The Valley of Flowers

Around monsoon time each year, a little valley up in the hills of Uttarakhand opens up and blooms with thousands of flowers filling the entire valley. This gene pool is called Valley of flowers National Park situated next to Nanda Devi National Park. Both the parks are a part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (a part of UNESCO World network of biosphere reserves). Apart from flowers, the park is home to a variety of fauna and avi- fauna including tahr, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, Himalayan black bear, Himalayan Golden Eagle, Griffon Vulture, Snow Partridge, Himalayan Snow-cock etc.

Day 1: Dehradun - Rudraprayag

Reach Dehradun by flight/train. Board waiting vehicle and drive on to Rudraprayag. Reach Rudraprayag by afternoon and check in to the hotel.

Day 2: Rudraprayag - Joshimath 5-6 hrs drive

Post leisurely breakfast, leave for Joshimath. Reach Joshimath by afternoon and check into hotel. Rest of the day can be spent at leisure and preparation for the trek.

Day 3: Joshimath- Govindghat – Ghanghariya (3133M) – 22 kms drive and 14 kms/6 hrs trek

A less than two- hour drive along the Alaknanda River brings us to Govindghat. From here our trek starts. On a given day there are hundreds of Sikh pilgrims headed for the Shrine at Hemkund, and alighting from our jeeps we join this joyous group heading up to Ghangaria. The ascending mule track climbs past terraced fields and vegetation to the hamlet of Pulna (3 km). From here the trail is a little wilder and more forested, with occasional glimpses of snow peaks. The 7- km. from Pulna to Bhyundar Village is a steady ascent and the altitude is moderate. Shortly after Bhyundar, the trail crosses the Laxman Ganga, over a bridge elevated by giant boulders. The trail is steeper now but Ghangaria is only 4 km. away. Our campsite is beyond Gangharia in a relatively isolated area.

Day 4: Ghanghariya - Valley of Flowers (3600M) – Ghaghariya- 7 kms/4 - 5 hrs per way

Current Government regulations do not permit any camping within the notified are of the valley and entry to the valley is restricted to permit holders only. The trail is well chalked out, and is a delightful ramble as it climbs gently through a coniferous forest, before descending to a bridge, and check-post that mark the official entry to the Valley of Flowers. Climbing up a rocky trail, with the forest behind us, the first flowers begin to appear. Every morning after breakfast, trekkers are escorted into this gene pool to explore different cross sections of the Bhyundar Valley. Packed lunches, flasks full of hot beverages as well as assorted refreshments are arranged. By evening, you back at your base camp at Gangharia where dinner would be served after a round of refreshments.

Day 5: Ghanghariya - Govindghat - Rudraprayag - 4 hrs hike and 4-5 hrs drive

Hike back to Govindghat and drive to Rudraprayag. On arrival check in to the hotel.

Day 6: Rudraprayag – Rishikesh + (Rishikesh sightseeing + Ganga Arti)

Drive to Rishikesh. On arrival check in to the hotel. Later go for sightseeing tour of Rishikesh.

Day 7: Rishikesh - Haridwar – Dehradun

Post early breakfast, drive to Haridwar. Visit Har-Ki-Pauri, the Mansa Devi Temple, Chandi Devi, Daksha Mahadev Temple, Bharat Mata Temple. Late afternoon drive to Dehradun to get dropped at the airport to board flight for your onward destination.