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The snow-covered Panchachuli peaks along the horizon above banks of cloud and dark foothills seen from a meadow near Munsiyari
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Photo: त्रिलोक सिंह राणा · CC BY-SA 3.0
Day planFirst visitnaturerelaxed

One day in Munsiyari — the Nanda Devi Temple and Thamri Tal

A relaxed Munsiyari plan: the Nanda Devi Temple at dawn for the Panchachuli view, then the forest lake of Thamri Tal, with road times from town.
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A slow morning around Munsiyari: the Nanda Devi Temple at dawn, when the Panchachuli peaks are clearest, and Thamri Tal after. The afternoon is free for the market, the lichen park or a rest.

Photos: त्रिलोक सिंह राणा (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Jaiambey (CC BY-SA 4.0) — via Wikimedia Commons, resized.

Who this is for

Visitors with a night or two in Munsiyari, who want the mountains without a trek, between March and May or in October.

Day by day

Day 1

A ridge temple and a forest lake

2 stops · 16 min on the road

Two short outings from the town, in the clearest hours of the morning.

  1. 07:00
    Nanda Devi Temple
    temple · 7 min from Munsiyari · about 1 h there
    The small temple on its ridge facing the peaks, about 7 minutes from the centre; go early for the clearest view.
  2. ↓ 16 min by road · 7 km
    09:30
    Thamri Tal
    lake · 9 min from Munsiyari · about 1 h 15 min there
    The forest lake above the town, about 9 minutes from the centre, a habitat of the musk deer by Wikivoyage's account.

Getting there

Munsiyari is about 127 km from Pithoragarh. See how to reach Munsiyari for the arrival table, when to visit and things to do in Munsiyari for more.

Where to stay

Stay in Munsiyari. We have no verified lodging, prices or booking rules.

Know before you go

  • The peaks are clearest at first light; cloud often covers them by mid-morning.
  • The temple is a place of worship: dress modestly and ask before photographing.
  • We have no verified opening hours or horse rates; ask locally.

Places on this route

Nanda Devi Temple, Munsiyari — the ridge temple facing the Panchachuli peaks
Nanda Devi Temple, Munsiyari — the ridge temple facing the Panchachuli peaks
temple · 7 min from Munsiyari
Thamri Tal, Munsiyari — the forest lake with the musk deer
Thamri Tal, Munsiyari — the forest lake with the musk deer
lake · 9 min from Munsiyari

Going together

No one has started a group going on this plan yet. Start one and other travellers can ask to come along.

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Nearby destinations

All destinations →
A long line of snow-capped Himalayan peaks rising above layered blue ridges and green hills seen from Kausani
Kausani
66 km away · 1 itineraries · 2 places
The town of Almora spread across a terraced ridge under a blue sky with clouds
Almora
78 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
Joshimath's houses spread down a steep mountain slope above a deep valley, with high ridges and blue sky beyond
Joshimath
84 km away · 2 itineraries · 4 places
A wide panorama of forested ridges below a long line of snow-capped Himalayan peaks seen from Ranikhet
Ranikhet
91 km away · 2 itineraries · 3 places
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Questions people ask

What can you do in Munsiyari in a day?

Walk or drive to the Nanda Devi Temple at first light for the view of the Panchachuli peaks, then visit Thamri Tal, a forest lake above the town. They are 7 and 9 minutes from the centre on our routing, so the plan is a relaxed morning that leaves the afternoon free for the market and the lichen park.

Is a trek possible from Munsiyari?

Yes: it is the starting point for treks into the interior, including the Johar valley towards Milam Glacier, with mid-March to May the suitable season by Wikipedia's account. Those are multi-day trips; we have no timed trails or permit details, and the area is near the border, so ask locally about access.

When are the mountains clearest?

Early in the morning; cloud usually builds as the day warms. We have no climate table for Munsiyari, so we cannot say which months are clearest. Wikipedia says the monsoon, from June, brings landslides and roadblocks in the Johar area. Check the forecast and be ready to move the day.