Valley of Flowers Trekking in
Indian Himalayas |
India
Valley
Of Flower National Park Tours
The monsoon rains bring real freshness and was all the dust of the
mountains. Blooming of flowers make it the best time for Trekking :
Valley of
Flowers: One of the best trek in the
area taking you to flowering alpine meadows with visit to some of the most
important pilgrimages for Sikhs and Hindus i.e Hemkund Sahib & Badrianth.
The valley was 'discovered' by the british mountaineer Frank
Smythe in 1931 after a successful climb on Kamet peak. The team crossed the
Bhyundar Pass in the lashing rain and mist, intent on forging a new route
through the mountains back to Joshimath. As they descended into the shelter of
the valley, the clouds lifted and revealed alpine meadows carpeted with
wildflowers. They were greeted with the sight of primula, saxifrage, red
potentillas, geraniums, asters, gentians, anemones, delphiniums, blue corydalis
and wild roses. The many hundreds of flowering species lead Smythe to refer to
the Bhyundar Valley as the 'valley of flowers'.
FIX DEPARTURE TRIPS |
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June : 15 /
21 / 29 |
August : 1 / 7 / 13 / 20 / 28 |
July : 1 / 7 /
11 / 19 / 24 / 30 |
September : 2 /
7 / 12 / 22.
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VALLEY
OF FLOWER TREK
(Nanda Devi Biosphere
Reserve – Core - II)
The world famous Valley Of flowers is situated in the expansions
of Bhundar Ganga in the Far interior of Garhwal Himalayas. The valley is spread
over an area of 87.5 Sq. Kms. and is 3,250 mt to 6,750 mt above the mean sea
level.
The rich references of this colorful and eye catching Valley, are
found in the annals of Indian History like that of Ramayana and Mahabharat. But
due to its near inaccessible approach it had disappeared from the tourist map
until in 1931 when Frankssmith a British a mountaineer expedition to Mt.Kamet,
reached this valley which was full of flowers . He has overwhelmed by its
enchanting beauty of the valley attracts tourists from all over the world.
The Blooms starts immediately after melting of snow but the peak
blooming period is from mid July to Mid of August . Almost 300 species of wild
flowers bloom here in natural way. Wherein some of the species are – Anemone,
Geranium, Marsh marigold, Primula, Potentilla, Geum, Asters, Lilium, Himalayan
Blue poppy, Aconitum, Delphinium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Braham Kamal,
Campanula , Pedicularis,
Arisaema, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis, Saxifrages,
Sibbaldia, Thermopsis, Trollius, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium,
Strawberry, Epilobium, Rhododendrons and numerous others. Most of the flowers
have medicinal values too. The abundance of Asmanda fern in this valley is a
rare sight than in other Himalayasn Valleys.
The Valley remains in bloom for three months while the floral
composition keeps on changing every few days. By September the hue starts
changing and autumn bids farewell to flowers and the entire vegetation remains
dormant for about next five months when the valley is snow bound.
Apart from the flowers species of Butterfly , musk Deer, Blue
sheep (Bharal), Himalayan Bear, Himalayan Mouse , hare and some
Himalayan Birds & Snow Leopard are also
found in this area. Due to these speialities it has always caught the
attention of the nature lovers as well as the environmentalists. To conserve the
nature’s benevolent gift and to maintain the natural balance of the valley –
the valley was declared a National Park in 1982.
Valley Of Flowers National Park Tour :
Region : Garhwal Himalayas
Duartion : 6 / 8 Days
Altitude : Max.3658m to 3962m.
Grade : ideal trek for the beginners or less adventurous.
Best
Season : June mid / July / August
/ September.
Place covered : Rishikesh (340m)– Joshimath(1890m) – Govidghat (1828m)– Ghangaria (3048m) – Valley Of Flowers (3658 to 3962 m) – Hemkund (4329m)– Auli (2750m).
Day 1 : Rishikesh : Joshimath : Drive - 8 / 9 hrs : Lunch enroute.
Today Morning after Breakfast drive to Joshimath. The entire drive is
along the Alaknanda river till we reach Joshimath. Enroute stop at
Devprayag,Rudraprayag, Karanprayag and Nandaprayag, the most famous confluences
of Garhwal Himalayas. Arrive Joshimath and transfer to Hotel. Dinner & Over
night hotel.
Rishikesh :
Known as Gate way of Garhwal Himalayas, Sanctuary of Saints and Sages.Rishikesh
situated on the bank of Ganga surrounded on three sides by Himalayan ramges,
known from medieval time as celestial abode, is a great pilgrimage center of
India, attracting a large number of pilgrims . Idle adventure sports for River
Rafting , angling, parasailing, wild life etc..
Joshimath : Joshimath
lays on the slopes of the mountains above the rivers Alknanda and Dhauliganga
and has many important temples, inclusive the temple of Ugra Narshima, which is
dedicated to the half human/half lion incarnation of the God Vishnu.Adi Guru
Shankaracharya, who came from Kerala (south of India) arrived in the 8th
century,gave all world luxury, became a vegetarian and meditated under a tree
untill he was enlighted. Then he started a MATH (meditation place/ temple),
named “Jyotirmath” ('jyoti' means light). The name Joshimath comes from
it.The temples of Narsingh, dedicated toVishnu in his lion form and Nav Durga
are situated here.It is one of the four ‘maths’ established by Adi Guru
Shankaracharya.With its bracing climate, magnificent scenery and religious
significance, Joshimath is fast becoming a hill resort.
Day 2 : Joshimath : Ghangaria : Drive 2 hrs : Trek 6/7 hrs. Lunch Enroute.
Early
morning after breakfast drive to Govindghat, a small hamlet situated on the
confluence of Alaknanda and roaring Laxman Ganga. Arrive and commence trek to
Ghangaria. There are a number of Dhawas and poney’s on the route. At Ghangaria
we camp near by banks of Laxman Ganga. Dinner & O/N camp.
Govidghat :
At an altitude of 1828m and 21 km motor road from Joshimath, is Govindghat from
where the road branches into two, one rising steeply, leading to Nature’s
Garden of Paradise, the incredible Valley Of Flowers and another trails leads to
Hindu’s Famous Pilgrimage center Badrinath (among of one of Dham).Govindghat is the confluence
of Alaknanda and Laxman Ganga Rivers. It has an imposing Gurudwara named after
Guru Govind Singh.
Ghangaria
:
Ghangaria at 3048 meters above main sea level. Here amidst the majesty of tall,
elgant deodars, are a Forest Rest House and Gurdwara. Ghangaria is the base camp
for trek to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund , where lodging and boarding
facilities are available.
Day 3 : Ghangaria : Valley Of Flowers : Trek : 2 hrs.
Morning after having
breakfast , we make our trip to Valley Of Flowers. As beginning
first part of the trek is through thick forest along the Pushpavati
river. Later we trek in the open meadow. After crossing meadow we enter Valley
Of Flowers National Park.
valley of Flowers in a conical shape with the river
Pushpawati flowing through it. Enjoy
and explore the valley and later we make a camp near by for lunch., further
after lunch we return back by same trail to Ghangaria. O/N – Camp.
Valley
Of Flowers National Parks
: trek
to one of the most colourful and enthralling place on earth- a land endowed with
an
amazing variety of flowers. The valley was
'discovered' by the british mountaineer Frank Smythe in 1931 after a successful
climb on Kamet peak. The team crossed the Bhyundar Pass in the lashing rain and
mist, intent on forging a new route through the mountains back to Joshimath. As
they descended into the shelter of the valley, the clouds lifted and revealed
alpine meadows carpeted with wildflowers. They were greeted with the sight of
primula, saxifrage, red potentillas, geraniums, asters, gentians, anemones,
delphiniums, blue corydalis and wild roses. The many hundreds of flowering
species lead Smythe to refer to the Bhyundar Valley as the 'valley of flowers'.
The valley is 10
km long and 2 km wide, and is divided by the Pushpawati stream, into which
several tiny streams and waterfalls merge.
Day 4 : Ghangaria : Hemkund Lake ; Trek: 6/7 hrs
Having early morning breakfast we trek to Hemkund, one of the finest high
altitude lakes in the area, and pilgrimage for Sikhs and Hindus as well. The
entire trek today is uphill till we reach Hemkund. Explore the area and trace
steps back to the Base camp Ghangaria.One can encounter some of the flowers on
this stretch as well. Lunch at Hemkund Lake : O/N – Camp at Ghangaria.
Hemkund
Lake :
4329 mt : From Ghangaria, it is possible to follow the Laxma Ganga to the lake
at Hemkund (4329m). In the Sikh holy book Dasam Granth, the Sikh guru Gobind
Singh recounts that in a previous life he meditated on the shores of a lake
surrounded by seven snow-capped mountains. In 1930, a teacher from a Sikh
religious center recognised this lake as Hemkund. Hemkund known as “ Sanctum
Sanctorum “ of India, this is the area in which, since times immemorial , the
great religious trachers and sages have retreated to seek communion
with the great Unknown in an effort to wrest the secerts of enternal life
and uplift of the soul of man. The
reflection of surrounding snow – clad peaks in its placid waters offers a
scenic sight. As the valley of flowers has been an attraction for botanists
worldwide since 1930's, Hemkund has become a main pilgrimage for Sikhs. Most
pilgrims wash themselves in the icy waters of the lake before visiting the
gurdwara, built around 20 years ago next to the lake.
Day 5 : Ghangaria : Joshimath : Auli Trek : 4 /5 hrs : Drive : 3 hrs, further trek 1 hrs. Lunch enroute.
Morning after break fast we retrace our path back to Govindghat where our
coach jeep will be waiting for us, further drive to Auli (A famous Winter Ski
resort Center) via Joshimath, lunch
enroute . O/N – Camp.
Auli : An idle
holiday and ski resort in the Garhwal Himalayas with its slopes comparable to
the best in the world. Perched at an elevation 2500 – 3050 mts.
Also also known as
a skier’s paradise, Auli has one of the best slopes in the world. The
3km long slope ranges from
2519 m to 3049 m offers a magnificent panoramic view of great Himalayan
peaks like the Nanda Devi (7817m),
Kamet (7756m), Mana Parvat (7273m) and
Dunagiri (7066m). You could reach Auli from
Joshimath (1890m) by
taking an enchanting 3 km ride on the world’s most highly situated and
longest ropeway (cable car).
Auli not only offers a magnificent view of the Himalayasn ranges but is a
delight for winter sports enthusiasts. In the summer , Auli bughyal is inviting
but in the winter it is irresistible with its hoary snow slopes and
skiing and snowboarding facilities
being provide by us. It provides an excellent
panoramic view of the giant mountains peaks like Nanda Devi , Kamet ,
Mana , Hathi – Ghodi – Palki , Dunagiri. And many other peaks.
Day 6 : Auli
: Joshimath : Rishikesh : Drive 9 / 10 hrs : Lunch enroute.
We live the foothills behind and drive
to Rishikesh , sight seeing on the route. O/N – Camp / Hotel.
Be Our Guest Have A
Wonderful Time In The Himalayas !
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