Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib

The Agony and the ecstasy is in the same page.

Thanks for updating that cameras are not allowed inside the premises, but how stupid of the authority, imagine people traveling up there to absorb the nature and they arent allowed to capture the beauty on the lens..... i hope this rule stops very soon.....

just a query in which area...... like are we still allowed to capture the lake and the hills around there........

And thanks for the weather update will be visiting hemkund sahib and valley flowers around first week of July that is on 1, 2, 3....

so please keep updating about the weather..... thank you

Its bizarre to ban Cameras.
Its MH1 that shows live kirtan from Hemkunt Sahib.
They might have paid huge amount of money to the management to ban the cameras. Its even more bizarre from the management to accept this (banning the cameras).

Wow!! great place and incredible pics. I want to go there....

atleast stillcam they need to consider

I plan to visit Valley of Flowers on July 31 - August 2, 2012. Could you please tell me that the permit for foreigner bathe in Hemkunt Sahib?

you can take bath there

Hey nice write up and thanks a lot.

we are planning trip in August now I am sure where we are going.
can you provide some more details, like how to trvel from pune, where to get down by bus or train.Nearest railway station ro bus stand.Accomodation for 15 people group.

@ ruchi p

neares Train station: Haridwar

nearest bus stop: Govindghat

nearest staying option: Ghangria

now do some Google and let us know what you want to know more

Thank you for your answer. Could I have 3 questions to ask you?
1.I will start my trip from Delhi on July 28, 2012 by train (Mussoorie Exp.) to Haridwar early (at 5.50 am). The bus station where I will go by direct bus from Haridwar to Govindghat, is far from the train station.
2.Could you please advise me about the hostel at Joshimath, Govindghat and Ghangaria or recommend the name of the hostel?
-Govindghat stay at Hotel Bhagat
-Ghangharia stay at Hotel Dronagiri
-Joshimath stay at Hotel Dronagiri
3.When I come back from Ghangaria and stop at Joshimath for 1 night, I will plan to go to Auli by the Cable Car (the return trip Joshimath-Auli-Joshimath costs about Rs 400) to see the environmental there. Could you recommend about this plan? May it have the monsoon at Auli or how I should use the time to visit it?

@ earthworld

1 Haridwar bus stad just near real station.......bust to Badrinath cross G'ghat........but they start very early 4-5am.......is not get those, ask for bus/share jeep to Joshimath........if not get, move to Natraj Chwak, Rishikesh......you'll get public transport to Joshimath atleast.......next catch share jeep to G'ghat from Joshimath

2. first try GMVN (better to pre-book), if not get, the hotels you mentioned are good

3. make sure cable car in working condition

Folks, I've been folowing this thread and the nfo here is fantastic. I've finally planned my VoF/HK trip in mid Aug. My itinerary is below


Aug 10 (Fri) - Evening flight from BLR to DEL. Night bus from DEL to Rishikesh
Aug 11 (Sat) - Early morning bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath. Night halt at Joshimath
Aug 12 (Sun) - Early morning bus to Govindghat. 14km trek to Ghangria. Night halt at Ghangria
Aug 13 (Mon) - Trek to VoF and back. Nigh halt at Ghangria
Aug 14 (Tue) - Trek to Hemkund and back. Nigh halt at Ghangria
Aug 15 (Wed) - Trek from Ghangria to govindghat. Bus to Joshimath. Joshimath to Badrinath. Night halt at Badrinath
Aug 16 (Thu) - Trek to Mana village, Vasudhara falls and back. Night halt at Badrinath
Aug 17 (Fri) - Badrinath to Rishikesh
Aug 18 (Sat) - Extra day at Rishikesh/buffer. Night bus from Rishikesh to DEL
Aug 19 (Sun) - Aternoon flight from DEL to BLR

My only concern as of now is the accommodation at Ghangria. We are not able to get through to any of the hotels there and the GMVN guy is quoting 1000 per person per night at one of the private lodges (GMVN is fully booked). Is it OK to take a risk and go to Ghangria without an acco or do you guys recommend booking a hotel@1000rs given that it is tourist season. Any leads in this regard will be greatly appreciated.

GMVN remains booked most of the times, but there are many other places where you can get an accommodation easily. The only issue is of your choice of accommodation.

If you are finicky about everything from bed sheets to water availability, it is better to book a place GMVN guy is talking about, which most likely, will be of acceptable standards.

I am also looking at the thrid week of august, but havent yet booked any accomodation. Since AUG-Sept is season time, booking ahead might help. Can anyone suggest names and contact details of decent stays in joshimath and ghangharia...as i am almost sure gmvn will be sold out!

I think it's your typographical mistake. It should be Govindghat to Badrinath and not from Joshimath to Badrinath.

Secondly, there are plenty of hotels and you can even stay at GMVN. jituyadav rightly said, they always say it is fully booked. On arrival you will find accommodation even at GMVN. Otherwise your plan is perfectly alright.