Gunji Village

Gunji is a high-altitude border village in Uttarakhand's Pithoragarh district, situated at approximately 3,200 meters in the Byans Valley. It serves as the primary base camp and operational hub for the Adi Kailash and Om Parvat pilgrimage routes. Historically part of the ancient trans-Himalayan trade route to Tibet, the village is inhabited by the Shauka (Rung) community and features sacred sites like Vyas Gufa and Kali Mandir.

Visitors can expect a remote Himalayan settlement with basic infrastructure, serving as a key acclimatization and permit checkpoint before proceeding to higher altitudes. The village offers panoramic views of snow-capped peaks, including Ganesh Parvat, and provides access to sacred caves and temples. Accommodation is limited to basic guest houses and homestays, with simple local cuisine available.

Gunji was a vital trading hub on the historic salt-wool trade route between India and Tibet before 1962. It lies on the traditional Indian pilgrimage route to Kailash-Mansarovar and has served as a trans-Himalayan trade halt for generations.

The village is inhabited by the Shauka (Rung) community, a Tibeto-Burman ethnic group known for their distinct traditions, including the Maghi festival and Lathi Naach (stick dance). It holds spiritual importance as part of the traditional pilgrimage route followed by Indian and Nepalese devotees.