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Grade
B/C
This
classic trek takes us across the picturesque meadows and valleys
that border the western edge of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. Sometimes
known as the Curzon Trail after the British Viceroy that enjoyed
this area, the route we follow was used by Shipton and Tilman on
their amazing journey to the Nanda Devi basin. During the trek there
are many views of the surrounding peaks and the Kuari Pass (3658m)
itself has an unrivalled panorama of the Great Himalayan peaks
including Nanda Devi (7816m), Changabang (6864m), Dunagiri (7066m)
and Kamet (7756m). The trails are generally good, being in regular
use by local villagers and traders.
The trek is not technically difficult but the ascents and
descents can be long and feel relentless, especially in hot weather.
You should, therefore, have some experience of long distance
walking. Surprisingly, this area is not over-trekked and indeed it
is uncommon to meet other groups on this route. In keeping with this
lack of outside influence, the villagers are still inherently
traditional in habit and revere the landscape and nature that
surrounds them, a timely reminder to us all.
A classic trek, and a must for the keen Himalayan walker.
Climate
On
the trek daytime temperatures can be warm or hot (up to 25°C) and
cool to cold at night. It may freeze at the highest camps. Although
the departures are timed to coincide when the weather is normally
good, please bear in mind that in any mountain area the weather is
never wholly predictable and you should be prepared for any adverse
weather conditions.
What’s Included
Accommodation:
Delhi: The Oberoi Maidens Hotel. Situated close to the city
centre this hotel is fully air-conditioned and has a swimming pool,
bar and restaurant. B&B Delhi and 2 or 3 Guest Houses. Camping
on trek. All meals on trek.
Not Included: Visa fees, passports or vaccinations.
Excursions unless stated. Hotel porterage or tips. Meals and
drinks other than those stated. Travel Insurance.
Altitude
10
days walking. Maximum altitude 3658m. Average 2750m. The
trails on this trek are of reasonable standard, and are either
pilgrimage or trade routes between villages. Higher up we follow
shepherd trails through the high pastures.
Documents
If
you are applying for an Indian visa by post, the Indian High
Commission requires up to five weeks to process your application, so
ensure that you submit your application in good time. Also note,
however, that Indian visas are only valid for six months from the
date of issue, and therefore must not be applied for too early. This
means you will have to have left India within six months of issue of
the visa.
Health Matters
A
full medical kit accompanies the trek, but we recommend that people
carry their own small personal first aid kit. A suggested list of
contents will be included in the pre-departure information as well
as more general information on vaccinations. You will need to
consult your doctor usually 5 weeks prior to departure, to work out an immunisation schedule
relevant to your destination country. The
following should be used as a guideline only: - Polio, Tetanus,
Typhoid, Hepatitis A, Malaria, and Meningitis. More details
concerning vaccinations are given in our Indian pre-department that
is forwarded to you on confirmation of your booking.
Personal
Expenses
The
amount of money you take with you depends on how much you intend to
spend! Souvenir
purchases aside, a sum of £130 or $200 should cover any extra
costs, although it would be wise to take a little more, as you will
invariably be tempted by the very attractive handicrafts of the
region. Main meals in
cities such as Delhi and Kathmandu at the very best restaurants are
inexpensive. Dinner will cost between £6-£12.
Bring duty free drinks, as spirits are costly! Wines are not
of a high standard and beers are usually £1 per bottle. Sterling
travellers cheques are easily exchanged in the major hotels and
banks. Most hotels and some shops in the big cities accept credit
cards such as American Express and Mastercard.
Insurance
You
must have insurance to cover you against medical expenses and
repatriation. Please ensure your insurance covers all the activities
you will be participating in, including trekking, mountain biking,
climbing and white-water rafting if applicable.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Whilst
every effort is made to keep to the above itinerary, clients will
hopefully appreciate that this is adventure travel in a remote
mountain region. Given the
nature of these treks there will quite likely be changes to the
itinerary in terms of anything from on the spot choice of camp site
to the day that a rest day is taken. Weather conditions, road
conditions, vehicle breakdowns off the beaten track, and local
availability of porters, can contribute to the need for changes.
Mark Butterworth will do everything in his power to see that you are
inconvenienced as little as possible in such events. Timings given are approximate.
Books
The
Arts of India: Cornell
University Press
India File: Trevor Fishlock
Trekking in the Indian Himalaya: Lonely Planet
India Travel Survival Kit: Lonely Planet
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Outline
Itinerary
We reserve the right to alter (lengthen
or shorten) the trek at any time if necessary.
Note: if circumstances dictate, certain details, such as overnight
stops may vary from those shown in the day-by-day itinerary below.
q
Day 1: Depart
London for New Delhi.
q
Day 2: We arrive
New Delhi early morning and transfer to the hotel.
In
the afternoon there is a guided tour of Delhi.
About Delhi:
Delhi basically is 7 cities all merged into one and laced together by the
new city of the British Raj, designed by Lutyens & Baker. It was one
of the boldest expressions anywhere in the world of British Imperial
ambitions and has endless sightseeing possibilities. Our
tour of Delhi will include the Raj Ghat memorial, at
the site where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated, the
Red Fort, once the most lavish fort and palace of the Mughal Empire and
the Qutb Minar, the 73m high tower of victory.
RED
FORT. This imposing
monument to the rule of Shah Jahan was begun in 1639 and completed in
1648, taking its name from the red sandstone used in its construction. It
is said to have cost 10 million rupees to build, much of it spent on the
opulent marble royal palaces within. Here the Emperor exercised his divine
authority in the Halls of Public and Private Audience - seated in the
latter on the fabulous gold-canopied Peacock Throne that was inlaid with a
vast number of sapphires, rubies, emeralds and diamonds.
THE
QUTB MINAR. The Qutb Minar
is a soaring tower of victory that was built in 1193. The tower has three distinct stories each marked by a
projecting balcony. The first three storeys are made of red sandstone, the
fourth and fifth of marble and sandstone. Today this impressive ornate
tower has a slight tilt, but otherwise has worn the centuries remarkably
well.
q
Day 3:We take the
early morning train to Haridwar, one of the most holy Hindu towns on the
banks of the Ganges. We then continue by road to the small hamlet of
Devprayag perched above the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda
rivers. A visit to the saddhus on the riverbank for a good weather
blessing is a must! Simple
guesthouse
q
Day 4: We follow
the gently winding road into the heart of the Garwhal foothills, past
Rudraprayag with its memorial stone to Jim Corbett and the infamous man
eating leopard and onwards up the Pindar valley. We camp above the
road-head near Mundoli. Camp.
q
Day 5: An
excellent start to our journey as we trek through rhododendron forest,
hand-tilled fields and small, friendly villages. We camp near an old
Forest Rest House with an impressively large deodar. (Pine tree). Camp.
q
Day 6: Today
involves a long climb to the magnificent bugyal or grazing meadow of Bedni.
Here we are rewarded with startling views of Trisul (7120m) and Nanda
Ghunti (6390m). A tougher day of steep ascent and descent. Camp.
q
Day 7: Classic
walking today as we head north through Rolling Meadows bordered with
ancient rhododendron trees that give the most wonderful display of colour
in spring. The trails are good and the scenery magnificent. We camp near a
river beside the village of Kanol. Camp.
q
Day
8:
A tough morning as we make the long descent to the Nandakini River. A
welcome paddle in the clear water to sooth our feet whilst the porters set
up camp. A long half-day.
Camp.
q
Day
9:
We start the day by trekking up and out of the Nandakini valley, a tough
but rewarding climb along good trails.
Birds of prey such as Lammergeyer, Golden Eagle and Himalayan
Griffon are common in this area. The day's efforts are well worth it as we
camp in peaceful and wonderfully flat meadow for the night. Camp.
q
Day
10:
A day traversing one of the main valleys that radiate out from the Inner
Sanctuary of Nanda Devi. A
steep descent takes us to our interesting campsite above the gorge of the
Bharagithi. Camp.
q
Day
11:
We cross the river on a splendid suspension bridge.
Shipton and Tilman were not so fortunate and had to improvise a
crossing out of fallen tree trunks and rope.... From the river we climb
steeply to a level trail that takes us to our next campground, in sight of
the Kuari Pass. Camp.
q
Day
12:
An easier day as we make camp at Dhakwani near the base of the Kauri Pass
in preparation for an early start tomorrow. Camp.
q
Day
13:
We make a pre-dawn start for the pass to gain the best views. Climbing in
the footsteps of Shipton and Tilman, we follow the zigzag path to the top
of the pass (3658m). The route is not difficult and the views that unfold
at the top are unrivalled anywhere in the Himalayas. A stunning panorama
of snow covered 6000 and 7000m peaks stretches as far as the eye can see.
After savouring this moment we descend to a sheltered grazing meadow to
watch the peaks fade into the twilight. Camp.
q
Day
14:
The final day of our classic trek. We descend further towards the
Alaknanda valley and the small settlement of Tapovan where we rejoin our
transport for the short ride to Josimath, an important halting point for
Shipton and Tilman during their explorations. Hotel.
q
Day
15: A
long day of driving as we follow the river to the Alaknanda valley
southwest on to Devprayag. Simple guesthouse.
q
Day
16:
We continue our journey to Delhi via Haridwar where we take the train on
to Delhi (if tickets are unavailable due to pilgrims we will continue by
road). We arrive in Delhi in time for last minute souvenir hunting and an
enjoyable meal in one of the many excellent restaurants. Hotel.
q
Day
17:
Early morning flight to London.
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