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Himalayan Panoramas
UTTARANCHAL
VALLEY OF
FLOWERS TREK
Delhi- Rishikesh-
Joshimath- Govindghat
- Ghangriya -
Valley of Flowers-
Hemkund Sahib -
Badrinath- Mana
Village -
Badrinath- Joshimath
-
Auli- Srinagar
-
Rishikesh-
Haridwar
- Delhi - Day 15
BEST SEASON : END OF APRIL TO JUNE AND MID AUGUST TO OCTOBER
In
Hindu mythology the valley is associated spiritually with the name of
Lakshmana, the younger brother of Lord Rama. The former was believed to
have meditated on the bank of Lokpal Lake (Hemkund). The sanjeewani buti
by virtue of which Lord Lakshmana was brought to life after he was badly
wounded by Meghnath (son of Ravana) was found here. It is futher
believed to be the place where god showered the flowers that took root.
Officially famous mountaineer and naturalist frank Smythe discovered
this valley, where nature has endowed its bounties aplenty, in the year
1934. The valley
of flowers is nearly 10 kms in length and 2 kms in width, in the shape
of a cone. In an elevation ranging from 3658m to 3962m the River
Pushavati and small streams surround it. The trek starts from Govindghat.
At
Hemkund, apart from the Lakshman temple and the lake, there is a Guru
Govind Singh gurudwara. According to the Guru Granth sahib, the holy
book of the sikhs, Guru Govind Singh in one of his previous births
mediated here. In 1930, Havildar Sohan Singh discovered this lake and
identified it as the one referred to in the Guru Grant Sahib, the lake
is surrounded by
seven
snow-clad peaks. As Guru Govind Singh is honored and revered by Sikhs.
Hindus and people from other religions, this place is now
internationally known.
Highest point : 4150m.
Day 01 Delhi
Arrival Delhi and transfer
to hotel. Afternoon city sightseeing of Delhi. Evening tour briefing.
Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 02 Delhi/Rishikesh
(340m) 225 kms by Road
Morning after breakfast
drive to reach Rishikesh, via Haridwar, in 6 hrs. Arrival and check in
hotel for overnight stay at hotel.
Day 03 Rishikesh/Joshimath
(1875m) 253 kms by Road
Morning after breakfast
drive to reach Joshimath, via Deoprayag, in 7-8 hrs. Deoprayag is the
confluence of Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers. Proceed after lunch to
reach Joshimath, the winter abode of Lord Badrinath. Arrive and check in
hotel for overnight stay at hotel.
Day 04 Joshimath/Govindghat
(1828m)/Ghangriya (3048m) 20 kms by Road/14 kms Trek
Morning after breakfast
drive to reach Govindghat. Upon arrival start trekking to reach
Ghangriya in 5 hrs. The trek begins by crossing the suspension bridge
over Alaknanda river. The path continues in zigzag with the constant
companion Lakshman Ganga gurgling past dense vegetation and forest. One
can have panoramic views of Kak Bhusandi Valley. Ghangriya is the base
for both Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib (4150m) which is the
holiest place for the Sikhs. Overnight stay in tent.
Day 05 Ghangriya/Valley of
Flowers (3658-3962m)/Ghangriya (3048m)10 kms Trek
Ghangriya is nestled amidst
the giant deodars. Morning after breakfast start trekking to the Valley
of Flowers. The path climbs up steadily. The valley is spread in approx.
20 sq. kms area. It was discovered accidentally by the British
mountaineer Frank Smythe while returning from Mt. Kamet in 1934 in the
upper reaches of Bhyunder valley. The elevation ranges between 3658 to
3962m. It has the largest collection of wild flowers. Notable among them
are Himalayan blue poppy, brahma kamal, rennanclus, jareneyum, potentila,
dumex etc. Return to Ghangriya for overnight stay in tent.
Day 06 Ghangriya/Hemkund
Sahib (4150m)/Ghangriya (3048m) 12 kms Trek
Morning after breakfast
start trekking 6 kms to Hemkund Sahib. The winding path climbs up to a
high altitude Himalayan fresh water lake with a profusion of flowers.
Legend has it that this lake was made by Lord Rama’s brother Lakshmana
by shooting an arrow to quench the thirst of Sita, wife of Lord Rama.
The founder of the Sikh religion Guru Govind Singh meditated here. There
is a temple dedicated to Lakshmana and a gurudwara (place of worship for
Sikhs). The lake is called Lakshmana Theertha by Hindus and Hemkund by
Sikhs. The stream flows out and joins the river Alaknanda near
Govindghat. You will see many Hindus and Sikhs on your way to the lake.
Return to Ghangriya for overnight stay in tent.
Day 07 Ghangriya/Govindghat
(1828m)/Badrinath (3096m) 14 kms Trek/28 kms by Road
Morning after breakfast
start trekking to reach Govindghat. Upon arrival drive to Badrinath.
Afternoon visit the Badrinarayan temple which is one of the holiest
shrines of the Hindus. Watch the beautiful evening prayer in the temple.
Overnight stay at tourist bungalow/hotel.
Day 08 Badrinath/Mana Village
(3100m)/Badrinath (3096m) 6 kms Trek
Morning after breakfast start trekking 3 kms to Mana Village. Full day
sightseeing of Mana Village where we can see Vyash Gufa, where Maharshi
Vyash wrote Mahabharat (Holy book of Hindu). This village is famous for
woollen handicraft cloth like blanket, carpet, shawl, sweater, etc.
Return to Badrinath for overnight stay at tourist bungalow/hotel.
Day 09 Badrinath/Joshimath
(1875m)/Auli (2740m) 48 kms by Road/3 kms by Cable Car
Morning after breakfast
drive to Joshimath. Take a cable car ride to Auli - a winter ski resort,
at the height of 3000m. Auli provides excellent opportunities for cross
country, slalom and downhill skiing events. When not skiing, visitors
can feast their eyes on breathtaking views of peaks like Nanda Devi
(7873m), Kamet (7756m), Mana Parvat (7273m) and Dunagiri (7006m),
without being aware that their seeming closeness is a mere illusion.
Time loses all meaning while these panoramic sights engross you.
Overnight stay at tourist bungalow/hotel.
Day 10 Auli/Srinagar (579m)
168 kms by Road
Morning drive to Srinagar.
On arrival transfer to the hotel. Rest on the day at leisure.
Day 11 Srinagar/Rishikesh
(340m) 102 kms by Road
Morning after breakfast
drive to reach Rishikesh in 4 hrs. Lunch en route. Continue after lunch
and reach Rishikesh. Check in hotel upon arrival for overnight stay at
hotel.
Day 12 Rishikesh/Haridwar
(292m) 24 kms by Road
Morning after breakfast
sightseeing Rishikesh. Afternoon drive to Haridwar. Evening visit
temple. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 13 Haridwar/Delhi 203
kms by Road
Morning after breakfast drive to Delhi in 6 hrs. Overnight stay at
hotel.
Day 14 Delhi/Sightseeing full
day
Full
day Old/New Delhi sightseeing. Overnight stay at hotel.
Day 15 Departure
Transfer to Airport for international flight departure.
