Gunji Village: Base Camp for Adi Kailash and Om Parvat

Facts checked November 2026.

Every Adi Kailash and Om Parvat yatra passes through Gunji, and most yatris sleep here at least two nights. It is where the body gets used to the thin air, where the road splits for the two darshans, and where you will eat, rest and plan the next day. Knowing what Gunji is like makes the whole yatra calmer.

This page is part of our How to Reach Adi Kailash and Om Parvat guide. Planning the yatra? See our Adi Kailash yatra packages.

Where is Gunji village?

Gunji is in the Dharchula tehsil of Pithoragarh district, near the borders with Tibet and Nepal. The Ministry of Tourism’s Rural Tourism page says it sits at the east end of the Kuthi (Kuti) valley, near the confluence of the Kuthi Yankti and Kalapani rivers, and that it is one of 21 upper-Himalayan villages of the Dharchula block (Rural Tourism, Govt of India).

From Gunji, one valley goes north-west up the Kuti river to Kuti village and Jolingkong (Adi Kailash). The other goes north up the Kali river past Kalapani to Nabhidhang (Om Parvat) and on towards Lipulekh. That is why Gunji is the base for both darshans.

What is the altitude of Gunji?

Sources give different figures. The Pithoragarh district trek table lists Gunji at 3,220 m (and 3,200 m on the return leg) (Pithoragarh district), while the Rural Tourism page gives about 3,500 metres (11,482 ft in its information box). Either way, Gunji is far higher than Dharchula, and many people feel a mild headache or breathlessness on the first evening. This is why a rest day here matters. Walk slowly, drink enough water and tell your group leader if a headache gets worse.

How do you reach Gunji?

1. Reach Dharchula via Pithoragarh. Delhi to Pithoragarh is 457 km by road; Tanakpur railway station is 138 km from Pithoragarh (Pithoragarh district).
2. Collect the Inner Line Permit at the SDM office in Dharchula. See our Adi Kailash permit guide.
3. Drive by 4×4 to Gunji on the border road up the Kali gorge. The Rural Tourism page gives 65 km from Dharchula; a Union minister described the Dharchula–Gunji stretch as roughly 80 km (The Statesman).

The road passes cliffs above the river near Chiyalekh, where the slopes are weak. A Union minister has announced a 5.4 km tunnel between Bundi and Gunji to bypass this part and shorten the drive by about 22 km; work starts only after its project report is ready and approved by the Centre (The Statesman). For the full journey, see how to reach Adi Kailash.

How far is Gunji from Adi Kailash, Om Parvat and Dharchula?

These are the old trail distances. The BRO road follows the same valleys, so road distances are similar but not identical. Road times vary with weather and road works, so ask your driver each morning. For every road and trek distance in one chart, see our Adi Kailash distance guide.

Where do yatris stay in Gunji?

Most yatris stay in homestays and simple guest houses run by village families. Rooms are basic and food is simple home cooking. There are no hotels in the city sense, so keep expectations simple and carry your own toiletries, a torch, warm layers and a power bank.

The Rural Tourism page notes that villagers move down to lower areas, mainly Dharchula, when winter comes. So Gunji is lively in the yatra season and largely empty in deep winter.

Is there mobile network in Gunji?

Coverage has been improving but is still not dependable. In December 2023, Reliance Jio said it had started 4G at Kuti village (12,300 feet) on the Adi Kailash route, and that its towers at Nabi and Gunji were in the final stages (tele.net). In practice, signal can drop for hours, especially in bad weather or power cuts. Tell your family you may be out of touch for a day or two, and keep some cash, because card and UPI payments may not work.

What is there to see in and around Gunji?

• Om Parvat: from Nabhidhang, up the Kali valley. See our Om Parvat darshan guide.
• Adi Kailash and Parvati Kund: at Jolingkong, up the Kuti valley.
• Kalapani: on the Om Parvat road, with a Kali temple.
• Kuti village: a high village on the Adi Kailash road.
• Village life: Gunji has a population of 335 by the Rural Tourism page, and it is a base for trekking and mountaineering in the region.

On 12 October 2023 the Prime Minister performed puja at Parvati Kund, Jolingkong, and then visited Gunji to meet villagers and Army, ITBP and BRO personnel (PM India).

How many days should you stay in Gunji?

Plan at least two nights, and three if you are older or this is your first time at high altitude:

On the government Kailash Mansarovar Yatra, batches also pause in this area to get used to the height. In 2025, PTI reported the first batch spending an extra day at Nabhidhang, above Gunji, before crossing Lipulekh (ETV Bharat / PTI).

When is the best time to visit Gunji?

Gunji is visited in the Adi Kailash season, which has run roughly from May to October in recent years. Villagers move down to Dharchula for winter, as the Rural Tourism page notes. The monsoon months bring landslide risk on the road below, so keep spare days.

How can you plan a yatra through Gunji?

Our Adi Kailash and Om Parvat Yatra from Dharchula and yatra from Delhi include nights at Gunji. Call or WhatsApp +91 78178 98687, or write to shiva@yatratotemples.in.

Related guides: Dharchula guide: weather, how to reach, permits

Related guide: read our Vyas Valley guide.

Frequently asked questions

Where is Gunji village?

Gunji is in Dharchula tehsil of Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand, in the Vyas valley near the Tibet and Nepal borders. It lies near the meeting of the Kuti Yankti and Kalapani rivers.

What is the height of Gunji?

The Pithoragarh district trek table lists 3,220 m and the Rural Tourism page gives about 3,500 m. Plan for the higher figure when thinking about altitude sickness.

How far is Gunji from Dharchula?

About 65 km by the Rural Tourism page, and roughly 80 km as described by a Union minister. The drive takes several hours in a 4×4.

How far is Om Parvat from Gunji?

Kalapani is 18 km from Gunji on the Om Parvat side, and Nabhidhang, the viewpoint, is further up the same road. Most yatris do it as a return drive from Gunji in one day.

How far is Adi Kailash from Gunji?

Jolingkong is 33 km from Gunji by the old trail via Kuti (19 km plus 14 km). The road follows the same valley.

Do I need a permit for Gunji?

Yes. Indian citizens need an Inner Line Permit from the SDM office in Dharchula, with a medical certificate and police verification.

Is there a mobile network in Gunji?

In December 2023 Jio said its towers at Gunji and Nabi were in the final stages, after 4G started at Kuti. Signal is still patchy, so do not rely on it.

Can we stay in Gunji?

Yes. Yatris stay in village homestays and simple guest houses with basic rooms and home-cooked food. Book through your yatra organiser in the busy months.