Embarking on a trek to the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is a dream for many adventure enthusiasts. This journey takes you through some of the most scenic and spiritually significant locations in India. From the bustling city of Delhi to the serene village of Ghangaria, this blog will walk you through each step of this incredible adventure, highlighting key stops along the way.
Day 1: From Chennai to Delhi My adventure began on a Saturday morning as I boarded an Indigo flight from Chennai to Delhi. After landing in Delhi by 4:30 PM, I took some time to explore the city. A visit to the Triveni Kala Sangam and the awe-inspiring Humayun's Tomb offered a perfect blend of art and history. The night view of Humayun’s Tomb was particularly enchanting, and I’ll be sharing a separate video on this experience soon. After a brief exploration, I made my way to the Nizamuddin Railway Station for an overnight train to Haridwar.
Day 2: Haridwar to Joshimath Arriving in Haridwar early in the morning, I was greeted by the vibrant energy of the Kanwar Yatra, an annual pilgrimage that fills the city with thousands of devotees. We set off in a van around 5:00 AM, heading towards Joshimath. The journey took us through Rishikesh, Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandaprayag, with the Alaknanda River accompanying us for most of the way. Along the route, we stopped at Devprayag, where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet to form the Ganga. The contrasting colors of the rivers—a vivid green Bhagirathi and a muddy brown Alaknanda—was a sight to behold.
As we continued our journey through the winding roads of the Garhwal Himalayas, we passed by numerous temples, ghats, and landslide-prone areas. A notable stop was at the Jogidhara Waterfall, just before reaching our destination for the night in Joshimath. The mountain views from our hotel were nothing short of mesmerizing.
Day 3: Joshimath to Ghangaria via Govindghat and Pulna After a restful night and an early breakfast, we resumed our journey, heading towards Govindghat. From there, we transferred to a jeep for a short drive to Pulna, the starting point of our trek. The atmosphere in Pulna was charming, with the Lakshman Ganga River flowing below and a beautiful waterfall gracing the mountainside.
Our trek began at 9:15 AM after securing the necessary permissions. We were a group of 19 people, including 16 trekkers, 2 organizers, and 1 guide. The 10-kilometer trek to Ghangaria took us about 7 hours to complete, with an altitude gain of approximately 4,000 feet. The trail was mostly paved, though recent landslides had created a few unpaved sections.
Along the way, we encountered shops offering refreshments, resting spots with benches, and even hazelnut trees. For those unable to walk, mule services were available, and we opted to send our bags ahead on mules, which were delivered to our hotel in Ghangaria.
The Scenic Beauty and Challenges of the Trek The trek to Ghangaria is a nature lover's delight. We passed rivers, waterfalls, flowers, butterflies, and spotted some wildlife, including Northern plains gray langurs. However, the journey was not without its challenges. The landslide-prone areas served as a reminder of the region’s rugged terrain. Fortunately, our trek to Ghangaria was smooth, though we did encounter some delays on the return journey due to landslides, which I’ll cover in a later post.
Arrival in Ghangaria We arrived in Ghangaria around 4 PM, with our first glimpse of the helipad area and the surrounding camping tents. Our hotel, located just 500 meters away, offered a comfortable stay with stunning views of the mountains. After a night’s rest, we prepared for the highlight of our trip—the trek to the Valley of Flowers, which I’ll cover in the next episode of this series.
EP 2 - Valley of Flowers Trek
Day 4: The Valley of Flowers – A World of Color
Our trek began at Ghangaria, a small village that serves as the base for those venturing to the Valley of Flowers. After a peaceful night in Ghangaria, we set out early in the morning, fueled by a simple North Indian breakfast. The trek from Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers is about 4 kilometers long, with an elevation gain of 1,000 feet. The path was narrow and unpaved, adding a sense of adventure as we climbed higher into the mountains.
As we ascended, we were greeted by stunning views of snow-covered mountains, lush greenery, and glimpses of the Laxman Ganga River. The sound of the river flowing below us created a serene backdrop as we hiked through the misty monsoon morning.
Nature at Its Best
One of the first sights we encountered was the towering pine trees, which stood like guardians of the valley. Once we entered the park, we began to spot small flowers along the way, hinting at the natural wonders that awaited us deeper within. After several hours of trekking, we finally reached the main area of the park. The Valley of Flowers opened before us in all its glory—a vibrant canvas of marigolds, orchids, wild roses, primroses, and over 500 other varieties of rare Himalayan flowers.
The valley is situated at an altitude of around 3,600 meters above sea level, offering unparalleled views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and glaciers. This high-altitude haven is also home to a variety of wildlife, including the elusive snow leopard, Himalayan monal, and red fox. Although we didn't spot any of these creatures during our trek, the thought of their presence added to the valley's mysterious allure.
A Botanist's Paradise
If you're a botany scholar or simply fascinated by flowers, the Valley of Flowers is a dream come true. The park's unique ecosystem thrives during the monsoon season, which lasts from June to early October. July and August are the best months to visit if you want to see the flowers in full bloom. However, be prepared for the unpredictability of the mountains, as fog and rain can suddenly roll in, reducing visibility.
We spent around four hours in the valley, soaking in the natural beauty and capturing moments with our cameras. We were tempted to trek further up to see the grave of Joan Margaret Legge, an English botanist who tragically lost her life here in 1939. However, our guide advised us against it as it was getting late, and we still had the descent to Ghangaria ahead of us.
The Journey Back
After enjoying our packed lunch amidst the flowers, we began our return journey to Ghangaria. As we reached the Laxman Ganga River area, we noticed the water flow had increased significantly since the morning, and we were greeted by a light drizzle. The trek down was just as mesmerizing as the ascent, with the beauty of the mountains and the valley still fresh in our minds.
Practical Information
The Valley of Flowers is open to the public from June to early October. The trek itself is about 17 kilometers long and can be started from either Govindghat or Pulna village. The park is open daily from 7 AM to 5 PM, and there is an entrance fee of ₹150 for Indians and ₹650 for non-Indians. Be sure to carry your own food and water, as there are no shops or facilities inside the park.
Final Thoughts
Trekking to the Valley of Flowers was an unforgettable experience. The combination of stunning landscapes, rich biodiversity, and the peaceful atmosphere of the Himalayas made it a highlight of our travels. Whether you're an adventure seeker or someone looking to connect with nature, the Valley of Flowers is a destination that should be on your bucket list.
EP 3 Hemkund Sahib
Day 5: Hemkund Sahib – Sacred Serenity at 15,000 Feet
On the fifth day, we made our way to Hemkund Sahib, one of the most revered Gurudwaras in the Sikh religion. The trek was intense, with a steep incline that took us up 4,000 feet over a 6-kilometer stretch. Along the way, we passed waterfalls, snow patches, and more rare flowers like the Brahmakamalam.
Reaching Hemkund Sahib was a spiritually uplifting experience. Nestled by a serene lake and surrounded by snow-capped peaks, the Gurudwara stands tall at an elevation of 15,000 feet. We cleaned our hands and feet in the lake’s icy waters before entering the Gurudwara. After offering prayers, we spent some time by the lake, marveling at the tranquility of the place.
Day 6: Badrinath and Mana Village – Exploring Sacred Lands
After descending to Ghangaria, we continued our journey to Badrinath, one of the holiest temples for Hindus. Despite a tight schedule, we managed to reach the temple before it closed. The darshan was a peaceful experience, and afterward, we explored nearby shops before heading to Mana Village, famously known as the "first village of India" near the China border.
Mana Village is steeped in myth and natural beauty. We visited the source of the Saraswati River and witnessed the awe-inspiring Vasudhara Falls, cascading from an elevation of 12,000 feet.
Day 7: The Long Road Back – Landslides and Reflections
The return journey was not without its challenges. As we made our way back to Delhi, we encountered multiple landslides that delayed our progress. But these obstacles only added to the adventure, reminding us of the unpredictability of nature in the mountains.
Finally, after a brief stop in Rishikesh and Haridwar, we reached Delhi, where I caught a flight back to Chennai. It was a bittersweet ending to a trip that left me with lasting memories.
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