Munsiyari is a rustic and exquisite hill station surrounded by snow-capped peaks. It is situated at an altitude of 22oo meters(munsiyari height in feet 7,200 ft) above sea level. The drive to Munsiyari will give you a panoramic view of the natural landscape, dazzling mountain peaks, cascading waterfalls, and vivid mosaic of fauna and flora. It is an ideal place to restore, re-energize and rejuvenate; Its salubrious surroundings will fill you with complete peace and calm. Munsiyari is a fast-developing destination and has a lot to offer.
Munsiyari
Munsiyari is a delightful village located in the district of Uttarakhand state, nestled in the snow-clad peaks of the Himalayas, This place offers a spectacular view of natural beauty. The literal translation of Munsiyari is a place with snow, and it is often referred to as “Little Kashmir”. Also called the ‘Gateway to Jauhar Valley’, Munsiyari is the starting point of Jauhar Valley which was the ancient trade route between Tibet and India.
This beautiful hill station is situated at an altitude of 2298 meters above sea level. The pretty little hill town is known for its panorama of the snow-capped Himalayan range and some adventurous trekking trails. Situated between the borders of India, Tibet, and Nepal, Munsiyari is the base of three glaciers named Namik, Milam, and Ralam glaciers.
The beautiful village is often seen romancing with splendid weather throughout the year and the stunning backdrop of Panchachuli (Five Peaks), Nanda Devi, and Nanda Kot.
Places To Visit in Munsiyari
Birthi Falls
Falling from a height of 126m, Birthi Falls offers an extremely refreshing experience. With lush green surroundings blooming in various colors, is a must-visit place, it makes for an ideal place to sit and enjoy tea and lunch. Situated at a distance of 34 km from Munsiyari, do visit this spectacular place.
Panchachuli Peak
A prominent peak that is visible from all the main points of Pithoragarh district, Panchchuli Peak looks majestic from this place. How captivating is the beauty of the five peaks lying in the Johar Valley; It adds charm to this already idyllic spot.
Nanda Devi Temple
The Kumaoni culture almost always relates everything monumental in the city to Gods. There is a huge culture of deity worship, and the number of those deities can be dizzying. But all the mythology and stories make up for a believable and memorable story to take back with you.
The Nanda Devi temple is your iconic structure of typical Kumaoni architecture. It is dated back to 1000 years, and naturally, is well preserved. The Nanda Devi Fair, which started in the 16th century, continues here, and falls every August, much to the delight of all the lovers of lesser-known mythologies.
A 3km trek from Munsiyari will take you to one of the ancient and oldest temples established in earlier days. Nanda Devi temple, a pure epitome of creativity and architecture, is regularly visited by devotees in large numbers.
Betulidhar
Situated at a height of 9000ft, the Betulidhar area is covered with red Rhododendrons in full bloom. However, the most salient feature of this place is absolutely gorgeous sunset and sunrise with an entrancing view of the snow-covered Himalayas and Balati and Ralam Glaciers.
Maheshwari Kund
A beautiful place with a very fascinating legend attached to it, Maheshwari Kund is just a few kilometers’ walks from this place. Once cursed by a Yakshi who use to live in a small lake there, the place faced drought for several years. After the villagers apologized to the Yakshi for not letting him marry the sarpanch’s daughter and emptying the lake in the form of revenge, the ritual is practiced even today. However, today one will find a pond there offering nature in its absolutely raw form and an incredible view of Panchachuli Peak.
Activities To Do at Munsiyari
Bird watching
Munsiyari is a destination for the bird watcher, approx 300 species of birds are found here.
Homestay Experience & Rural Tourism
This place has many homestays. In these homestays, the visitors can enjoy experiencing authentic local rural life & savor the taste of regional cuisine.
Photography
The place is laced with gorgeous natural attractions like splendid mountain vistas, stunning towering snow-clad peaks, dense mixed forest, and diverse Himalayan wildlife & birds. Photographers can try their hands to capture the clicks of all these stunning sights.
Trekking
Munsiyari is a base camp for many short & long treks to famous snow hills & glaciers. It has many soft treks for the first-timer also.
Did you know facts” about Munsiyari
Munsiyari Rajma
Munsiyari Rajma(Kidney Beans) Got the GI(Geographical Indications) tag in the year 2021. Munsiyari Rajma is a popularly grown high-cash crop in the North-Western Himalayan hills of India. Nearly 80% of women are engaged in the cultivation process of Rajma in the Munsyari and recognize as women farmers.
Thulma
Thulma(Blanket) Got the GI(Geographical Indications) tag in the year 2021. A very thick woolen handmade blanket, woven with hand-spin woolen and cotton threads on traditional throw fly shuttles. Dharchula and Munsiyari are the main clusters of Thulma production.
Note:- GI is a Geographical Indication used to identify commodities with unique qualities that originate in a certain geographical location.
Gateway to the Himalayan Treks
Famous for indescribable beauty, the town of Munsiyari is used as a base camp by mountaineers, glacier enthusiasts, high-altitude trekkers, and nature lovers as it provides the gateway to the Milam, Ralam, and Namik glaciers. The place is a delight for trekkers as it offers several moderate to high-altitude treks.
While you are at this place, be sure to take a short trek to the Nanda Devi Temple. It is situated at a distance of 3 km and offers the most beautiful view of the Panchachuli hills. Khaliya Top Trek, Thamari Kund, and Maheshwari Kund are among the other famous treks in Munsiyari.
Best Time To Visit Munsiyari
With splendid weather throughout the year, the summer season offers its visitors a good chance for crystal clear views of the peaks and plenty of trekking options. It welcomes you with a cool climate that will pull you away from the scorching heat. Adventurers can visit this spectacular place to find their piece of heaven, as Munsiyari is home to some of the most challenging trekking trails, river rafting, and hiking trails.
Winters (November-mid March) is the time when the entire place is covered with a blanket of snow, making it an ideal destination for couples and honeymooners. Skiing and other snow sports can be enjoyed in this season.
When it comes to monsoons, heavy rains, and landslides can ruin your entire trip, and thus avoid traveling during this season.
How To Reach
By Road:- Munsiyari is connected to many major cities of Uttarakhand as well as neighboring states through a well-maintained network of roads.
Since the journey from Delhi to Munsiyari is quite long, it is advisable to break your journey at various stops and change buses at Almora or Pithoragarh at the end.
By Train:- Kathgodam (278 km) and Tanakpur (274 km) are the two best options of the nearest railway head to reach Munsiyari via rail. These stations are well connected to many major cities via a good rail network. Cabs and buses can be hired from outside the station till this place.
By Air:- Naini Saini Airport serves as the nearest airport to Munsiyari lying at a distance of 125 km. however, the flight is not that frequent from this airport.
Pantnagar Airport (370km from Munsiyari) is the other option. Connected with daily flights from Delhi, it is easy to commute from the airport to the village by taxis available outside the airport.
NOTE:- In this article, we cover all the important details regarding Munsiyari, Uttarakhand like the best time to visit and Activities you can do in this place, Still If you have any other queries you can visit the gov official website of Uttarakhand Tourism. And If you want to know the best places to visit in Uttarakhand then visit our website uttarakhandeyes.com.
