Trek to the Valley of flowers

If you are in love with flowers,this gentle trek is a treat.It leads you to a stunning landscape where a wild and colorful explosion greets you.The best time to visit the valley of flowers is between july and September ,the only time when the flowers are in full bloom with over a thousand varieties of flowers ,shrubs,orchids and plants carpeting the valley in myriad hues,different textures and colors.with its diverse flora and fauna and dazzling snow peak mountains.the valley of flowers is a naturalist haven and a trekker’s delight.The hikes are gentle and it was discovered by an Englishman in 1931.well i am looking for companions to share the cab expenses.Would also appreciate tips and suggestions from people who had visited this place.
Synopsis of the itinerary (Approx duration)
>6h August friday night-Bangalore to New delhi by train – 35 hrs
>8th August Sunday -New delhi to Haridwar by train – 4 ½ hrs
>9th August Monday-Haridwar to Joshimath by bus/ cab – 8- 9 hrs
>-Joshimath to Govindghat by bus/cab – 45 min to 1 hr
>10th August Tuesday-Govindghat to Ghangria(Base camp) trek – 14 kms
>11th August-Ghangria to valley of flowers trek – 3km
Return same way.But flight for return from delhi.
Jet lite on 15th sunday afternoon reaching bangalore late evening.


The trip
Train to new delhi (3AC – 1451 Rs)
Sampark kranthi express departs Yeswanthapur junction at 22:10 hrs on Friday reaching
New delhi nizamuddin at 09:25hrs sunday( 35hrs 15 min duration)
Train to hariwar (3 AC -361 Rs)
>IND DDN EXPRESS departing Nizamuddin at 11:30 hrs and reaching Haridwar junction at 16:47 hrs
(Duration 5hrs 17min)

Night halt at Haridwar


Haridwar to joshimath (252km,approx 8 to 9 hrs)
Haridwar is in altitude of 356 m and joshimath is in 1890 m,so its a steep climb,have to take the Bus or cab if in group, depart early morning on the road that winds around green mountains with panaromic views and along the alaknanda river.

Night halt at Joshimath
(Alternatively can make a visit to Auli through the rope way)
Joshimath to govindghat (21 kms)
Approx 45min by cab to govindghat.
.............................T HE GRIND ( moderate level with beautiful views)...............
Govindghat to Ghangria
14 km trek to Ghangria which is the base for valley of flowers.Can opt for mule ride and porters to carry luggages and also people.
Overnight stay in Ghangria
Valley of flowers(Altitude of 3658 m abv sea level)
Valley of flowers is 3 km trek one way. The sheer number of certain flowers is so large that most people tend to think that there are only a few kinds of flowers there. Sometimes one has to stop and gaze, to spot some new flowers. Sometimes one has to wade in knee-deep flowers to reach an area which could have flowers of a different kind. The more you look, the more you see, and there doesn’t seem to be a limit to it.If one is serious about flowers one day in the valley is really insufficient.No overnight camping in the valley ,so have to trek back to ghangria.No mule rides through valley of flowers
Can visit the next day to valley of flowers again to explore more or alternative trek 5 km to hemkund.Its at altitude of 4329m with a beautiful lake surrounded by snow peaks and with a gurudwara.The lake is frozen for almost 8 months and starts melting during May and June.Can take mule rides to hemkund.
The trip back is similar and taking the train from delhi to Bangalore.

Total trip duration (from bangalore,will vary if put up in another part of the country) – one way train and return flight
>(transit in haridwar/transit in joshimath/one day in valley of flowers/one day hemkund or two days valley of flowers- 9 days
so if anyone has to avail leaves it would be 5 working days and rest 4 days are from weekends.
Approx total cost including transportation and accomodation– 10-11 k per person on sharing basis for room and cab.(excluding food,which aint expensive until govindghat)

STATUTORY WARNING- This aint a luxury vacation.Its for folks who love nature and adventure and can manage with basic amenities.

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I am also searching for a travel partner for VOF trek, to share cab expenses. I am from Mumbai and my number is 09820945582.

I wpuld like to visit vally of flowers during end Aug Is it best time and no land slide can any one suggest. Or during mid july is good. We plan along with our office collegue would like vist any body can join from Mumbai.
Also pl tell us best placeto stay in govindgadh and badrinath.

I had gone to VOF end-Aug when there was very little rain, but off course you cannot be sure in the Himalayas. July will anyway be the peak of the monsoons.
There is no need to stay in Govindghat. You can stay overnight in Joshimath, start after breakfast for Govindghat, and immediately start your 14-km trek to Ghangaria.

thanks for the suggestion and about stay in gagharia let us know which hotel is good and advance booking reqd or not.
We plan like this

Mumbai to delhi early morning flight
Delhi to Reshikesh same day reaching before 5 Pm
stay in Reshikesh see ganga aarthi etc.
Next day morning start early to Rudraprayag and stay n see the placess of interest.

start early and go to govindghat start trek to Gagharia and reach in evening stay

Start early go to vally of flower & come back stay
Start early go to again vally of flowers and come back stay
3rde day again start early and visit to Hemkund come back and stay in Ghagaria.

Next day start early trek to Govindgahat take bus to Badrinath and stay there have dershan

See early morning pooja if possible go to vasukital and come back n stay.

Next morning start early to Reshikesh reach in the evening if possible take night bus to Delhi and back to mumbai

Total 10 days
can anybody give suggestion start saturday from Mumbai and back to Monday
Thanks

Hi Praveen, I am here to travel partner for VOF in August, 2011. Let me know if you are intersted. My no. is 9820945582. We have to share contact info if we are going together.

Hi

I am planning with my friend and our plan is as follow , if you wish you can join us

12 aug 2011 :- Delhi (night) to haridwar ( morning ) via rails
13 aug 2011 :- haridwar to joshimath
14 aug 2011 :- Joshimath to govindghat to ghagharia
15 aug 2011 :- ghagaria - VOF --ghagaria
16 aug 2011 :- ghagaria - hemkund--ghagaria
17 aug 2011 :- ghagaria --govindghat to joshimath
18 aug 2011 :- Joshmath to auli and back to joshimath
19 aug 2011 :- Joshimath to Haridwar ( evening ) --- to delhi (train )

Hi
i have booked my tickets tovisit vally of flowers Itinary is follows

13th Aug morning reaching delhi at 9o Hrs.
Take a bus to Haridwar/Reshikesh from delhi ISBT on 13th morning.
Reaching Rishikesh at 17Hrs on 13th Aug (Booked accomadation in GMVN Bakti nivas)
can any one give feed back how is this place for staying and near to bus station etaries etc

14th Aug check out early morning to take a bus or cab to Joshimut stay in Joshimut New GMVN TRH
( Pl tell me how it is or bazar branch is good)

15th Aug start erly reach govindghat trek to Ghangria (could not got accomadation inGhangaria.
Pl can any one give the telephone numbers hotel name etc so that we need not waste time
in searching GMVN Rest house is totally booked (Also tell us whether the dormantary in GMVN is
good and safe to keep belongings)

16 th Aug trek to vally of flowers (pl suggest me about what we should carry essential items for the trek
and also where we get the packed lunch and water in ghangria also where we get the guide local
for the vally of flower so that it will be easy for us locate various placess in vally) and
come back and stay in Ghangaria
17th Aug one more day trek to vally of flowers.Pl suggest wind shetter is ok for rains and Puma Joggers
shoe is sufficient essential items like medicine/ swetters/ and other things etc pl tell us)
18th Aug Trek to Hemkund sahib and back rest in Gangharia (pl tell us what are other placess in Hemkund sahib to be seen can we take dip in lake etc)

19th Aug Return back to govindghat and take a bus to badrinath (Booked acomadation in GMVN TRH ) can any one suggest what are the bus frequency from Govindghat to Badrinath also duration. and also about GMVN TRH see aarthi in temple do puja etc night stay.

20th aug Start early morning to MANAvillage see Bhim Pool other temples and also if possible vist to vasuki fall (pl guide us whether it is worht and how much time it takes)come back andstay in Badrinath.

21 Aug Start early to Haridwar reaching Haridwar about 18 Hrs take a train to Delhi at 12 mid night.
(Pl tell us is it possible to reach Haridwar from Badrinath by bus in same day or we have to comeback previous day and stay in Joshimut Pl guide us)alsoif cab is available for coming to haridwar from badrinath how much it cost.Pl let me know

22Nd aug catch a flight at 9:00 to Mumbai.

I would request all friends go through the itenary and give suggestion

Can we see some flowers in mid June? I have my summer vacation and want to do this between 13 to 20th June. Can any one suggest me will it worth visit VOF this time or I have to think for some other treks like Pindari, Kafni, Har ki Doon or Dodital ect?

HI all

I wish to visit VOF from 13-07-2011 .
anybody intrested