HIKERWOLF - TREK TO VALLEY OF FLOWERS

ABOUT

Somewhere away from pollution but full of adventure this virtual paradise on earth has been unknown to the outside world until the great Mountaineer Frank S Smith discovered it in the year 1931. It is famous for its charming and embarking flowers which resembles a kind of fairy-land. During ancient times locals used to call this place as ‘Pushpawati Valley’ because river originates somewhere near it and was considered a place inhabited by fairies. So, people time for another amazing Flowerful trek-Best of Uttarakhand treks- the valley of flowers

Bestowed with the rare and exotic Himalayan flora, the Valley of Flowers is a bouquet of nature peacefully snuggled in the West Himalayan region of Uttarakhand. It is a much-sought destination for trekkers, flower lovers, botanists, photographers, and wildlife photographers. How can HikerWolf miss this and also for Smith-Frank Smith who discovered this place?

Let's visit valley of flowers this rainy season

DATES:

Batch 1: 25th June 2023

Batch 2: 9th July 2023

Batch 3: 23rd July 2023

Batch 4: 13th Aug 2023

Batch 5: 27th Aug 2023

Batch 6: 10th Sept 2023

DURATION

5 Nights, 6 days

TRIP COST

7,499/- Govindghat to Govindghat

We will assist you in booking flight/train tickets from any city

Pay just Rs. 2000/- to book this trip at a current discounted price and pay the rest 15 days before the trip date. We’ve made it easy to change your travel plans up to 20 days prior to your trip’s departure date. You can choose new dates and/or a new destination or get a full refund without any penalty.

WHY VALLEY OF FLOWERS WITH HIKERWOLF?

• It is blessed with the verdant beauty of the meadows, and exotic flowers so we will make it a trek where we can visit all the small streams and every corner of the valley
• We will interact with locals and get to learn about their culture while having a hot cup of tea
• We will all together drop all our sins in the holy water of Hemkund Sahib and pure our souls
• The fun will be lit when we have all the combination of starlit sky bonfire and camping all night
• Every flower is a soulful blossoming in nature, let's free our souls in this fragrant environment with the fun of adventure.

BRIEF ITINERARY

Day 1 - Haridwar Railway Station -Govind Ghat (2450m) (Drive - 280km /9-10 hrs)

Meet at Haridwar Railway Station at 06:00Hrs and get transferred to Govind ghat by a vehicle. Making its way along Ganga and Alaknanda rivers, the drive is an engaging one. Cross holy towns of Rishikesh, Dev Prayag, and Rudra Prayag. Reach the destination and relax in a beautiful lodge. Overnight will be spent in the lodge.

Day 2 – Govind Ghat (3050m) - Ghangaria (Drive-1hr) (Trek - 4-5hrs)

Today, wake up early morning for a trek to Ghangaria. Savor the trail through forest area and villages and the sights of waterfall and verdant landscapes. After covering 11km in 4-5 hours, reach Ghangaria. If you wish, you can also hire a mule or use the helicopter service to reach Ghangaria.

Day 3 - Ghangaria (3050m) - Valley of Flowers (3600m) - Ghangaria (Trek -4-5hrs)

This balmy day, look forward to a short climb to the valley, moderate gradient and fetching landscapes. It will take you around 2 hours to reach the famous Valley of Flowers. Feast your eyes on vast meadows dotted with vibrant alpine flowers, many streams, and lofty mountains.

Right at the entrance stands the snowy Ratban Parvat Peak, on the left is Nar Parvat and on the right is the dense Birch Forest. Unravel the c+harms of the region over a good 3-4 hours. Head back to the camp/Lodge at Ghangaria.

Day 4 - Ghangaria (3050m) – Hemkund Sahib (4329m) – Ghangaria (3050m) (Trek6-7hrs)

Ascend to Hemkund Sahib, a revered Sikh Shrine built next to the mesmerizing lake (ringed by wildflowers with Brahmkamal being the most popular) over 3-4 hours. Expect steep climbs at some places. Once there, soak in the beauty of the place as sip on the piping hot tea served at the Gurudwara (shrine). Visit Laxman Mandir next to the Gurudwara. By noon, retreat to Ghangaria.

Overnight will be spent at the campsite/Lodge.

Day 5 - Ghangaria –Govindghat (Trek-3-4hrs)

On this day, you will trek back to Govindghat. Plonked on the banks of holy Alaknanda and with Neelkanth Peak as the backdrop, this place of worship makes for a riveting destination especially for those into spirituality. Here are sulfur water pools and fresh air.

Later in the evening, you head to the lodge in Govindghat. Take a shower and dig into a delectable meal. Overnight will be spent in the lodge.

Day 6 - Govindghat- Haridwar (280km/8-9hrs)

Dig into breakfast and drive down Haridwar.

Trip ends here...

INCLUSIONS

• Veg meals while on the trek
• Trekking Equipment
• First aid medical kits,
• Qualified and experienced trek leader, guide, and support staff.
• All NECESSARY forest Permits.
• Transportation from Govind ghat to Govind ghat

EXCLUSION

• Personal expenses like portages, tips, laundry, mineral water, etc
• Any activity not mentioned in the inclusions
• Travel Insurance
• Additional cost due to flight cancellation/ roadblocks, Political unrest, etc
• Transportation from Haridwar to Govind ghat and back. If needed, transportation will be provided (Rs 2000) will be charged additionally.

THINGS TO CARRY

 Bare Necessities :

• Trekking shoes
• Backpack (40-60 litres): Rain cover for backpack is essential.
• Daypack (20 litres): You will need a smaller backpack to carry water, medical kit and some light snacks for your trek to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.
• The Valley of Flowers trek happens during monsoons so make sure you take a poncho for this trek.

Clothes :

• Three Warm Layers
• Two Trek Pants
• Three Collared T-Shirt
• Thermal

Accessories :

• Sunglasses (Compulsory)
• Sun caps
• Synthetic Hand Gloves
• Balaclava
• Socks (2 pairs)
• Headlamp/LED torch: Mandatory

Others

• Toiletries: Sunscreen, moisturizer, light towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer. Do not carry wet wipes since these are not biodegradable. If you do happen to use wet wipes to clean up after a trek, make sure you bring them back with you. The same holds for used sanitary napkins. Carry a ziplock bag to put used wet tissues and napkins. Bring this ziplock bag back with you to the city and do not dispose of wet tissues and sanitary napkins in the mountains.
• Cutlery: Carry a spoon, coffee mug, and a lunch box. We insist on trekkers getting their own cutlery for hygiene reasons.
• Two water bottles: 1 litre each
• Plastic covers: While packing, use plastic bags to compartmentalize things and carry a few extra plastic bags for wet clothes.

Mandatory Personal Medical Kit :

• Diamox – 10 tablets (to prevent AMS)
• Dexamethasone – one strip
• Nifedipine – 5 tablets
• Crocin – 6 tablets (fever)
• Avomine – 4 tablets (motion sickness)
• Avil 25mg – 4 tablets (allergies)
• Combiflam – 4 tablets (Pain killer)
• Norflox TZ & Lomofen– 6 tablets each (diarrhoea)
• Digene – 10 tablets (acidity)
• Omez/ Rantadine – 10 tablets (antacids)
• Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters
• Gauze – 1 small roll
• Band-aid – 10 strips
• Cotton – 1 small roll
• ORS – 10 packets
• Betadine or any antiseptic cream
• Moov spray (aches, & sprains)
• Knee cap, if you are prone to a knee injury
• Anti-fungal powder

Documents:

• Original and Copy of Identity Proof

NOTE: Do not carry any valuables. Please take care of it in case you are carrying the same. We will not be responsible if you lose them by any chance.

DETAILED ITINERARY

Day 1

Haridwar railway station -Govind ghat (2450 m) (Drive 280 km). Let's start our journey! Here is the day, we will all meet at Haridwar railway station @6:00 and leave for Govind ghat in A private vehicle. The trek to Valley of Flowers starts a little beyond Joshimath, at a pilgrim hamlet called Govind Ghat.

The nine-hour drive to Joshimath will surely be long and arduous, but you are never going to run out of mesmerizing views. We will reach Govindghat by evening positioned at the bank of River Alaknanda. Relish the splendid scenes around and relax in the lodge and be ready and excited for the journey the next morning.

Day 2

Govindghat - Ghangaria

Early morning post breakfast we will leave for our actual trek journey towards Ghangaria. It’s a 4-5 hrs journey where we will pass through forest areas, villages and before reaching Ghangaria also have fun in gushing waterfall named as Laxman waterfall.

Day 3

Ghangaria- the valley of flowers - Ghangaria

This day denotes the very purpose behind your whole high height Valley of Flowers trek. Begin your day with a healthy breakfast. Scale tallness of 3,858m to arrive at the Valley of Flowers. This site is a devour to the eyes and treat for the spirit. Your ears are blessed with sounds of chirping birds and rhythmic flowing water. There is no pollution and life of natural beauty awaits here.

The valley is thousand times stupendous than you might have imagined. It truly makes the Himalayan peaks lively and cherishing. Blue Poppy, Snake Foil, White Leaf Hog Foot, Himalayan Rose, Meadow Geranium, Dog Flower, Hooked Stick Seed are the native flowers. Walk further into the valley and you will be engulfed with an amazing scent, which unfortunately cannot be captured but can only be felt. Right at the entrance stand the snowy Ratban parvat peak, on the left Nar parvat and on the right is the dense birch forest. Unravel these exotic beauties with a lot of freshness, pictures and let your soul free to this never before amazement

After a good 3-4 hrs exploration, we will head back to Our lodge in Ghangaria

Day 4

Ghangaria- Hemkund sahib- Ghangaria.

Another big day! Today after breakfast, you'll take after a precarious trail to Hemkund Sahib to visit the religious site where Guru Gobind Singh is said to have meditated in a previous life. Leave by 7 am and reach this pious Gurudwara. The high-altitude lake is a treat for nature lovers. The trail today will be similar to previous days' stone-paved and continuous ascend.

Start trek up the steep path slowly but steadily. Spot a pretty waterfall on your right falling through the rock walls on the right. After about 2 hours of walking, you are higher than the tree line and the views begin to get better. An hour of stiff climbing brings you to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. Hemkund Sahib is the highest gurudwara in the world. Amidst snow-clad mountains and a beautiful lake alongside, this place is serene and spiritual. The lake is reposing at an astounding altitude of 13500 ft above sea level. Let's have a dip and leave our sins and refresh for a new life.

Soak in the beauty of this place with a hot cup of chai served at Gurudwara. After spending mesmerizing time here back to Ghangaria. Overnight in the lodge.

Day 5

Ghangaria to Govindghat

This day we will head back to Govindghat in between enjoying Alaknanda with Neelkanth peak. This place of worship makes for a riveting destination especially for those into spirituality. Also, we have some sulfur water pools with flavors of lush greenery and fresh air. Later head to Govind ghat lodge and recollects all your memories and spend an amazing night with our group dancing playing and whatnot.

Day 6

Govindghat - Haridwar

The day when we will end our journey as we leave early morning for Haridwar with a pack full of fresh soul, lots of pictures new friendships and best memories.

FAQ:

1. What is the style of accommodation on this trek?

Accommodation on all days of the trek will be in lodges, where you will be sharing rooms with fellow trekkers.

2. What will the temperatures be like during this trek?

Day time temperatures will range from 12-20ºC and night time temperature will range from 4-10ºC.

3. Will there be snow on this trek?

There will be no snow on the trek.

4. What will we do if it rains?

If it starts raining while you’re trekking, we will continue on the trail as planned. Your poncho should protect you from the rain. Carry a backpack cover for extra protection from rain for your belongings.

5. How do I reach Haridwar?

Haridwar is well connected to Delhi. You can either take an overnight train from New Delhi to reach Haridwar the following morning –

12205 Nandadevi Express – 23.50 – 3.55

12055 Jan Shatabdi- 15:20- 19:50 (previous day)

In case there are no train tickets available, you can travel by bus from Delhi to Haridwar. You’ll have to book this transport online. You can try the ISBT (Interstate bus terminus) services or www.redbus.in.

6. Is this a good trek for a first-timer?

Valley of Flower trek is moderate and the trail is popular and well established. It is suitable for a first-time trekker provided you are fit and prepare for the trek before setting off.

7. Can I take my child along on this trek? What is the age limit?

The minimum age requirement for this trek is 8 years. If your child meets this criterion and is physically fit, you can take her/him along.

8.What are washroom/toilet facilities like on the trek?

The guest houses where you will be staying have concrete toilets.

9. Is there a mobile network on this trek? Are there any electricity charging points on this trek?

The mobile network (BSNL) is available only up to Govind Ghat. Make sure you inform anxious family members about poor connectivity in the mountains. Electricity charging points are available at lodges. However, you need to be mindful of the fact that there could be power cuts.

10. Will food and water be provided during this trek?

Yes, vegetarian meals and safe drinking water throughout the trek are provided.

11. Can I have liquor or smoke while we're on the trek?

Consumption of alcohol or other types of intoxicants during the trek is strictly prohibited.

12. I am a solo traveller, Can I Join?

Yes, Definitely you can.