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Vyas Valley

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About

Prominent as the coldest desert, Vyas Valley is a remote village which is located in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district. Renowned for its stunning landscapes and towering mountains, the valley is also referred to as Kalapani. It is named after the revered Sage Ved Vyas, who is believed to have visited this place and performed deep penance here. A cave near the valley is also associated with Sage Ved Vyas. Situated along the Kali (Sharda) river, the valley is perched at an elevation of 5,570 metres. Since PM Narendra Modi's visit, the site has gained a lot of attention among travellers. Vyas Valley comprises various prominent sites, including the OM Parvat viewpoint, Kalapani, and Adi Kailash.

Natural Splendour

Situated in Kailash Mansarovar Road, the Vyas Valley is located around 88 km from Dharchula and is accessible by taxi up to Gunji. From there, visitors must undertake a trek of 10 km to reach the Vyas Valley. The Kali Mata Mandir and Vyas Cave are among its major attractions. The kind of beauty the valley offers is quintessential and beyond imagination. Known as the coldest desert, the region receives heavy snowfall in winter, covering the whole region in a white blanket. Due to the extreme conditions, the mountains remain quite arid and lack greenery. In winter, the local inhabitants moved to lower regions, as it becomes difficult to survive here. The valley's natural splendour and cultural significance continue to attract adventurers, pilgrims, and nature lovers to explore the region's wonders.
 

The traditional houses, built in the indigenous Kumauni style, are adorned with intricate designs that reflect the region's once-thriving culture. The inhabitant of the valley belong to the Bhotia community, who are often seen wearing their traditional attire. Visitors can stay overnight to explore the natural charm of the region. Various homestays are available where you can enjoy the local cuisine and locals' warm hospitality.

Things to Do

Visitors can engage in a range of activities that will make the most of their visit.

TrekkingAlthough some part of the routes are connected by roads but the real adventure seekers often prefere the trekking trail, which allows them to experience the valley through its core.
CampingWith special permission from the forest and border authorities, visitors can also enjoy camping. On clear weather nights, you can witness the starry view of the breathtaking skies which makes it a perfect spot for stargazing.
PhotographyThe region is filled with stunning natural splendours, which is nothing less than a haven for photography enthusiasts.
Bike ride:If you love bike riding, then the valley has a lot to offer. The kind of experience you get here is more interesting and thrilling than a Ladakh ride.

Inner Line Permit

As the valley shares its boundaries with Nepal and China (Tibet), the importance of the place is evident. Unlike many other places, it is not easy for visitors to access the Vyas Valley, as they need to obtain an Inner Line Permit (ILP). The permit is issued by the SDM office in Dharchula and requires a police verification, a medical certificate, and a self-declaration.

How to Apply for Vyas Valley Inner Line Permit (ILP)?

Inner Line Permit for Vyas Valley, Adi Kailash, or Om Parvat can be obtained both online and offline.

Inner Line Permit Offline Process

There are two ways to obtain the offline Inner Line Permit.

By visiting the SDM Office in DharchulaThrough an Agent
  • After reaching Dharchula, book your accommodation first.
  • Visit the nearest government hospital in Dharchula to obtain a medical certificate.
  • Pay the OPD fee, which is around Rs 30.
  • After completing the process, the hospital authority will issue a medical certificate in the given format.
  • If you are declared medically fit, visit the nearest police station for police verification.
  • Post this, prepare a self-declaration in the form of a notarised affidavit from Dharchula Tehsil.
  • With all these documents, visit the SDM Office in Dharchula.
  • Collect the application form and fill in all the required details.
  • Attach the requested documents, like: -
    • Aadhaar Card
    • Photograph
    • Medical Certificate
    • Police Verification
    • OPD Fee Slip (paid during medical certificate)
    • Affidavit (Self-Declaration)
    • Pay the inner line permit fee, which is around Rs 200/- per person.
    • The officials will verify your documents and issue an inner line permit.
  • The offline process typically takes around 1 to 2 days, and sometimes even more.
  • To save time and effort, you can contact an agent near Dharchula, who can arrange the permit.
  • For this, the agent usually charges around Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 per person for the entire process.

Inner Line Permit Online Process

  • Visit the https://pass.pithoragarh.online/ portal.
  • Select the destination for which you are applying for an Inner Line Permit. 
    Vyas Valley ILP
  • If you are not a registered user, click on the Sign Up button to register. 
    Vyas Valley Registration
  • Enter the required details and click on the Register tab. 
    Vyas Valley Permit Account
  • Tap on the 'Apply Now" button to proceed.
    Vyas Valley Rregistration
  • Fill in all the details requested in the Inner Line registration form. 
    Vyas Valley Online Registraton Form
  • Upload the required documents in the specified format.
  • Select the declaration tab and click on "Apply for Pass".
  • On the next page, all the details submitted during registration will be displayed.
  • Enter the place name and provide your digital signature.
  • Click on the submit tab to proceed with the Innerline permit fee.
  • Tap on the Pay button to complete the online payment.
  • Once the payment is completed, your registration process will be complete.
  • Officials will verify your documents and details before issuing the pass.
  • You can check the status of your Innerline pass online by logging into the portal.
  • Once the pass is issued, download it, and present the same at the check post when asked to do so.

Documents required for Innerline Pass

  • Aadhaar Card.
  • Medical Certificate.
  • Govt Hospital OPD Slip.
  • Self Declaration Affidavit.
  • Police Verification Report.

Important Point related to Inner Line Permit

  • Inner Liner Permit will be issued for a maximum of 4 days only.
  • An Inner Line Permit will be issued to only Indian citizens.
  • Share one local emergency contact's details while filling the form; in the absence of it, share the details of your homestay in Dharchula.
  • Do not travel after 3 PM from Dharchula to Gunji or after 4 PM from Gunji to Dharchula.

Accommodation

Limited accommodations are available in the region; most of them are homestays with basic facilities. Visitors must book their accommodation in advance, as it may help to avoid a last-minute difficulty, and it is also required for your Inner Line Permit issuance. Some stays which are available in the region are: -

At Dharchula
  • Himtop Hotel Dharchula
  • Shiv Sadan Homestay
  • Hotel Gangri
  • The affinity Homestay
  • Rawal Homestay
  • Tulsi Home Stay, Dharchula
Gunji
  • KMVN Tourist Rest House
  • Napalchu Homestay
  • Dev Bhumi Home Stay
  • OM Parvat Home Stay
  • Kailas Mansarovar Homestay
  • Omkareshwar Athithi Homestay
  • Gunji KMVN Guest House
Kalapani
  • Simba Home Stay

Sudden surge of tourists

A few years ago, Vyas Valley was hardly visited by many. However, since the valley's visit by India's Prime Minister in 2023, the region has been recording its highest footfall year after year. However, this sudden change in visitors may likely disturb the fragile Himalayan Ecosystem. On the other hand, tourism has also become a new source of livelihood for many locals, as they now work as tour guides, run homestays, and operate taxis.

Important Tips for Travellers

  • Advance accommodation booking is important, as it may help while issuing the Innerline Permit.
  • Direct transportation is unavailable; first reach Pithoragarh and then travel further by shared taxi.
  • Shared taxis are available up to Gunji, and from there, you need to continue the journey on foot.
  • Without a permit, you will not be allowed to travel beyond Dharchula.
  • Shared taxis are easily available from Dharchula.
  • The permit issuance process may generally take around one to two days.
  • Keep at least 3 to 4 copies of your permit, as it will be checked at the Forest Check Post and the Army Check Post.
  • Bring one valid identification proof, as it will be checked at the check post.
  • If visiting by your personal vehicle, ensure you have all the valid documents.
  • Fuel stations are limited; ensure your vehicle has enough fuel for the journey.
  • Note down the important emergency contact number shared by the authority.
  • Mobile network coverage is limited in the region.
  • A medical fitness certificate, police verification and affidavit are important for an Inner Line Permit.
  • The Vyas Valley Permit will be issued for a maximum of 4 days.
  • To avoid any inconvenience related to the permit, it is advisable to use the service of an authorised agent.
  • Carry sufficient cash, as ATM facilities are only available at Dharchula.
  • Check local weather updates before travelling.
  • Avoid visiting during the monsoon, as it may cause various challenges.
  • Carry essentials, winter clothes and shoes.
  • Various trekking agencies provide packages to Vyas Valley.

Nearby Attraction

You can also explore other popular places in the region:

  • OM Parvat Viewpoint.
  • Vyas Cave.
  • Kali Mata Temple.
  • Adi Kailash.
  • Gunji.
  • Narayan Ashram.

How to Reach

By Road: - To access Vyas Valley, you first need to reach Dharchula, which serves as the base for the valley. Visitors with a valid Innerline permit are allowed beyond this point. Vyas Valley is located around 91 km away from Dharchula and can be reached by taxi up to Gunji, followed by a 10 km trek. Dharchula is approximately 92 km away from Pithoragarh, 591 km from Delhi and 585 km from Dehradun. The Uttarakhand Transport Corporation (UTC) provides direct bus facilities from Dehradun ISBT, Delhi, and Haridwar Bus Stand. Alternatively, you can also book a taxi from your respective places to reach the destination. Regular shared taxis are available from Dharchula.
 

By Rail: - The nearest railway station is Kathgodam Railway Station, which is 272 km away from Dharchula. It is well connected to Delhi through daily and weekly trains. From Kathgodam, you can hire a taxi or use bus services to reach the destination.
 

By Air: - The nearest airport is Naini Saini Airport, located around 89 km from Dharchula. However, the airport currently offers limited flights, mainly from Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport. You can also avail of Helicopter services, which are available from Munsyari, Haldwani, and Almora. From the airport, you can continue your journey by road using a bus or hiring a taxi.

Best Time to Visit

The best time to explore the coldest desert of Vyas Valley is May to June and September to October. 

Height from Sea Level

Vyas Valley is situated at an elevation of 3,600 metres, which is approximately 11,800 feet above sea level.

Nearest Spot Based on Religious - Hinduism

Weather Forecast

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