Valley+Mana+Badrinath HELP!

Hi all,

I've already have a route for my July-Aug 10days trip to Uttaranchal...I'd like to share it with you in order to know how do you see it and to get advice. (note: I've used lonely planet guide). I want to say 'excuse me' because there are a lot of questions and my thread is so long. But I'll be VERY PLEASED if someone can answer me...let's go.

-25july: Take the Shatabdi in Delhi at 6:55, reaching Haridwar at 11:20. Stay the rest of the day around there (have a walk, maybe take one of the cables). Sleep at Haveli Hari Ganga.

-26july: Stay in Haridwar the whole day, doing the mohan 5h safari around Rajaji and sth more. Sleep at Haveli Hari Ganga.

-27july: Take a train from Haridwar to Rishikesh, in the morning if it is possible (timetables&prices?). Stay in Rishikesh the rest of the day, doing sth (what in such a short time?). Sleep in some reasonable good hotel (ideas?) in Rishikesh.

-28july: From Rishikesh, take a taxi or a bus (better option?) early in the morning, towards Badrinath. We are supposed to be there in late evening, so maybe the best option is just have a little walk and rest (Govind Sewa Sadam hotel is a good option?Alternatives?hotel's web pages?).

-29July: Spend the whole day doing Badrinath Temple and Mana village (will we have enough time?should we arrange a guide for both places?will be need transport between hotel and these places or foot is enough?). Sleep in the Badrinath's hotel we had choosen.

-30July: Early in the morning, move from Badrinath to the better located hotel of the region that can allow us to visit Valley of Flowers next day (where is this fantastic hotel? in Joshimath? in Ghangaria? how long does it take from Badrinath to it?). Reach this fantastic hotel, wherever it is, and do sth until the bed time (what?).

-31July: Do Valley of Flowers (what does "do valley of flowers" mean?How will have to reach it from our fantastic hotel? Will we be able to do it in one day?). Come back from Valley to our fantastic hotel and rest during the night.

-1&2Aug: Do Valley again (it is worth it? if yes, what to do we haven't on 31july?). On 2nd Aug, reach Joshimath in late evening (how?taxi?price of taxi?bus?) and sleep there in a good hotel (ideas?).

-3Aug: In early morning (or even at 4-5am), start, from Josimath, our infernal return to Delhi (we have to stay there at night, we have booked a room in Prince Polonia). We don't know how to do it...if go by bus (or taxi?) to Rishikesh/Haridwar and then by train to Delhi (timetables?good link?)...or take a direct taxi (or bus?) to Haldwani and then by train to Delhi (timetables?good link?). Which is the fastest option? Please give us advice!


Other questions:

-1. Probably of send everything to hell because of the moonson? Please give me your opinion...80%, 50%?

-2. Temperatures in all our destinations?

-3. The main fact is we want to do, from 25jul to 2aug, Haridwar, Valley of Flowers, Badrinath Temple and Mana. If you think we should reconsider our route, tell us and please give us an alternative. If you think we haven't enough time, tell us. If you think is beeter to directly arrange a tour with GMVN, tell us...

THANKS A LOT!
THANKS A LOT!!
THANKS A LOT!!!

No Need to take a tour from GMVN.

It's better to take a car / rikshaw for Rishikesh to Haridwar. it's hardly 30 mins ride.

Generally people visit VOF first & them move on to Badrinath.

There are no. of threads on VOF. Have a look at them, you will have better idea.

Ronak.

Do you know how far it is from Rishi to Badrinath?? It's a verreee looong journey (remember mountain travel is much slower)I'd suggest you take a nights rest at Joshimath on the way up, otherwise you won't be fit to do anything the next day. Also just do VOF once,it's a demanding climb up thousands of steps. KK

[QUOTE=mahemia;509448]
-28july: From Rishikesh, take a taxi or a bus (better option?) early in the morning, towards Badrinath. We are supposed to be there in late evening, so maybe the best option is just have a little walk and rest (Govind Sewa Sadam hotel is a good option?Alternatives?hotel's web pages?).

-29July: Spend the whole day doing Badrinath Temple and Mana village (will we have enough time?should we arrange a guide for both places?will be need transport between hotel and these places or foot is enough?). Sleep in the Badrinath's hotel we had choosen.
QUOTE]

Hi...

About Haridwar... Just one day here should be good enough - the main attraction being the Evening Aarthi on the Banks of the Ganges... The temple on the Hill could be done only if you have the time to spare - You will be seeing quite a few temples...

Rishikesh is quieter, has a whole lotta Ashrams, and even the Ganges looks cleaner...! (It is upstream and so it definitely is)... The best staying options are located on the Eastern shores of the Ganges across Ram Jhula... There are many beautiful ashrams here (all reasonably priced) and you could pick n choose...!

To reach Joshimath from Rishikesh, it's best to take the bus which leaves Haridwar early in the morning... The bus will cross Rishikesh too, but from the main road, National Highway - 58.

For everything you wanna know about the Valley of Flowers, (and Hemkund Sahib, if interested, and Badrinath), it's best to check out the following thread...

And enjoy the monsoons in the hills...!

Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib

Cheers...!

Thanks shahronakm and kullukid...

We have taken your following comments into account:

-Do Haridwar-Rishi by car
-Not to arrange packed tours
-Just spend 1day in VOF
-Regarding to do Rishi-Badrinath...I know is so far, but I think that, if that day we're going to be in full task, doesn't matter to do 2h more (to reach Badrinath instead of Joshi)...anyway I'll think about it

But I still have a lot of questions...thanks all to read my first thread and answer as much as you can..

Hi solo trekker,

I've carefully read the thread you've refered to (and other ones similar as well)..well due to I start my trip in Delhi on early 25th and I have to stay back in Delhi for sleep there on 3th of August, considering that my last stage is VOF&surroundings and also that I'd like to visit both Haridwar and Rishi...I think it is a good plan, please let me know how do you feel about it:

-25 july: reach by shatabdi Haridwar at 11,30am, spend the day around there and sleep there.

-26 july: spend the day and the night in Haridwar.

-27 july: Today it would be nice if I can reach Govindghat and sleep there...I've seen there's a bus that can do it, starting at 5am. Where does it start and when we are supossed to reach Govindghat? Also I consider to hire a car with driver (I prefer it instead of bus, what do you think?). It is possible to find a driver in Haridwar who can help us? How much should we have to pay him? Supossing we finally reach Govindghat...a nice accomodation there? please recommend me some hotels and tell me if I can email then in order to book (above all if a lot of people is going to be around there on these dates)..

-28july: leave most of our luggage in Govindghat (where? it is safe?) and trek to Ghangaria. At this point, I've some novice doubts. I've to buy the VOF 3days ticket here in Govindghat? I'm supossed to trek alone or I should take a guide? Is easy to get lost during the trek if I'm going alone? Is easy and usual to join some group in Govindghat in order do the trek with them?
Anyway, reach Ghangaria and sleep there (where? can I book now? Please give me advice)

-29july: Do VOF and sleep in Ghangaria. I'm supossed to do it alone? Can I join groups or take a guide? I should buy some food for the day? Tell me with detail how does a VOF day developes..

-30july: Do Hemkund and sleep in Ghangaria. Same questions..alone?guide?food?et c Sleep in Ghangaria

-31july: Reach Badrinath via Govindghat (where we will take our luggage). Which is the best option to go from Govind to Badri? Hire a driver? bus? timetables? I'd like to be in Badri around 13-14h, in order to spend the afternoon doing Temple and Mana (as you say). But don't you think that doing Temple and Mana in just a few hours is too much? Is it time enough for doing it well?

After all, sleep in Badrinath (a good place? can I book now?)

-1Aug: Starting in Badri, try to reach Rishi in the evening..which is the best option? If I could, I'd like to take a taxi..Do you find it possible? Maybe taking it on Govindghat or directly in Badrinath? If no taxi..bus timetables&trip hours&prices? Reach Rishi and sleep there.

-2Aug: Spend day (relaxing) and night at Rishi.

-3Aug: From Rishi, reach Delhi via Haridwar..


I'm sorry for doing such a big list of questions...I hope you can help me.

Best wishes!!

Ok, I'll answer your Qs in detail some other time, but what's your Plan B for the very long drives you have on at least 2 days? I.e. what if there's a vehicle break-down, or road-closure due to land-slides, or both?
Are you prepared to change and re-arrange en-route, becos right now I don't see any possibility of a reserve day.

Well I suppose that in that case we couldn't do Hemkund or the day relaxing in Rishi...anyway I'm afraid about the monsoons...

If it is raining too much in VOF zone we may try Colcota or sth else...

Ideas for plan B please! and also answers for our last post.

Thank you very much

27/7 - If you really intend to go Haridwar-Govindghat in one day, then forget the bus, hire your own cab instead. Believe me, approx 295 km(9.5 to 10 hrs) in a bus will be back-breaking, not to mention that you can't stop whenever you want or may need to.
If you use the bus, call it quits at Joshimath (275 km, 8.5 to 9 hours). You can leave early next morning (6.30 am); you'll be in Govindghat 40 mins later, as far as I'm concerned you can start hiking at 7.30 after the paperwork. The stay options are also better at J'math. Believe me, after a full day on the road, you'll appreciate not going further.
Even if you have your own cab or take a share-jeep (lot cheaper!), I recommend overnight at J'math.

28/7 - It may be poss to leave stuff at the gurudwara's GH, but I don't know for sure. Hopefully other members can advise.
You don't need a guide to go anywhere, just follow the crowds! No chance of getting lost. If you find someone to join - great, but no problem to go alone, many people do.
You cud try and book GMVN (www.gmvnl.com) now, but there shud be no problem to get accom without a booking in end-July.
There is more hotel info in other "VOF" threads, just browse around.

29/7 - Again, just follow the trail/other trekkers. Take your food and water, nothing available en-route or at VOF.

30/7 - Food available at gurudwara. A small donation is the norm, your choice. Always carry water with you, you never know.

31/7 - Get in a passing bus or share-jeep. Fixed departure times due to one-way system - 7.50 am, then every 2.5 hours upto 5.50 pm.
If you reach Badrinath by lunch time, you'll have plenty of time to visit temple and Mana as well.
For accom, 3 GMVNs again. Also plenty of private places, just search the site, including the Hotels sub-forum. If you get a booking fine, otherwise don't worry. My experience is it's better to arrange on the spot as you can negotiate higher discounts.

1/8 - Even with a taxi, too long a day. I recommend break journey at Rudraprayag. GMVN has a very good location, looking onto confluence of Alaknanda and Mandakini.
Please note fixed departure times (between Badrinath and Joshimath) - every 2.5 hours from 6.30 am to 4.30 pm.

2 and 3/8 - Rudraprayag-Rishikesh-Delhi, as per choice.

Hi dilliwala and thank you very much. Your post has been very helpfull. Anyway I'd like to know some more things...please don't kill me !

1. Aprox price for an ac taxi from haridwar to Govindghat?
How much should we have to pay the driver?

2. Recomended place to stay in Govind? Has it hot shower? The best one, we don't mind to pay some more

3. Where are we supposed to buy the 3days VOF ticket, in Govind or in Ghangaria?

4. The best place to stay in Ghangaria, with hot shower if it possible? Just to know it, we know is almost impossible to book from here..

5. Idem with Badrinath..best place to stay?

6. In order to come back to Haridwar/Rishi, best place to hire an ac taxi (Govind/Joshi/Badri/ok wherever) ? How much should we pay (aprox)?

7. Very Important: WEATHER. Please share with us your feelings about it..there are at least 5-10% possibilities of not suffer monsoons, or beeter to forget it and prepare for it?
Any chance of dry and fresh weather (our dream)?

Can monsoons make our trip a shit? Maybe stay 6 full task days under rain, walking with mud in our faces in high hills -in spite of wonderfull views- is too much hard...


THANKS A LOT. Really appreciate it..

Hi mahemia,

1. Fuel prices have recently gone up, so you'll have to calculate with Rs. 10-12 per km.

2. No idea, never stayed. There are a few hotels though, and the Sikh gurudwara has a GH too. There's another GH owned by a guy from Pandukeshwar (3 km north). I've stayed in his other GH and it was good (attached bath/hot water).

3. Forest check-post, just after Ghanghariya.

4. Here are the details for GMVN, Ghanghariya. No idea about other places, that's why I suggested a search. Also read the posts by ks_bluechip in this thread and his blog.

5. No idea what that means. There are places where you can pay 4000-5000 per night also, would those be "the best"?
In general, GMVN's pricier rooms have everything one needs.
Do check the other VOF threads for info from members.

6. Joshimath. Use calculation basis as in 1. above.

7. Yes, and yes . Depends on your luck. Be well prepared for the rains and then hope it doesn't happen!
OF COURSE the monsoon CAN ruin your trip. But then, no guarantee it will. Take a chance, enjoy the rain.

Hi Dilliwala,
Can you please provide some details about the GH owned bth eguy from Pandukeshwar. We intend to spend a night in Govindghat on our way to VOF...

Now a days Dilliwala is not around, so I am holding the fort till senior returns...

Do you need only this Pandukeshwar man's contact details or some other hotel/guest house in Govindghat will also do ? I have few contacts there !

Thanks Delhiwala . I am not specific about the GH, other contacts will be of great help.

You may stay at:

Hem Tourist Rest House, Ph: 225228
Hemkund Motels, Ph: 225314

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