For me after Sangla and Chhitkul in Himachal, self drive to Munsiyari from Dharchula via Jauljibi & Madkot, under the mighty Himalaya range and along side river Kali and Gauri, was most adventurous and full of surprises. I took this unexplored route on 1st October 2014 and proudly completed this less traveled road through unseen places laden with stunning landscapes.
My whole idea to trotter down all the way from Delhi to Dharchula (650KM) was to explore this unexplored patch under the mighty Himalaya. From Dharchula there are two roads to reach Munsiyari, first is via Jauljibi-Didihat-Gauchar to Munsiyari which is most obvious mapped route and second is via Jauljibi-Madkot to Munsiyari which is less travelled and almost a barren road. And as an adventure seeker who travels places to enjoy self drive and click landscapes, second route was the obvious choice for me. This is a far more picturesque & beautiful drive compared to the obvious route.
Passing through Rugged Terrain!!
This entire route runs parallel primarily to two rivers of Uttaranchal through sparsely populated region of Uttaranchal where for miles no living creature crosses you. From Dharchula to Jauljibi, Mahakali or just Kali is the river, from Jauljibi to Madkot Gauriganga or just Gauri and after Madkot, road takes a bend at Dhapa Bend uphill to Munsiyari. Meandering along these rivers under the mighty Himalayan makes driving an adventure of life time experience.
As we start from Dharchula along kali River
Meandering along Gauri River
From Dharchula to Jauljibi (23KM), its just like any other mountain road. However, right after Jauljibi every bit of it is enchanting, surprising and other worldly. Gouriganga valley is very less traveled, rarely populated and comprises of one of the most rough & rugged road of India. It is one of the fantastically scenic, quite barren and an unexplored route and I will strongly recommend this to all the off-the-beat travelers.
Expanse of Gauri Valley
The entire stretch of 100KM is rugged & the snowclad himalayan range plays hide and seek all along the way. Mountain streams rush over the road at several places. Most picturesque part was driving through a water fall just before Madkot which I am sure will become most pictured spot on this route in times to come. Mighty Himalayan Range to your right & the Gauriganga river to your left throw surprises at each turn making up for the bad tarmac.
Stunning landscapes compensating for rugged road conditions
Road or No Road i must keep moving!!
And I am sure photographs of this valley and route can only let you understand which I may not be put forth with my modest knowledge of English language. Let the photographs do the justice with the beauty.
Road side Water Pool few miles from Dharchula with a Rainbow created by Water Fall
Water Pool with crystal clear water on road side
A rivulet merging with Gauri river
Water Streams on road near Baram
An old style bridge with a caution: Weak Bridge-Max load capacity 10 Ton only
The road ahead to Munsiyari
Paddy Cultivation in the Gauri Valley: Creating colorful Landscape
Cultivating Paddy In Traditional Way: Age Old Practices
Paddy Farmers of Gauri Valley
Most beautiful spot to stop on the way with beautiful people!
Virgin Landscapes of Gauri Valley
Road to Munsiyari Near Bangapani: Old World Charm!!
Gauri River: Constant companion along the way from Jauljibi to Munsiyari
It was quite an adrenaline rush to drive through the water fall near Madkot
Picturesque: Road under Mighty Himalayan Range through a Water Fall
It may become most pictured place on this route in the future!
My Car: Feel sorry for putting it through so many tests! Proud of you!!
Adventure at best: the River, the Rugged Road, The Water Fall, The Car!!
Thanks for being there on one more trip full of madness!!
View of Gauri valley from uphill after Madkot!!
The road less travelled to Munsiyari
View of Panchachuli as we enter Munsiyari
Picturesque Gauri Valley
Other Worldly Feeling!
I hope you guys would like the pictures and appreciate my efforts in bringing this lesser known, unexplored driving route or travel route to you all.
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Would love to know your story from such adventurous road trip to Himalaya.
If you feel motivated, please share this blog post with your loved ones so that they can break the mundane cycle of everyday life and explore the world.