Munsiyari, a heavenly beautiful hill station in Uttarakhand, and an alternative to Nainital. The town is situated in the majestic Kumaon Himalayas, and the journey to Munsiyari is like a dream come true. In every turn, you fall in love with vast meadows, waterfalls, a Himalayan peak, a river, and a trail through the forest. Doesn’t it sound magical? In winters, covered with snow, the mountain was covered with snow, and the lakes froze.

Tourist Places in Munsiyari

There are must-visit places in Munsiyari that you can’t miss on your trip.

Birthi Waterfall

On the way to Munsiyari, a breathtaking waterfall falls into your route. Prithvi Waterfall, a roadside waterfall, is 33 km away from Munsiyari. A roadside waterfall is situated at a height of 400 meters and surrounded by mountains from all 4 angles. When butterflies surround you, it feels like heaven. There are some shops near the waterfall, where you can eat “Pahado wali Maggie”.

Khaliya Dwar

The next stop is Khaliya Dwar or Khaliya Top, which is 21 km away from Prithvi Waterfall and 12 km from the town, Munsiyari. If you are an adventurous person, Khaliya Top is for you. There is an entry ticket for Rs. 20/-, and from there the trek of 5 km starts for Khaliya Top. It is a popular trekking spot, and once you reach the top point, the view of the Himalayas is beautiful.

In winter, the Khaliya Top is covered with snow, and you can enjoy snow activities, like skiing and snowboarding. If you are planning to visit Khaliya Top, the Uttarakhand Government has set up guest houses with the name of Kumao Mandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN).

Thamri Kund Trail

The lake (kund) is only 1 km away from Khaliya Dwar/Top and 10 km from Munsiyari town. To enjoy the view of the pristine lake (Kund), you need to trek for 1.5 km. The lake is surrounded by mountains, and in winter, the green mountains turn into icy mountains. The lake froze and gave a surreal sight.

Nanda Devi

From this spot, we will explore the local sightseeing of Munsiyari. Nanda Devi is a more than 1000-year-old temple dedicated to Mata Parvati. The temple is only 3 km from Munsiyari Bus Stand. You can take a sharing taxi which costs Rs. 50/- per person. The entry charges for Nanda Devi Temple are Rs. 20/- per person, which is used for the maintenance of the temple. To take the blessings of Maa Parvati, you need to trek for 2 km, and the journey is like paradise. Once you reach the top point, take the blessings of Devi Parvati. From the top point, you will get a panoramic view of the Himalayas and Panchpoli Peak.

Tribal Heritage Museum

The museum showcases of traditional culture of Uttarakhand and is only 3 km from Munsiyari Bus Stand. If you want to walk, it’s 10 minutes away; otherwise, the charge of a taxi is Rs. 50/-. The Entry Ticket to the Tribal Heritage Museum is Rs. 20/- per person.

Madkot Village

The last point of our trip is Madkot Village, which seems like a paradise. The village is 22 km from Munsiyari, and you can take a taxi to reach the village. In Madkot Village, there is a hot-spring kund, and it is believed that if you bathe in the kund, it destroys skin allergies. The village gives a Kashmir-like feel in the Tulip Garden, where around 2500+ flowers blossom. You can trek to Khaliya Top from this point and enjoy snow activities. If you want to enjoy river rafting, then why wait? Enjoy rafting in the Kali River. The village also offers Paragliding, enjoy and feel like a bird flying in the sky. 

Best Time to Visit Munsiyari

The beauty of Munsiyari is different in every season, and the town is not commercialized. Munsiyari is a good alternative of Nainital. You can plan a trip in any season, except during certain times.

  • December to February: These are the best times for winter lovers, the town turns white and is covered with snow. Be cautious, you may face a traffic jam or roadblock.
  • March to June: The best seasons to explore the beauty of Munsiyari. The weather remains pleasant.
  • July to September: I would advise not to visit during these months, as the weather is not in favour and you may face a landslide.
  • October & November: The weather is extremely cold, but the town is surrounded by greenery. You can plan a trip in these months.

Stay at Munsiyari

Munsiyari is not an expensive town, and you can easily find a hotel. If you are not finding a good and budgeted hotel online, then don’t worry, there are numerous options in Munsiyari. 

  • Homestay – If you want a homely stay, a budgeted homestay at the cost of Rs. 150/- to Rs. 200/- per person per night is a good deal.
  • Budgeted Hotels – If you are willing to stay in hotels, then there are numerous options. The budgeted hotels will cost you Rs. 500/-. per night.

How to reach Munsiyari

  • By Train: There are two stations near Munsiyari, Kathgodam and Tanakpur. Both stations are 276 km and 273 km away from Munsiyari and are well connected to Delhi. From this point, you can reach Munsiyari only by Road. The options and cost are below:
    • Bus: You can go either by Uttarakhand Roadways or Private Buses. The cost is around Rs. 650/- and the buses ply from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Reach early to catch the bus.
    • Taxi: There are two options for Taxi service, fully owned and shared. The cost of a fully owned/private is Rs. 6000/-, whereas, sharing taxi cost, Rs. 1500/- per person.
    • Bike: You can hire, scooty, a bike, or a bullet, and the cost varies for each option. The rental charge of a scooty if Rs. 500/-, a Bike – Rs. 800/-, and a Bullet – Rs. 1000/-.
  • By Air: The nearest airport is Naini Saini Airport, Pithoragarh, at a distance of 125 km from Munsiyari. The other option is Pantnagar Airport, at a distance of 310 km. From both airports, you can easily get taxi services. The taxi charge from Naini Saini Airport is Rs. 2500/- (approx.) and from Pantnagar, it costs Rs. 6500/- (approx.).
  • By Bus: There is a direct bus from Delhi to Munsiyari, which departs around 4:00 PM from Delhi and reaches Munsiyari in the afternoon, around 12:00 pm or 1:00 pm. The cost of the Bus is Rs. 1500/- per person, and the journey time is approximately 16-17 hrs. If you have motion sickness, do carry your medicine, because after Haldwani, the journey of the valley starts.
  • By Road: The roads are well-connected and maintained. You can enjoy the beautiful landscape on the way to Munsiyari and click tons of photographs.

    Itinerary and Cost – Munsiyari

    The suggested itinerary for Munsiyari is 3 days and 4 nights, which includes your travel time. In the blog, I have mentioned the places to visit, and you can plan the trip as per your convenience. The total cost of the trip is approximately Rs. 6000/- per person.

    Munsiyari Travel Tips

    • The weather remains cool throughout the year, so carry warm clothes.
    • In remote locations, you may face issues with the network, so download an offline map and carry a power bank.
    • For trekking at Khaliya Top, carry trekking shoes and other essential medicines.
    • In the mountains, the network may ditch you, so keep cash handy.

    Final Thought

    If you are looking for peace and a non-commercialized location, then Munsiyari is calling you. Munsiyari is not an expensive town, and the beauty is untouched. Whether you are a nature lover, adventurous, a photographer, or simply seeking peace, Munsiyari has it all for you.

    Pack your bag and explore unexplored places with Hema………

    Categorized in:

    Hidden GemsHill StationSeasonSummerThemeTourist PlacesUttarakhandWinter

    Tagged in:

    , , , , , , ,