Mana Peak: Height, Location, Prominence, and Geography

Mana Peak

🏔️ Overview

Mana Peak is a towering 7,000-meter summit in the Garhwal Himalaya of northern India. Rising to 7,272 meters (23,858 feet) according to Peakbagger, it forms part of the remote Kamet Group in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district. The mountain stands south-southeast of Kamet, one of India’s highest and most historically important Himalayan peaks.

The mountain is also known simply as Mana, while its Hindi name is written मना पर्वत. It should not be confused with Mana Parbat I or Mana Parbat II, two lower mountains situated farther west near the Kalindi Khal region. Although these names are similar, they refer to separate summits with different elevations and geographic positions.

Mana Peak is one of the world’s highest mountains. Peakbagger places it at number 89 on its list of the world’s 7,200-meter peaks, while some other widely used rankings place it around 91st. These differences occur because mountain lists do not always use the same elevations, prominence thresholds, or rules for deciding whether a summit is independent.

Its significance extends beyond height alone. Mana Peak has approximately 730 meters (2,395 feet) of topographic prominence, giving it enough independent rise to be treated as a major mountain rather than merely a subsidiary point on Kamet. Its nearest higher neighbor is Kamet, only about 4.23 kilometers away.

Mana Peak also holds an important place in Himalayan climbing history. British mountaineers Frank Smythe and Peter Oliver approached the mountain in 1937. Oliver accompanied Smythe high on the route but stopped below the summit, leaving Smythe to complete the final section alone on August 12. The ascent is therefore generally recorded as a solo summit by Smythe, although Oliver played an important role in the expedition and ascent.

The climb followed an approach from the Banke Kund glacier area and reached the mountain’s south ridge. It became one of several remarkable ascents Smythe completed during his exploration of the Garhwal Himalaya and the region now associated with the Valley of Flowers.

Today, Mana Peak remains a serious expedition mountain rather than a trekking summit. Its approaches cross isolated valleys, glaciers, moraine, crevassed snowfields, steep ice, avalanche terrain, and exposed high-altitude ridges. Historical expedition accounts describe deep snow, cornices, powerful winds, icefalls, and long sections requiring fixed ropes.

⚡ Fast Facts

Fact	Details
Continent	Asia
Country	India
State/Province	Uttarakhand
County/Region	Chamoli district
Mountain Range	Garhwal Himalaya
Mountain Group	Kamet Group
Parent Peak	Kamet
Elevation	7,272 meters / 23,858 feet
Alternative Elevation	7,274 meters / 23,865 feet
Prominence	730 meters / 2,395 feet
Isolation	4.23 kilometers / 2.63 miles
Nearest Higher Neighbor	Kamet
Key Col Elevation	Approximately 6,542 meters / 21,463 feet
Coordinates	Approximately 30.881° N, 79.616° E
First Ascent	August 12, 1937, by Frank Smythe
First-Ascent Route	Southern approach and south ridge from the Banke Kund glacier area
Climbing Type	Technical glacier, snow, ice, and mixed expedition climbing

The measurements above use Peakbagger’s figure of 7,272 meters and its calculated prominence of 730 meters for consistency. The Himalayan Journal and several other references give an elevation of 7,274 meters, a difference of only two meters. Small discrepancies like this are common among remote Himalayan mountains because older surveys, modern mapping databases, and digital terrain models may produce slightly different results.

📍 Location

Mana Peak is located in the northern portion of Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, within the Garhwal section of the Himalayas. It rises in a remote high-mountain landscape north-northeast of Badrinath and southeast of Kamet.

The mountain belongs geographically to the Kamet Group, a cluster of major summits that includes:

• Kamet — 7,756 meters
• Abi Gamin — 7,355 meters
• Mana Peak — 7,272 meters
• Mukut Parbat — 7,242 meters
• Mana Northwest — approximately 7,092 meters
• Deoban — approximately 6,855 meters
• Bidhan Parbat — approximately 6,519 meters

Kamet dominates the group and is Mana Peak’s nearest higher neighbor. Mana rises approximately 4.23 kilometers south-southeast of higher terrain on Kamet, with the two mountains separated by a high saddle of roughly 6,542 meters.

Is Mana Peak on the India–China border?

Mana Peak is frequently described in older articles as standing “on” the India–Tibet border. More precisely, the summit is recorded by modern mountain databases as being within India, though it lies in the high frontier region south of the international boundary with Tibet, now administered by China. Its remote location between the historic Mana and Niti trade-route regions helps explain why older expedition narratives often described it as a border mountain.

This distinction matters because Mana Peak is sometimes confused with mountains that directly straddle the international border. Peakbagger assigns Mana Peak to India and Uttarakhand rather than listing it as a shared India–China summit. (Peakbagger)

Relationship to Mana village

The mountain takes its commonly used name from the broader Mana region, which includes Mana village near Badrinath. However, Mana Peak does not rise immediately above the village in the way some tourist descriptions imply. Its summit lies deep within the surrounding glaciated mountain country, and expedition approaches extend far beyond the settled valley.

Mana village has historically served as an important settlement near routes leading toward Mana Pass and the Tibetan Plateau. It has also functioned as a staging point for expeditions approaching Mana Peak from the south. A 1992 Himalayan Journal account describes the expedition beginning from the roadhead near Mana village before moving along the Saraswati valley toward intermediate and base camps.

Historic geographic classifications

A Himalayan Journal account from 1993 described Mana as marking the eastern extremity of the Zanskar Range and lying between the historic Mana and Niti passes. Modern peak databases more commonly place the mountain in the Garhwal Himalaya, within the larger Himalayan system. (Himalayan Club)

These classifications are not necessarily contradictory. Himalayan subrange boundaries can vary between historic survey maps, mountaineering literature, geological descriptions, and modern topographic databases. For Mountain Field Guide, the clearest modern classification is:

Himalayas → Garhwal Himalaya → Kamet Group → Mana Peak

Surrounding valleys and drainage

Mana Peak’s southern approaches drain toward the Saraswati and Alaknanda river systems, which ultimately form part of the Ganges basin. Peakbagger identifies the mountain as belonging to the Ganges, Bay of Bengal, and Indian Ocean drainage system. (Peakbagger)

Glaciers and meltwater channels descending from the mountain contribute to a complex landscape of:

• Glacial streams
• Icefalls
• Moraine ridges
• High snowfields
• Rock-and-ice gullies
• Seasonal meltwater channels
• Tributary valleys known locally as gads

The southern expedition corridor follows the Nagthuni Gad area, while approaches from the east use the East Kamet Glacier system. (Himalayan Club)

📏 Elevation & Prominence

How high is Mana Peak?

Mana Peak rises to 7,272 meters (23,858 feet) in the Peakbagger database. Other references, including the Himalayan Journal and Wikipedia, give an elevation of 7,274 meters (23,865 feet). (Peakbagger)

The two-meter discrepancy is insignificant in practical mountaineering terms, but it can affect a mountain’s exact position on ranked lists. For consistency across Mountain Field Guide profiles, 7,272 meters is the best figure to use because it is paired with a complete set of prominence, key-col, isolation, and nearest-higher-neighbor measurements in Peakbagger.

At either elevation, Mana Peak is:

• More than 7.2 kilometers above sea level
• One of the highest mountains entirely within India
• One of the highest mountains in the Garhwal Himalaya
• Among the world’s approximately 100 highest independent or semi-independent summits, depending on the ranking method

Peakbagger ranks Mana number 89 on its world list of 7,200-meter peaks, while the 7,274-meter dataset commonly cited by Wikipedia places it 91st. (Peakbagger)

Topographic prominence

Mana Peak has a clean prominence of approximately 730 meters (2,395 feet). Its key col stands at about 6,542 meters (21,463 feet).

Topographic prominence measures how far a mountain rises above the highest saddle connecting it to higher ground. For Mana Peak, the calculation is approximately:

7,272-meter summit − 6,542-meter key col = 730 meters of prominence

This amount of prominence gives Mana Peak a distinct topographic identity within the Kamet Group. It is connected to the greater Kamet massif, but it rises substantially above the intervening saddle.

Some sources list Mana Peak’s prominence as approximately 720, 732, or 768 meters. The variation appears to result from different summit elevations, saddle measurements, and digital elevation models.

Isolation and nearest higher neighbor

Mana Peak has a topographic isolation of approximately 4.23 kilometers (2.63 miles). This means a climber would need to travel at least that far horizontally from Mana’s summit before reaching terrain of equal or greater elevation.

Its nearest higher neighbor is Kamet, located to the north-northwest. Kamet rises to 7,756 meters, making it almost 500 meters higher than Mana Peak. The close relationship between the two summits is one reason Mana is often discussed as part of the wider Kamet Group.

Despite this relatively limited isolation, Mana Peak should not be treated as a minor subsidiary summit. Its 730 meters of prominence, distinct ridges, separate climbing routes, and substantial distance from Kamet’s summit establish it as an important mountain in its own right.

Mana Peak’s world ranking

There is no single universally accepted ranking of the world’s mountains below the 8,000-meter level. Rankings depend on several factors:

1. Which elevation dataset is used
2. Whether subsidiary summits are included
3. How much prominence is required for independence
4. Whether disputed or unnamed summits are counted
5. How equal-height mountains are ranked

Using Peakbagger’s world 7,200-meter list, Mana Peak ranks 89th. Using other commonly circulated lists, it appears around 91st or 92nd. It is therefore safest to describe Mana Peak as approximately the 90th-highest mountain in the world, while noting the specific ranking system when an exact number is given. (Peakbagger)

🪨 Geology

Mana Peak forms part of the geologically young and still-active Himalayan mountain system. The Himalayas developed through the continuing collision of the Indian and Eurasian tectonic plates, which compressed, folded, faulted, metamorphosed, and uplifted enormous masses of crust.

The broader central Uttarakhand region exposes rocks of the Higher Himalayan Crystalline belt, an extensive zone of deeply buried continental material that was metamorphosed and later thrust upward during Himalayan mountain building. Regional geological work in the Alaknanda–Dhauli Ganga sector describes a thick belt of Higher Himalayan Crystalline rocks extending through this part of Uttarakhand.

Regional rock types

The Higher Himalayan Crystalline sequence generally contains high-grade metamorphic and igneous rocks such as:

• Gneiss
• Schist
• Migmatite
• Quartz-rich metamorphic rocks
• Amphibolite
• Leucogranite and related granitic intrusions

These rocks represent material that was buried deep in the crust, subjected to intense pressure and heat, and later uplifted toward the surface by Himalayan faulting and erosion. (Virtual Explorer)

Detailed, summit-scale geological mapping specifically identifying the rock at the highest point of Mana Peak is not readily available in common public references. It is therefore more accurate to describe Mana as part of the Higher Himalayan crystalline terrain than to assign a single unverified rock type to its summit.

Tectonic uplift

Mana Peak ultimately owes its height to the northward movement of the Indian Plate into Eurasia. The collision thickened the continental crust and drove large rock units southward along major Himalayan fault systems.

This mountain-building process remains active. Earthquakes, ongoing uplift, frost weathering, glacial erosion, landslides, and rockfall continue to reshape the Garhwal Himalaya. Even apparently permanent ridges are gradually altered by fractured rock, freeze-thaw cycles, moving ice, and seasonal precipitation.

Glacial erosion

Glaciers have played a major role in sculpting Mana Peak’s present form. Moving ice has excavated valleys, steepened rock walls, transported debris, and left extensive fields of moraine.

Historical expedition reports describe several characteristic glacial features around Mana Peak:

• Heavily crevassed snowfields
• Terminal and lateral moraines
• Steep icefalls
• Bergschrunds near the bases of mountain walls
• Corniced ridges
• Avalanche-fed glacier surfaces
• Rock walls exposed between ice-covered slopes

The East Kamet Glacier provides one of the principal approaches to the mountain, while the southern route crosses the Nagthuni and Banke Kund glacier systems.

The shape of Mana Peak

Mana Peak is distinguished by long, sharp ridges and steep glaciated faces. Expedition descriptions emphasize its narrow ridge crest, hard upper ice, deep snow, cornices, and exposed traverses.

The northern side presents especially formidable terrain. A 1961 expedition described a vast northeast wall rising thousands of feet above the glacier, a knife-edged northern ridge, frequent avalanches, and a difficult rock barrier near the upper mountain. The team reached approximately 22,550 feet but was forced to retreat below the summit.

The southern side also contains significant hazards. During a 1992 ascent, climbers encountered terminal moraine, hidden crevasses, steep glaciated slopes, corniced ridges, avalanche terrain, technical rock sections, and hard ice on the final ridge.

These accounts show that Mana Peak’s appearance is not simply the product of tectonic uplift. Its sharp ridges and dramatic faces have been refined by repeated cycles of glaciation, snowfall, ice movement, avalanche erosion, and rock collapse.

🌿 Flora & Fauna

Mana Peak rises through several ecological zones, but the mountain’s upper slopes are far too high and severe to support ordinary plant or animal life. Above approximately 5,000 meters, the landscape is dominated by exposed rock, moraine, permanent snow, and glacial ice.

Most of the region’s biological diversity is therefore found along the lower approach valleys rather than on Mana Peak itself.

Vegetation along the southern approach

Expeditions approaching from Mana village begin in the upper Alaknanda and Saraswati valleys. These valleys are already above much of Uttarakhand’s forest zone, creating a comparatively open landscape of rocky slopes, river terraces, alpine grassland, and scattered low-growing vegetation.

Depending on elevation, exposure, and snow cover, plants in the broader region may include:

• Alpine grasses and sedges
• Dwarf juniper
• Low-growing rhododendrons
• Primulas
• Anemones
• Saxifrages
• Gentians
• Potentillas
• Mosses and lichens

The short summer growing season begins after the snow retreats. Plants must flower and produce seeds quickly before freezing conditions return.

The Banke Kund side of the mountain can be greener in its lower reaches. Historical travelers described patches of turf, alpine flowers, small streams, and sheltered camping areas beneath the glaciers. Frank Smythe was particularly interested in the botany of the Garhwal Himalaya and spent much of his 1937 journey collecting and studying plants.

That expedition became closely associated with the nearby Valley of Flowers, although Mana Peak itself stands in a much more barren and heavily glaciated setting.

Life near the glaciers

Vegetation becomes increasingly sparse as expeditions approach the Nagthuni, Banke Kund, or East Kamet glaciers. Near the glacier margins, plants are generally restricted to:

• Stable moraine surfaces
• Sheltered cracks between rocks
• South-facing slopes receiving more sunlight
• Areas supplied by seasonal meltwater
• Small pockets protected from wind

Lichens are among the few organisms able to colonize exposed rock at very high elevations. Even these become scarce as climbers enter the permanent snow and ice zone.

There is effectively no vegetation on Mana Peak’s upper ridges or summit.

Wildlife of the surrounding region

The wider high-altitude ecosystems of Chamoli support several important Himalayan mammals. Species documented in the region include:

• Snow leopards
• Himalayan musk deer
• Himalayan tahr
• Bharal, or blue sheep
• Himalayan serow
• Red foxes
• Himalayan black bears
• Himalayan brown bears
• Pikas
• Marmots

These animals are much more likely to be encountered in lower valleys, alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and protected habitats than on the heavily glaciated approaches to Mana Peak.

Snow leopards may range across extremely high and remote terrain, but sightings are rare. Bharal, tahr, and musk deer provide important prey within the broader mountain ecosystem.

Birds

Birdlife is most visible during the approach to the mountain. Species found in the high Garhwal Himalaya include:

• Himalayan griffons
• Lammergeiers, or bearded vultures
• Golden eagles
• Choughs
• Snow pigeons
• Himalayan monals
• Snow partridges
• Accentors
• Rosefinches

Yellow-billed and red-billed choughs sometimes appear around high camps, where they investigate food scraps. Larger raptors use mountain winds and rising air currents to travel efficiently across valleys and ridges.

Only a few birds venture regularly above the vegetation zone. Most animal activity decreases sharply as elevation, wind exposure, and permanent snow increase.

A fragile alpine environment

Although Mana Peak’s upper slopes may appear lifeless, the lower alpine environment is extremely sensitive. Plants grow slowly, soils are thin, and cold conditions delay the decomposition of waste.

Damage caused by camps, discarded equipment, fuel spills, or human waste can remain visible for many years.

Modern expeditions should follow strict low-impact practices by:

• Removing all non-biodegradable waste
• Avoiding damage to alpine vegetation
• Keeping camps away from fragile wetlands
• Preventing fuel and chemical contamination
• Packing out batteries, ropes, cylinders, and broken equipment
• Following all expedition waste-management requirements

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Alpine plants may look hardy, but many need years to recover after being crushed. Stay on established approach paths and durable surfaces whenever possible.

🥾 Hiking & Climbing Routes

Mana Peak is not a hiking mountain. There is no maintained trail to the summit, no commercial trekking route, and no nontechnical “normal route” suitable for ordinary hikers.

Every known ascent requires a full mountaineering expedition involving glaciers, crevasses, steep snow, hard ice, exposed ridges, avalanche terrain, and extreme altitude.

Climbers must be prepared for:

• Multiweek acclimatization
• Glacier travel
• Crevasse rescue
• Fixed-rope climbing
• Steep snow and ice
• Technical rock sections
• Camp construction above 6,000 meters
• Severe cold and wind
• Long periods without outside assistance

Even reaching the base of the mountain involves travel through remote terrain with limited evacuation options.

The two principal approaches

Mana Peak has historically been approached from two general directions:

1. The southern approach through the Nagthuni and Banke Kund glacier systems
2. The eastern and northern approach through the East Kamet Glacier

Neither is easy. Both have changed over time as glaciers have retreated, crevasses have opened, icefalls have shifted, and rock has become exposed.

Historical route descriptions should therefore never be treated as exact modern instructions.

Southern approach from Mana village

The southern approach begins near Mana village, just beyond Badrinath. Expeditions generally travel northward along the Saraswati valley before entering the Nagthuni Gad.

The lower approach passes through:

• Rocky river terraces
• Steep slopes
• Boulder fields
• Old mule or shepherd tracks
• Lateral moraines
• Glacial stream crossings

Historical expeditions established intermediate camps along the Saraswati River before moving toward a base camp near the Nagthuni glaciers.

A 1992 expedition placed its intermediate base camp at approximately 3,780 meters and then established a higher base camp near the foot of the Nagthuni Gad. From there, the route continued over terminal moraine toward the high glaciated basin below Gupt Khal.

Nagthuni Glacier and Gupt Khal

Gupt Khal, sometimes called the Secret Pass or Zaskar Pass in older literature, is an important geographic feature in Mana Peak’s climbing history.

The pass is concealed from much of the lower valley and becomes clearly visible only after climbers have moved high into the Nagthuni glacier system. It provides access toward the Banke Kund side of the mountain and the high plateaus below Mana Peak’s southern and western ridges.

The terrain around Gupt Khal may include:

• Hidden crevasses
• Broken icefalls
• Séracs
• Steep snow slopes
• Hard ice walls
• Corniced ridges
• Loose rock exposed by glacial retreat

The exact appearance of the route can change significantly between expeditions. In 1988, climbers found that an icefall had become considerably more broken in only a few months, forcing the expedition to examine a shorter but more technical alternative.

Banke Kund Glacier route

The Banke Kund approach was central to Frank Smythe and Peter Oliver’s 1937 expedition.

After crossing into the Banke valley, they established a series of camps and explored the high plateaus southwest of Mana Peak. Their first effort to find a direct connection to the mountain was blocked by steep intervening peaks and an impassable break in the terrain.

They retreated, followed the Banke Glacier toward Gupt Khal, and climbed a difficult summit of approximately 6,640 meters before descending onto a small plateau enclosed by Mana Peak’s southern and west-northwestern ridges.

This placed them beneath the upper mountain but still left a difficult route to the summit.

Frank Smythe’s 1937 route

Smythe and Oliver initially attempted the face leading toward the west-northwest ridge. They found it covered by a sheet of ice more than 300 meters high and abandoned that line.

Their only remaining option was to cross the plateau and climb a buttress leading toward Mana Peak’s south ridge.

The route involved:

• Step-cutting on hard ice
• Difficult rock and ice towers
• An exposed ridge crest
• Steepening terrain near the summit
• Extreme cold and minor frostbite
• A long descent after the summit attempt

Peter Oliver performed a considerable amount of step-cutting and accompanied Smythe high onto the mountain. Approximately 800 feet below the summit, however, Oliver became too exhausted to continue.

Smythe proceeded alone and reached the summit in clear weather at approximately 1:30 p.m. Mist and snow developed during the descent, but both climbers returned safely to camp later that afternoon.

The Himalayan Club’s official report records Smythe’s summit on August 12, 1937. An earlier account based on Smythe’s handwritten letter gave August 11, with the editor noting that published reports used August 12. Most modern records follow the August 12 date.

Was the first ascent solo?

Mana Peak’s first ascent is normally credited to Frank Smythe alone because Peter Oliver did not reach the summit.

However, describing the climb simply as a solo ascent can understate Oliver’s role. He helped establish the route, cut hundreds of steps, climbed most of the mountain, and stopped only within the final section.

The clearest description is:

Frank Smythe made the first summit ascent of Mana Peak on August 12, 1937, after climbing most of the route with Peter Oliver.

Smythe completed the final approximately 800 vertical feet alone.

Eastern approach through the East Kamet Glacier

The mountain can also be approached from the northeast through the Dhauli Ganga valley, the Niti region, and the East Kamet Glacier.

This side places climbers beneath Mana Peak’s immense northern and northeastern defenses.

A 1961 expedition established base camp near Vasudhara Tal and advanced along the East Kamet Glacier. The glacier was described as a difficult mixture of:

• Unstable moraine
• Icy streams
• Large crevasses
• Rock and ice debris
• Avalanche runouts
• Steep glacial walls

Above the glacier, climbers attempted to gain Mana Peak’s northern ridge and move toward the northwest side.

The 1961 northern attempt

The 1961 expedition was one of the most determined early attempts to climb Mana from the north.

Climbers established several camps along the East Kamet Glacier and eventually reached approximately 6,873 meters, or 22,550 feet, on the northwest ridge.

The mountain’s defenses included a northeast wall rising roughly 5,000 feet above the glacier, frequent avalanches, a knife-edged northern ridge, hard ice, blizzards, and difficult rock barriers.

The first assault party climbed numerous rope lengths above its high camp but found that part of the ridge had collapsed, leaving no practical continuation. An alternative line ended beneath a smooth rock wall approximately 150 feet high with no obvious holds or cracks for protection.

Although the summit was only about 500 feet above them, the climbers turned back.

A second attempt was defeated by a violent blizzard and the apparent arrival of persistent winter winds. The expedition withdrew without reaching the summit.

The 1984 attempt

In 1984, Mana Peak was used as a selection and training objective for Indian climbers preparing for a later Mount Everest expedition.

The team approached through the Saraswati valley and Nagthuni Gad. Camps were established above the Uttari Nagthuni Glacier, across Gupt Khal, through a sérac-filled icefall, and beneath the northwest ridge.

The expedition made three summit attempts.

High winds stopped the first team. A severe snowstorm forced the second team and the camps to retreat. A third group reached within approximately 250 feet of the summit but turned around because of extremely poor snow conditions.

The attempt demonstrated how quickly a route that appears nearly complete can become impassable because of wind, snowfall, and unstable snow.

The 1988 Indo–U.S. Army expedition

A joint Indian and United States Army expedition made a major ascent of Mana Peak in September 1988.

The team approached from Mana village through the Nagthuni Glacier system. After aerial reconnaissance showed that the previously considered icefall route had become badly broken, climbers selected a more direct line involving a rock face, a steep ice-and-snow ridge, and a subsidiary summit.

The route required:

• Climbing loose and broken rock
• Bypassing a short vertical cliff
• Ascending a steep rock gully
• Cutting steps along a narrow snow crest
• Fixing hundreds of meters of rope
• Crossing an exposed plateau
• Climbing a hard ice slope to the summit ridge
• Negotiating rock bands and heavy cornices

The first summit group reached the top on September 13. Additional Indian and American climbers summited on September 14 and 15.

The expedition’s published account states that more than two dozen climbers reached the summit, making it one of the largest successful ascents in Mana Peak’s history.

The 1992 Indian Army ascent

An Indian Army Ordnance Corps expedition climbed Mana Peak from the south in June 1992.

The team followed the Saraswati River and Nagthuni Gad before establishing three high camps. Camp III stood at approximately 6,706 meters beneath Mana’s long, sharp summit ridge.

The route was threatened by:

• Deep fresh snow
• Hidden crevasses
• Cornices
• Steep glaciated slopes
• Strong easterly winds
• Afternoon snowstorms
• Avalanche conditions

During the first attempt, an avalanche swept two climbers down the slope. Their ropes prevented a longer fall, but both suffered injuries, and essential equipment was lost or buried.

The expedition reorganized and made another attempt.

On June 19, six climbers followed the hard, narrow ridge and completed the ascent. The final 500 meters involved difficult movement over hard ice, followed by a short traverse along the sharp summit crest.

The summit party consisted of:

• Captain M. C. Jayakrishnan
• Lance Naik S. K. Rao
• Sepoy Surbeer Chand
• Sepoy M. S. Rawal
• Rajinder Singh
• Kundan Singh

The expedition also climbed a previously unnamed 5,730-meter summit east of its base camp, which it named Shakti Parbat.

How difficult is Mana Peak?

Mana Peak does not have a single permanent difficulty grade because conditions and route choices vary greatly. Nevertheless, every established route requires advanced expedition mountaineering skills.

Major difficulties include:

Extreme altitude

The summit rises well above 7,000 meters. Climbers face greatly reduced oxygen, slow recovery, dehydration, sleep disruption, impaired judgment, and an elevated risk of serious altitude illness.

Crevasses

The Nagthuni, Banke Kund, and East Kamet glacier systems contain both open and snow-covered crevasses. Historical accounts repeatedly describe crevasses appearing or widening during expeditions.

Avalanches

Mana Peak’s snowfields, icefalls, and steep glaciated ridges are exposed to avalanche danger. Fresh snow, wind loading, afternoon warming, and unstable cornices can make apparently climbable terrain extremely hazardous.

Cornices

Several approaches lead onto narrow ridges bordered by large overhanging snow formations. A climber cannot safely assume that the visible ridge edge is supported by solid ground.

Rockfall

Glacial retreat and freeze-thaw weathering can expose loose rock. Rock faces used by earlier expeditions may now be less stable than historical descriptions suggest.

Severe wind

Expedition reports repeatedly describe gales, blizzards, and powerful easterly or northerly winds. Wind can stop progress, destroy tents, erase tracks, intensify cold injuries, and make exposed ridges impossible to cross.

Isolation

The mountain lies in a restricted and remote frontier region. Rescue may be delayed by weather, terrain, permit restrictions, communications limitations, and the distance between high camps and road access.

Experience required

A climber considering Mana Peak should already possess substantial experience on high, glaciated mountains.

Essential skills include:

• Efficient cramponing on steep and hard ice
• Ice-axe arrest
• Crevasse rescue
• Snow and ice protection
• Fixed-rope installation and use
• Technical rock climbing in mountaineering boots
• Avalanche assessment
• High-altitude camp management
• Emergency bivouac skills
• Cold-injury prevention
• Expedition communication and evacuation planning

Previous success on 6,000-meter peaks would normally be considered a minimum foundation rather than sufficient preparation by itself.

Permits and expedition organization

Mana Peak is an expedition objective, not a mountain that independent travelers can simply approach and climb without arrangements.

Prospective teams should consult the Indian Mountaineering Foundation for the current peak-booking and expedition application process. Additional permissions may be required because the mountain lies close to an international border and sensitive military areas.

Requirements can include:

• Advance peak booking
• Government authorization
• Approved expedition dates
• Route information
• Team documentation
• Insurance
• A liaison officer
• Environmental deposits or reporting
• Coordination with local and security authorities

Regulations, fees, and access rules may change. Climbers should never rely entirely on an old expedition report or travel website when planning access.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Begin permit inquiries many months before the intended expedition. Authorization for restricted high-border regions can take considerably longer than ordinary trekking permits.

🌤️ Best Time to Visit

The best season depends on whether a visitor wants to see the region near Badrinath and Mana village or organize a technical expedition to Mana Peak.

Best time for mountaineering expeditions

Most expeditions choose one of two general windows:

• Pre-monsoon: May through June
• Post-monsoon: Late August through September

Each period has advantages and serious limitations.

Pre-monsoon season

May and June can provide relatively stable periods before the full summer monsoon reaches Uttarakhand.

Possible advantages include:

• Longer daylight
• Gradually moderating temperatures
• Snow bridges that may still cover some crevasses
• A larger period available for acclimatization
• Less likelihood of early winter storms than late in the autumn

Possible disadvantages include:

• Deep winter snow remaining on upper slopes
• Unstable snow during warming periods
• Avalanche danger
• Snow-covered crevasses
• Difficult river and road conditions after spring storms

The successful 1992 expedition reached the summit on June 19, but it also encountered deep snow, blizzards, dangerous crevasses, and an avalanche that injured two climbers.

Post-monsoon season

Late August and September may offer clearer skies after the strongest monsoon rains have passed.

Possible advantages include:

• Improved long-range visibility
• Colder and sometimes firmer snow conditions
• Reduced rainfall in the lower valleys
• More stable weather during favorable years

Possible disadvantages include:

• Open crevasses after summer melting
• Broken and unstable icefalls
• Heavy fresh snowfall
• Strong winds
• Rapid arrival of winter conditions
• Landslides or damaged roads following the monsoon

The 1988 Indo–U.S. expedition succeeded in September, but the 1961 northern attempt was repeatedly struck by blizzards and eventually forced to retreat as persistent winter winds developed.

The monsoon

July and much of August are generally poor choices for a major expedition in the Garhwal Himalaya.

The monsoon can bring:

• Heavy precipitation
• Deep snow at high elevations
• Rain and landslides in the valleys
• Flooding and damaged roads
• Poor visibility
• Increased avalanche danger
• Difficult helicopter operations
• Delays in transporting climbers and equipment

Mana Peak stands far enough north to experience somewhat different conditions from mountains on the southern edge of the Himalaya, but it is not protected from monsoon storms.

Winter

Winter attempts would involve extreme cold, short days, deep snow, powerful winds, difficult transportation, and very limited emergency support.

Winter is therefore unsuitable for ordinary expeditions.

Best time to visit Mana village

Travelers who want to explore Mana village, Badrinath, and the surrounding lower valleys generally visit between late spring and autumn, subject to road and weather conditions.

The Badrinath road and local tourist facilities commonly close during winter because of heavy snowfall.

Visitors should remember that seeing Mana village is not the same as approaching Mana Peak. The mountain stands deep within restricted and glaciated terrain and may not present a clear close-up view from ordinary visitor areas.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Even during the preferred climbing seasons, expedition schedules should include extra weather days. On Mana Peak, several consecutive days of wind or snowfall can erase a team’s entire safety margin.

🧭 Nearby Mountains & Attractions

Mana Peak rises within one of the most impressive concentrations of high mountains in the Garhwal Himalaya. Several neighboring summits exceed 7,000 meters, while the lower valleys contain important pilgrimage sites, historic villages, waterfalls, and trekking destinations.

Kamet

Kamet is Mana Peak’s parent peak and nearest higher neighbor. It rises to 7,756 meters (25,446 feet) approximately north-northwest of Mana.

Kamet is the highest mountain in the immediate group and one of the highest peaks located entirely within India. Its broad summit, high ridges, and surrounding glaciers dominate much of the region’s geography.

The mountain also has a strong historical connection to Mana Peak. Frank Smythe participated in the first ascent of Kamet in 1931 before returning to the region and making the first ascent of Mana in 1937.

Mana and Kamet are separated by a high ridge system that includes Mana Northwest. Although Mana is closely connected to the larger Kamet massif, its approximately 730 meters of prominence establishes it as a substantial mountain in its own right.

Abi Gamin

Abi Gamin rises to approximately 7,355 meters (24,131 feet) north of Mana Peak and northeast of Kamet.

It was once treated by some early surveyors as a subsidiary summit of Kamet, but it is now normally recognized as a separate peak. Abi Gamin stands close to the international frontier and forms part of the same enormous glaciated mountain complex.

The mountain was first climbed in 1950. Its approaches overlap with parts of the historic routes used to reach Kamet and the eastern side of Mana Peak.

Mana Northwest

Mana Northwest, also called Mana NW, rises to approximately 7,092 meters (23,268 feet) on the ridge between Mana Peak and Kamet.

Although it exceeds 7,000 meters, its limited prominence means that it is usually treated as a subsidiary summit rather than a fully independent mountain.

Mana Northwest should not be confused with Mana Peak itself. It has separate climbing terrain, a lower summit, and a position farther northwest along the connecting ridge.

A small Indian team attempted the mountain from the Purvi Kamet Glacier in 1992. The expedition noted that Mana Northwest occupies the ridge linking Mana with Kamet and is surrounded by an extraordinary group of neighboring 7,000-meter summits.

Mukut Parbat

Mukut Parbat rises to 7,242 meters (23,760 feet) northwest of the Kamet–Mana group.

Its name is often translated as “Crown Mountain,” an appropriate description for its position above the high ridges and glaciers of the region. Mukut Parbat has two principal summits and a long history of difficult expeditions.

Together, Kamet, Abi Gamin, Mana Peak, Mana Northwest, and Mukut Parbat create one of the most dramatic high-altitude landscapes in the Indian Himalaya.

Deoban

Deoban, sometimes written Devban, rises to approximately 6,855 meters (22,490 feet) southwest of Mana Peak.

Frank Smythe climbed Deoban during his 1937 explorations while searching for a viable approach to Mana. The ascent helped him understand the arrangement of ridges, glaciers, passes, and plateaus surrounding the higher mountain.

The name Deoban is generally interpreted as meaning something similar to “sacred forest” or “forest of the gods,” although the mountain itself rises far above the tree line.

Bidhan Parbat

Bidhan Parbat is another summit associated with Smythe’s 1937 expedition. It rises to approximately 6,500 meters, although published elevations vary.

Smythe climbed the peak while exploring the complex route toward Gupt Khal and the southern side of Mana Peak. Like Deoban, Bidhan Parbat played an important role in the geographic reconnaissance that eventually made the first ascent possible.

Nilkantha

Nilkantha rises southwest of Mana Peak near Badrinath. Although considerably lower than Mana, its steep pyramid shape makes it one of the most visually recognizable mountains in Uttarakhand.

The peak is frequently described as the “Garhwal Queen” and appears especially dramatic from the Badrinath valley. Its technical faces and exposed ridges have presented formidable challenges to mountaineers.

Nilkantha is not part of the Kamet Group, but it is one of the most prominent mountains in the broader landscape surrounding Badrinath and Mana village.

Mana village

Mana village lies a few kilometers beyond Badrinath near the upper end of the road through the Alaknanda valley. The village has traditionally been associated with trade routes leading toward Mana Pass and the Tibetan Plateau.

Expeditions approaching Mana Peak from the south have used the village as a roadhead before following the Saraswati River and entering the Nagthuni Gad.

Mana village is known for:

• Traditional stone houses
• Himalayan scenery
• The Saraswati River
• Vyas Cave
• Ganesh Cave
• Bhim Pul
• Trails toward Vasudhara Falls
• Its proximity to the historic Mana Pass route

The village is sometimes promoted as India’s “first village,” reflecting its position near the country’s northern frontier.

Visitors should not assume that Mana Peak rises directly above the settlement. The summit stands deep within a complex system of glaciers, ridges, and restricted high-altitude terrain.

Badrinath

Badrinath is one of the most important Hindu pilgrimage destinations in India. It lies in the upper Alaknanda valley south of Mana village.

The town’s principal landmark is the Badrinath Temple, dedicated to Vishnu. Badrinath forms part of both the Char Dham and the Chota Char Dham pilgrimage circuits.

The town has also served as a gateway for mountaineering and exploration in northern Chamoli. Historical expeditions to Mana Peak, Nilkantha, Satopanth, Chaukhamba, and neighboring mountains have passed through or near Badrinath.

Seasonal accommodation, transportation, food, and other visitor services are available when the pilgrimage road is open. Most facilities close during winter because of heavy snow and severe weather.

Vasudhara Falls

Vasudhara Falls is one of the best-known natural attractions beyond Mana village. The waterfall descends over a high rock face in a stark alpine valley surrounded by Himalayan peaks.

The walking route is generally described as approximately seven kilometers from Mana village and about ten kilometers from Badrinath, although published distances vary slightly depending on the starting point.

The trail is much more accessible than Mana Peak but should not be underestimated. Visitors must contend with high altitude, exposed terrain, rapid weather changes, and limited services beyond the village.

🏔️ Field Guide Tip: Carry water, food, sun protection, and warm layers on the Vasudhara Falls trail. Even a relatively straightforward Himalayan walk can become difficult when altitude, wind, or afternoon weather is added.

Satopanth Lake

Satopanth Lake is a high-altitude glacial lake northwest of Badrinath. The trek generally follows the Alaknanda valley beyond Mana and Vasudhara Falls before continuing into increasingly remote terrain.

The lake has considerable religious significance and is associated with Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva. It also lies near the route traditionally linked to the Pandavas’ final journey in the Mahabharata.

The Satopanth trek does not approach Mana Peak directly, but it provides a more accessible introduction to the high mountain environment around Badrinath.

The trek requires acclimatization, appropriate equipment, a guide or organized support, and careful attention to seasonal conditions.

Valley of Flowers National Park

Valley of Flowers National Park lies in Chamoli district south of the Mana–Kamet region.

The valley is famous for its summer alpine flowers, glacial landscapes, waterfalls, and wildlife. It forms part of the UNESCO-listed Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks World Heritage Site.

The park also has a historical connection to Frank Smythe. He visited the valley during the 1931 Kamet expedition and later returned to the region. His writings helped popularize the name “Valley of Flowers.”

Although the park is not immediately beside Mana Peak, the shared historical connection makes it one of the most relevant destinations for readers interested in Smythe’s Garhwal expeditions.

Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi rises farther south within another great mountain complex of Chamoli district.

At 7,816 meters (25,643 feet), Nanda Devi is the highest mountain located entirely within India. The surrounding national park protects a remote inner sanctuary enclosed by some of the steepest mountain walls in the Himalaya.

Mana Peak and Nanda Devi do not belong to the same immediate group, but both are important 7,000-meter mountains of Uttarakhand and major landmarks in Indian mountaineering history.

💡 Fun Facts

Mana Peak is approximately the world’s 90th-highest mountain

Depending on the elevation dataset and rules used to distinguish independent mountains from subsidiary summits, Mana Peak is generally placed around 89th to 92nd among the world’s highest mountains.

It is safest to describe Mana as approximately the 90th-highest mountain in the world rather than presenting one ranking as universally accepted.

Its traditional elevation was 23,860 feet

Many historical expedition reports give Mana Peak an elevation of 23,860 feet, equivalent to approximately 7,273 meters.

Modern databases commonly use either 7,272 or 7,274 meters. These small differences reflect changing surveys and mapping methods rather than any meaningful disagreement about the mountain’s overall height.

Mana Peak is higher than every mountain in North America

Denali, the highest mountain in North America, rises to 6,190 meters. Mana Peak is more than 1,000 meters higher.

Despite this, Mana remains far less widely known because it stands among the many extremely high summits of the Himalaya.

Frank Smythe climbed the final section alone

Peter Oliver accompanied Frank Smythe for most of the first-ascent route and performed extensive step-cutting on the mountain.

Oliver stopped approximately 800 vertical feet below the top because of exhaustion. Smythe continued alone and reached the summit on August 12, 1937.

The first ascent is therefore credited to Smythe, but Oliver’s contribution was essential to the success of the climb.

Smythe had already helped make mountaineering history on Kamet

Six years before climbing Mana Peak, Smythe participated in the first ascent of nearby Kamet.

When Kamet was climbed in 1931, it became the highest mountain yet summited. Smythe’s later exploration of Mana built on the experience and geographic knowledge gained during that earlier expedition.

Mana has two principal approach systems

Historical expeditions have generally approached the mountain by either:

• The southern Nagthuni and Banke Kund glacier system
• The eastern route through the East Kamet Glacier

The southern side was used by Smythe in 1937 and by the joint Indo–U.S. Army expedition in 1988. The eastern side has also produced successful ascents.

More than two dozen climbers summited during the 1988 expedition

The joint Indo–U.S. Army expedition placed more than two dozen climbers on the summit over three consecutive days in September 1988.

The Himalayan Journal report describes it as a remarkably rapid operation, with the summits occurring only 19 days after the team left the roadhead.

The expedition also demonstrated how quickly glacier conditions can change. Aerial reconnaissance revealed that an icefall examined only two months earlier had become much more broken and unstable.

The northern ridge turned back a strong 1961 expedition

A 1961 team climbed to approximately 22,550 feet on Mana Peak’s northwest ridge.

The climbers reached a point only about 500 feet below the summit but were blocked by a collapsed ridge and a smooth rock wall with no usable cracks or holds. They made the difficult decision to retreat rather than continue into terrain they could not protect.

The summit is part of a long, sharp ridge

Mana Peak does not have a broad, flat summit plateau. Expedition reports describe a narrow and exposed upper ridge, including a final traverse over hard ice.

Cornices can make the apparent edge of the ridge extremely dangerous because the visible snow may extend beyond the supporting rock or ice beneath it.

Mana Peak is not Mana Parbat I or Mana Parbat II

Mana Peak is sometimes confused with Mana Parbat I and Mana Parbat II, two separate summits near the Kalindi Glacier.

Mana Parbat I and II are both approximately 6,770 meters high and lie in a different part of the Garhwal Himalaya. They are not subsidiary summits of the 7,272-meter Mana Peak.

Historical routes may no longer be climbable in the same way

A later expedition examining Smythe’s route reported that the terrain near Gupt Khal had changed considerably.

Glacial retreat, broken icefalls, collapsing ridges, newly exposed rock, and changing crevasse patterns mean that a description from 1937, 1961, or 1988 cannot be treated as a modern route guide.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

How high is Mana Peak?

Mana Peak rises to 7,272 meters (23,858 feet) according to Peakbagger.

Several other references give an elevation of 7,274 meters (23,865 feet), while older expedition accounts commonly use 23,860 feet.

All three figures describe essentially the same summit elevation.

Where is Mana Peak located?

Mana Peak is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, within the Garhwal Himalaya.

It rises in the Kamet Group north of Badrinath and southeast of Kamet.

Is Mana Peak on the India–China border?

The mountain lies close to the frontier with Tibet, but modern peak databases generally place the summit within India rather than directly on the international boundary.

Because it stands in a sensitive high-border region, access may still be restricted and subject to special authorization.

What mountain range is Mana Peak in?

Mana Peak belongs to the Garhwal Himalaya, a major regional division of the Himalayas in Uttarakhand.

More specifically, it forms part of the Kamet Group.

What is Mana Peak’s parent mountain?

Mana Peak’s parent peak is Kamet, which rises to 7,756 meters north-northwest of Mana.

The two mountains are connected through a high ridge system containing Mana Northwest.

What is Mana Peak’s topographic prominence?

Mana Peak has approximately 730 meters (2,395 feet) of topographic prominence.

Its key col is estimated at approximately 6,542 meters.

What is Mana Peak’s isolation?

Mana Peak has approximately 4.23 kilometers (2.63 miles) of topographic isolation.

Its nearest higher terrain is found toward Kamet.

Who made the first ascent of Mana Peak?

British mountaineer Frank Smythe made the first ascent on August 12, 1937.

Peter Oliver accompanied him for most of the climb but stopped approximately 800 vertical feet below the summit.

Was the first ascent of Mana Peak a solo climb?

The final section was climbed alone by Frank Smythe, so the summit ascent is credited to him individually.

However, it was not a completely unsupported solo expedition. Peter Oliver helped explore the route, cut steps, and climbed most of the mountain with Smythe.

Is Mana Peak still unclimbed?

No. Mana Peak has received several successful ascents since Frank Smythe reached the summit in 1937.

Recorded later ascents include Indian expeditions, an Indo-Tibetan Border Police ascent, the joint Indo–U.S. Army expedition of 1988, and an Indian Army Ordnance Corps ascent in 1992.

Can ordinary hikers climb Mana Peak?

No. Mana Peak is a technical expedition mountain requiring advanced glacier, snow, ice, rock, rescue, and high-altitude skills.

It is not suitable for hikers, beginning climbers, or travelers seeking a trekking summit.

Is there an easy route up Mana Peak?

No route on Mana Peak should be considered easy.

The southern and eastern approaches both involve remote glaciers, crevasses, steep snow, hard ice, exposed ridges, avalanche terrain, and elevations above 7,000 meters.

Conditions may differ dramatically from one year to another.

What is considered the normal route?

Mana Peak does not have a heavily traveled commercial normal route comparable to Mount Everest’s Southeast Ridge or the standard routes on many trekking peaks.

The historically important southern route approaches through the Nagthuni and Banke Kund glacier systems. Other successful expeditions have approached through the East Kamet Glacier.

The safest practical line in any particular season depends on current glacier and snow conditions.

How long does a Mana Peak expedition take?

The exact duration depends on permits, transportation, acclimatization, route conditions, weather, and the experience of the team.

A responsible expedition would normally require several weeks for the approach, acclimatization, establishment of high camps, summit attempts, and withdrawal.

Additional contingency days are essential.

What are the greatest dangers on Mana Peak?

The principal dangers include:

• Extreme altitude
• Crevasses
• Avalanches
• Cornices
• Hard ice
• Rockfall
• Severe wind
• Blizzards
• Glacier instability
• Difficult rescue and evacuation

Historical accounts demonstrate that climbers have been forced to retreat even when they were only a few hundred feet below the summit.

Are permits required to climb Mana Peak?

Yes. Teams should consult the Indian Mountaineering Foundation and relevant government authorities before making any expedition plans.

Because Mana Peak lies near an international frontier, additional security and restricted-area permissions may be required.

Regulations and fees can change, so historical permit information should not be used for a modern expedition.

When is the best time to climb Mana Peak?

The principal mountaineering seasons are generally:

• May through June, before the strongest monsoon weather
• Late August through September, after the main monsoon period

Neither period guarantees stable conditions. Deep snow, avalanches, open crevasses, storms, and powerful winds are possible in both seasons.

Can Mana Peak be seen from Mana village?

The mountain lies deep within the surrounding glaciated terrain and does not necessarily appear as an obvious isolated summit from ordinary visitor areas in Mana village.

Views may be obstructed by intervening ridges and mountains. Reaching the expedition approaches requires traveling far beyond the village and into restricted terrain.

Can tourists visit Mana Peak’s base camp?

The historic expedition base camps are not ordinary tourist destinations.

Reaching them may require restricted-area permission, local authorization, expedition support, glacier travel, route-finding, and coordination with security authorities.

Visitors should choose established regional treks such as Vasudhara Falls or Satopanth Lake rather than attempting to follow a mountaineering approach independently.

What is the difference between Mana Peak and Mana Parbat?

Mana Peak is the 7,272-meter mountain near Kamet.

Mana Parbat I and Mana Parbat II are separate mountains of approximately 6,770 meters near the Kalindi Glacier and Gangotri region.

The similar names sometimes cause them to be combined incorrectly in mountain lists and online descriptions.

Why is Mana Peak not more famous?

Mana Peak is overshadowed by better-known Himalayan mountains such as Mount Everest, Nanda Devi, Kamet, and nearby pilgrimage destinations.

Its restricted location, difficult access, lack of a commercial climbing route, and position among many other 7,000-meter peaks also limit its international recognition.

Nevertheless, its height, prominence, climbing history, and connection to Frank Smythe make it one of the most significant mountains of the Garhwal Himalaya.

🔗 Related Articles

Existing Mountain Field Guide articles

• Kamet
• Mukut Parbat
• Nanda Devi
• Highest Mountains in Asia
• Highest Peaks of the Himalayas
• Mountains in Asia
• Mountains by Country
• Mountain Ranges
• Hiking & Climbing
• What Is a Parent Peak?
• Abi Gamin
• Mana Northwest
• Deoban
• Bidhan Parbat
• Nilkantha
• Garhwal Himalaya
• Mountains in Uttarakhand
• Highest Mountains in India
• Mana Village
• Badrinath
• Vasudhara Falls
• Satopanth Lake

Sources

• Peakbagger – Mana — Elevation, coordinates, prominence, isolation, parent peak, and nearest-higher-neighbor data.
• Peakbagger – Key Col for Mana — Key-col elevation and prominence calculation.
• Himalayan Journal – Surveys and Various Expeditions — Contemporary record of Frank Smythe’s 1937 first ascent and Garhwal explorations.
• Himalayan Journal – Mana Expedition, 1961 — Detailed account of the northern attempt through the East Kamet Glacier.
• Himalayan Journal – Central Garhwal and Kumaon — Regional mountaineering chronology and recorded ascents of Mana and neighboring peaks.
• Himalayan Journal – Indo–U.S. Army Expedition to Mana — Route, conditions, camps, and summit record from the 1988 expedition.
• Himalayan Journal – Mana Peak, 1992 — Indian Army Ordnance Corps expedition, avalanche accident, summit ridge, and June 19 ascent.
• Indian Mountaineering Foundation – Peaks and Expeditions — Current expedition application and team-registration process.
• Uttarakhand Tourism – Mana — Official visitor information for Mana village and regional trekking destinations.
• Uttarakhand Tourism – Badrinath — Official information about Badrinath and Vasudhara Falls.
• Chamoli District Administration – Vasu Dhara — Government information about access to Vasudhara Falls from Mana village.
• Uttarakhand Tourism – Valley of Flowers — Official information about the national park, vegetation, wildlife, and UNESCO landscape.