Valley of Flowers

Altitude: 6,300 ft (1,920 m) to 9,600 ft (2,926 m)
via 7,200 ft (2,195 m)
At dawn we depart from Joshimath to
Govindghat, from there we switch to Local
Transfers to get to Pulna - the starting point of
the trek. We then start our climb for Ghangaria.
As we ascend, the river Lakshman Ganga, flows
gently down below. After a sharp climb, getting
to Ghangaria feels like an achievement. After
arrival at Ghangaria, explore the surroundings in
the evening followed by dinner. Ghangaria is also
known for having a helipad and a few camping
spaces. It is a one-street village, lined with hotels,
lodges, guesthouses, restaurants and a
Gurudwara.

Altitude: 9,600 ft (2,195 m) to 11,500 ft (3,505 m)
We start the trail early so that we get more time to
spend at the Valley. We come across a gate where we
need to buy entry tickets to the valley. A kilometer into
the gate, there is a scenic bridge across a stream
gushing below. We pass gently through a coniferous
forest, before descending to the bridge, climbing up a
rocky path, with the forest in the rear, the spectacle of
the first flowers beginning to emerge. The valley is
gorgeous, and there are meadows of flowers right out of
a fairytale! Himalayan Balsam, is the most predominant
flower of the valley and a thick coverlet of these …

Altitude: 9,600 ft (2,926 m) to 14,107 ft (4,300 m)
and back
Today’s climb to Hemkund Sahib is steep at
certain points and will take approximately 3 – 4
hrs of ascend. We hence start out early post a
scrumptious breakfast. Surrounded by seven
snow-capped mountains, Hemkund Sahib is a
well renowned Sikh Shrine built next to the
beautiful Hemkund Sahib lake. The lake is
surrounded by wild flowers with Brahma Kamal
being the most popular among them. The
atmosphere of this place exudes a feeling of calm
and tranquility, which is most needed after the
strenuous trek. Another interesting aspect of the
lake is that it remains frozen for six months!
Hence not accessible throughout the year…

This is the day when we start our downhill trek,
back to Pulna (Govindghat). The climb down is
definitely much easier, almost a cake walk. Upon
reaching Govindghat, we rested a bit and then
drive to Joshimath to check into the hotel to
retire for the day.

Post breakfast we depart from Joshimath early in
the morning for your return journey. We would
arrive at Haridwar late evening