India's Second-Highest Peak, Seen Up Close from the Sanctuary's Outer Rim
An 11-day expedition-style trek into the buffer zone of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most ecologically significant high-altitude wilderness areas in India, centred on Nanda Devi (7,816m) — the country's second-highest peak and long considered sacred by the Garhwali communities who live in its shadow.
The journey opens with a drive from Delhi through Rishikesh and Joshimath, passing the sacred river confluences of Devprayag, Nandaprayag, and Karnaprayag along the way, before reaching Lata Village (2,317m) — the trek's starting point, where you'll meet your trekking team and porters and visit the village's Nanda Devi Temple.
From Lata, the trail climbs steeply through oak and pine forest to the high campsite at Lata Kharak (3,689m), with a dedicated acclimatisation day allowing an excursion to Semi Kharak for views of Nanda Devi itself and the dramatic Rishi Ganga river gorge. The trek's high point comes at Dharansi Pass (4,250m), reached via the narrow Satkul gorge, with stunning views of Nanda Devi, Nanda Ghunti, Chang Bang, Dronagiri, Hathi Ghodi, and Dev Sthan all visible from the campsite.
The return descent passes through Tolma village — a genuine, little-visited Garhwali community where you can meet local inhabitants and understand their traditional way of life — before the trek concludes at Surai Thotta, where vehicles meet the group for the drive to Karnaprayag, Haridwar (with an evening dip at Har Ki Pauri), and finally back to Delhi.
What makes this journey special
Your journey, unfolded
Arrive at New Delhi Airport, where you'll be welcomed by our representative and transferred to your hotel. Overnight stay in Delhi.
After breakfast, check out and drive toward Rishikesh (238 km, 6-7 hrs) — located on the banks of the holy Ganges, one of India's most important pilgrimage centres. On arrival, check in to your hotel. Visit the various temples and ashrams in Rishikesh, and enjoy the evening prayer ceremony (Aarti) on the banks of the holy Ganges.
After breakfast, proceed to Joshimath — the entire journey is through hilly terrain. En route, visit the Devprayag confluence, where the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers meet, and pass through two further sacred confluences at Nandaprayag and Karnaprayag. Arrive in Joshimath in the evening and check in to your hotel, with the rest of the time free to explore the town independently.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Lata, 28 km from Joshimath (approximately 1 hour). Lata Village (2,317m / 7,599 ft) is the starting point of the Nanda Devi trek, where you'll be introduced to your trekking team and porters. A steep climb through fields and clusters of abandoned houses brings you into the village itself. Arrive and meet the welcoming inhabitants of Lata. In the evening, visit the Nanda Devi Temple.
Begin the morning's trek to Lata Kharak (3,689m / 12,099 ft) — a distinctive climb that ascends gradually through oak and pine forest to reach a ridge. The trail climbs again to a second ridge and becomes steeper beyond it, terminating at the open campsite on top of the ridge at Lata Kharak. From here, enjoy views of the Himalayan peaks of Trishul, Nanda Ghunti, Dronagiri, Hathi Ghodi, and Dev Sthan.
Spend the morning photographing the beautiful Himalayan peaks around camp. This day is set aside for acclimatisation. Trek to Semi Kharak, 3 km one way from the campsite, where you can view Nanda Devi itself and the dramatic Rishi Ganga river gorge. This short excursion takes around 4 hours round trip. Return to camp in the afternoon for a hot lunch, with the rest of the day free to explore the area independently.
Start the trail from Lata Kharak to Jhandi Dhar — the climb on this section is steep. From Jhandi Dhar, after 1.5 km, the trail becomes steep again for 500 metres to reach Bagfyana Pass. Beyond this, the trail continues ascending and descending through the narrow gorge of Satkul to reach Dharansi Pass (4,250m / 13,940 ft). Enjoy the stunning view of Nanda Devi and other Himalayan peaks — Nanda Ghunti, Chang Bang, Dronagiri, Hathi Ghodi, and Dev Sthan. Overnight stay in tents.
After breakfast, begin the long descent trek to the village of Tolma. This retraces the same trail as far as Jhandi Dhar, before following a new trail that descends to a ridge and continues down through a forest of oak and rhododendron, finally reaching the village of Tolma. Enjoy a welcome cup of tea at the village house, with the rest of the evening free to explore the village independently, meet the inhabitants, and understand their traditional way of life and culture.
Start the morning's trail to Surai Thotta, descending through fields. On arrival at Surai Thotta, vehicles will be waiting for you — say goodbye to your porters and trekking team here, marking the end of the trekking portion of the journey. Drive to Karnaprayag (1,890m / 6,199 ft) via Joshimath and Nandaprayag. Arrive and check in to your hotel, with the rest of the day free for independent activities or to relax after the trek.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Haridwar (190 km, 6-7 hrs). On arrival, check in to your hotel. In the evening, visit the famous Har Ki Pauri ghat to take a holy dip in the Ganges, one of the most significant ritual bathing sites in North India.
After breakfast, check out and drive to Delhi (219 km, 5-6 hrs). On arrival in Delhi, you will be dropped at the airport or railway station for your onward journey. Tour concludes.
Inclusions & Exclusions
Included ✓
- ✓ 10 nights accommodation on twin/triple-share basis (hotels + tented camps on trek)
- ✓ Buffet meals as specified in the itinerary
- ✓ Private chauffeur-driven AC vehicle for all road transfers
- ✓ Trekking team and porters from Lata Village to Surai Thotta
- ✓ 1 bottle of mineral water per person per day
- ✓ All applicable Indian GST
Not Included ✗
- ✗ International/domestic airfare or train fare to/from Delhi
- ✗ Travel insurance (strongly recommended for high-altitude trekking)
- ✗ Camping equipment if not provided as standard (confirm at booking)
- ✗ Forest entry permits and Nanda Devi Sanctuary buffer zone fees (arranged by us, payable locally)
- ✗ Entrance fees / camera charges at temples and attractions
- ✗ Tipping for trekking team and porters — customary and appreciated
- ✗ Laundry, drinks, and items of a personal nature
Your questions, answered
Yes, 11 days (10 nights) is correct. The original page's title and meta-description referenced '11 nights/12 days', but the page's own structured duration field explicitly stated 'Nights 10 & Days 11' — and the complete day-by-day itinerary, when counted from Day 1 (Delhi) through Day 11 (departure), matches that shorter figure exactly. We've built this page around the verified, fully-itemised 11-day version.
This is a serious expedition-style trek, reaching a high point of 4,250m at Dharansi Pass with several genuinely steep, sustained climbing sections (particularly Days 5 and 7). We recommend this trek only for travellers with prior high-altitude trekking experience and strong general fitness. A dedicated acclimatisation day (Day 6) is built into the itinerary, but proper preparation — including consulting your doctor about altitude sickness prevention — is essential before booking.
No — the core zone of the Nanda Devi Sanctuary has been closed to trekkers since 1983 to protect its fragile high-altitude ecosystem, following damage from earlier mountaineering expeditions. This itinerary treks through the sanctuary's buffer zone and surrounding Garhwali villages, offering spectacular views of Nanda Devi and neighbouring peaks from Lata Kharak and Dharansi Pass without entering the protected core.
Trekking in this region requires forest department permits for the Nanda Devi Sanctuary buffer zone, which we arrange on your behalf as part of the booking process (permit fees are payable locally). Please provide passport copies or ID details well in advance of your trek dates so we can process these correctly.
October to March is ideal — comfortable temperatures (15–28°C), clear skies, and the best conditions for sightseeing, fort treks, and wildlife safaris. April–June brings intense heat (up to 45°C); July–September is monsoon, with some relief from the heat but reduced safari access in the tiger reserves.
Absolutely. Every Discover India tour is fully private and built around your preferences. We can adjust the duration, swap destinations, change hotel categories, or add extensions. Submit an enquiry and our specialists will redesign the itinerary for you at no obligation.
We include carefully selected 4-star and 5-star hotels throughout — heritage havelis, palace hotels, and well-appointed properties near the wildlife reserves, all personally vetted by our team. Upgrades to palace hotels or luxury tented camps are available on request.
Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-Visa online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Processing typically takes 3–5 business days and costs $25–$80 USD depending on your nationality. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Cancellations 60+ days before departure receive a full refund minus a small admin fee. 30–59 days: 75% refund. 15–29 days: 50% refund. Under 15 days: no refund. We strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance.
