Shopping at Natural Nirvana

Treks in Garhwal & Kumaon

There are several treks to do in these areas. Trekking around the area of Nanda Devi (7817m), the second highest mountain in India, is fairly popular.

The best time to trek in these areas is from mid-May to the end of June and from mid-September to mid-October. From July to mid-September the monsoon rains make it difficult to get around. From mid-October to April cold weather and snow make it very difficult to trek.

UP’s Tourism has two divisions, Garhwal Mandla Vikas Nigam (GMVN) and Kumaon Mandla Vikas Nigam (KMVN) who give information and organize treks. GMVN has an office in Delhi (same as UP Tourism) and Rishikesh. The GMVN offices in Rishikesh, Uttarkashi and Joshimath hire out sleeping bags and tents. There are agencies in Rishikesh, Mussoorie, Nainital and Uttarkashi that organize treks in the area.

At the roadheads where treks begin it is usually possible to get porters for Rs 150 and guides for Rs 250 and up, per day. It is a good idea to purchase supplies in the bigger towns, because in the small villages there can be virtually nothing to get. Some treks have reasonable accommodations and you will not need a tent, but for others you will need a tent and your own food, as there are virtually no facilities at all.

If you are trekking in eastern Kumaon, you may want to check with the Sub Divisional Magistrates (SDM) in Munsiyari, Pithoragarh or Dharchula to see if there are restrictions.

Gangotri to Kedartal
It is a 17km trek from Gangotri to Kedartal. On Day 1 you start in Gangotri and go to Kedar Kharak, where you can camp. On Day 2 it is a hard 5km ascent to Kedartal, which is surrounded by Bhrigupath (6770m), Meru (6670) and Pithwara (6900m) peaks. On Day 3 your can return to Gangotri.

Dodi Tal Trek
It is a good idea to have a porter or guide for this trek. You should also have a tent and food. This trek begins in Uttarkashi and ends in Hanuman Chatti, which is the roadhead for Yamunotri.
On Day 1 from Uttarkashi you take a bus ride to Kalyani and from there you trek to Agoda (3 hr, 6km). Day 2 you trek to Dodi Tal (6 hr, 14km, 3025m), which is a nice lake surrounded by dense forest.

Day 3 you climb to the Darwa Pass (4150m) and then you continue to Seema (Shima) to camp (18km). On the way you get a great view of Bandarpunch (6310m) and you come to Darwa Top (4130) from where there are good views. Near this place there is a campsite. Some people take two days to cover this distance.

On Day 4 you walk through a beautiful area to Hanuman Chatti (4 hr, 12km), from where there are buses to places in the area.

Har ki Dun Valley & xe "Ruinsara Lake"Ruinsara Lake
This is a good trek that is not too difficult. If you start at Mussoorie, you get the bus going towards Yamunotri (Hanuman Chatti) to Nowgaon and then get another bus via Netwar and get off 9km south of Barkot. The first night you can stay at the PWD bungalow in Purola, where you ask for permission to stay at other PWD bungalows along the way.

The next morning you get the bus to the roadhead at Sandkri. You then walk 12km to Taluka (1900m) and stay in the bungalow there.
On Day 2 you walk to Seema (5 or 6 hr).
On Day 3 you walk along the Tons River 11km to Osla (2260m). There is a bungalow where you may stay in Osla, but you should bring your own food. You could also walk from Seema to Har-ki-Dun (5 hr).

On Day 4 it is a hard climb to Har-ki-Dun (3560m).
From there you can go to Jaundhar Glacier (3910). You could then return along the same route in a day or two. You could also go to Dev Thach and from there to Ruinsara Lake (7 hr) and return to Dev Thach. At Ruinsara Lake there are good views of Swargarohine (6500m). From Dev Thach you can go to Sankri (5 hr).

Pindari Glacier Trek
This trek begins in Bageshwar and then goes up to the Pindari Glacier at 3820m, overlooked by Nanda Devi at the southern edge of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. It is next to Nanda Khat (6600m) and Nanda Kot (6860m). You do not need a tent on this trek unless you stay overnight at Pindari Glacier, as there are tourist bungalows along the route. The tourist bungalows should be reserved at the Tourist Bungalow in Bageshwar. You can also hire trekking equipment there.

On Day 1 you get a local bus from Bageshwar to Bharari and from there you walk 16km in the Sarayu Valley to Song (16km). You can also get a bus all the way to Song from Almora or Bageshwar. From Song you walk 3km to Loharkhet, where there is a Tourist Bungalow and a PWD Bungalow.

On Day 2 it is a tough 11km walk, climbing about 1000m to the Dhakuri Pass (2835m), where there are good views of Nanda Khat (6600m) and Trisul (7100m). From the pass, you walk 2km to the KMVN Tourist Bungalow at Dhakuri.
From Dhakuri it is 7 hours to Dwali KMVN Tourist Bungalow. You can also walk 8km on Day 3 to Khati where there is a tourist bungalow and on Day 4 proceed to Dwali. From Dwali a trail leads to Kafni Glacier, which has Nanda Kot towering over it at 6850m.

Day 4 (or 5) you then go down through the Pindari Valley to the meadow of Phuriya. From there it takes eight hours to get to the Pindari Glacier and back to Dwali. From Dwali you return to Dhakri and from there to Song.

Munsiyari to the xe "Milam Glacier"Milam Glacier
There are good views of Nanda Devi (7817m) on this trek. If you start at Almora you take the early morning bus to Munsiyari. You first go to the village of Lilam (4 hr) where there is a PWD bungalow. Day 2 you go to Bodgwar (7 hr) or Bugdiar. Day 3 you go to Martoli (6 hr) or to Railkot. Day 4 you go to the village of Milam (4 hr). It is then 2½ km to the Milam Glacier, from where there are views of Rishi Pahar (6990m) and Hardeol (7150m). You then return by the same route.

Joshimath to Ghat
This is a very beautiful trek. You need to have a tent, as there are not many facilities. The route that this treks takes over the Kuari Pass is known as the Curzon Trail.

You first take a bus to Auli and begin the trek there. In the beginning there are views of the Rishi Ganga on the way to Chitraganta. Day 2 you walk to Kuari Pass and on the way there are great views of Dunagiri (7066m) and Chaukhamba (7138m) and then to the meadow of Dakwani. The best views of Nandi Devi are a one-day walk from the pass.

The next day you proceed to Ghangri (6 hr), then to Ramni (6 hr) and then end at Ghat where you can get a bus or jeep. You could also proceed on for another three days to Tapovan.

Ghat to Mundoli
On this trek you pass Rupa Kund and Trisul (7120m). You begin at Ghat and then walk up to the village of Ramni (6 hr). From Ramni you then go to Sutol (7 hr) and then to Wan (6 hr). You then go up to the beautiful meadow of Badni Bugyal (5 hr) from where there are great views of the mountains including Trisul (7120m). Day 5 you go to Bhogabasa. On Day 6 to Rup Kund, and you then return to Bhogabasa (7 hr). You could then proceed to Mandoli from where you can get a bus or a jeep.

Khatling Glacier Trek
The Khatling Glacier is located between Gangotri and Kedarnath. There are several peaks over 6000m surrounding it. It is a relatively hard trek. Day 1 begins in Ghuttu and goes to Reeh, where there is a Forest Rest House. It is a hard walk on Day 2 to the village of Kalyani via the village of Gangi. Day 3 goes to Bhelbagi (3100m) at the base of the Glacier. On Day 4 you go to Khatling Glacier (3555m), from where there are great views of the mountains, if it is clear. You then return to Bhelbagi on the same day, a 15km trip.
Experienced, well-equipped trekkers can continue on to Kedarnath with the help of a guide.

If you know of a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update our listings, please e-mail us at:

Vegetarian Fast Food Options

World Vegetarian Restaurants Guide

Amazing Colon Cleaning Program

Our own Vegetarian, Vegan, Alternative & Spiritual Sales Shop

Please Help Support This Site and buy our own USA Vegetarian Restaurants Book

Please check out our Natural Nirvana Store, which we started to help pay for the maintenance of this Website. Natural Nirvana is dedicated to selling vegetarian, spiritual and alternative products. We sell only animal-friendly and cruelty-free clothing, gifts, health foods, books and beauty products.

!! DVD Kurma Great Vegetarian Dsihes Cooking Videos Set for just $49. Individually each video costs $14.95.for a savings of over $100

24 Devotional DVD Set for just $99 Individually each video cost $14.95 for a savings of over $200

Fantastic Natural Herbs from the Amazons
(Best source of natural herbs in the world)

Infomation on Partnering with John Easterling &Amazon Herb formulas
Make a steady Income distruibuting natural herb products

Amazon Herbs Articles

Good News from the Amazon An interview with John Easterling

Interview with Sherrill Sellman

Journey to Porveneer
by Kosa Ely

How the Amazon Rainforest
Can Improve Our Relationships
By “Amazon John” Easterling

Returning to our Roots The Evolution of Environmental Consciousness
by Kosa Ely

CamuC Serum
Nature’s Ultimate Recipe for Glowing, Youthful Looking Skin

VEGAN BAGS
Hemp Bags
Vegetarian & Animal Rights Message Bag
Hemp Backpacks
Indian Quilted & Embroidered Bags
Ecolution Bags
Splaff Bags

CLOTHES
Vegetarian T-Shirts
Animal Rights T-Shirts
Vedic Gods T-Shirts
Hemp Gloves
Vegan Message Hats
Animal Rights Beanies
Hemp Hats
Vegetarian Message Hats
Indian Men Clothing
Indian Women Clothing
Scarves
Indian design Stoles
Indian Sarongs
Sacred Threads Tops
S. T. Dresses
S. T. Pants
Sacred Threads Children Clothing

Bedding & Pillows (beautiful)
Indian Bedspreads
Indian Design Quilts
Indian Design Pillows

FOOD
Raw Foods
Vegan Foods

AYURVEDIC MEDICINES
Ayurvedic Medicines
Neem Products
Ayurvedic Books
Herbal Vedic
NeemAura
AyurvedicSupplements
Ayurvedic Incense
Organic South Neem
Ayurvedic Soaps
Ayurveda Toothpaste
Ayurveda Massage Oil

VEGAN HEALTH
Vegan Vitamins
Vegan Herbal Remedies
Massage Oils
Sport Supplements
Vegan Protein
First Aid Products
Cold Medicines
Olbas
Well-In-Hand
Skin & Blemish
Herbal Salves & Balms

VEGAN BODY CARE
Vegan Soaps
Vegan Shampoos
Vegan Hair Spays
Vegan Toothpaste
Tongue Cleaners
Neti Pots
Vegan Perfumes
Vegan Sun Care
Lip Balm
Contact Len Cleaner
Skin Treatments
Men's Products
Dental Floss
Natural Mouthwashes
Vegan Hair Removal System

INCENSE & OILS
Incenses
Essential Oil
Vegan Candles

VEGAN BELTS & WALLETS
Vegan Wallets
Hemp Belts
Vegan Belts
Hemp Guitar Straps

VEGETARIAN & VEGAN BOOKS
Vegan Books
Vegetarian Books
Vegan Cookbooks
Vegetarian Cookbooks
Restaurant Cookbooks
Raw Food Book

VEG COSMETIC
Eyeshadows & Liners
Nail Polish
Blush
Lip Stick
Mascara
Powders
Nail Polish

VEDIC & SPIRITUAL
Mandala Publishers
OM Jewelry
Krishna Photos
Radha & Krishna Dolls

JEWELRY
Anklets
OM Jewelry
Nose Rings & Studs
Toe Rings
Astrological Gems
Earrings
Pendants
Silver Tulasi Beads
Neckbeads
Necklaces
Silver Jewelry
Gold Jewelry

BUTTONS STICKER
Animal Rights Buttons
Vegan Patch
Jam Bands Stickers
Jam Band Stickers (20 stickers for $5)

SPIRITUAL BOOKS
All Books
Holy Places
Vedic Scriptures
Mandala Publishing
Art Books
Kurma Cook Books
Bhagavat Gita
Caitanya Mahaprabhu
Children
Srimad Bhagvatam
Spiritual Biography
Vedic Coloring Books

SPIRITUAL MUCIC
Bhajans
S. Prabhupada Bhajans
Kirtana
New Age
Musical Instruments
Spiritual Lessons
Audio Vedic Books

VEGETARIAN VIDEO
Vegetarian Cooking
Vegetarian

SPIRTUAL VIDEO
Devotional Movies
Interactive CDs
Vedic Puppet Shows
Vedic Art & Culture
Indian Music Lessons
Bhativedanta Swami Prabhupada

Spiritual Photos & Art
Krishna Posters
Krishna Pictures
Vedic Gods Photos
Vedic Gods Posters

OTHER PRODUCTS
Putumayo World Music
Pet Products
Outdoor Neem
Air Garcia T-shirt

Bob Marley Reggae
Hats
Shirts
Key Chains
License Plates
Scarves
Books