Nandadevi National Park Sanctuary has been converted to a National Park. The average altitude is approximately 4500 mts and it is surrounded by almost 70 lofty peaks. From which Nandadevi is the highest which is 7817 mts. The park is in the form of cup with lush green meadows, chuting white waterfalls, and rich wild flora and fauna.
Eric Shipton wrote about the sanctuary , “All around us was mountain architecture more magnificent even than the great southern battlements of Everest “. Sir Edmund Hillary has said about the sanctuary that it is a god-gifted wilderness and India's training ground for adventure.
The park is temporarily closed for visitors on environmental considerations. There is a place called Joshimath which is the base for collection of stores, provisions, porters, guides etc. From Joshimath-Malari Route one route approaches the Sanctuary from a Lata here. One can choose option of trekking from Lata Kharak to Sanctuary which is an open wild and grassy hilltop and provides fabulous mountainscape.
The way from Lata Kahrak-Dharansi is a long way for trekking with lot of ascents and descents but everybody forgets everything once they get a view of Nandadevi while crossing the pass. The trek route passes by a way which is also the meeting point for other trekking from Rini via Kalikuna and Chinwari.
One can find Snow Leopard, Brown and Himalayan Black Bears, Bharal, Himalayan Tahr, Serow,Monal and Chir Pheasants in the name of wildlife in the sanctuary.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant, Dehrdun which is 315 kms and by road one can find nearest road head in Lata just 30 kms from Joshimath which is even connected thru bus services. Joshimath is linked by road to Rishikesh.
