Munsiyari, Pithoragarh · Uttarakhand
Milam Glacier
A remote Johar Valley route to a 5,500 m glacier, past the old silk-trade village of Milam.
Milam Glacier is a difficult trek in Munsiyari, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, reaching 3,500 m. The best time to go is May and June and September and October. Plan 10 to 12 days on the ground from Kathgodam and about ₹2,500 per person per day.
What to do in Milam Glacier
The one thing not to miss
The glacier snout
The source of the Gori Ganga, beyond Milam village.
- 2Milam villageOnce the largest village of the Johar valley and a base for the Tibet trade; mostly empty stone houses now.
- 3MartoliA high village with a Nanda Devi temple and a wide view.
- 4Nanda Devi East base campA side trip up the Pachu valley, for those with extra days.
A sample plan: 6 days
Day 1
Munsiyari to the roadhead by jeep, then walk to Bugdiyar
Arrange the inner line permit in Munsiyari first. The road is being extended, so the walking days change from year to year.
Day 2
Bugdiyar to Rilkot
Up the Gori Ganga gorge.
Day 3
Rilkot to Milam, by way of Burfu
Old trading villages, mostly empty now.
Day 4
Milam Glacier viewpoint and back to Milam
Start early for clear views.
Day 5
Milam to Rilkot or Bugdiyar
The way back.
Day 6
To the roadhead and Munsiyari
Walk out and take the jeep.
The usual stages; operators and seasons vary, so treat it as a guide.
When to go
- ❄︎Jan
- ❄︎Feb
- ❄︎Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Why go
Real frontier Kumaon — Bhotiya villages, no crowds, and a glacier almost no one sees.
Why not
Long, high and logistically heavy. Road access to Munsiyari is already a full day.
Before you go
- Permits
- Inner Line Permit for the Milam side — check current ITBP requirements.
- Guide
- Required in practice.
- Safety
- Border area; carry ID copies and expect checkpoint delays.
- Phone & internet
- None beyond Munsiyari.
Altitude
Milam Glacier reaches 3,500 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness.
- Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained.
- Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills.
- Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down.
- Breathlessness while resting, a wet cough, confusion or trouble walking straight is an emergency: go down at once, by night if necessary, and get medical help.
- Medicines such as acetazolamide (Diamox) are for a doctor to prescribe; they are not a substitute for going up slowly.
General guidance, not medical advice.
Permits, food and festivals in Uttarakhand →
These details haven't been field-verified yet. Confirm permits, road status and weather locally before you travel.
If something goes wrong
Nearest help: Community Health Centre, Munsiyari.
All emergency contacts for Uttarakhand →What to pack for Milam Glacier
Worked out from its season, altitude and terrain. Tick things off as you pack; tap a name to find it in a shop.
Clothing
9 items
- Fleece or light sweater Evenings turn cold in the hills even in summer.
- Thermal inner wear (top and bottom) It is cold at 3,500 m, especially at night.
- Down or padded jacket Your main warm layer for mornings, evenings and high points.
- Woollen cap that covers the ears Most body heat is lost from the head.
- Woollen socks, 2–3 pairs Dry woollen socks for the night matter more than you expect.
- Quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs Jeans stay wet and heavy; these dry overnight.
- Quick-dry T-shirts, 2–3 Cotton holds sweat and chills you when you stop.
- Sun cap or hat Hours in open sun, with little shade above the tree line.
- Rain jacket or poncho The season here overlaps the rains.
Footwear
2 items
- Trekking shoes with ankle support About 120 km of uneven trail; break them in before you go.
- Camp sandals or floaters Let your feet rest at camp, and useful for stream crossings.
Trek gear
10 items
- Rucksack, 40–60 litres Carries everything for a multi-day trek.
- Rain cover for your bag Keeps your bag and dry clothes dry.
- Headlamp with spare batteries Camps and villages have little or no lighting; summit starts are before dawn.
- Insulated flask Water freezes in ordinary bottles overnight.
- Dry bags or zip pouches Separate wet from dry, and protect your phone and documents.
- Trekking poles Take load off your knees on the descent.
- Energy bars and dry fruit There are few or no shops on the trail.
- Tissue roll, hand sanitiser and wet wipes Camp and trail toilets are basic.
- Quick-dry towel Dries overnight in a tent.
- Sleeping bag liner Adds warmth and keeps an operator's sleeping bag hygienic.
Health and sun
9 items
- Sunscreen, SPF 50 UV is much stronger at altitude and on snow.
- Small first-aid kit and your own medicines The nearest chemist may be hours away.
- UV-protection sunglasses Protects against snow glare and strong high-altitude light.
- Lip balm with SPF Cold, dry air cracks lips within a day.
- ORS sachets For dehydration and tired legs.
- Water-purifying bottle or tablets Stream and tap water should be treated.
- Blister plasters and a crepe bandage New or wet shoes rub; treat a hot spot before it becomes a blister.
- Insect repellent Mosquitoes and midges at lower altitudes and in the wet months.
- A word with your doctor about altitudeYou will go above 3,500 m (to 3,500 m). Ask a doctor about altitude sickness before you travel, and plan a slow ascent.
Documents and money
3 items
- Government photo ID and two photocopiesAsked for at hotels, check posts and permit counters.
- Enough cash for the whole tripATMs are scarce and often empty beyond the gateway town.
- Permits and registrationsInner Line Permit for the Milam side — check current ITBP requirements.
Phone and power
2 items
- Power bank Charging is limited, and cold drains batteries fast.
- A SIM that works thereNone beyond Munsiyari.
For what you're going for
2 items
- Light travel tripod For sunrise, night skies and long exposures.
- Spare memory card and camera battery Cold drains camera batteries; there is nowhere to buy spares.
Read before you go
2 items
- A guidebook for Uttarakhand Worth reading before you go, and it works without a signal.
- A paper trekking map A paper map still works when the phone doesn't.
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Getting there
The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Directions open in Google Maps with today's road time. In the mountains, add a third to whatever it says.
- Normal car?
- The road ends before the place; the last stretch is on foot.
By road
From
Munsiyari
A short drive up the Gori valley, then several days on foot; allow 8–10 days for the round trip. Ask in Munsiyari how far the road is open, as it changes from season to season.
Live directions from MunsiyariFrom
Kathgodam
- Distance
- about 280 km to Munsiyari
- Drive time
- 10–11 hours
- Kathgodam
- Bhowali
- Almora
- Bageshwar
- Thal
- Birthi
- Munsiyari
Buses and shared taxis. Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. Munsiyari is the base; arrange a guide and permits there.
Pickups & drivers
From Kathgodam. Call or WhatsApp the driver directly.
No drivers listed for Milam Glacier yet. Drive this route? List your cab.
Milam Glacier: questions people ask
What is the best time to visit Milam Glacier?
The best months for Milam Glacier are May and June and September and October. April and November are possible but not ideal. Snow is likely in January to March.
How difficult is Milam Glacier?
Milam Glacier is rated difficult. The trek is about 120 km in total, starting at 2,200 m and reaching 3,500 m.
How many days do you need for Milam Glacier?
Plan 10 to 12 days on the ground, counted from Kathgodam. Add travel days to reach the gateway from your city.
How much does a trip to Milam Glacier cost?
Expect about ₹2,500 per person per day for a mid-range trip (stay, food and local transport). That is roughly ₹30,000 for 12 days, before the cost of getting to Kathgodam.
How do you reach Milam Glacier?
By road: from Munsiyari; from Kathgodam it is about 280 km to Munsiyari, 10–11 hours (Kathgodam → Bhowali → Almora → Bageshwar → Thal → Birthi → Munsiyari). Trains from Delhi reach Kathgodam, the railhead for Kumaon; shared taxis and buses wait outside the station. Overnight and day buses also run from Delhi (Anand Vihar) to Haldwani. Munsiyari is the base; arrange a guide and permits there. The nearest gateway is Kathgodam.
Do you need a permit or a guide for Milam Glacier?
Permits: Inner Line Permit for the Milam side — check current ITBP requirements. Guide: Required in practice.
Is Milam Glacier suitable for children and senior citizens?
With children it is not advised; with seniors it is not advised. It is quiet in season. Border area; carry ID copies and expect checkpoint delays.
What should you pack for Milam Glacier?
Pack fleece or light sweater, thermal inner wear (top and bottom), down or padded jacket, woollen cap that covers the ears, woollen socks, 2–3 pairs, quick-dry trekking pants, 2 pairs, quick-dry t-shirts, 2–3, sun cap or hat, rain jacket or poncho. Also carry a government photo ID, enough cash and any permits. The full list is on this page.
Is there mobile network and internet at Milam Glacier?
None beyond Munsiyari.
Will I get altitude sickness at Milam Glacier?
Milam Glacier reaches 3,500 m, high enough for altitude sickness to be a real risk whatever your age or fitness. Gain height gradually. Above 3,000 m, try not to sleep more than about 500 m higher than the night before, and take a rest day for every 1,000 m gained. Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol and sleeping pills. Headache with nausea, dizziness or exhaustion means stop going up. If it does not improve with rest, go down. This is general guidance, not medical advice.
Who should not go to Milam Glacier?
Milam Glacier is not a good choice for anyone who has not done a high-altitude trek before, families with children, senior citizens and anyone with a heart, lung or blood-pressure condition unless a doctor has cleared them for 3,500 m. Also keep in mind: Long, high and logistically heavy. Road access to Munsiyari is already a full day.
Close to Milam Glacier
Within about 35 km in a straight line. Hill roads are a good deal longer, so check the drive before you combine two.
- Pindari Glacierabout 20 km