Nelong Valley opens for tourists first time since 1962

The picturesque Nelong Valley near the IndiaChina border, which was closed for civilians after the 1962 war, has been opened for tourists.
The valley, 45 km ahead of the border, falls under the Gangotri National Park in Uttarkashi district.
“Six vehicles will carry tourists from Bhairavghati to Nelong every day, but no one will be allowed to stay overnight within the 25km area between Bhairavghati and Nelong,” Shravan Kumar, Deputy Director, Gangotri National Park, said.
Foreigners are not allowed in the valley.

Cold desert:

At 11,600 feet, the valley is a cold desert, home to the snow leopard and the Himalayan blue sheep and offering a view of the Tibetan Plateau.
“Tourists visiting the valley will see the wooden bridge once used for trade between India and China,” said Tilak Soni, an Uttarkashibased mountaineer. Mr Soni said that geographically the valley looked like a replica of Tibet and also offered a view of the Tibetan plateau.
After the 1962 war, villagers were shifted out of the valley and IndoTibetan Border Police checkpoints were set up in the villages.