Nanda Kot Peak Uttarakhand

Situated in the Pithoragarh district of Uttarakhand, Nanda Kot peak is the distinguished part of the Kumaon Himalayas. The literal meaning of the name of the peak is ‘Nanda's Fortress’ and referred as the holy abode of one of the sacred forms of Goddess Parvati, who in legend took refuge amongst the ring of giant mountains in the region. Nanda Kot peak lies just outside this ring of peaks that encloses the Nanda Devi sanctuary, 15 km southeast of the second tallest Nanda Devi Peak of India. Pindari Kanda, a 5,269 m high pass connects this lofty mountain to the sanctuary wall, and divides the Pindar and Ghori Ganga River valleys. Whereas, the Dana Dhura Pass connects the two sides.

As per the records, the first attempt to climb the Nanda Kot Peak was made by T.G. Longstaff, using the route of the Lawan Valley and Lawan Glacier in the year 1903. And the first successful ascent to the its summit was made in the year 1936 by a Japanese team led by Y. Hotta. A new route at the southface for the direct ascent to the peak was successfully undertaken in 1995 by a British expedition led by Martin Moran. Though now with the growing interest in the adventure activities in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, Nanda Kot peak is also one of the peak that is considered as the prime peak for trekking and peak climbing expeditions. Amongst the two, route through Loharkhet, Dhakuri Pass, Khati Village to Dwali base camp is the most popular route for mountaineering in Nanda Kot peak of Uttarakhand. So as to reach the starting point at Loharkhet, the nearest motorable place is Bageshwar which has viable accessibility from other major cities like Kathgodam, Ramnagar and Pantnagar that further connects it to the other parts of India, by bus, train or plane.