Nelong Valley — History of Kopang Village & Gartang Gali | Uttarkashi Border Heritage Travel Guide
The Nelong Valley (also called Nelang / Nilang) is one of the most dramatic and historically significant high-altitude regions of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Once part of the Indo-Tibetan trade route, the valley was closed after the 1962 Sino-Indian War and remained restricted for more than five decades.
Today, the valley has reopened for regulated tourism, offering a rare glimpse into:
- Himalayan trade history
- abandoned border villages
- strategic landscapes
- cold-desert terrain similar to Tibet & Ladakh
This guide covers the history, Kopang / Nelang village, Gartang Gali trail, permits, geography and travel experience.
Where is Nelong Valley Located?
Nelong Valley lies inside Gangotri National Park, along the gorge of the Jadh Ganga River, near the India–China (Tibet) border.
- Altitude — ~11,000 ft (≈ 3,300 m)
- Nearest town — Harshil / Bhaironghati/ Dharali/ Mukhwa
- Distance from Uttarkashi — ~90 km
The route passes through:
- narrow cliff roads
- deep gorges
- sharp bends and rocky ridges
making the journey thrilling and visually stunning.
Kopang / Nelang — The Abandoned Border Village
Inside the valley lies Nelang (also called Kopang / Nilang) — once inhabited by the Jadh Bhotiya tribe, known for trade and pastoral life.
Before 1962, the village was an active trading halt where caravans exchanged:
- salt
- wool
- silk
- borax
After the border conflict, residents were relocated for security reasons.
Today, only stone structures and deserted remains survive — silently narrating the valley’s past.
Historical Significance of Nelong Valley
Part of the Trans-Himalayan Trade Route
For centuries, Nelong Valley connected:
India ↔ Tibet ↔ Central Asia
It served as a corridor for:
- trade caravans
- cultural exchanges
- migration & seasonal travel
The valley played a key role in Himalayan economic history.
Closure After the 1962 Sino-Indian War
Following the conflict:
- trade activity stopped
- border roads were militarized
- villages were evacuated
- civilian entry was banned
For 53 years, Nelong remained a restricted frontier zone.
In 2015, the region reopened partially — not as a commercial tourist spot, but as a controlled heritage and strategic eco-zone.
Gartang Gali — The Cliff-Side Wooden Stairway
One of the most iconic features of the valley is Gartang Gali — a wooden walkway carved along a steep rock face.
Historically, it functioned as:
- a trade passage for caravans
- a supply route across the gorge
- a link toward Tibetan trade routes
Walking here offers breathtaking views of the Jadh Ganga valley below, along with a deep sense of Himalayan history.
The route was restored and reopened to visitors in 2021 under regulated entry.
Landscape & Terrain — The Ladakh of Uttarakhand
Unlike forested Garhwal valleys, Nelong resembles a cold desert landscape:
- ochre-brown mountains
- minimal vegetation
- barren rocky slopes
- dramatic Tibetan-style terrain
The region falls inside Gangotri National Park, home to wildlife such as:
- Himalayan blue sheep
- musk deer
- red fox
- Himalayan Griffon Vulture
- Golden Eagle
- Snow Pigeon
- Chough (Red-billed & Yellow-billed)
- Himalayan Monal (rare in upper stretches)
Because of ecological sensitivity, tourist movement remains limited.
Permits & Visitor Regulations
Since the valley lies close to the border:
- Inner Line Permit is mandatory
- No overnight stay allowed inside the valley
- Photography restricted at sensitive locations
- Only registered vehicles allowed
- Foreign tourists are currently restricted
Best time to visit Nelong Valley
- May to June
- September to October
(Closed in winter due to snow)
Why Nelong Valley is Special
Nelong Valley is more than a tourist destination — it is:
- a historic Indo-Tibetan trade corridor
- a story of displaced mountain communities
- a protected strategic frontier
- a preserved Himalayan heritage landscape
It appeals to:
- history & culture enthusiasts
- photographers
- researchers
- mindful travelers
- mountain explorers
It is a place to experience silence, remoteness, and legacy — not mass tourism.
FAQ — Nelong Valley Travel & History
✔️ Is Nelong Valley open to tourists?
Yes — but entry is controlled and requires a permit.
✔️ Can tourists stay inside Nelong Valley?
No — night stay is not allowed inside the valley.
✔️ Is Gartang Gali safe to visit?
Yes — it is restored, fenced and monitored, but requires basic fitness.
✔️ Is Nelong Valley similar to Ladakh?
Yes — its terrain resembles Tibetan & Ladakh-like cold desert landscapes.
✔️ Why was Nelong Valley closed after 1962?
Due to border security and relocation of villagers during the Sino-Indian conflict.