Milam Glacier Trek

The Milam glacier is one the largest ones in Uttarakhand Himalayas and draws attention immediately when you look at it. Milam Glacier Trek is about 15 km long and has a huge snout from where the pristine Goriganga river emerges to become the lifeline of Darma valley dwellers. This trek also gives you an opportunity to visit the supreme Sunanda peak (called Nanda Devi east) base camp by taking a small detour at Ghanghar.

From the technical perspective, the Milam glacier is a lengthy one, with about 13 days of trekking in mountains. Two weeks is a long time and the altitude, glacial winds, and weather can come a little harsh on you. Especially if you are not exposed to the Himalayan climate in past. The terrain is dominantly alpine, with the glacier regions being rocky with boulder and scree. These are some of the areas where one needs to be careful. The max altitude gained during the trek is around 4400 meters, which is good to test your body.

Overall, the Milam glacier trek is a great combination of technical trekking, cultural exposure, exploring wildlife and eco-diversity and tests of your stamina and strength. Make sure you are visiting the Nanda Devi east base camp during Milam Glacier trek.

MILAM GLACIER TREK DETAILS

• Difficulty: STRENUOUS
• Distance: 135-140 km
• Max Altitude: 4300 +/- m
• Trek Duration: 15-17 Days
• Location: Kumaon, Uttarakhand, India
• Best time: Mid-May till mid-June and mid-September till mid-October
• Nearest international Airport: New Delhi, India
• Nearest Domestic Airport: Pantnagar, India

Gears for Milam Glacier Trek

• Footwear: Trekking Boots (snow and water proof), normal walking boots, and floaters. Few pairs of warm/woolen socks.
• Luggage: Backpack (60-70 liters), Daypack (20-30 ltr), Duffel bag.
• Clothes: Waterproof breathable jacket & pants, Jacket (synthetic or fleece of down feather), insulated pants (Synthetic), Poncho, Sweatshirt, inner thermal (upper & lower), fleece, t-shirts, cotton trekking pants, shorts.
  * clothing as per the season/weather
• Gear for Hand & Head: Liner glove, Bandanna, Sun hat, Woolen caps, Face mask etc.
• Accessories: Sunglasses/Goggles, anti-glare glasses, water bottle, hydra pack, Headlamp with spare bulb and extra batteries.
• Trekking Gears: Emergency tool kit.
• Protection and First-Aid: Sunscreen, toiletry kit, water purification tablets, Zip-lock bags, ear plugs, first-aid and all essential medicines.
• Camping Equipment: Tents (4 Season), Sleeping bags (extreme -10 to +10 Celsius) with liner, trekking poles, etc.