Roadtrip from Gunji to Adi Kailash - Om Namah Shivaya! - Episode 2

Nestled in the remote corners of the Himalayas, Adi Kailash stands as a testament to the raw beauty and untouched wilderness that India has to offer. Our journey from Bangalore to Adi Kailash was not just a road trip; it was a soul-stirring adventure filled with mountain fun, adrenaline-pumping escapades, and unforgettable memories.

This post is in continuation of the post on our trip to Adi Kailash from Bangalore by road. You can read the part 1 here https://www.amitpahuja.com/single-post/a-road-trip-to-adi-kailash-om-namah-shivaya-episode-1

Om Namah Shivaay!

This morning we started from Gunji to the Adi Kailash, the main reason for us to be there was to take the blessings of our holy God. So we quickly got ready and started towards Adi Kailash which is around 35-40 kms and takes around 2-3 hours drive from Gunji.

You'll need the ILP to proceed further from Gunji and you have to show the permits a couple of places. At the first check-post, we stopped for breakfast and had some Maggie as we were not sure of we would get anything further up till we reach our destination. It was good we ate here else we would have starved.

Breakfast break and permit checking

The most delicious Maggie.. Don't know why Maggie tastes so good when in mountains..

The Maggie breakfast :)

The photo opp..

The parking for the permit checking..

The road further is pretty good now when we went and mostly tarred from Gunji all the way up to Adi Kailash barring few stretches of off-road and water crossings. When we went in June 2024, there were only 2-3 water crossings and they filled the most dangerous water crossing which was known as Ganesh Nala as well so it was a breeze.

The scenery on the way is breathtaking to we took a lot of photography breaks .The climate was good and was cold around 5-6 degrees when we started and fell further as we climbed upwards.

Breathtakingly beautiful vistaas..

Breathtakingly beautiful vistaas.. as would see the roads here were beautifully tarred and were in good condition.. I guess they were recently tarred and looked fresh. The whole route had good roads from Gunji to Adi Kailash barring few off-road patches and water crossings. If you have a decent SUV with good ground clearence, this route can be easily done.

Breathtakingly beautiful vistaas..

The peak what you see is the Holy Brahma Parvat

Before you reach Adi Kailash, you see Brahma Parvat. You can read more about it here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brammah_Parvat. We stopped here for some beautiful pictures and take the blessings to go further up..

Selfie to banti hai bhai :)) at Brahma Parvat

Just before you reach Adi Kailash parking, you need to get the permits checked again. So we had to do the same and proceed further..

One thing to note about checking the permits is that even though the army folks who are checking and making entries do their best to do the required process asap, but it does take some time. It took us almost 15-20 mins on an average at every check-post. The taxi folks generally are the ones who try to break the line and get ahead to get their permits and this delays it even further. This is certainly a pain point right now and the government should consider fixing this process..

The first sight of Adi Kailash is visible from here .. What a view it was.. Breathtakingly beautiful and felt blessed..

Adi Kailash first sight .. Om Namah Shivaay!

Anyway, after we crossed the check-post, we were allowed to move further and it took us about 5 min from this point to reach the main parking spot at Adi Kailash. When you reach the parking the spot, you'll be asked to park at the parking spot and are not allowed further. Actually there's no official parking spot here but the locals have made a parking spot and make sure they stop all the visitors here. The reason is that they want people visiting Adi Kailash to take Pony's to earn money .. which is understandable but its still unofficial. Its really uncomfortable to travel further without the cars and in Ponies specially for Old people who have back pain issues. Even though we want to support the local communities to earn money, we do not like or support torturing animals for this. So I decided not to go further up and park myself here at the footsteps of Adi Kailash where the view was just breathtakingly beautiful.

Adi Kailash first sight .. Om Namah Shivaay!

Adi Kailash .. Om Namah Shivaay!

Adi Kailash .. Om Namah Shivaay!

Adi Kailash .. Om Namah Shivaay!

Group pic with our trip friends

At Adi Kailash, you can also visit Parvati Kund which takes about 1-2 hrs trek if you walk slow and you can also go to Gauri Kund which is 3 kms trek and takes around 2-3 hours by foot/ 2 hrs by pony. Please note that there's very less oxygen here at this spot and people with breathing issues should be very careful while doing the trek or even being there. Even for normal people, it is advised to take precautions, drink lot of water, keep their tummies full and are advised not to exert too much to avoid AMS (Acute Mountain Sickness) issues which is very common here and can be seriously fatal if not taken care of. You can read more about it here..

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"What is Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and what can you do to avoid it? "

Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) is a condition that can affect individuals when they ascend to high altitudes too quickly, typically above 2500 meters (8200 feet). It is caused by reduced oxygen levels and lower air pressure at high altitudes, leading to symptoms that can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue, and difficulty sleeping.

To avoid AMS, it's important to take certain precautions:

1. **Gradual Acclimatization**: Ascend to higher altitudes gradually, allowing your body time to acclimatize to the decrease in oxygen levels. If possible, spend a night at an intermediate altitude before ascending further.

2. **Stay Hydrated**: Drink plenty of fluids (mainly water) to avoid dehydration, which can exacerbate AMS symptoms.

3. **Avoid Alcohol and Sedatives**: These substances can worsen symptoms and interfere with the body's ability to acclimatize.

4. **Know the Symptoms**: Be aware of the signs and symptoms of AMS and monitor yourself and your companions closely. Early recognition can help prevent the condition from worsening.

5. **Medication**: Some individuals may benefit from medications like acetazolamide (Diamox), which can help prevent and alleviate AMS symptoms. However, these should only be used after consulting with a healthcare professional.

6. **Proper Nutrition**: Maintain a balanced diet and ensure you're consuming enough calories. Your body needs energy to function at high altitudes.

7. **Descend if Necessary**: If symptoms of AMS become severe or do not improve with rest and hydration, descend to a lower altitude until symptoms resolve.

8. **Be Mindful of Altitude**: Monitor your rate of ascent. Avoid climbing too rapidly, especially if you have not acclimatized to higher altitudes before.

By following these precautions, individuals can reduce the risk of developing AMS and enjoy their time at high altitudes more safely.

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Anyway so I parked the vehicle here and just relaxed at the footsteps doing some photography and also spent some personal time at this place which was a huge temple in its own. One of the best thing that happened was the weather here was pretty good .. I mean it was COLD but the view of Adi Kailash mountain was absolutely clear which is generally covered with fog and clouds. So we were pretty lucky to have a clear view and get a clear darshan..

Visiting Adi Kailash was a profound blessing, leaving us humbled and enriched by the divine presence of Lord Shiva. We felt truly fortunate to have received his blessings amidst the awe-inspiring beauty of the sacred mountain. I just cannot describe the feeling I had when I was there in words so not even attempting it.. Enjoy the pictures..

@ Adi Kailash

My wife and her friend and her kid decided to go up to Parvati Kund by trek so me and my friend just passed time here and waited for them to come back. After about few hours, they came back totally exhausted and out of breath with severe Headache and with no energy left.. There's a medical camp run at the parking area by officials and we quickly went there to get some treatment for all 3 of them. The officials quickly checked all the vitals, BP, Pulse etc and good that it was just fine.. the Pulse dropped to sub 70's and BP was a bit High. They advised us to sit, relax for some time and eat something and drink tea/coffee which was served free.. along with some Pakodas :)

Medical camp where the authorities provided services to the visitors FoC

Free Chai :)

So they quickly had tea/pakodas and then we started our return journey so we can get to the lower altitude as that would have helped them recover from AMS. We drove back and stopped on the way back again at the point where we had Maggie in the morning for Lunch so that our wives and the kid feel a bit better.. We were lucky to get some tomato Pulao at the shack so we had that along with tea/coffee and then proceeded further.. My friend was having severe headache as well so he rushed back to Gunji but we took it slowly and spent some time at the riverbed on the way ..

Mesmerising views of the river and we stopped here for Photo opp on our way back to Gunji

River views

Mesmerising valley views

The sunset view

On our way back to Gunji

After spending some time here, we also went back to the Gunji camp so we could relax as well. So we were back around 5pm at the KMVN property where we were staying and relaxed a bit. The rest of the evening was uneventful so we just had dinner and crashed into our beds as we had to start next day early morning for Om Parvat.

Stay tuned for the next blog post on our journey from Gunji to Om Parvat and then back to Dharchulla...

Day 6: Gunji to Om Parvat to Dharchulla

- Next day we visited Om Parvat from Gunji which was a full off-road track but was not very difficult. On way to Om Parvat, you can visit the Ganga Mata Temple en-route which is pretty soothing experience as well. We returned to Dharchulla on Day 6 itself from Gunji after doing the Om Parvat trail. Om Parvat takes about 2-3 hours from Gunji and is quite a good but totally off-road ride with scenic and beautiful vistas en-route.

To be continued ...

Some bonus content

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Typical itinerary for Adi Kailash from Dharchulla

Day 1: Dharchulla to Gunji/Nabhidang

- Start early from Dharchulla and begin the road journey towards Gunji.

- Distance: Approximately 80 kilometers.

- Route Highlights: Enjoy scenic views of the Gori Ganga river valley and traditional Himalayan villages along the way.

- Arrive in Gunji by afternoon.

- Stay overnight in Gunji or Nabhidang, acclimatizing to the higher altitude.

Day 2: Gunji/Nabhidang to Adi Kailash

- Early morning departure from Nabhidang towards Adi Kailash.

- Distance: Approximately 30 kilometers (mostly off-road).

- Route Highlights: Trek the final stretch to Adi Kailash, crossing streams and rugged paths.

- Arrive at Adi Kailash, immerse in its spiritual aura and explore the sacred site.

- Visit Adi Kailash peak and Om Parvat.

- Overnight stay in tents or local accommodations near Adi Kailash.

Day 3: Adi Kailash to Gunji

- After breakfast, begin the return journey from Adi Kailash to Gunji.

- Distance: About 30 kilometers (trekking and driving).

- Route Highlights: Descend through scenic landscapes with panoramic Himalayan views.

- Return to Gunji by afternoon.

- Rest and relax in Gunji, reflecting on the journey.

- Overnight stay in Gunji.

Day 4: Gunji to Om Parvat and then to Dharchulla

- Depart from Gunji towards OmParvat and drive back to Dharchulla. Visit Ganga Mata temple en-route to OmParvat.

- Distance: Approximately 30, 80 kilometers.

- Route Highlights: Enjoy the familiar landscapes and reminisce about the adventure.

- Arrive back at gunji and then to Dharchulla by late afternoon.

Conclude the road trip with fond memories and a sense of achievement. You can proceed further to Pithoragarh if you need to or even to get to Railway station (Kathgodam) which is the nearest one. It takes another couple of hours to get there from Pithoragarh.

This road trip itinerary offers a blend of adventurous driving through rugged Himalayan terrain and immersive experiences at sacred pilgrimage sites like Adi Kailash and Om Parvat. Adjustments may be needed based on road conditions, weather, and individual preferences. Always prioritize safety and be prepared for remote travel conditions in high-altitude regions.

Points to note

Staying at KMVN Properties

During our expedition, we found comfort and warmth in the KMVN properties scattered along our route. These fairly-well-maintained accommodations (per govt. standards) provided us with much-needed rest after exhilarating days of exploration. Whether it was cozy rooms with breathtaking views or healthy meals that replenished our energy, KMVN properties ensured that our stay was both comfortable and memorable. The rooms are decent but not lavish. The food is served at the restaurant or at room depending upon your preference. At our time, there was a group that had come so we were offered only the food that was made for them which was basic and without onion, garlic etc. so take a note of this whenever you're staying with KMVN.

Other accommodations: Even though we didn't experience other stays, it was heard that KMVN had the best properties and facilities in this region even if they're basic ones. The other home-stays also had dormitories in this region that charge around 2000-2500 INR Per Person including Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.

View from KMVN Dharchulla of Kali River and Nepal (Yes those buildings across the river are in Nepal)

Acclimatisation: Acclimatisation is crucial when traveling through high mountain passes, especially in regions like the Himalayas. As altitude increases, the air becomes thinner, containing less oxygen, which can lead to altitude-related illnesses such as acute mountain sickness (AMS), HAPE (high-altitude pulmonary edema), and HACE (high-altitude cerebral edema).

Acclimatisation involves gradually exposing oneself to higher altitudes, allowing the body time to adjust and adapt to the reduced oxygen levels. This process helps mitigate the risk of altitude sickness, ensuring travelers can safely enjoy their journey without health complications.

In addition to gradual ascent, staying hydrated is essential for acclimatisation and avoiding AMS issues. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain proper hydration levels, which is critical at high altitudes where dehydration can exacerbate symptoms of altitude sickness. It's advisable to avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise initially, allowing the body to acclimatise naturally. Recognizing symptoms of altitude sickness, such as headaches, nausea, and dizziness, and taking appropriate rest or descent if symptoms worsen, are also crucial precautions for safe mountain travel.