A vista of perfectly pointed peaks, most of them looming over 20,000 feet, greets you as you drive up to Munsiyari, a new "discovery" in the Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand. The drive is breathtaking, with splendid mountains and valleys waiting to be unmasked at every bend. Till recently, Munsiyari was a restricted area in the Himalayan Inner Line, wedged in between the borders of India, China and Nepal. Restrictions have now eased, placing Munsiyari on the trekking map of the Kumaon Hills. From Munsiyari you can see a treasure trove of gorgeous peaks, especially the Panchuli quintuplets that look like five chimneys. The legendary Pandava kings are said to have cooked their last meal at Panchuli before ascending to heaven. The entire Kumaon area is steeped in epic history and the sacred mountains of the region symbolize ancient heroes and Gods in their various avatars.