Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, Panchachuli Tour from Pantnagar

Have an early breakfast and then check out of the hotel in Dharchula. Embark on an adventurous drive deeper into the high Himalayas. The route is spectacular. Your drive will follow the Kali River Valley, climbing past steep cliffs, pine forests, and waterfalls. En route, cross Chialekh Meadows, famous for their open alpine pastures surrounded by oak and rhododendron. Next, pass through Garbyang, popularly called the “Sinking Village” because of its sloping terrain. See the old stone houses and slate roofs, which reflect the region's traditional architecture.

The road winds through Budhi Village and other small hamlets. Each with prayer flags and fields of barley will mesmerize you. It will give you glimpses of how locals live in the remote terrain. By late afternoon, you will reach Gunji or Nabi Village. Nestled at an altitude of about 3200 meters, this settlement lies at the confluence of the Kali, Kuti, and Gunji Rivers. The village serves as a base for visiting both Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. Upon arrival, check into a homestay. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the homestay accommodation in Gunji/Nabi.

After an early breakfast, drive to Jolingkong, the base camp, which is near the Indo-Tibetan border. From here, you will get your first clear sight of Adi Kailash, also known as Chhota Kailash, revered for its close resemblance to Mount Kailash in Tibet. Visiting the Adi Kailash holds immense significance for devotees of Lord Shiva.

Also, visit the Parvati Sarovar, a crystal-clear high-altitude lake. The holy lake is believed to be the place where Goddess Parvati performed penance. Offer prayers to a small shrine of Lord Shiva and Parvati near the lake. Also, visit the nearby Gauri Kund, another holy pond where pilgrims often pause for prayer. Enjoy the views of fluttering prayer flags and snow-capped peaks, along with the silence of the Himalayas. After darshan, return to your accommodation at Gunji/Nabi. Dinner and overnight stay will be at Gunji/Nabi.

After breakfast, drive towards Kalapani. Kalapani is a sacred place and considered the source of the Kali River. Visit the Kali Temple here and worship Goddess Kali. Enjoy the surroundings filled with streams, pine groves, and snow walls. Thereafter, continue to Om Parva, one of the rarest natural wonders in the Himalayas. It is the holy mountain peak where the natural formation of the sacred “ॐ” symbol occurred. Have the darshan of Om Parvat and spend some time in meditation. Also, enjoy photography before returning to your accommodation. Dinner and overnight stay will be in Gunji/Nabi.

Check out from your accommodation in Gunji/Nabi after breakfast. Drive back down to Dharchula. Stop at Garbyang village again to explore its old wooden houses and interact with locals. By afternoon, arrive at Dharchula. On arrival, check into your pre-booked hotel. In the evening, walk to the suspension bridge over the Kali River, linking India with Nepal. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel in Dharchula.

Have a relaxed breakfast at the hotel. Head towards the crown jewels of Kumaon: the Panchachuli Peaks. Pass through forests of pine and deodar, with the river Darma flowing beside you. On reaching the viewpoint near Munsiyari, you will be greeted by the five towering snow peaks of Panchachuli. According to legend, the Pandavas cooked their last meal here before their final journey to heaven, hence the name Panchachuli (“five cooking hearths”). Spend your time enjoying the spectacular views. Click photographs and enjoy fresh mountain air. Return to Dharchula by evening. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the hotel in Dharchula.

Have a very hearty breakfast. Check out of the hotel and then return to Pantnagar via Pithoragarh’s lush valleys and Almora’s heritage lanes. On arrival in Pantnagar, you will be dropped off at Pantnagar Airport for your onward flight. The tour concludes. Return to your home with sweet and divine memories of Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, and Panchachuli, along with the grandeur of the mighty Himalayas.