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Valley of Flowers - Eco lodge based trek

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Valley of Flowers - Eco lodge based trek
  • Category: Trekking (Moderate)
  • Season: June / July / August / September / October
  • Location: Gharwal, Uttarakhand
  • Cost: 14800/- per person plus taxes
  • Min Group: 2
  • Customizable: Yes
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About the trip

 

 

The valley of flowers is a world heritage site and is part of the famous Nanda Devi Biosphere. This hidden jewel is a truly unique habitat, home to many endemic varieties of alpine flowers and plants. This region also plays home to many rare & endangered species of animals like Asiatic black bear, brown bear, snow leopard, blue sheep and more.

 

We offer a very special & flexible itinerary not seen before where people are going to get the option of spending many more extra hours inside and around the valley instead of just a couple of hours, if they were to take the regular itinerary. Our trip will have you walking large parts of the valley and climb up to a beautiful vantage point to observe the colossal beauty of this natural wonder. We will also explore higher reaches around the valley and retrace the steps of Frank Smythe, the legendary mountaineer who discovered this valley by chance while coming down after a successful summit of Mt. Kamet IN 1931. Not many people have walked this route.

 

A great feature of this itinerary is the flexibility to do your own thing in spite of being in a small group. You will get to decide how much you want to explore the valley and also if you want to trek to Hemkund Sahib, which from a trekkers point of view is not an ideal trail because of the number of people on it. Also, as a part of the itinerary you get to stay in a spectacularly located lodge at Auli and also visit the revered Badrinath temple. To make this trek comfortable for a wider audience we have set up a beautiful & very comfortable campsite at Ghangria, away from the crammed Ghangria market. The bloom starts immediately after the melting of snow. Different flowers bloom in different months but the peak blooming period is from mid July to mid August. Almost 300 species of wild flowers bloom here unhindered by mankind. The prominent species are Brahmakamal, Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily Anemone, Geranium, Marsh Marigold & Prinula. Also the valley has to offer much more than flowers. There are waterfalls, glaciers, towering mountains, big rivers and quaint villages.

 

 

 

Fixed Departure Dates

 

June: 20th - 25th, 26th - 1st(July).

July: 2nd - 7th, 8th - 13th, 14th - 19th, 20th - 25th, 26th - 31st.

August: 1st - 6th, 6th - 11th, 9th - 14th, 12th - 17th, 15th - 21st, 20th - 25th, 23rd - 28th, 27th - 1st(Sept).

September: 3rd - 8th, 6th - 11th, 9th - 14th, 14th - 19th, 21st - 25th, 26th - 1st(Oct)

Ocrtober: 1st - 5th

 

Cost Inclusive of

  1. All road transfers from and back to Haridwar in good quality vehicles (Tempo traveller, Innova, Xylo & Scorpio in case of Fixed Departures.
    • In Case of private departures we can arrange quality transport for you at an extra cost for a vehicle of your choice.
  2. Accommodation in deluxe rooms in The Himalayan Eco Lodge in Auli and in Superior tents with attached washrooms with W/C at Ghangria. 
  3. All vegetarian meals beginning with dinner on Day 01 to breakfast on Day 06. 
  4. English speaking, Professional guide (trained from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Uttarkashi or equivalent) 
  5. Services of a naturalist during the Valley experience
  6. Park Entry Fees
  7. Forest camping charges
  8. First Aid Kit.

Cost Not Inclusive of

  1. Air Fare
  2. Service Tax (@4.94%)
  3. Travel between Delhi and Haridwar (can be arranged by us on request)
  4. Accommodation in Delhi - We can arrange if required. Rooms starting at Rs.2500 and upwards
  5. Single supplements.
  6. Any meals/services not mentioned above
  7. Any charges for video cameras, still cameras, etc.
  8. Alcohol, soft drinks, beverages, etc.
  9. Personal expenses like tips, telephone calls, laundry, etc.
  10. Charges for video/ still cameras etc
  11. Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, road blocks, bad weather, etc.
  12. Mules and porters to carry personal gear (If needed, should be booked in advance at an extra cost).
  13. Helicopter charges, if you opt for the flight - should be booked in advance
  14. Travel Insurance



Duration – 06 days
Trekking days – 04 days
Max Altitude – 
Tiprakhal 4050 mts & if going to Hemkund Sahib 4329 mts
Accomodation - Lodges and Deluxe Camp-5 Nights 


Itinerary

Day 01: Haridwar to Himalayan Eco Lodge at Auli (2450 m) - Drive/280 kms/8-9 hrs 


We will meet at Haridwar railway station at 7 a.m and from here board a vehicle (arranged by us) and be driven up to Auli. This is a long but interesting drive. You will for most part of the journey drive along the Ganga & Alaknanda rivers. En route you will be crossing the holy towns of Rishikesh, Dev Prayag & Rudra Prayag. 

Evening relax at the beautiful lodge set up in an apple orchard. Overnight in H.E.L, Auli (www.himalayanecolodges.com)  


Day 02: Auli Lodge(2450 m) drive to Govindghat and then trek to Ghangria (3050m)    – drive/1 hr & trek 4/5 hrs 


Early morning drive for about an hour or so to reach Govindghat, our starting point for the trek. We start the trek by crossing the river Alaknanda over a bridge at Govindghat and from there walking towards the Bhyundar valley through forest area and a few villages. There are numerous waterfalls and absolutely lush green landscape all around. The gradient of the trail is moderate. The 14 kms trek to reach Ghangria takes about 4-5 hrs, one can also hire a mule or use the helicopter service to reach Ghangria. 

Overnight in Camp Valley of Flowers, Ghangharia.


Day 03: Choose from one of the options below

Option 1: Ghangria (3050 m) to VOF (3600 m) & back to Ghangria (3050 m) - trek 4/5 hrs. (THIS OPTION IS FOR PEOPLE WANTING TO HAVE A LEISURELY TREK TO VOF)

It's a delightful and short ascent to the valley. Gradient is moderate and the landscape extremely soothing to the eye. It will take about a couple of hours to reach the valley. The beauty of this world renowned valley totally lives up to its reputation. There are unending meadows laden with varieties of alpine flowers, network of streams and big mountains all around. At the entrance of the Valley stands the snow-clad peak of Ratban Parvat, towards the left is Nar Parvat, which separates the Badrinath valley from this valley, and to the right is dense Birch forest on the hillsides. 

We will spend 3-4 hrs exploring different corners & vantage points of the valley and towards late afternoon head back to the camp at Ghangria.



Option 2: Ghangria (3050 m) to VOF & Tiprakhal  (4050m) & back to Ghangria (3050 m) - trek 8/9 hrs. (THIS OPTION IS FOR THE GREEDY MOUNTAIN LOVERS)

In this option once we reach valley and spend some time there we will continue with our explorations and climb beyond Tipra Kharak, a beautiful vantage point ahead of the normal visiting area. Tipra Kharak forms the Gateway to the fabled Bhyundar Valley and the Rataban Glacier, from Where Frank Smythe walked into and discovered the Enchanting Valley of Flowers. Relive those moments as you walk every step. Towards late afternoon head back to Ghangria and once at the camp rejoice your adventures of the day with a hot cup of tea.  Overnight at the camp


Day 04: Again choose from one of the options

Option 1: Ghangria (3050 m) to Hemkund Sahib (4329 m) & back to Ghangria (3050 m) - trek 6/7 hrs
Today's climb to Hemkund Sahib is steep at places and will take about 3 - 4 hrs. Hemkund Sahib is a popular Sikh Shrine built next to the beautiful lake. The lake is surrounded by wild flowers with Brahmkamal being the most popular. Pilgrims take a dip in the freezing cold waters of the lake, not an easy task. The hot tea served in the Gurudwara (shrine) is divine to say the least. We will also visit the Laxman mandir next to the Gurudwara. Towards afternoon head back to Ghangria. Overnight in the camp at Ghangharia

Option 2: Do another round of VOF & return to Ghangria – trek/3 hrs
You can do a leisurely hike today and spend more time taking pictures and documenting the flower species
Option 3: Ghangria to Govindghat – trek 3 / 4 hrs & drive to Auli / 1 hr
You can decide to go back to Auli a day earlier and spend one full day (day 5) exploring the area. Around our lodge there are beautiful hikes of 1 – 5 hrs and you could take your pick. Also if in a mood to relax then just laze around in the lodge

Day 05: Ghangria - Govindghat - trek 3-4 hrs & drive to Auli via Badrinath / 3 hrs.
Today we trek back to Govindghat and from there drive for about an hour to reach the beautiful temple town of Badrinath. Situated on the banks of holy Alaknanda and with the backdrop of Neelkanth peak, an ancient temple with hot sulphur water pools and crisp and clean air, Badrinath is a wonderful destination to visit. For the spiritually inclined, there can be no better place. Later in the evening we return to Himalayan Eco Lodge, Auli where a hot shower followed by a sumptuous meal awaits us. Overnight in H.E.L, Auli  (www.himalayanecolodges.com) 

Day 06: Auli – Haridwar drive/280 kms 8/9 hrs 
After breakfast drive down to Haridwar. Trip ends here 

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