গারতাং গলি | Gartang Gali | India China Border | Gangotri National Park | Gaumukh | Nelong Valley

Gartang Gali | Gangotri | Gartang Gali Bridge | Gaumukh | India China Border | Nelong Valley | Day 6

Guide Sourav Panwar - +917302776862
Guide Yash Rawat - +919557949565
SWS Uttarkashi - [ Ссылка ]

Manoj Kumar (17 Seater Traveller)👇👇
+91 9897133111 / +91 9411565618

Gartang Gali, one of the most thrilling and exciting treks in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, was opened to visitors and tourists in 2021 after 59 years. Located in the picturesque Nelong Valley near the Indo-China border, the 150-year old Gartang Gali is a 136-m-long wood-lined stairway that is said to have been built by Peshawari Pathans, who created an architectural masterpiece by cutting the granite of a vertical rock face. This route was traditionally used by merchants trading between India and Tibet. It was damaged over the years after it fell into disuse following the Indo-China war in 1962.


Painstakingly reconstructed, the 1.8-m-wide bridge, perched at around 3,352 m (11,000 feet), challenges even the most enthusiastic adventure-seeker. Hanging from the rocky ledge, it overlooks the picturesque Nelong Valley and the flora and fauna, while way below rushes the Jadh Ganga river! The around 2.5-km trek through dense forests leading to Gartang Gali is arduous but all the strain is washed away the moment you walk up the steps.


Interestingly, it is said this is the bridge that Austrian climber Heinrich Harrer (of “Seven Years in Tibet” fame) had used to escape to Tibet from India, during World War II. His story later inspired the Hollywood film of the same name starring Brad Pitt.


Nelong Valley (aka Nelang Valley) is a cold desert mountain area in Uttarakhand, very close to the Indo-Tibet border. Truly the Ladakh of the Uttarakhand state, the region opened up to domestic tourists in 2015, after being shut from the outer world since the 1962 India-China war.


Bearing a striking resemblance to Tibet and features high peaks having a similar climate and landscape to that of Lahaul, Spiti Valley, and Ladakh, Nelong is a stunning place to be.


Given that the valley is a part of the Gangotri National Park and holds an important strategic location – travelers are not allowed to stay overnight. This rule applies within the 25 km area between Bhairavghati and Nelong.


Situated at an elevation of 11,400 feet, Nelong Valley is, in my humble opinion, a stunning, exquisite, and literally untouched region in the Uttarkashi district. Nelong Valley truly is a picturesque enchantment complemented by the rich wildlife of endangered species like Himalayan Blue Sheep, Snow Leopard, and Musk Deer. Apart from all this, adventure travelers and seekers of the unseen and untouched would definitely be enamored by this place!


Some say Nelong translated to the place of blue stones. The valley is storied and enjoys similar landscapes to Ladakh – thereby you can imagine the rich natural beauty of the region. The region also houses remnants of the treacherous Indo-China trade route. The old infrastructure still exists and includes the Lal Devta Temple and Garstang Galion. Also, it is believed that it was through this valley that Hienrich Harrer escaped to Tibet. What’s an added advantage – you get stunning views of the Tibetan Plateau.


The only unfortunate part is that since the valley has been closed to the rest of the world for nearly 6 decades, there is a real fear that the place might lose all its culture and heritage – as they won’t get preserved and documented. The government has taken the right steps in opening up the valley to tourists – though in strict guidelines. The aim now should be to gradually bring up trade and thereby, business to the local community and help in grow as well!


Long before Tibet was occupied by China, Nelong Valley was an essential trade route between Tibet and India. In fact, you will be taken aback by the sheer similarities between the valley and Tibet – if you’ve ever been there. This parallel is also common between the cold mountain deserts of Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh.
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