An EPIC Road Trip to Adi Kailash & Om Parvat

I was intrigued by the idea of traveling to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat as there’s hardly any information about it online. It is one of the few regions in Uttarakhand that is still untouched.

But of course, it comes with its own set of challenges.

Little did we anticipate encountering not one, but two landslides along the way, testing our resilience. Despite the setbacks, we reveled in the beauty of untouched landscapes and forged unforgettable memories, reaffirming that true exploration lies beyond the beaten path.

While it’s possible to do this road trip on your own, you need to obtain permits and tackle landslides. So, it’s best to go with a self-drive road trip company like Chasing Sunsets. They partnered with Planet Way Round, their Himalayan road trip partner to make this epic trip happen.

Here is a rough itinerary of our 9-day road trip to Adi Kailash and Om Parvat to give you an idea of what it’s like.

Day 1: Delhi to Haldwani

I landed in Delhi in the morning at around 8:30 AM. I met Rohit from Chasing Sunsets here and we left for Haldwani.

This was an easy journey through good roads and we reached Haldwani in the evening.

Distance: 292km (6 hours)

Stay: Hotel North House, Haldwani

Day 2: Haldwani to Chaukori

This is where we met the rest of the group. We joined a convoy of 11 cars and we left Haldwani in the morning on our way to Chaukori.

Distance: 200kms (7 hours)

Interesting landmarks: Bhimtal Lake, Kainchi Dham (Neem Karoli Baba Ashram)

Stay: Neelgagan Resort, Chaukori

Day 3: Chaukori to Dharchula

Distance: 100kms (4 hours)

Interesting landmarks: Nepal – India viewpoint

Stay: KMVN Guest House, Dharchula

Day 4: Dharchula to Darma Valley

This is one of the most scenic journeys that you will encounter during this trip – and this makes it my list of top road trips in India.

Our journey led us through towering rock formations, cascading streams, majestic waterfalls, and an expanse of lush, vibrant green landscapes, leaving us in awe of the breathtaking beauty that unfolded before our very eyes. A mesmerizing tapestry of nature’s wonders! Truly a sight to behold.

Just after Dharchula is when you lose your network. Don’t expect to have a network until you get back to Dharchula which is about 4 days later.

Distance: 56kms (4 hours)

Interesting landmarks: The entire journey to Darma Valley is something to look out for! Panchachuli Peaks are a group of five snow-capped Himalayan peaks

Stay: Bluesheep Homestay, Dugtu Village (From this homestay, you can see the majestic Panchachuli peaks!)

Day 5: Darma Valley

From Dugtu village in Darma Valley, you can go on a short 7km hike to get a clear view of Panchachuli peaks – a group of five snow-capped Himalayan peaks.

This is part of the popular hiking route that goes all the way to Panchachuli Base Camp (4260m).

According to Hindu mythology, Panchachuli is where the Pandavas had their last meal before they began their heavenly abode.

The hiking route is filled with beautiful sights: lush meadows covered in colorful flowers, quaint villages with a rustic charm, and magnificent Himalayan birds gracing the skies, making it a pleasant and scenic hike.

Stay: Bluesheep Homestay

Day 6: Darma Valley to Vyas Valley

The journey from Darma valley to vyas valley is also very scenic and you’ll be in awe of the towering mammoth rocks, the abundant greenery, the gushing waterfalls while traversing along the Kali river.

You will witness mountain peaks and small hamlets across the Kali river on the Nepal side.

Distance: 92kms (6 hours)

Stay: Athithi Vyas Homestay, Nabi village (Contact Yug: 8755452581)

Day 7: Vyas Valley

Today is when you visit Adi Kailash.

As you are probably aware, this is en route to Manas Sarovar Yatra – a popular pilgrimage route among Hindus. Adi Kailash also has a special significance in Hindu mythology. It is known to be a meditation spot for Goddess Parvati and also where she created Lord Ganesha.

You can hike to Gauri Kund and Parvati Kund from here.

Go check out the villages around here if you have time. They offer an interesting perspective into what it’s like to live here. We went to Kong Rong village which is about a 20-minute walk from the homestay.

Interesting landmarks: Adi Kailash

Stay: Athithi Vyas Homestay, Nabi village (Contact Yug: 8755452581)

Day 8: Vyas Valley to Dharchula

From Nabi village to Om Parvat is about an hour-long journey. There’s a checkpoint along the way where you need to show the permits. Depending on whether it’s snowing or sunny, the visibility of Om Parvat might differ.

We were not able to spot the Om-shaped peak of Om Parvat because of bad visibility.

According to Shiv Puran which centers around Hindu God Shiva, there are 7 places where you could spot Om in Kalyug. So far, we have only witnessed one – and that is in Om Parvat.

From Parvat, head back to Dharchula. You will finally be able to access the mobile network as you approach Dharchula.

Distance: 108kms (7 hours)

Interesting landmarks: Om Parvat

Stay: KMVN Guesthouse, Dharchula

Day 8: Dharchula to Pittoragarh

This is a short road journey and an easy one.

Distance: 92kms (3 hours)

Interesting Landmarks: Restaurant with a view of the entire town of Pittoragarh

Stay: KMVN Guesthouse

Day 9: Pittoragarh to Delhi

Start the day early from Pittoragarh because it’s a long journey from Pittoragarh to Delhi.

Distance: 500kms (10 hours)

However, if you have more time, then split the journey between 2 days which makes it a little more pleasant. Head to Haldwani from Pittoragarh (185 km, 5 hours 30 minutes) on the first day and then head to Delhi from Haldwani (290 km, 5 hours 40 minutes).

Things to Keep in Mind on your road trip to Darma Valley & Vyas Valley

• Please note that this area requires an inner line permit. The permit is available from the SDM office at Dharchula. Documents required for a permit – Aadhar Card and Voter’s ID. But we didn’t personally procure permits – all our permits were handled by Planet Way Round.

• You won’t be able to access the mobile network in Darma Valley & Vyas Valley. So make sure to inform your friends and family well in advance when you are in Dharchula that you won’t have a mobile network for at least 4 days.

• Make sure to keep 2 days as a buffer as there could be delays due to landslides or road construction in this region.

• This region doesn’t have public transport, so either you can drive or ride on your own or opt for a road trip company for this trip. With safety in mind, it’s best to go with a reliable road trip company as these are mostly off-roading experiences inside the valleys.

• Only 4*4 are preferred for this trip.