Help Needed for Kedarnath-Badrinath-VOF tour in August , 2012

Hello guys, we have planned a tour to Kedarnath, Badrinath region in 2nd and 3rd week of August. We never have been in this region any previous time , we r just novice travellers...I would like to know the weather condition, possible hindrances and all other expert advices regarding the tour.Find below a rough sketch of our plan.

10.08.12 Reach Howrah , pick up train Howrah-Haridwar special(if available on that day)

11.08.12 Reach at Haridwar at 4.30 pm, check in hotel at 5.30 pm. 6.30 pm at Har-ki-pari ghat and talk to car rental. Night stay at Haridwar

12.08.12 Morning take a cup of tea and start within 6 am. reach at Gourikundu within 12 to 12.30 pm 280km. Breakfast and lunch at road side, check in hotel take rest. Night stay at Gourikundu

13.08.12 Morning at 7 am start 14 km trek for Kedar breakfast at road side / dry food. After 8 km Keder valley will be open just in fornt. The unexpected natural beauty of Himalaya. Reach kedar at 2 pm check in hotel take lunch and night stay at kedar.

14.08.12 Morningh 7 am,start treak for Chorabalital just 3.5 km from kedar. The Up and down 7 km trek form kedar to Chorabalital, it will take 4 hours. After that return to Gourikundu 14km downwards. Check in hotel. Take rest nigh stay at Gourikundu

15.08.12 Early morning at 7 am start for chopta. Reach at chopta at 9 am take breakfast at car / road side check in hotel vist sight scene take lunch within 12 pm and start trek for Tungnath & chandrasila, up & down 7 km from Chopta. Night stay at Chopta

16.08.12 Moring take breakfast and start 7.30 am. reach Badrinath at 10.30 am - check in hotel and to straight Managram, the last village of India, and the Basudhara Falla, back to Badrinath take lunch and visit Badrinath Temple. Night stay at Badri.

17.08.12 Early morning at 7 am Badrinath to Govindaghat it will take just half an hour. Then start trek 13 km for Ghangaria, reach with in 12 to 12.30, Check in hotel, release your luggage and start for Vally of Flowers for 4 km trek. Remember you must return back with 4 to 4.30 pm. night stay at Ghangaria.

18.08.12 Morning at 8 am against start trek for Hem Kund Sahab, 5km form Ghangaria. Back to Ghangaria and night stay

19.08.12 Morning at 9 am take breakfast and start for Haridwar. You will reach with in 4 pm lunch and break at road side. Release luggage at Haridwar clock room and take rest at waiting room as your train time at 11.55 pm from Haridwar (Haridwar-Howrah Spl.)

20.08.12 Reach at Howrah at 4.30 to 5.30 pm,


Please provide your inputs regarding the plan. What kind of problems we can face , especially in rainy season would rain be a huge issue??? we have stick to this plan as we all work in same company and leave has already been applied for.

Do mention if this tour is feasible in August or any change/modification in travel plan is necessitated.

Awaiting expert advise and feedbacks....

Hi
Please extend your program to first week of October, this is the best time to visit Badri-Kedar, no crowd at temples, beautiful mountain views and cheaper taxi/ hotel charges, road blockage due to landslides is common in August.
Have a good journey.

Thanks
Alok

As i told we have already applied for leave as there are 2 holidays within the said timeline...so can't change date........it would be great if you plz let me know the weather condition from last year, condition of road and possible change in tour plan ...

I would also say that Aug is peak monsoon and not the right time for Kedar/Badri. Chances of landslides are very high. Last year in Sept I was stuck in landslides both going to Badri and coming back.

Hi FUM,

Our experienced IM'ers have already suggested you to avoid monsoons...I was also in Garhwal in last September and landslides delayed our journey...but still if you want to see the flowers of VOF it is the best time...so keep some buffer days in hand and go ahead....
I can assure you that it would be an exceptional adventure...Good Luck!!!

agree with Dhrubatara.........just like to add a small note, heavy rain smahes flowers there

Hi Fum
Go ahead, do not postpone your program, one of my friend with his wife and parents went to Badri- Kedar trip in August month in 2008-09 as I remember, there was no landslide, no traffic jams , and they returned back safely .

Thanks
Alok

Thanks mate for all your feedbacks...i understand the risks about heavy rainfall and landslides....i am keeping my fingers crossed....but i am going for the trip nevertheless....hope to return with good experienece and will share the same with you in this space....

@experts...can u pls enlighten me about accomodation , food and guide?

Thanks in advance...

there are GMVN, other hotels and dharmashala............foods are ok and even free in Dharmasala............guides are available there in Ghangria..........no need to hire guide for Hemkund

@ alokclicks

Statistics cant be made by single experience

I like post monsoon time but nothing can be predict in himalaya.there are more possibilities of landslides in monsoon and its common in that area. September mid would be nice time to visit VOF.

is booking required for hotels run by GMVN or spot booking is possible?

it would be better to make an advance booking in GMVN to avoid any untoward situation.

Hello FUM,

Its a nice itinerary, but needs slight modifications for monsoon season. I went to these places last year in mid August and this year in mid May.
Here are a few pros and cons for monsoon season.

Pros:
1) No need to do any advance accomodation booking.
Almost everything everywhere is available that too at discouted prices. Only two exceptions. First, a place just before a landslide location which anyways is unpredictable and can't be planned. Second, Ghangaria, in case you reach there very late in evening. Yes, even in monsoon its may be packed but not overflowing as in June. There is Gurdwara always to fall back on.

2) Great Scenery. Greenery all around, a magical ambience at higher altitudes.

3) Though the best time for visit in these areas is September (after monsoon is over and sky is deep blue), still its much better experience than May/June.

4) One of the better times for VoF provided it does not rain on your day of visit.

5) Relaxed darshan at shrines. No crowd, No long queues. Perfect time to get the true feel of pilgrimage.

Cons:
1) Its monsoon, its landslides. So you need to have buffer days and flexibility in your schedule.

2) It will be chilly in Ghangaria and very very humid.

Precautions:

1) Always start early so that you have sufficient time to reach your destination or the location before next landslide.

2) Carry packed food and water for 1 day with you while travelling. You dont know when you will be stuck in a landslide and for how long. Do carry tissue papers too.

3) Carry umbrella or raincoat handy in a small backpack along with eatables.

4) For rishikesh onwards journy - Avoid buses, avoid renting a car for entire journey. Prefer local taxi. Local taxi that shuttles between 2 nearby location (popular name - Mahindra Max Seva) is the best bet. Experienced drivers, full knowledge of local terrain, networking amongst the drivers enables faster flow of information of current road conditions. Plus you dont have to bear charges of a hired taxi in case journey is disrupted due to landslides. It may happen that at a landslide location, you leave your taxi, cross landslide on foot and take another one.
Available from Natraj Chowk in Rishikesh.

On 17.08.12, Keep 1.5 hrs for Badrinath to Govindghat travel. Due to rains and landslides, the road is muddy at places and therefore a bit slow. Also, in case you reach Ghangaria by afternoon and if weather permits, I would advise to take a pony and visit Hemkund the same day. It would take just 4 hours. Visit Vof the next morning.
VoF is 2.5-3 Kms from Ghangria but that is just the entrance of VoF. From there the valley is spread till 12 kms. Just prey that it does not rain on that day otherwise flowers fall down. Take packed lunch with you and have fun till afternoon. be back by 4-5 PM.

Also, while coming down from Gaurikund, stop for a while at Dharali and visit Kalp Kedar - one of the Panch Kedars. Its just on road and at beautiful river bank. Its partially submerged in ground. You will find amazing similarity in architecture of this temple and main Kedarnath temple.

Also, having a BSNL sim is always useful in Higher reaches of Uttrakhand.