[wanderernomad]

Excellent pictures. Keep them coming. Talk of dry glucose, I find the pilgrims coming down HemKund Sahib to be the most charitable of all the holy treks. I remember going up with about a 20 KG backpack and almost everyone stopping us offering us something or the other and looking at us incredulously when told that we are going up Hemkund with that heavy backpack. We were slightly surprised at this generosity till we started the climb from Gangharia, and man only then we realised why were being looked as if we had come down from Mars.

[Saurabh M]

Thanks for bringing this to us C300. Enjoying it thoroughly. This trip is high on my list and wish I could do it in the next couple of years.

Your travelogue will be of immense help to me and others who are planning to do this route.

The pictures are brilliant. Waiting for more.

[lordofgondor]

Hey C300, you got some nice info & great photographs in there. Couple of quick questions from my side;

1. Can one take a private vehicle to Govindghat?
2. Are there/how are the parking facilities at Govindghat?

Awaiting the continuation of the log...

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by lordofgondor

Hey C300, you got some nice info & great photographs in there. Couple of quick questions from my side;

1. Can one take a private vehicle to Govindghat?
2. Are there/how are the parking facilities at Govindghat?

Awaiting the continuation of the log...

Govindghat is halfway between Joshimath and Badrinath. Lots of car parking available, plus some of teh hotels there will also take care of your car for teh duration to go to the Valley of F/Hemkund and return.

[lordofgondor]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

Govindghat is halfway between Joshimath and Badrinath. Lots of car parking available, plus some of teh hotels there will also take care of your car for teh duration to go to the Valley of F/Hemkund and return.

Thanks HVK sir. This settles a big dilemma I had about doing this trip.

[C300]

Originally Posted by IQBAL VEERJI

The Bus Stand is actually known as PARVATIYA BUS ADDA (Hill tours bus stand ) the other one is for the plains ,buses going to Delhi,Uttar pradesh,Haryana,Punjab.I am a regular traveller to Shri Hemkunt Sahib for the last 31 years, The land slides have reduced to great extent for the last 10 to 15 years,also June-July months are porn for the land slides in this region due to rains,I travel in the end of August and very rarely come across land slides.

Thanks for the correction

Originally Posted by deky

I am enjoying each and every photograph posted by you. The 0252.jpg with the clouds on the mountains and the small stream flowing is a sight to behold. I hope you have lots of photographs more to share with us.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Saurabh M

Thanks for bringing this to us C300. Enjoying it thoroughly. This trip is high on my list and wish I could do it in the next couple of years.

Your travelogue will be of immense help to me and others who are planning to do this route.

The pictures are brilliant. Waiting for more.

Thanks Deky, Saurabh. More pictures on the way!

Originally Posted by wanderernomad

Excellent pictures. Keep them coming. Talk of dry glucose, I find the pilgrims coming down HemKund Sahib to be the most charitable of all the holy treks. I remember going up with about a 20 KG backpack and almost everyone stopping us offering us something or the other and looking at us incredulously when told that we are going up Hemkund with that heavy backpack. We were slightly surprised at this generosity till we started the climb from Gangharia, and man only then we realised why were being looked as if we had come down from Mars.

Completely agree with you. I was amazed to see so many aged people doing this trek with a smile on their face.

[C300]

Day 3 Ghagaria – Valley of Flowers – Ghagaria

Ghagaria is located at the altitude of around 3000m and is also known as Govinddham. The town is self sufficient and has all the basic amenities. There are few restaurants serving traditional north Indian and local delicacies. If you are after sumptuous and homely food then try GMVN Restaurant or Gurudwara Langar . For those suffering from altitude sickness, there is also a free medical checkup facility at Gurudwara. You will be amazed to see the dedication of the doctor considering the facility operates round the clock.

Valley of flowers is 3km trek from Ghagaria. It’s a medium difficulty trek. The valley itself is 8-10km in length. Camping is not allowed inside the valley. So its upto you and weather gods on how far you want to go inside the valley. There are professional guides available in Ghagaria or your porter can be your best guide.

Another view of Ghagaria



Around 2 hours of trekking we reach the starting point of the valley. There is an abundance of wild flowers along the trek but the actual valley is a sight to remember. Flowers of different shapes and sizes everywhere.

Now let the pictures do the talking!!

[C300]

Riot of colours!



Thats wild Rose





We spend close to 4 hours in the valley. It is truly a heavenly place with beautiful flowers all around.

With the dark clouds fast approaching its time to head back.





By 4pm we were back in Ghagaria.
Tomorrow is another big day - trek to Hemkund Sahib.

[MX6]

looks great. I've seen some of the flowers here in UK.

[prguru]

Hey C300 amazing photos, what camera/lens did you use ? Waiting for more.

[C300]

Originally Posted by MX6

looks great. I've seen some of the flowers here in UK.

Originally Posted by prguru

Hey C300 amazing photos, what camera/lens did you use ? Waiting for more.

Thanks. Its a Canon 1000D with 18-55 IS kit lens.

[bantejas]

C300: The sun never came out is it? It's really pretty place when it comes out. I was lucky to have the sun around for a while!

For photography and its landscape, my dad still keeps going there. There's a person called Chauhan (everyone is a chauhan there though) but he is the owner of hotel gangotri as well. He has a few good clues about those flowers. Can get more info from my dad if required.

You can see this in case of a clear sky:

[wanderernomad]

There is a glacial pond some distance away from the Gurudwara where it is said that the elusive neel kamal blooms. Perhaps you would like to check it out when you are there.

[C300]

Originally Posted by bantejas

C300: The sun never came out is it? It's really pretty place when it comes out. I was lucky to have the sun around for a while!

For photography and its landscape, my dad still keeps going there. There's a person called Chauhan (everyone is a chauhan there though) but he is the owner of hotel gangotri as well. He has a few good clues about those flowers. Can get more info from my dad if required.

You can see this in case of a clear sky:

Yes, unfortunately the sun never came out. Your snap is superb.

[C300]

Day 5 Ghagaria – Hemkund Sahib – Ghagaria

After a good nights sleep we are ready for the trek to Hemkund Sahib. Its a 6km trek from Ghagaria at the altitude of around 4200m. The climb is steep and lesser oxygen makes it even more challenging. The sight of so many old aged pilgrims making this trek is incredible.

As per our porter there are more flowers to be seen at Hemkund Sahib than the valley of flowers. This is because of the higher altitude of the place. I was eager to see ‘Brahma Kamal’ and ‘Blue Poppy’ which were not present in the valley.

The trek route is wide and well paved. The first part of the walk is through ‘Bhojpatra’ forest. For centuries Skin of the Bhojpatra tree was used to write religious scriptures.





As you trek higher, the vegetation dramatically changes and diverse wild flowers start appearing.



Few hundred meters to go and our porter points at the direction of a strange flower. That’s ‘Brahma kamal’ he says. The flower is fluorescent yellow and petals are nothing but extension of the leaves. As if the petals are transparent. It’s an incredible sight for the first time visitor.



As you move up closer to 4000m altitude there are ‘Brahma kamal’ everywhere along with 'Blue Poppy' which is also exceptionally beautiful.





Blue Poppy



Few more pics for your eyes



















Sad to see people writing their names even at this altitude









We reach at the top completely exhausted. The view from the top is incredible. Check this out!







Holy shrine of Hemkund Sahib





Laxshman Temple



Descent back to Ghagaria