The trip starts by reaching Rishikesh from Delhi.

For logistic reasons everybody seems to pass through

Delhi. It is followed by an 11 hrs bus journey from Rishikesh to Joshimath. Then, 1 hr bus ride from
Joshimath to Govindghat. Then comes the 14 km trek from Govindghat to Ghangria, along the river
Lakshman Ganga. This is the most difficult, but also an enjoyable part of the trip. From the base camp
Ghangria, the Valley of Flowers is a 3 km climb, where one has to go daily and come back the same day.
The satellite picture below can give a reasonable idea about the location and the route.

Approximate prices (2009)

Delhi-Rishikesh by bus: 170
Delhi-Dehradoon by AC bus: 280
Delhi-Haridwar by Jan Shatabdi: 400
Rishikesh-Joshimath by shared Sumo: (basically Rs 1.15 per km) 300
Rishikesh: 2-bed hotel room 600-900
Joshimath: 2-bed hotel room 630 (GMVN guesthouse)
Ghangria: 2-bed hotel room (varies on the demand) 700-1200
Joshimath/Ghangria: 3 people having a meal 200
Porter from Govindghat to Ghangria 450
At Ghangria, all packaged items are double the marked price: A Rs 20 Pepsi costs Rs 40.
Places, altitudes and distances:
Place Altitude (meters) Distance
1 Joshimath 1,890 252 km, 8-9 hours drive from Rishikesh
2 Govindghat 1,828 21 km, 1 hour drive from Joshimath
3 Ghangria 3,048 14 Km, trek from Govindghat.
4 Valley Of Flower 3,352 - 3,658 3 km from Ghangria
5 Hemkund 4,329 5 km steep climb from Ghangria.

Suggested trip plan:

Day 01: Delhi-Rishikesh (230 Kms)

Take a bus from ISBT, Delhi in the morning. The bus takes about 6 hours. No AC buses to
Rishikesh. You can take an AC bus to Dehradun, and take a shared Sumo from there to
Rishikesh (45 mins). Alternatively, take one of the many trains to Haridwar, and then take a bus
to Rishikesh. Haridwar and Rishikesh are close by. Overnight stay at Rishikesh.

Day 02: Rishikesh-Joshimath (250 Kms)

After breakfast leave for Joshimath. The earlier you leave, the better it is. Lunch enroute in
Rudraprayag. Overnight stay at Joshimath.
Joshimath is the winter home of Sri Badrinathji. It is situated on the slopes above the confluence of Alaknanda and
Dhauliganga. It is one of the 'maths' established by Adi guru Shankaracharya.

Day 03 : Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangria (25 Kms drive + 14 kms trek)

After an early breakfast, leave for Govindghat - eat well before leaving - you will need all the
energy you can muster. Thereafter 14 km trek to Ghangria. Overnight stay at Ghangria.
Govindghat is the confluence of Alaknanda and Laxman Ganga Rivers. It has an imposing Gurudwara named after
Guru Govind Singh.
Ghangria is the base camp for treks to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund, where lodging and boarding facilities are
available. Rivers Pushpawati and Hem Ganga meet here to form Lakshman Ganga.

Day 04: Ghangria - Valley of flowers - Ghangria (7+ km trek)

After breakfast, leave for Valley of flowers with packed lunch. Return back to Ghangria.
Overnight stay at Ghangria
High in the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttaranchal lies an enchanted valley. Here flowerful pastures with
clear running streams are set against silver birches and shining snow peaks - a must see for all nature lovers.

Day 05 : Ghangria-Hemkund (5 Kms steep climb)

After breakfast, leave for Hemkund with packed lunch. Return back to Ghangria. Overnight stay
at Ghangria
Hemkund is a beautiful lake at a breathtaking altitude of 4,300 m, and has a gurdwara, Hemkund Sahib, which a
holy place for the sikhs.

Day 06 : Ghangria-Govindghat-Joshimath (14 km downhill trek + 1 hr drive)

Start after breakfast and trek to Govindghat. Lunch on the way. From Govindghat, take a shared
Sumo to Joshimath. Overnight stay at Joshimath.
Day 07: Joshimath - Rishikesh (250 kms)
Early morning leave for Rishikesh by shared Sumo. Overnight stay at Rishikesh.

Day 08: Rishikesh - Delhi (230 kms)

Early morning leave for Delhi by bus.

Places to stay
Rishikesh
1. Hotel M.J. Comfort (9897144495, 9758610841): Bang next to the bus stand. brand new,
excellent rooms. Double-room 1000 (AC), 700 (Non-AC). They don't serve food, only tea.
Excellent value for money.
2. Akash Ganga (2430870, 2430451, 5540513): Walking distance from bus stand, Rs. 700-900
double-room. Old big rooms, not very good but okay for one night.
Joshimath
1. GMVN guesthouse: In the upper bazar. Rs 630 for basic, clean, double-rooms. Serve good
food. Good value for money. 2. Many other places very close-by. Cheaper ones also available.
Ghangria
1. GMVN guesthouse: Double-rooms - Rs 1200 deluxe, Rs. 1150 hut, Rs 850 economy rooms,
Rs 180 per bed dormitory. Best place to stay. Will be fully booked in the peak season. Book
online
2. Lots of other places with varying prices.

Valley of Flowers Trekking Tour

Haridwar & Rishikesh: The two holy towns of the Hindu's- centres of ' Vedic' learning and
Yoga & Meditation. HEMKUND SAHIB: The pilgrim centre of the Sikh's high in the
Himalayas. The Hemkund lake is dominated by the colossal Hathi Parbat (peak). AULI: A
popular winter Ski resort, Auli offers spectacular panoramic view of the Himalayas. PAURI : A
small hill station with serene surroundings. Enjoy the hospitality of a local village here.

Day01): Day 01: Arrival at Delhi

Upon arrival at Delhi transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day02): New Delhi - Haridwar (205 kms/5-6 hrs).

In the morning after breakfast drive to Haridwar. Lunch enroute. Upon arrival at Haridwar
transfer check into the hotel. In the evening visit "Har Ki peri" for Aarti ceremony. Back to hotel
for dinner and overnight stay.

Haridwar: Haridwar is the gateway to the four pilgrimages of Uttaranchal. It's also starting
point on the journey to the sacred sources of the Ganga and the Yamuna Rivers. According to
legend, Prince Bhagirath performed penance here to salvage the souls of his ancestors who had
perished due to Sage Kapila's curse. The penance was answered and the river Ganga trickled
forth from Lord Shiva's locks and its bountiful water revived the sons of King Sagara. In the
tradition of Bhagirath, devout Hindus stand in the sacred waters here, praying for the salvation of
their ancestors.

The holy city of Haridwar is home to some of the most sacred Hindu rituals. Round the year,
devotees from all over the country flock here in their thousands to perform "Poojas" or prayers.
Renowned for the "Maha Kumbh Mela" which appears Every 12 years and the enchanting
"Aarti" at "Har Ki Pauri" which captives the beholder with hundreds of burning wick lamps
floating down the Ganges this town has been distinguished for centuries in the Indian society.

Day03): Haridwar - Joshimath (245 kms/8-9 hrs)

After an early breakfast drive to Joshimath via Devprayag. On the way visit Dev prayag where
Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers meet. From here the holy river Ganges started. Arrival at
Joshimath by evening, check into the hotel. Dinner & overnight stay.

Joshimath: The religious centre, established by Adi Shankaracharya, which he called

Jyotirmath, later came to be known as Joshimath. Among the sites of interest are the temples of
Nav Durga and Narsingh. Apart from its obvious religious importance, Joshimath is known for
its scenic beauty.

Day04): Joshimath - Govindghat (22 kms/1 hrs) - Ghangaria (14 kms/3-4 hrs)
After an early breakfast drive to Govindghat. Which is the starting point of the trek. From
Govindghat there is a gradual ascent along a well maintained pilgrim trail to Ghangaria. Upon
arrival at Ghangria check into hotel. Explore the surroundings in the evening. Dinner and
overnight stay at the hotel.

Day05): Ghangaria - Valley Of Flowers - Ghangria (5 kms one side/4-5 hrs)

After breakfast trek to Valley Of Flowers (3858 m) from Ghangaria. The valley is an
enchanting sight with an impressive array of rare wildflowers like Geranium, Marsh marigold,
Prinula, Potentilla, Geum, Asters, Lilium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Braham kamal,
Campanula, Pedicularis, Arisaema, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis,
Saxifrages, Sibbaldia, Thermo- psis, Trollius, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Str-
awberry, Epilobium, Rhododendrons and numerous others. Most of the flowers have
medicinal values too. The valley is 10 kms long, 2 kms wide, and is divided by the
Pushpawati stream, into which several tiny streams and waterfalls merge. After enjoying the
beauty of valley trek back to Ghangaria. Dinner & overnight stay at the hotel.

Day06): Hemkund-Ghanghria
After breakfast trek to Hemkund Sahib (4329 m) from Ghangaria. This is quite a steep climb. In
the Sikh holy book, The Granth Sahib, the Sikh Guru Gobind Singh recounts that in a previous
life, he meditated on the shores of a lake surrounded by seven snowcapped mountains now
recognized by Hemkund. Late afternoon trek back to Ghangaria. Dinner & overnight stay at the
hotel.

Day07): Ghangaria - Govind Ghat - Joshimath

After breakfast trek down to reach Govind Ghat and from here drive to Joshimath. Upon arrival
at Joshimath check into the hotel. Rest of the day is free to explore the area. One can also visit
Auli in the evening. Dinner and over night stay at the hotel.

Day08): Joshimath - Haridwar

Early morning drive to Haridwar with packed breakfast. On the way visit Rudraprayag where
river Mandakini and Alaknanda meet. Lunch enroute. Arrive Haridwar by evening. Check into
the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.

Day09): Haridwar - Delhi

After an early breakfast visit Har ki peri. After lunch drive to Delhi airport.