Niti Pass and Niti Valley
Adventure enthusiasts and nature lovers always find it a task to keep finding new places to explore, right? We all constantly search for locations that offer a different experience. If you want to explore a historically relevant, naturally beautiful, and adventurous location, I suggest a perfect location for you all. This is the Niti Pass and the Niti Valley in Uttarakhand. The location of the Niti Pass Uttarakhand itself makes it an alluring spot. On top of that, the history attached to this location is even more exciting for an explorer. If you are an explorer looking for a unique destination, the Niti Valley Uttarakhand is a good option.
The Niti Pass and Niti Valley are locations packed with thrill and excitement. It is certainly not a regular location. However, the rugged terrain, along with the topography here, certainly deserves some mention. This can be the ideal spot to explore next for an adventurous trip. Keep reading this article as I will mention all the information, like the Niti Pass in the state, how you can reach it, and the Niti Pass map. This will be a helpful read for you if you plan to visit this location.
Niti Pass is located in which state?
The Niti Pass is an international high mountain pass located on the border between India and China. It is a remote valley with several villages located in the Garhwal Himalayas in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Niti Pass connects the Indian state of Uttarakhand with Southern Tibet.
Overview of Niti Pass and Niti Valley
This is an international pass, and its height makes it even more attractive. Niti Pass’s height is 5086 meters and 16,686 feet. This pass was an important trade route between India and Tibet at one point in time. However, from 1962, after the Sino-India War, the Niti pass remained closed. Niti is a small village in the Niti Valley, and it is the last village and outpost in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand on the Indo-Tibetan border. Niti Village is located at an elevation of 3600 metres. The whole of the Niti Pass and the Niti Valley remains covered in heavy snow. Niti is located very close to the Tibet border, so people visiting there will need a permit from SDM in Joshimath. Other than that, the different places in Niti Valley don’t require permission to visit.
Mana and Niti Pass are located close; the eastern side of Mana Valley near Badrinath is the Niti Valley. The Niti Pass surrounds the Niti Village in the north, and Tibet surrounds the village in the south. Both Mana and Niti Pass were in use before the war of 1962 and were important trade routes. But then the pass remained closed. Also, a fair chunk of people migrated from Tibet to India during the war, and they are locally famous, such as Rongpa or Bhotiya. Currently, the Niti Valley has only 24 villages, and most of the population belongs to the Bhotiya tribe. The Niti Village nestles within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and is a significant village in the Valley.
There are other villages in the Niti Valley as well, such as Gamshali, Farkya, Bampa, Kailashpur, Maher, Gun, Malari, Jhelum, Kosha, Lata, Tolma, Fagti, Tapovan, and Timmersen Mahadev. Gamshali Village is the second-last village in the Niti Valley, and it is located 5 km before the Niti Village.
How to reach Niti Valley and Niti Pass
- By air
If you travel by air, the nearest airport to reach here is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is 362 km away. You will have to hire a car to reach Joshimath, and from there, you can get to Niti Valley.
- By train
Rishikesh Railway Station is the nearest railway station to here, located 346 km away. Dehradun Railway Station is also another railway station to reach here, located about 380 km away.
- By road
You can reach the Niti Pass location in multiple ways. The most important city to visit here is Joshimath and Joshimath to Niti Valley, the distance is 88 km. You can get taxis from Joshimath to reach Bampa village. If the roads are blocked, you must trek 6 km to reach the Niti Village. Otherwise, the car would take you there. Regular buses also ply on this route, and shared jeeps are available here. Via NH 7, many Hindu pilgrimage sites are connected, like Devprayag, Rishikesh, Dehradun, Joshimath etc.
Niti Valley Temperature
The Niti Pass Temperature is majorly very harsh. The Niti village is located in a highly isolated area, so the snowfall is hefty there. During the significant months of snowfall, it gets tricky for the people residing there. The area has a sparse population; from April to October, they stay in Niti. After that, they relocate to lower altitudes during snowfall and stay at alternative villages. After the snowfall season ends, they relocate to Niti again.
Another feature of this location is that since the snow here melts at higher altitudes, the area gets covered in dense clouds. Because of that, afternoon rainfall is very common in the area as well. For tourists, it would be ideal if they could start their journey to these locations early in the morning to avoid drastic changes in weather.
The best time to visit Niti Village
Due to heavy snowfall, staying in Niti Valley is practically impossible, and even the residents relocate to lower altitudes from November to April. The Valley remains open for only six months, that is, from April to the end of October. So that is the only time you should visit here. Also, before visiting, do take note of the weather and road conditions, as that will be helpful for your visit here.
Things to enjoy in Niti Valley
- Trekking
For adventure lovers, trekking in this area can be an extremely exciting activity. You can trek from Bampa Village to reach the Niti Valley, which is 6 km long. However, if you are looking for a shorter trek, then trekking to the Timmersain Mahadev Temple can also be a good option. This is a small trek of only 2 km from the Niti Village.
- Nanda Devi National Park
The Niti Village nestles in the Nanda Devi National Park, one of the richest national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can explore this park, which is famous for its variety of Ayurvedic plants and some popular rare species, such as the Himalayan Musk Deer and Snow Leopard.
- Village Tourism
The villages in the Niti Valley still believe in living the old way. You would find their lives and lifestyle lacking many modern facilities and amenities. If you want to explore the Pahadi lifestyle, you can visit the villages there. Gamshali village is located only 5 km away from the Niti Village. You can see there and explore the lifestyle there. The villagers are mostly very friendly and welcoming; you can learn about their way of living in such rugged terrain. This would be one of the most exciting things you can try there.
- Visiting temples
The area around Niti Pass and Niti Valley is very peaceful and tranquil. What makes the spot even more peaceful is the spiritual elements here. This region houses several famous sites of pilgrimage. And because the area is so close to nature, the temples here also look beautiful amidst nature. Some of the popular temples to visit here are Timmersain Mahadev Temple, Panchang Temple, Nanda Devi Temple, Tapovan, Niti Temple, and Faila Temple etc.
Nearby places to visit from Niti Valley and Niti Pass
Gamshali Village
Malari Village
Bampa Village
Farkya Village
Timmersain Mahadev Temple
Tapovan
Maa Hira Mani Temple
Nanda Devi National Park
Bhavisya Badri
Where to stay
There are no accommodation options near Niti Pass. Only the villagers and natives can stay here. Earlier, permission was even required to visit these areas. At present, however, permission is only needed to visit Niti Village. You can find some homestays and government guest houses in Gamshali Village, which is 5 km away from Niti Village. Joshimath also has some decent options for staying, so you can opt for that as well. You can stay in Joshimath and then travel to Niti Valley from there.
Wrapping Up!
Niti Pass and Niti Valley are challengingssible locations to travel to. However, the thrill and excitement of visiting such a location makes it a must-visit spot. The whole area also has some other notable spots nearby to explore. So, if you are searching for a new location to explore that is close to nature, this can be a perfect choice for you. Even adventure enthusiasts will find the Niti Valley Uttarakhand interesting enough to explore. Let me know when you are planning a trip to this beautiful location. Also, remember to tell me if this article will help you plan a trip to the Niti Valley.
