The Valley of Flowers is a beautiful meadow at an altitude of about 11 thousand feet. It is located on the stream Pushpavati, a tributary of Alaknanda. Frank Smythe discovered the Valley of Flowers in 1931 on his way back after a successful expedition to Mt. Kamet. This valley is a natural plantation surrounded by the dazzling snow clad Himalayas, and thousand varieties of flowers, shrubs, orchids, and plants. The Valley of Flowers is a riot of colors in August and September.
Duration: 8 nights/9 days
Destination: Delhi-Haridwar-Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangaria-Valley of Flowers-Ghangaria-Hemhund Sahib-Ghangaria-Govindghat-Joshimath-Haridwar-Delhi
Day 1: Delhi
Arrive at Delhi and later transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 2: Delhi-Haridwar (205kms/6hrs)
After breakfast, drive towards Haridwar. Later transfer to the hotel. In the evening visit "Har ki Pauri" for Aarti ceremony.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 3: Haridwar-Joshimath (245 kms/8 hrs)
Next day after breakfast drive to Joshimath enroute visiting Dev Prayag where Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet. Also from here river Ganges starts. Later in the evening, check in the hotel.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 4: Joshimath-Govindghat (22kms/1 hr)-Ghangaria (14 kms/3 hrs)
After breakfast, drive towards Govindghat, from where the trek starts. From Govindghat there is a gradual ascent along a well-maintained trail to Ghangaria. Later explore the surroundings.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 5: Ghangaria-Valley of Flowers-Ghangaria (5 kms one side/5 hrs)
Today trek to Valley of Flowers (3858m) fro Ghangaria. The valley is an enchanting sight with an impressive array of rare wildflowers like Geranium, Marsh marigold, Prinula, Potentilla, Geum, Asters, Lilium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Braham kamal, Campanula, Pedicularis, Arisaema, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis, Saxifrages, Sibbaldia, Thermo- psis, Trollius, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Strawberry, Epilobium, Rhododendrons and numerous others. Most of the flowers have medicinal values too. The valley is 10 kms long, 2 kms wide, and is divided by the Pushpawati stream, into which several tiny streams and waterfalls merge. After enjoying the beauty of the valley, trek back to Ghangaria.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 6: Ghangaria-Hemkund-Ghangaria
Today trek to a steep climb of Hemkund Sahib (4329m). In the Sikh holy book, The Granth Sahib, the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh recounts that in a previous life, he meditated on the shores of a lake surrounded by seven snowcapped mountains now recognized by Hemkund. Later in the afternoon, trek back to Ghangaria.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 7: Ghangaria-Govind Ghat-Joshimath
Early morning trek down to Govind Ghat and later drive to Joshimath. Rest day free for leisure activities or you can visit Auli.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 8: Joshimath-Haridwar
After breakfast, take on a early drive to Haridwar enroute visiting Rudraprayag. Later transfer to the hotel.
Overnight in hotel.
Day 9: Haridwar-Delhi
Drive back to Delhi and later depart to the airport.
|
