Himalayan Nature Trai lsKhalia Alpine Meadow

Munsiari, Uttarakhand

Khalia Bugyal is an alpine meadow located in Munsiari, Kumaon Uttarakhand. It is a days trek from Sarmoli Village. The trek entails starting from 7000 feet and walking through typical Himalayan temperate forests to emerge onto high open alpine meadows above 12000 feet.

Day 1 : The trek from Sarmoli village follows a mountain trail, that climbs up through an oak-chestnut - rhododendron forest then through maple to exit on to a sub-alpine meadow of Lal Singh Gair at about

10,000 feet (3050 meters), nestled with Rhododendron forests. This is the first nights halt where one camps at the foot of Khalia Danda, primarily to acclimatize to the higher altitude and to enjoy the spectacular views of the deep Gori Ganga valley. The camping site located on the edge of the rhododendron Krummholz is an ideal place for bird watching. Lal Singh Gair is frequented by some of the regions more spectacular pheasants like the Monal and the Satyr Tragopan.

The second day begins with a walk through birch and dwarf rhododendron Sub-alpine forest, and finally breaks out onto a breathtaking open alpine meadow. From here, the top of Khalia Danda is a about a kilometer away, at 12,300 ft ((3747 meters)

above the sea level this is the highest point of the Khalia Trek. The view to the South of this first rise of the Greater Himalaya, looks down on range upon range of the Lesser Himalaya towards the plains. The view 180 degrees East-West and North, is the breathtaking arena of Nandadevi and some of the highest mountains in India, over 25,000 feet high. One may choose to just spend the day at Khalia danda and

return to camp at Lal Singh gair or setup camp at the base of Khalia Danda at Khalia Tanti. From Tanti it is possible to wake up very early and reach the top of the mountain to view the fantastic sun rise (or sun set later in the evening).

Apart from the spectacular views from the Khalia meadow there is regular wildlife activity, wild mammals like the Goral, Musk Deer, Himalayan Fox, Himalayan Weasel, Himalayan Black Bear and the Leopard frequent the various trails and rhododendron scrub forests. Birds are in abundance and it is possible to come face to wing tip with the Lammergier and the Himalayan Griffon Vulture along with a range of about 100 or more big and small birds.

The alpine meadow is rich in plant life and through most of the summer and monsoons an exciting variety of flowering plants can be seen.

Facilities Provided:

The Sarmoli Nature Tourism Programme would provide complete facilities to make your Khalia visit enjoyable. The support group would include experienced and trained Route Guides, Cooks and Porters. The support group are familiar with the terrain and the wildlife and would make your Khalia trek an happy and memorable experience.

Camping and Kitchen Equipment will be provided as part of the facilities. The programme would undertake all the necessary preparations leaving

the guests free to enjoy their stay in Sarmoli and on the trek. A detailed checklist of facilities is attached.

Rates:

The rates provided are inclusive of all the facilities being offered. The rate list, facilities and services that would be provided is attached.

The programme is run by members of the Sarmoli Village Nature Tourism programme, a self driven initiative to provide nature tourism and homestay facilities to the discerning guest. This programme also seeks to strengthen local livelihoods and local efforts at nature and wildlife conservation. A part of the income from the tourism programme is used to fund activities to protect & conserve the community's natural heritage.

ContactMs Malika VirdiCoordinator – Sarmoli Nature Tourism ProgrammeVillage Sarmoli, Munsiari, District PithoragarhUttarakhand – 262 554Phone - +91 9411194041email malika.virdi@gmail.com

Breakfast Lunch Tea Dinner Trail Snacks Day 1 Provided Provided Provided

Day 2 Provided Provided Provided

Day 1 Provided Provided Provided

Day 2 Provided Provided Provided Provided ProvidedDay 3 Provided Provided Provided

Day 1 Provided Provided Provided

Day 2 Provided Provided Provided Provided ProvidedDay 3 Provided Provided Provided Provided ProvidedDay 4 Provided Provided Provided

Khalia Alpine Bugyal Camping Schedule

Khalia 2 Days 1 Night

Start Packed from Place of Stay (Not part of camping costs)

Packed from Place of Stay (Not part of camping costs)

Return to Place of Stay

Khalia 3 Days 2 Nights

Start Packed from Place of Stay (Not part of camping costs)

Packed from Place of Stay (Not part of camping costs)

Return to Place of Stay

Khalia 4 Days 3 Nights

Start Packed from Place of Stay (Not part of camping costs)

Packed from Place of Stay (Not part of camping costs)

Return to Place of Stay

1 Person 2 Persons 3 persons

Rs Rs Rs Rs1 Night 3,600 4,500 5,000 5,5002 Nights 4,500 9,000 9,900 10,9003 Nights 5,000 13,500 14,800 16,400

Khalia Alpine Bugyal Nature Trail Rate List2 Adults 2 Children

Facilities and Equipment1 Experience Route Guide, Cooks and Porters2 Nature Watching – Birds, Animals and Plants3

4 Hot Meals (Vegetarian)5 Tents (Will be Fully setup at Camp)6 Solar Lighting7 Rucksacks for Carrying Group Gear and Rations8 Sleeping Bags with warm liner9 Carry Mats (Sleeping Mats)10 Kitchen Tent11 Kitchen Cooking Gear12 Tent For Support Staff13 Cook Ware for Individuals14 First Aid Kit 15 Emergency Rescue / Aid (actual charges will apply)

Optional (On request and additional Charge)1

2 Accompanying Porters In Case of Extra Assistance3 Nature Books, Binoculars

S.no

Arranging Purchase and Packing of Rations and any other Group Gear

Load Ferry Porters In Case of Extra Weight or Per-sonal Gear

Food Menu

Please indicate preferred food choices and meals

Menu Item Ingredients

English Local NameRice Meal

Lunch

Trail Lunch

Macaroni and Cheese Macaroni Macaroni, Cheese, Oregano, Tomato DinnerBreakfast

Flattened Rice Meal BreakfastSemolina BreakfastMixed Fried Rice Rice, Onions,Oil, Spices Trail LunchMillet Trail Mix Trail Snacks

Tea Tea, Milk Powder,Sugar

Coffee Coffee Coffee, Milk Powder, Sugar EveningSoup Soup Evening

Tea Time Snacks Evening Salty Snacks, BiscuitsTrail Snacks Biscuits Trail SnacksDry Fruits Almonds,raisins, Cashew, figs Trail SnacksPickle Add on

Tomato Sauce Ready Made Tomato Ketchup Add onCourse Items – More DetailedVegetable Curry

Lentils Lentil, Oil, Garlic, Onion

Suggested-Meals

Daal, Chawal, Subzi Rice, Lentil, Vegetable, Spices, Oil, Soybean Nuggets

Dinner and Lunch

Wheat Pancakes Dry (Roti) Roti Daal, Subzi Roti, Vegetable,Lentils, Spices,Oil, Pickle, Soybean Nuggets

Wheat Pancakes Sautéed in Oil(Parantha)

Parantha, Subzi Parantha,Vegetable – supplemented with Cheese or Peanut Butter, Oil,

Wheat Porridge (Dalia) Dalia Dalia, Fruit, Almonds, Cashew,Raisins,Sugar, Milk Powder

Poa Poa, Onions, PotatoesSuji Halwa Suji, Dry Fruits, Butter / Ghee, SugarBoomlaSattu Millet Flour, Dry Fruits,Sugar, Milk

Powder, ButterChai Morning,Brea

kfast and Evening

Soup Mix – Mushroom, Chicken Mix Vegetable, Etc

Pre-processed Vegetable in Spicy Oil Mix

Subzi Vegetable, Spices, Oil, Soybean Nug-gets

Dinner,Lunch, Trail Lunch

Daal Dinner and Lunch

Optional / On request and additonal chargeMaggiAny Other as may be re-quested