Milam Valley

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Milam is the last village situated in Johar valley of Pithoragarh district in India. The river Gori Ganga originates from Milam Glacier and flows past the village to meet with Kali ganga at Jauljibi. Before India-China war broke out in 1962, Milam used to be the trade center bustling with 500 families. As of now all trade with Tibet is stopped and the families have settled in Munsiary and other places in the lower ranges. In summer months very few people go there and cultivate medicinal plants, high altitude Buckwheet and Jambhu. Tibetan merchants visited this place and traded in Borax,precious stones, Pashmina and Salt. The inhabitants of Milam too travelled over high mountain passes( Unta dhura, Jandi dhura and Kingribingri dhura) along with pack mules to reach Gyanima mandi in Tibet. They took Rice, Cotton clothes, Jaggery, Sugar,etc. to sell in Tibetan markets. The famous pandit-explorers Nain singh and Kishan singh who mapped Tibet territory belong to this village. The trek to Milam village starts from Munsiary a road head that can be reached from Almora or Pithoragarh. The trek passes through Lilam, Bogudiar, Rilkot, Martoli, Burfu and Bilju. Prominent peaks situated above the glacier are Hardeol, Trisuli, Nanda gond etc. Some of the camping places above the glacier are Nitwal dhar, Suraj kund etc. Nandadevi East base camp can be reached through a side valley from Ghangar and Pacchu villages. The ideal trekking period is from May to October excluding monsoon months.