund)

This is also named as Mehsar Kund by the locales. This Kund is just a few kilometers walk from Munsiyari and the spot has now become a pond which offers an alluring view of nature. You can see the Panchachuli peak from here.

Betulidhar

A large garden of  Rhododendrons, Betulidhar is an ideal slope for skiing in winters. Here the sunrise and sunsets showcases beautiful tint of nature.

Thamari Kund

This exotic natural lake is located in the midst of alpine trees and paper trees. You can easily catch a glimpse of the Musk Deer here.

Darkot

A beautiful picturesque hamlet which is just 6kms from Munsiyari on Madkot road. The shop-aholics can buy pashmina, shawls and sheepwool blankets from here. This old artistic house of Darkot represent the rich cultural heritage and creativity of the localites of Kumaon.

Khaliya Top

A very easy trek, covering a distance of 10 kms from Munsiyari, will take you to the Khaliya top. It is located at an elevation of 11500 ft and the trek route offers the scenic views of the greater Himalayan ranges. Towering peaks of Panchchuli, Hardeol, Rajrambha, Nandadevi and Nandakot are clearly visible on this range. These snowy peaks are surrounded with the Khaliya Alpine meadows.  The Alpine slopes of Khalia Top and Betuldhar is ideal for skiing in the winter season.

Nanda Devi

Constructed in the ancient days Nanda Devi temple is on of the oldest temple. This temple is beautifully designed and decorated. Thousands of devotees from all over the country come here to worship the Nanda Devi Temple from the core of the heart. Nanda Devi Temple is only 3km trek from Munshiyari.

Tribal Heritage Museum

Also called the Masterji Museum, the tribal museum is constructed by Dr. S.S. Pangthi who is a retired school teacher, a trekker, traveller, author and also an authority on Bhotiyas of the area. This is a private museum with some antique collection is at his residence in Nanasen village. You can have a look at the original documents, that enabled trade between the Johar Valley and Tibet and along-with the personal effects of the traders.

Balanti Potato Farm

Located at an altitude of 9000 feet this farm grows high yielding potatoes. Covered by the lush green forests, from here one can have a magnificent view of the Panchchuli Peaks.

Kalimuni top

The Kalimuni top is located at 9500 feet on the way to Munshiyari from Birthi. It is 15 km from the Munshiyari township and has a Kali temple. The view of Panchachulli range from the Kalimuni top is amazing.

Dharchula

On the banks of river Kali, an important route to Kailash Mansarovar.

Narayan Ashram

Developed by Narayan Swami, this is a renowned spiritual and socio-economic enter in the region.

Nearby attraction around Munshiyari: Munshiyari also offers some scenic nearby locations. These include:

Didihat

Located at an altitude of 1,725 mts above sea level Didihat is a panoramic town in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand state. The location is rich in flora and fauna that offers a beautiful views of verdant valley covered by attractive ridges. The place is situated on the pilgrimage route to Kailash Mansarovar. The place is located at a distance of 89 kms from Munsiyari.

Pithoragarh

It is surrounded by Nepal to the east and Tibet to the north. The place is popular for its exquisite natural beauty and is widely known as the ‘Little Kashmir’. Pithoragarh is located at a height of 1650 mt above sea level thus offering picturesque views of Himalayas. The location has a pleasant weather throughout the year and with a beauty healing us from tension and stress. This scenic location is situated at a distance of 135 kms from Munshiyari.

Chaukori

Chaukori is a small hamlet located at an interval of 96km from Munshiyari. This location perches at an elevation of 2,010mts above sea level, and greets its visitors with enchanting natural beauty. The location is renowned for the tea gardens established by the British. This place is a heaven for the Kumaon travellers. The pristine location remains un-spoilt by the pollution and crowd. From here the views of the snow-capped Himalayan peak is really enchanting. The five sibling peaks of Nanda Devi, Chaukhanba, Trishul, Nanda Kot and the Panchachuli are distinctly visible from Chaukori.

Things to do in Munshiyari: Ideal for trekking, Munshiyari also offers a list of other things to do including bird-watching and wildlife viewing. Explore the spectacular views of the gorgeous peaks or just sit back and relax. You can also buy some fantastic hand-woven carpets or Himalayan tree saplings. Enjoy the delicious local dish Kuka. You can also head to places like Khaliatop and Betulidhar for some fabulous skiing opportunities or Goriganga for river rafting.

Best time to Visit Munsiyari: March to June & September to October is the best time to visit Munsiyari and trekking at Munsiyari.

How to go ?

By Air

The nearest airport to Munsiyari is Pantnagar Airport. Pantnagar airport is situated 249 kms from Munsiyari in the Nainital district of Uttarakhand state. Taxis are available from Pantnagar Airport to Pithoragarh, Almora, Bageshwar and Munsiyari. Pantnagar is connected to Delhi with daily flights. PantNagarAirport is well connected by metalled road with Munsiyari.

By Rail

The nearest railheads to Munsiyari are Kathgodam and Tanakpur. The distance from Tanakpur Railway station to Munsiyari is 286 kms, and Kathgodam Railway station is situated at a distance of 275 kms from Munsiyari. Taxis and buses are easily available from Tanakpur and Kathgodam to Almora, Pithoragarh, Bageshwar and Munsiyari.  Tanakpur and Kathgodam are well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. 

By Road

Munsiyari is well connected by motorable roads with major destinations of Uttarakhand and northern India. Buses from ISBT Anand Vihar are available to Champawat, Almora, Tanakpur, Haldwani and many other destinations from where you can easily hire a local cab to reach Munsiyari. Taxis and buses are easily available to Munsiyari from major destinations of Kumaon region.

Where to stay ?

The are plenty of eco resorts and hotels in Munshiyari. Some options are:

Tourist Rest House (KMVN) :+91-8650002540
Johar Hilltop Resorts: +91-59612- 22752 Website: www.joharhilltop.net
Milam Inn Hotel: +9159612-22633,+915962-258012, 258333  Website: www.milaminnmunsiyari.com

Note : Phone numbers given above are according to the information available with us. If you find any contact number/s given above is/are incorrect or not in use, please let us know.