The Himalaya - Uttaranchal
SAFARI SUGGESTIONS
The Johar Valley
An adventurous 'trek' in the foothills of Nanda Devi - India's highest Himalayan mountain
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Northeast of Delhi on the border with Nepal and Tibet is where the mountains of Garhwal and Kumaon rise from the fertile Himalayan Plans. The area we focus on is the Kumaon region which is less spoilt boasting pleasant small towns such as Almora with its picturesque mountain views and hill walks.
Uttaranchal is a lesser known region of the Indian Himalaya where our colleagues in India have created a new and unique product called Shakti, ideally suited to those wanting to experience the Himalaya with a touch of style. This can be enjoyed by taking part in a Village Walk, a 3 to 4 night walking exploratory in the Himalayan foothills near Almora, wandering through local villages, spending evenings in home-stays, and experiencing life at first hand.
For those who are more adventurous, consider the Johar Valley Nature Trek, a 14-day hike that Julie McIntosh recently completed. Once an old trading route between India and Tibet, the Johar Valley offers a breathtaking nature trek up the Ghori Ganga River. Surrounded by peaks over 6000 metres high, the trek meanders up valleys on the original stone paths used by the traders. It is hard not to lose yourself as you experience overnight stays in abandoned stone villages dating back 600 years, encounter with local shepherds and their flocks of sheep, take in the views sitting in fields of exotic mountain flowers, and wander through windswept Rhododendron and Birch forests with magnificent views of cascading waterfalls and moving glaciers.
It is a challenging and spectacular hike, up a stunning valley with no roads, no passes to cross and no way to get lost. You pass temples carefully located to catch glimpses of the highest and therefore most sacred mountain, Nanda Devi (7494 metres). The remoteness is best felt at the highest campsite on the trek, located in a grassy basin below yet another stunning peak, Nanda Kot (6861 metres). From Sydney, this requires at least 8 days travelling-time to reach.
Highly recommended it certainly is one of India's best-kept secrets.
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