Time lapse sequence of the sunrise over Nanda Devi

Village Lady from Ganaghar

From left: Lakshman the postman, village lady, Gangaram the cook, Lakshman our guide, Nathuram the horseman and Kali the horse

Satellite phone

The Satellite phone is solar powered

The dish antenna for the satellite phone

The room where we stayed

Meera was a little upset about the Sheep skin in our room. The villagers use it as a warm cushion when they sit on the floor

Beyond the hill in front is Martoli, we take the path that goes left which is a bypass. When we came from Martoli we took the path that zig zagged down (center right in pic)

It was very windy that day, we had a lot of wind against us in some areas where the path climbed higher

The Brij Ganga Mountain is behind me. Thats another route to munsiyari through Ralam. It would take two whole days to cross over the mountain from the village of Tola. You would spend day 1 climbing half way up the hill and camp there. The next day morning you would start early cross the snow line and descend on the other side to Ralam

I thoroughly enjoyed drinking stream water all through the trek. The water is really fresh, cold and tasty. the guide calls it 'Jadibhooti Paani' translated 'Herbal Water'

We walked from Ganaghar to Rilkot on the first day of the return. We were really not looking forward to sleeping in leaky tent again. But we were prepared to put up with anything.

The path really climbs high before Rilkot

Rilkot in the distance. We have to report to the ITBP checkpost to tell them we have returned.

As we walked by her house this girl waved to us. When I went up to say Hello to her, she became very shy.

After an okay night in leaky tent, we head out to Bogudiyar.
It dosent have to rain for leaky tent to do what it does best. The water somehow seems to condense from somewhere and drips all night.

This little fellow is the only other kid in Rilkot.

The Gori Ganga flows placidly here

ITBP soldiers

The melt water stream from Laspa has a beautiful green hue to it

Confluence of the Laspa Glacial stream with the Gori Ganga

The heights at Mapang

We found wild raspberries on the way. We gathered at least 5 handfuls. They were the most delicious raspberries. These were small, melt in your mouth with a very delicate taste.

The shrine at Nahar Devi

Approaching Bogudiyar. We have to report to the ITBP checkpost here as well.

The friendly folks at the ITBP checkpost. This pic was taken the next day as we were heading out of Bogudiyar early in the morning. They still hadnt gotten into their uniforms. The ITBP folks are very helpful.

Everything in this reagion is transported by eaither horse or man. These horses were carrying two large cans of Battery acid each.

Beware of this plant. It will give you the itches if you brush against it

The Hasling forest

The light was good here, so I took some portraits of Gangaram, Lakshaman and Meera.

Meera helps me carry the tripod for a while. Since we were setting it up often in this area we didnt bother collapsing it.

Tea shop at Rail Gaadi

A family of villagers are trekking to Munsiyari from Milam. Up ahead is a grounp of New Zealand Trekkers

A tree shrine

The town of Munsiyari, our destination on the third hill from last

The climb from the Gori Ganga river bed to Dumur really takes the fun out of the trek. Just as you are waiting to get on the jeep to go home, the climb goes on and on endlessly.

We have made it and very tired. All we do now is get on the jeep and go to a hotel. :-)

The Team: Left to Right Gangaram the cook, Lakshman the guide, Nathuram the horseman, Me and Meera.
Lakshman invited us to his house for breakfast the next day.

The Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek has been a spectacular trek for us and we will surely return to do this trek once again. If you are interested in doing this trek and looking for a guide, I highly recommend the services of Lakshman, Gangaram and Nathuram. They can be reached by mobile phone at 9410182704. If the phone is not reachable they make be out on a trek.