The Valley and the Flowers

Duration - 25th Jul - 1st Aug22

Route - Chennai - Delhi- Haridwar- Rishikesh - Joshimat-Govindghat- Pulna - Gangharia- Valley of Flower

Mode of transport - Flight- Train- Bus- Jeep and finally walk walk walk

Accommodation - Rishikesh, Pulna, Gangharia, Govindghat and Delhi

It was a very special trip, as one don’t get to do solo trips often. Having said that, it wasn’t a difficult one to plan or execute. With little efforts and lots of help from Sudar, I planned my own itinerary and dint go through any guide or agency. It is very much doable and was absolutely safe for a women solo traveller.

Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO world heritage site and is in the to do list of world travellers, it's categorised under moderate trek and can be tried by anyone with decent fitness.

It is located in the mighty Himalayan range and comes under Chamoli district of the Garwal region of Uttarakhand state.

This place is open only between Jun and Oct every year and rest of the year is covered with snow and hence closed.

The tourism set up comes active only during this season after which, the vendors move to different regions like Auli when snowfall commences.

Day 1

Chennai (6 am) - Delhi - Haridwar - Rishikesh (9 pm)

On reaching Delhi, my train to Haridwar was delayed by 3.5hrs. Was munching on the Aloo Parathas and got engaged in random discussions with locals. The station was pretty crowded, dint have a clue on the reason. The way to Haridwar was fertile with lot of vegetation and Sal trees.

On reaching the station, I saw pilgrims all over with their kavadis, the one very similar in south for Lord Muruga. It was the day of Kanwar Yatra, where people come from different northern states with their kawads and after dharshan carried Ganga Jal to their villages.

Over 3.5 crore people gathered that day at Haridwar, it was a havoc and with guidance from police people walked over 4 kms to find an auto to reach Rishikesh. It was quick sleep over and was ready to start at 5 am next day to Joshimat. Met someone who completed the trek along with friends a week ago, she helped with lot of pointers for the trip.

Day 2

Rishikesh (5am) - Joshimat - Govindghat - Pulna (5.30pm)

Reached the main road and got a bus at 5.40 am for the 9 hrs bus travel to reach Joshimat.

The route was absolutely scenic and also spoke to locals who explained about the Ganga Sangamam (when the tributaries join and merges to become Ganga). It was beautiful, though on a normal day, the colour of water is distinct. When I travelled, the river was gushing not showing the different colours. (Devprayag– Rudaprayag – Karnaprayag – Nandaprayag –Vishnuprayag )This was the route to Badrinath and Kedarnath and had lot of pilgrims travelling.

Landslides were a common phenomenon and the locals are used to the delays and don’t seem to get anxious for the Traffic Jams. For a moment, I felt so happy that I was amongst those relaxed set of people. All the places offered tourist rich foods, but can’t sustain with Maida and Potato and Dal everytime. Figured out the easy combination of Roti and Pickle and or curd/ Onion. It was comfortably good through out the trip, Maggi was a cheat meal though. Reached Pulna village at 5.30 pm through multimodal transport.

Alaknanda was flowing down from the valley with the sound that is still haunting my mind.

Day 3

Trek to Gangharia

Left the homestay at 7.30 am for the 10km trek. The path was a paved, where trekkers, Pilgrims, Mules and Basket services made their way to Gangharia. People used both Mules and Basket service for commute and porting. Its a difficult sight to see how mules are used. Helicoper service is also available from Govindghat to Gangharia.

After trekking 500 m, I was gasping with the uphill climb and pull of my backpack. Fortunately met a friend who was on the same mission and was able to make it with few tips and interesting discussions.

Reached Gangharia at around 2 pm, it was drizzling on the way and that was normal for the next few days.

Stay was functional and Gangharia it self was a 500m stretch with commercial activities. It is the base for 2 treks. Hemkund Sahib - Gurudwara located at the highest altitude - It is a 6 km trek from Gangharis and Valley of Flowers is a 4 km trek.

Visited the information centre, where they screened a movie about valley of flowers and also the conservative measures to protect the site.

Day 4

Trek to Hemkund Sahib - 4633 m

Left Gangharia at 6 am after a nice hot water shower. Chose Hemkund trek first, as it is far in distance, high in altitude and the path is strenuous.Trek from 9,600 ft to 15,000 ft in just 6 Kms and that’s what makes it a tough trek, it was much better than Gangharia as, I offloaded the luggage at the Hotel.

The entire trek had stunning view and the wild flowers made sure the tiredness was just a stuff. Had breathtaking view of cliff, valley, river and Glacier. Drank water from the melting Glacier and it tasted so divine.

The last 1 km stretch was very steep as I took the stairs over the paved path. The entire trek was so rewarding and gave so much positive feeling.

Was fortunate to see the stunning variety of Flora on the way, special mention of - Brahma Kamal (Sp Saussurea obvallata) and Blue Poppy (Mecanopsis betoniciolia).

Saw quite a few finches, thrushes and warblers, however couldn’t id it as I dint carry any binoculars or camera.

Reached Hemkund Sahib at 12 noon.

Visited the Lokpal Lakshman temple, which is very old and is worshipped by Garwhals for many generations. It is believed that Lakshman did Tapas at the lake and it is an important temple in the Hindu Mythology.

Visited the Gurudwara, where bhajans were going on. They offered blankets while sitting inside the temple. It was a blessing as the temperature was at 6c, also tasted the Divine Kada Prasad and Langar.

Started descending the mountain at 2 pm and reached Gangharia at 4 pm. It was very easy compared to the climb. Enroute, connected with so many Indian and foreign nationals, interesting perspectives.

Day 5

Trek to Valley of Flowers - 3600m

Started from Gangharia at 6.30 am as the entry is allowed only at 7 am. This path is comparatively narrow to that of Hemkund and Mules don’t commute this way, however basket service for porting people was available.

The trek route was absolute delight with beautiful array of flowers fully bloom in bright colours under the sunlight. The melting glacier was flowing down with rolling stones, pristine beauty I have ever seen before.

Plants there had medicinal values and were highly protected. The Vajradanti(Potentilla astrosanguinea) flower had striking colour and was found all over the valley.

The top of the valley was a meadow of fairy land with flowerbeds of brilliant colours. This is definitely an underestimated place when compared to Europe. The bee army was so busy buzzing and making the place look a blanket of rainbow.

Again, the place was brimming with positive vibration and it was great sense of happiness and satisfaction being there. It could only be experienced and should be experienced.

After a fulfilling stay, descended back to Gangharia at around 1 pm.

Original plan was to stay back and leave to Pulna that next day, however fellow trekkers planned to do it the same day, hence joined them and made quite a change in my agenda.

Started descending to Pulna at 2.40 pm and reached at around 6 pm. It started to rain and witnessed a land slide with a huge noise that made the boulders rolling into the river, it was hell a lot of experience. Was planning to head to Badrinath, which was 20 Km away the same day and cover Badrinath and Mana village (The last village between India and China Border) However, the route to Badrinath was blocked due to landslide.

Reached Govindghat at 7pm with no plan or clarity, options available was to spend the extra day at Rishikesh or meet a friend at Delhi. Chose the second option and fortunately she agreed on my last minute dash. Stayed over at Gurudwara, which was a safer option. They provided a room and also food.

Day 6

Checked out Gurudwara at 4 am and they were kind to offer hot Tea at that time. Got a bus to Haridwar at 5 am and reached at 3 pm. Did some roaming and shopping in streets of Haridwar before boarding the train at 6.30 pm. Reached Delhi Same day

Day 7 - Stay-over with friend, which was a very pleasant and happy unexpected moment

Day 8 - Delhi - Chennai. Reached home at 4 pm.

It was a bliss to do a solo trip and being able to be at the lap of Himalayas. It was certainly a lifetime experience and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it and the memories will never fade away. Meeting people from different walks of life was a different experience.

Self-made souvenirs :)