How to reach Darma Valley || Panchachuli Base Camp

 How to Reach Darma Valley || Panchachuli Base Camp

Introduction:

India's Himalayan ranges are spread from Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh. But today, we are specially writing about the beautiful scenic himalayan ranges of Kumaon (Uttarakhand). There are many2 heart touching places in Pithoragarh District. Munsyari, ,Adi Kailash, Om Parvat, Vyas Ghati and Darma Valley are one of them. Now we w'll focus on How to Reach Darma Valley || Panchachuli Base Camp

From Haldwani to Darma Valley:

Darma Valley||Panchachuli Peaks

From any part of India or abroad you can reah Haldwani/ Kathgodam by bus, taxi, train or air (Pant Nagar Airport). Haldwani/ Kathgodam are foot hill plain area. The hill ranges start from there. So the means of trans port depend on buses, taxies or self vehicles. You reach Bhimtal a beautiful hill station following Bhawali, Kainchi Dham and Almora, about 100 km away. From Almora there are two routs to Darma Valley. One via Pithoragarh-Dharchula and another via Thal- Berinag

Almora to Darma Valley via Thal / Berinag:

Thal is 96 km away from Almora so you can move on without halt. On the way the small towns are Chitai, Barechhina, Dhaulchhina,Berinag and Thal. The hill journey is not safe at night so you have to stay either at Berinag or Thal. Berinag is at height but Thal is in the valley. Both are comfortable to stay in hotel or home stay. Next day you start your journey via Didihat, Ogla, Askot, Joljivi  Baluwakot and Dharchula.  The condition of road up to Dharchula is good but from Dharchula to Darma valley the road is under cons truction or repairing that takes time to travel. 

You should proceed further without halt at Dharchula to Tawaghat 22 km away from there. Tawaghat is a junction of two roads. If you go straight forward parrel to Kali River you go to Vyas Valley, Gunji, Adi Kailash, Om Parvat. From Tawaghat bridge one road goes to left side and leads to Darma Valley || Panchachuli Base Camp. The distance from Thal to Dugtu village is only 150 km but it takes more time than you estimate. From Dharchula it's often off road specially from Tawaghat to Dugtu village, the home stay for second day journey from Haldwani / Kathgodam.illage

Tanakpur to Darma valley|| Panchachuli Base Camp, via Pithoragarh:

Tanakpur is a foot hill city near Khatima. You can reach by train from different parts of India. The hill stations on the way are Champawat, Lohaghat, Ghat, Pithoragarh, Kanarichhina, Ogla, Askot, Joljibi, Baluakot, Dharchula, Tawaghat, Dantu and Dugtu village in Darma Valley || Panchachuli Base Camp.

Option for Night Stay || Narayan Swami Ashram

On the way, Narayan Swami Ashram is at Narayan Nagar, and could be one of the best options tostayat night. One another road goes from Kanchoti to Narayan Nagar, 22 km away from Tawaghat. But next morning you have to come down to reach Darma Valley || Panchachuli Base Camp at Kanchoti and go upward to your destination. Narayan Swami Ashram provides food and boarding to the travellers at cheap rate. The beauty of the Ashram is worth seeing.The large himalayan ranges are seen from there.

Home Stay at Dantu or Dugtu village:

The Darma Valley in Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, India is composed of several villages. Here is a list of 17 villages in the Darma Valley.

• Dantu, 
• Dugtu,  
• Narkyang,
• Nagaling
• Sirdang
• Sela
• Baaling
• Bon
• Darma
• Dantola
• Tidang
• Sipu
• Sipu
• Duti
• Tiwari
• Marchha
• Filam

Dantu village in the Darma Valley is known for its natural beauty and traditional lifestyle. Though all the villages have managed home stays by their own ends but home stays in Dantu village have an authentic experience of the local culture and hospitality. All the home stays offer food and boarding at cheap rates.  Even rs 1000 per head is charged for the stay including dinner and break fast. Hot water is served in every home stays. 

The same process goes to Dugtu village too. While specific details about each home stay vary, most provide basic amenities and a chance to experience local cuisine and customs. It is the starting point of trekking to Panchachuli Base camp and Panchachuli Glacier. Dugtu village also located in the Darma Valley near the Panchachuli peaks, offers friendly homestay options that provide a unique opportunity to know the local culture of Darma Valley.

 

Trek Overview:

Starting Point: Dugtu village , if you stay in Dantu village, you have to go via Dugtu village

Destination: Panchachuli Glacier

Duration: 1-2 days (depending on your health condition and steps)

Suitable Time to Travel: May, June and September, October

Clothing: Warm clothes, sports shoes, Jacket, Rain coat, Umbrella

Starting timing for Trekking: Early in the morning, 

Notable scenic: Sun Rise and Sun Set scene

Dantu Village to Duktu Village

The distance from Dantu village to Duktu village is 5 km, Duktu village is near the Panchachuli Base Camp, Every one has to pss from Dugtu Village. The Panchachuli peaks are not visible from there while the peaks are directly visible from Dantu village. If you reach before time you can stay in Duktu village, it could shorten your route by 5 kmin the morning for trekking for Panchachuli Glacier.

Memorab le Counts:

• Darma Ganga, Lassar Yanki River, Dhauli Ganga

• Bhoj patra Trees
• Hospitality
• Herd of Sheep

Manorama of Panchachuli Peaks Heights

• Panchachuli - 1 (6355m)
• Panchachuli - 2 (6904m)
• Panchachuli- 3 ( 6312m)
• Panchachuli - 4 (6334m)
• Panchachuli - 5 (6437m)

Panch Kedar for Local People

Darma Valley||Panchachuli Peaks

The local people worship the peks of Panchachuli as Panch Kedar. It is believed that they are the different forms of Lord shiva. The sun Rise is panoramic view of the peaks. It turns the peaks into golden colour for a few seconds, gradually the colour of the peaks change into purple, black and then come to original white. In the morning, the peaks shine brightly. Soon the clouds appear and disperse simultaneously. In short the beauty of Panchachuli Himalayan Range is incredible and beyond description.