Munsyari and Khaliya Top Trek: Routes, Camping and Where to Stay
Our late-October journey to Khaliya Top, with routes to Munsyari, the forest trek, a night at camp, sunset at Zero Point and official accommodation contacts.
Getting here · The trek · Camps and charges · Hotels and contacts
When we reached Khaliya Top campsite, the snow peaks stood out sharply against a blue sky. From the same spot the next morning, it was hard to tell where the mountains ended. White cloud had merged with the white snow.
We made this journey in the last week of October. The road to Munsyari, the forest climb and the open meadows each became part of the story. Munsyari, in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand’s Kumaon region, is the base for the Khaliya Top trek. Staying in town makes preparation easier; spending a night at the campsite brings a different view of the mountains.
How to reach Munsyari
Haldwani and neighbouring Kathgodam are common starting points for the hill journey. Choose the road according to the places where you want to stop, allowing extra time for visits to Kausani or Binsar.
- Via Tanakpur and Pithoragarh: travel from Haldwani through Tanakpur, Pithoragarh, Thal and Nachani to Munsyari. The road journey can also start at Tanakpur.
- From Almora to Bageshwar: one option passes the Binsar sanctuary-gate junction and Takula. Another goes through Kausani and Baijnath.
- From Almora towards Thal: the road through Badechhina, Dhaulchhina, Sheraghat and Berinag reaches Thal without going to Bageshwar.
- From Garhwal: from Dehradun–Rishikesh, the route through Devprayag, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Tharali and Gwaldam meets the Baijnath–Bageshwar road.
From Bageshwar, one route goes through Chaukori, Thal and Nachani. The other passes Kapkot, Bharari and Shama towards Tejam. The onward journey continues through Kwiti, Birthi and Kalamuni to Munsyari. In the road maps prepared for our film, the Bageshwar–Munsyari route via Kapkot is about 115 km, and the Chaukori route about 138 km. These are approximate road-routing distances between selected waypoints, not guaranteed journey times. Map data: OpenStreetMap and OSRM.
If considering a helicopter journey, check the operator’s timetable and confirm availability for your travel date directly.
Our drive from Kausani
We left Kausani, travelled through Baijnath and Bageshwar, then took the Kapkot–Bharari road. Our mapped route to Munsyari was around 156 km. The road was paved, but narrow in places. Through small settlements, pedestrians, parked vehicles and oncoming traffic shared the same space.
We slowed before blind bends, waited where another vehicle needed room and left space for livestock. Beyond Birthi, the climb towards Kalamuni brought more bends. These observations describe our October journey, not today’s road conditions. Check local road and weather updates before setting out, and stop for photographs only where other vehicles can pass safely.
From Khaliya Dwar to the campsite
Approaching from Kalamuni, Khaliya Dwar is at Balati Bend, approximately eight kilometres before Munsyari. The trek begins here, and trekkers must register at the entrance. The board showed six kilometres to Zero Point. At first, the trees hid almost everything beyond the next bend.
The campsite is about three kilometres uphill. Stone steps alternate with earth and tree roots. Occasionally the valley opens up, then disappears behind the forest again. Three kilometres here do not feel like a level walk. We stopped when our breathing quickened, drank water and continued at our own pace.
| Section | Distance |
|---|---|
| Khaliya Dwar to Khaliya Top campsite | 3 km |
| Campsite to Khaliya Bugyal | 800 m |
| Campsite to Zero Point, through the Bugyal | About 3 km in total |
| Khaliya Dwar to Zero Point and back | About 12 km in total |
The campsite-to-Bugyal section is included in the campsite-to-Zero Point distance. These approximate figures come from the trip’s boards and brochure and the camp operator’s information.
A night at Khaliya Top campsite
Above the trees, colourful tents appeared beneath a long row of rooms. This was our stop for the night. The location is also called Bhujani; the brochure gives its elevation as approximately 3,250 metres. Munsyari’s houses looked tiny below us. After dark, their lights revealed the town again.
| Item | Per person | Inclusions or distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Entry with a same-day return | ₹50 | Accommodation separate |
| Entry with an overnight stay | ₹100 | Campsite charge separate |
| Tent accommodation | ₹1,000 | Dinner and breakfast |
| Room accommodation | ₹1,500 | Dinner and breakfast |
The accommodation figures are from the brochure we received. The included meals were dinner and breakfast. Entry and accommodation are separate charges. Book ahead in busy periods, and ask for a date-specific quote covering meals, bedding, water, charging facilities and cancellation terms.
KhaliyaTop.com currently redirects to Cosmos Trek’s Khaliya page. Cosmos describes itself as the operator of the government Alpine Resort; its website gives the current tariff on request. Official Cosmos contacts: +91 7500727271 and +91 8979155510.
Outdoor Journey offers a separate tent package. Confirm its campsite location, facilities and booking terms directly. Telephone: +91 8958390128; official contact page.
The Bugyal, Zero Point and a change in weather
After checking in and having lunch, we continued uphill. Poor weather was forecast for the next day. After roughly 800 metres of walking uphill from the campsite, the forest gave way to open grassland: the Bugyal. What had looked like the final hill from below revealed another climb behind it.
The brochure places Zero Point at approximately 3,800 metres. The sun was setting on one side while light still caught the Panchachuli peaks on the other. Within minutes, the snow had taken on a copper tint. It was a reminder to allow time for the return: peaks can remain sunlit after the path at your feet has darkened.
We returned to camp. The next morning, clouds obscured the mountain outlines. One October visit cannot promise the same conditions throughout the season. Decide whether to continue according to the day’s weather, visibility and your own condition. In mist, stay on the marked trail rather than seeking shortcuts.
Preparing for the trek
Choose footwear with grip and a secure fit. Toes need space and should not hit the front on descents; heels should not slip excessively. Try boots with your hiking socks and use them on shorter walks first. The American Hiking Society’s fitting guide explains these fitting checks.
Carry water, some food, an extra weather-appropriate layer and a headlamp. Ask about water availability before starting. Walking and stair practice can help preparation, but keep the route within your ability. Plan the return and stay aware of your companions, as recommended in the National Park Service’s hiking guidance.
Take altitude symptoms seriously. Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) can affect fit people too. Headache with nausea, dizziness or unusual fatigue after gaining height is a reason to stop ascending and tell a companion. If symptoms persist or worsen, descend with support and seek medical help. Breathlessness at rest, confusion or difficulty walking straight require urgent help and descent. Gain altitude gradually, and discuss existing health conditions with a clinician before travelling. Source: CDC Yellow Book.
Staying in Munsyari: official contacts
Ask these properties directly about your dates, room type and budget. The contacts below are listed on their official websites. Confirm parking, access, hot water, meals and payment terms before booking.
Hotel Pandey Lodge
Address: View Point, Munsyari, Distt. Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand, India.
Telephone: +91 9411130316, +91 9411130373.
Official website and contacts
Milam Inn Munsiyari
Address: Near K.M.V.N Rest House, Munsiyari.
Telephone: +91 8439072556.
Official booking and contact page
Vijay Mount View Hotel
Address: Thal Road, Munsiyari, Distt. Pithoragarh 262554, Uttarakhand.
Telephone: +91 8449329977, +91 9411132041.
Official contact page
Wayfarer Munsiyari
Address: Near Tribal Heritage Museum, Nanasem, Sarmoli, Munsyari, Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand 262554.
Telephone: +91 9910295370, +91 9871587150, +91 9868808107.
Official introduction and contacts
Himalayan Ark Homestays
A network of family-run homestays in Sarmoli, Munsyari. Obtain the assigned host’s exact address when booking.
Telephone: +91 9917789950.
Official website
SamathaStay
Address: Shankh Dhura, Sarmoli, Munsiyari, Uttarakhand.
Telephone: +91 9910135320.
Official website and contacts
The memory of this trek is more than reaching Zero Point. Brief valley views through the forest, lights below the campsite and mountains disappearing into morning cloud belong to the same journey. Leave time to pause, and carry your rubbish back with you.
Our travel film: PopcornTrip’s 4K Khaliya Top film will be added here once it is publicly released.
Contact details checked on 7 November 2026. Travel experience: the last week of October. Confirm current rates and availability directly with each operator.