A Visit to the valley of flowers

Location: Uttranchal

Altitude: 3,658m to 3962m

Area: 87.5 sq. Kms

Best season: Mid April to mid August

High in the Himalyan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttranchal lies the beautiful Valley of Flowers. If you have read its descriptions or seen its pictures, then you can't resist the temptation to go there at least once. But to those of us who are not used to trekking, Valley of Flowers seems distant and remote. We may feel discouraged to take up the journey and hence feel disheartened that we can't make it. We are writing this piece to let you know that even if you have never been on a trek before, you can still make it to the Valley. We would also like to add that you should not miss this pleasure of seeing this unimaginably beautiful place.

Here are some directions to plan the trip.

1) Wherever you are staying, you will have to reach Haridwar by bus or train. Spend the night there.

2) Next day travel to Joshimath from Haridwar. Distance between these two places is approximately 313 Km. There are two options for going to Joshimath from Haridwar. You can either take a taxi (charges range between Rs. 2000 to 2500) or go by bus (charges range between Rs. 150 to 200 per person). Bus starts from the Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam (GMVN) hotel called Rahi hotel situated at Lalta Rao Bridge.

This journey takes about 11 to 12 hrs. So you should start from Haridwar as early in the morning as possible.

3) If Rishikesh is closer to your place of residence as compared to Haridwar then do that. From Rishikesh also you can travel to Joshimath by taxi or Bus (distance is about 261 kms).

4) There are several decent hotels in Joshimath including two guest houses of GMVN). Even if you reach Joshimath without booking, you can easily get accommodation in any of these hotels.

5) Next morning again you will have to start early. You have to first reach Govin Ghat, which is about 19 Kms from Joshimath. You can go there by local Jeeps or buses, going to Badrinath via Govind Ghat. These buses and jeeps start early (6AM) in the morning from Joshimath bus stand. It takes about one hour to reach Govind Ghat from Joshimath.

Note: From Haridwar or Rishikesh instead of breaking the journey at Joshimath, another option is to take a bus going upto Badrinath via Govind Ghat (or a taxi) and directly reach Govind Ghat. Hotels are available in Govind Ghat also, though they are a bit costlier that those at Joshimath.

6) Your road Journey ends at Govind Ghat. From here you have to reach Ghangria which is sort of a base camp for the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. From Govind Ghat to Ghanghria is a 14 Kms trekking route that starts after crossing the river Alaknanda. After the initial 2 Kms the entire route is quite steep with total elevation of about 1400 meters. If you are not used to trekking and walk slowly then it takes about 8 hrs to cover this distance. But don't be worried because

- Ghanghria is also the base camp to a Sikh pilgrim - the famous Hemkund Sahib. Therefore the entire route is full of people and is not isolated and deserted.

- Through out this distance of 14 Kms, there are shops of eatable. Where you can sit, relax and eat. You also walk through two villages called Pulna and Bhyundar.

- You can also cover this distance on a Pony (Horse). You can also hire a pony or take a porter for carrying the luggage. Apart from this Pithoos are also available for carrying children, luggage and even older people. Rates for horses and Pithoos are not fixed but are negotiable. Horses and Pithoos are available mid way also - but you end up paying much more money if you don't hire these from the starting point. If you can climb 4-5 stories nonstop without loosing your breath then you do not need a Pony!

From Govind Ghat to Ghanghria the route is simply stunning with river Laxman Ganga flowing on one side and absolutely green hills on the other side. Several water falls and springs can be seen. You would be compelled to stop repeatedly to enjoy the natural beauty. Last three kilometers are quite steep, so be prepared for that.

It would be evening or afternoon by the time you reach Ghanghria. Spend the rest of the day and the night there. Peaks on all sides surround this beautiful place, with river Laxman Ganga flowing through it.

Apart from the GMVN guesthouse for which booking in advance is a must, Ghangria now also has three four other hotels. Also fairly decent accommodation with proper beds is also available in small rooms with attached bathrooms. Apart from this you can also spend the night in the famous gurudwara called Govind Dham. Although stay is not a problem in Ghangria now it is always better to have advance booking.

7) And now stats the journey to the world's one of the most beautiful valleys the Valley of Flowers.

From Ghangria to the valley the travel is on foot because the ponies are not allowed here. Valley is located around 4 kilometers from Ghanghria and night stay is not allowed there. This route along with the Pashupati river has an elevation of about 400 meters and it takes about 2 to 3 hrs from Ghangria to the valley. Start by 7 or 8 in the morning so that you can spend enough time in the valley and come back before it gets dark that by 5 in the evening. If you feel that you can't travel on foot, then you can hire a candi. But you must do this in the beginning itself because later on the way no spare pithoo can be found.

The Valley of Flowers is flanked on either side by several peaks on either side, many covered by snow. The Pashupati river cuts through the valley and divides it into two sectors. The main portion of the valley is on the right bank. Though the valley is about four kilometers from Ghanghria, the entire route is full of flowers and flora of enumerable kinds. You will cross the Pashupati river thrice before reaching the valley using wooden bridges. You will also cross a small glacier on this route.

Once you reach the valley you will not feel like coming back. Spread over an area of 87.6 sq. km., it is covered entirely by flowers of enumerable kind. The air is absolutely clear and is full of smell of flowers. Words can't describe the beauty of this extra ordinary place. So go there an extra ordinary experience.

Important tips -
- Do not carry too much luggage.
- It is better to take sleeping bags, becaause nights in Ghangria are quite cold.
- Rains coats are absolutely essential. - Do not take new shoes and be sure that tthe shoes are comfortable.
- Take two pairs of shoes and socks.
- Carry a stick, you can purchase it from Govind Ghat. It is quite useful on steep streches.
- In the months of July August one worm wwoolen sweater or Jacket is enough.
- Land slides are quite frequent and can ddisrupt your schedule, so be prepared for that.

Important Addresses and contacts
GMVN Ltd Delhi: 102 Indraprakash, 21 Barakhamba Road Delhi 110001, phone 011- 23350481, 23326620, Fax 011- 23327713 E mail- [email protected]
GMVN Haridwar: Lalta Rao Bridge Phone 0133 - 224240, Fax 01334 - 228686
GMVN Joshimath:
Hotels at Ghanghria
1) Prem Hotel and Gangotri Restaurant (Ghangria) Prop. R. S. Chauhan Phone 01381 - 226203
2) Hotel Kuber Phone o1381 - 226204, 01389 - 22028

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