The dawn breaks and the sun shines on the icy slopes of the Himalayas. It is barely 5 degrees Celcius outside and you are swaddled in a woollen blanket, sipping a cup of pipping hot tea, while being surrounded by snowcapped peaks.
This is the aura of the untouched Himalayan beauty Munsiyari!
At a height of 7200 ft and at a distance of 129km from Pithoragarh Uttarakhand, Munsiyari is a small hamlet nestled in the lap of the Himalayas and a home to the Bhotia tribe of Milam village. Known to be a “trekker’s paradise“, Munsiyari is in its primitive stage of tourism. Unlike other holiday destinations which get over crowded and are overly commercial, Munsiyari is a breath of fresh air!
While I was planning the itinerary I found that most people associate this place only to the tough Khalia Top Trek. While Munsiyari has several treks, it also has some unique historical and cultural landmark that must be in your bucket list.
Birthi Falls:
At the very entrance of Munsiyari lies the majestic Birthi falls. The gush of the glacier fed waterfalls and the nip in the air is just what we needed to overcome the fatigue from the long tiresome ride from Almora. It is the joy of small things such as playing with puppies by the falls and eating hot bun maska on that cold day, instantly refreshed us and made us enjoy the moment to the tee!
Lichen Garden:
The most unique place to visit in Munsiyari is the Lichen Garden. It is India’s first Lichen park and gives a wonderful explanation of the environmental necessity of Lichens. One can stroll around the hilly park and see varieties of Lichens of different colors and textures, growing on rocks and tree barks.
There are around 600 species of Lichen in Uttarakhand of which 150 are found in Munsiyari. Most commonly found lichen – black stone flower(pathar phool) is used in Biryani. Rest of them are used as medicines in Ayurvedic treatment and for maintaining soil fertility.
It is said that when Lichen die, they leave behind a rich assortment of minerals which is so fertile that new plants can grow on them easily. A mark of a pollution free land is to check if there is any growth of Lichens.
Hence, lichens can truly vouch for the clean and green air of Munsiyari!
Thamri Kund Trek:
Our initial itinerary had Khalia Top trek as a must do activity. Since it is listed as an intermediate trek, we decided to go on the easy Thamri Kund trek to build physical and mental stamina to summit Khalia Top. Little did we know that Thamri Kund trek would surprise and shock us!
The 5km trek was through a tough rocky terrain with steep ups and downs in a forest path. We were very adventurous to embark on this journey without proper trekking gear. It was a struggle to climb all the way to Thamri kund with the dicey Himalayan weather. The rains were playing peekaboo with us and without an umbrella, we got the taste of the icy Himalayan shower.
It took 4 hours to complete the trek and the sights during the journey were simply spectacular!
Snowcapped peaks of Nandadevi and Panchachuli can be seen with great clarity. We were welcomed by the beautiful red, orange and pink rhododendrons. The Kund (pond) is a sight of ethereal beauty and is a bluish green source of freshwater to the locals. While returning, we were amused to see a flock of sheep grazing and bleating.
Madkot Hot Spring:
Located at the banks of the Gori Ganga river, Madkot hot spring is a thermal spring with healing properties of sulfur. Locals believe that the spring can cure skin diseases and inflammation. Most trekkers visit this spot after the tough Khalia Top trek. After Thamri Kund trek, Madkot was the respite needed for the feet!
The road to Madkot is not in a good condition. Too many bumps on the road was dissuading me from pursuing this path, but the picturesque scene of the mountains, Gori Ganga river and the spring made the arduous journey worthwhile!
The beauty of Madkot is so captivating that you would want to sit on the rocks by the stream and contemplate for hours on end.
Tribal Heritage Museum:
I have always believed that while visiting a new place, learning about its people, history and culture can help you to connect with the land. This museum was that bridge that helped me to connect with the Bhotia people of Munsiyari.
The Tribal Heritage Museum in Munsiyari is a private museum by Sher Singh Pangtey that describes in detail the life, language and faith of the tribe living in Munsiyari.
The influence and proximity of both Nepal and Tibet has shaped the outlook of this tribe. They also sell a good collection of books enlightening tourists on the Pon form of worship. The statue of “Pon Raja” discovered in Jageshwar Dham possibly stems from this faith.
Nanda Devi Mandir:
Nanda Devi is the presiding deity of Munsiyari. The temple albeit small is a spot for phenomenal views! One can get 180 degrees view of all snowcapped peaks while standing on this cliff.
Khalia Top and other popular treks:
Munsiyari is home to very challenging treks which include Khalia Top, Eco Park, Milam Glacier, Ralam Glacier and Nanda Devi Base Camp. Although we were supposed to trek to Khalia Top, we had to cancel due to unforseen events.
Munsiyari is a place which once visited, stays with you forever. The old-timey bazars, the picturesque beauty of the Himalayas and clean and fresh air will make a permanent place in your heart. I hope I get a chance to visit Munsiyari once again just to Summit the snowy Khalia Top!
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