Mori Village, Uttarakhand

Hidden in the Garhwal Himalayas, Mori Village falls under the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand and is considered to be one of the most serene places in the state. Nestled in between dense pine forests and the calming rush of the Tons River, Mori is much more than a tiny village — it’s an insight into another way of living, a nature-lover’s paradise and a major pit-stop for those about to embark on their journey into the Himalayas.

Whether you are considering Kedarkantha, Har Ki Dun or Bali Pass trek, Mori serves as your gateway for high altitude treks.

Where is Mori Located?

Mori is situated in Mori Block of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. It is located next to the Tons River, a tributary of the Yamuna, and at an elevation of approximately 1,150 meters (3,800 ft). From Dehradun it takes almost 7-8 hours (200km) of drive to reach Mori. 

Sankri, the base village of many Treks, is almost 25 km.

Why Visit Mori?

Natural Beauty: The hillsides of Mori are covered with Wildflowers in Spring and Summer.  In autumn it gives golden, yellowish, brownish, fall vibes. The winter comes with white snows between November and April. The nearby flowing Tons river has pristine waters. The hillsides are covered with wildflowers in spring and summer, while other nearby peaks are still covered with snow making this a very special place.

Since Mori is located right on the banks of River Tons, visitors can also indulge in some angling/fishing and try a little one-on-one time with nature by the riverside that locals as well as travelers are equally attracted to.

Cultural Immersion: Mori home of inhabited Jaunsari tribe with its particular customs, dress and even language. Most Mori homes are constructed using traditional methods of architecture, and they are also made from stone and wood. Locals are friendly and so knowledgeable (as long as you’re respectful and try to learn the culture).

And nearby is the famous Karna Temple in Mori — a temple dedicated to Karna of the Mahabharata, highly venerated by locals.

Just a 30-minute drive away in Hanol, is the Mahasu Devta Temple which is one of the most significant temples in Jaunsar-Bawar. Constructed in a beautiful wooden building, it lends to the same heritage which gives form to Mori’s cultural identity.

Peaceful Atmosphere

Unlike other crowded hill stations, Mori is not so famous and that's why it's not so crowded and this place is safe from heavy tourism business which give this place an original sense. It’s perfect for writers, photographers, solo travelers or anyone simply wanting to get away from it all. Mornings are brisk and evenings are silent – conducive to contemplation or relaxation.

How to Reach Mori

By Air: In Dehradun there is Jolly Grant Airport which is 200km away but is the only airport near Mori Village.

Hire taxis or shared jeeps then move towards Mussoorie → Nainbagh → Purola → Mori.

By Rail:

The nearest railway station is also in  Dehradun (around 200 km).

From Dehradun, either take a cab or board a local bus to Purola–Mori.

By Road:

Route 1: Journey here begins from Dehradun that later enters Mussoorie which ultimately connects with Purola then Netwar and finally meets Mori.

Route 2: Vikasnagar - Kalsi - Purola - Mori (better road, picturesque)

Local transport: Shared jeeps / Bolero connects Purola, Netwar, Mori and Sankri.

Trekking & Adventure Base

Mori is a gateway to some of the most celebrated Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand. It’s often the last comfortable stop before heading deep into alpine terrain.

Govind Pashu Vihar National Park, nearby, is home to snow leopards, Himalayan tahr, and monal pheasants. Trekkers pass through oak and rhododendron forests, ancient wooden temples, and remote villages.
This makes Mori an ideal stop for rest, acclimatization, or overnight stay before beginning your trek.

Along with trekking, travelers can also enjoy fishing in the Tons River, which flows right beside the village — a serene way to connect with nature before or after your adventure.

Kath-Kuni Style Wooden Houses

The majority of the traditional homes in and around Mori are constructed using what is known as Kath-Kuni style, meaning that wooden beams (the Kath) interlock with stone slabs (kuni) without being joined by cement.

The thick deodar and pine logs are foraged within the region, a natural insulator — it keeps things cool on high summer days and warm in winter.

Slate roofs are stepped, and draw a slant to enable snow to slide off in winter.

It’s common that families live on upper floors, while cattle or storage rooms are housed on the ground floor. This style allows lounging spaces to remain warmer with the body heat of animals beneath them.

Locals say:

When we were talking and exploring the village one of the villagers said “Yeh ghar pathar or lakdi ke nahi dharti our sanskar ke bane hain. touched my heart.

(“They don’t just build with wood and stone — they build from the earth and our heritage.”

Village Life & Daily Rhythms

In Mori, life follows the seasons and the land.

At sunrise, you will see villagers walking to the fields with tokris (bamboo baskets) on their backs.

Women cultivate small terraces of wheat, rajma and mandua (ragi) while men usually tend to livestock or work gathering firewood.

Evenings are communal — families gather around a wood-fired hearth (chulha), swapping stories over modest but hearty meals.

Spin wool and weavers loom during winter months, then farm and collect from the forest in the summer.

Local Handicrafts & Textiles

The residents of Mori village as well as the neighboring Jaunsari villages are talented artisans who make use of locally available natural raw material.

Woodwork & Carving

The architectural handiwork evident in temples (such as Mahasu Devta at Netwar and Hanol) is found on home doors and balconies, too — you’ll see ornate carvings of flowery patterns, mythological figures and regional symbols.

Deodar and walnut are preferred for their strength and smell.

Woolen Weaves & Shawls

Wool is spun by hand from local sheep and then woven into warm shawls, mufflers, blankets on wooden looms. Patterns can be small (the traditional striated carpet) or large (some more modern carpets) and the color theory they use are so royal and neutral such as cream, grey, brown, red.

In the winters weaving is both a hobby and art.

Bamboo & Ringaal Craft

Ringaal (a variety of Himalayan bamboo) is used by people to craft baskets, grain containers and trays (which are called Tokri Dola or Duna).

The baskets are used every day to transport a harvest, safeguard grains and serve food at festivals.

Grain Storage & Sustainability

Mori still uses traditional granaries called Kothar.

Fashioned from wood and mud plaster, they allow people to keep grains cool and dry throughout the year.

Grains such as wheat, mandua (finger millet) and rajma are kept in these granaries after the harvest; a sustainable option to plastic or metal containers.

Nothing is wasted: cow dung serves as fertilizer, and pine needles are collected to serve as bedding for cattle or to compost.

A Life of Balance

Modernity has reached Mori, but in a relaxed mode . Solar panels sparkle on a few rooftops, and people use mobile phones instead of traveling long distances for word-of-mouth chats. But the soul of the place — wood homes, handmade crafts and mountain self-reliance — hasn’t changed.

Important Health & Safety Information

One thing every trekker should know:

When you leave Mori and begin the trek to higher camps (Sankri, Taluka, Osla or beyond), there are no fixed medical or healthcare facilities in place on the trails.

If there's sickness or injury during the trek, the nearest camps with basic medical treatment are at Mori Village and Purola town (some 35 km away from Mori).

These are the final points at which one can access a primary health center or small clinic before entering remote mountain ranges.

This is why a basic level of first aid instruction, some form of personal medical kit and trekking with an officially accredited guide or company is strongly recommended.

Nature & Biodiversity

Mori is on the edge of the Tons Valley ecosystem, one of the most biodiverse regions in western Uttarakhand.

Flora

Vegetation: Deodar, Pine, Oak, Walnut, Apple trees,  Apricot and Rhododendron (Buransh).

Wildflowers like Himalayan Primroses & Orchids, Fritillaria etc..

Medicinal plants: Gandrayani, Timru, Nettle

Fauna

Mammals: Goral, Barking Deer, Harmalayan Black Bear

Birds: Monal (state bird of Uttarakhand), Koklass, thrushes and flycatchers

Reptiles & Butterflies: The area near the banks of Tons River is a good habitat for reptiles and butterflies, which is abundant during spring and summer.

Accommodation in Mori

You will not find luxury resorts here — and that is the charm. The majority of stays are local family-run homestays, guesthouses or seasonal riverside camps.

Homestays: Traditional wooden homes; warm hospitality and local food served to you.

Guesthouses: Nothing fancy, your basic room with an attached bathroom.

Camps: Best for adventure travellers (usually constructed Oct–Jan & Apr–Jun).

Tip: Reserve in advance during the trekking seasons (Oct–Jan, Apr–Jun). Cash is king; Internet payments are patchy.

What to Eat

While consuming local food seems to be a very easy and healthy way of eating. Many hosts provide vegetarian meals cooked with rarely treated to products from local farms.

Typical meals may include:

• Ragi (mandua) chapatis

• Local daals and rice (Bhatt ki Daal, Kulthi Daal) often seasoned with jakhiya seeds, garlic, and mustard oil

• Saag (Bichhu Buti Saag, Linguda Saag)

• Chutneys made from wild herbs (Bichhu Buti, Timru ki chutney, Buransh)

• Fresh cow/buffalo milk and local honey

Best Time to Visit Mori

March to June: It’s enjoyable and best for nature walks and pre-monsoon trekking

September to November: Clear days, ideal for trekking and photography.

December-February: Cold and snow in the high country; Mori is still reachable

July to August: Monsoon season, when everything is lush and green but the roads are treacherous

Nearby Offbeat Places

If you have time, explore:

Netwar (10 km): Mahasu Devta Temple of ancient times

Hanol (30 minutes’ drive from Mori): Well known Mahasu Devta Temple

Mori Village: Karna Temple near Tons River

Sankri (25 km): Base village, around which treks are conducted.

Osla Village (40 Km): Temple Architecture and Folklore

Travel Tips

Connectivity: Mobile networks are limited. For this area, Jio and BSNL are the best.

Cash: Most places don’t take digital payment, so have enough cash in hand.

Respect Local Traditions: Cover up and seek permission to photograph local people or temples.

Eco-Responsibility: Carry your waste back. Avoid single-use plastic.

Travel with a group if you’re unfamiliar with the area, particularly in winter or during the rainy season.