Valley of flowers - trek plan as done in mid Aug'07

Best season is monsoons when maximum blooming occurs. But monsoons is synonymous with landslides in Himalayas, which can quite destroy any travel plans. The delay can last anywhere from 2 hrs to 2 days!

Note : Due to rains, sometimes the gates at Joshimath can get delayed. Due to this we had proceeded to Badrinath first, and then once the weather cleared we came to VOF. But catching an early morning bus from Badrinath for short distances is difficult as they prefer long distance customers. We waited from 6am to 9am then paid double fare to a shared jeep to reach Gobindghat by 10.30am.

Here are some photographs from the trip including map of VOF : Photographs

Day

Place

To

Height

Distance

Mode

Day 1	Haridwar/Rishikesh
Day 2	Rishikesh/Haridwar	Joshimath	1874m	253km+ 35km	Bus

Buses start early in the morning if one wants to proceed directly to Badrinath first. Or catch a 9am bus to Joshimath. Check the timings at TGMOC (Tel no.01334-265008). One can also catch a shared jeep from Rishikesh for Joshimath or else to Srinagar & switch there.

Day 3	Joshimath	Gobindghat	1828m	22 Km	Bus
	Gobindghat	Ghangaria (Gobinddham)	3050m	13 Km	Trek

The Gurudwara at Gobindghat provides free cloak room facility. The trek is a bit strenuous at stretches, but i did do it in about 4-5hrs with a light day bag, having unloaded my heavier backpack on to my companion's pony...

Day 4	Ghangaria	Valley of flowers	3850m- 3962m	4km +	Trek
	Valley of flowers	Ghangaria		4km +	Trek

Start early so u may explore further in the valley. Nothing strenuous, quite an easy walk. Some ice/glacier bridges at earlier portion of the route possibly. Nothing is available inside the valley, so better to carry a picnic pack.

Day 5	Ghangaria	Hemkund sahib	4329m	6km	Trek
	Hemkund sahib	Ghangaria		6km	Trek

This is a pilgrim route. Ponies are available. This section is a bit strenuous, 5000 feet climb in 6km. Shops at regular intervals on the way. Watch the bunches of Brahmakamals & the delicate blue poppies besides boulders. There are no sleeping arrangements at Hemkund and one is advised to leave by 2PM to make it back to Ghangharia by nightfall.) Many people take a dip here in the lake.Have khidri & tea at Gurudwara langar.

Day 6	Ghangharia	Gobindghat		13km	Trek
	Gobindghat	Badrinath			Bus

Make note of the Joshimath gate timings so u know what time the buses will be passing though Gobindghat section. The walk from the Gobindghat market area to the main road is a bit longish, may be 1km.

Day 7 : Badrinath darshan & sight seeing... (Vashundhara falls 5km + 5km trek)

Day 8

Badrinath

Haridwar/Rishikesh

Bus

Catch an early morning bus, say 5.30am, reach by evening...