Jul 25, 2011 12:15 PM
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This trip was a 7 day trek in himalayas starting from haridwar till the last indian village mana. we were 2 guys and hired a car.which was completely worth as we can stop, click, eat, stay anywhere we want.
You can contact raju the driver directly - 9568802421 to get the best deal
there is also local transport available - both bus and cabs
This trip happened in the month of july
Day 1: Haridwar to joshimath
This is a 250 km drive and takes around 10-12 hours
Reached haridwar at 5 in the morning and car was waiting for us.we took out our cameras and started clicking.the entire landscape is so beautiful that you would like to capture every thing. we also took bath roadside on a waterfall.which would have not been possible if using local transport. There are ample eating and staying options available on the entire route.just to keep in mind.as you go up the mountain the cost of essential commodities rises.
Day 2: Joshimath to gangharia via govindghat
joshimath to govindghat is 1 hour drive and govindghat to ghangharia is 14 km trek
If you have any luggage in hand weighing more than 5 kg please take a porter(we paid Rs 700 for 2 trekking bags weighing~10 kg each). the trek is too strenuous and a porter is must. You will get many porters near gurudwara. this trek normally takes 6 hours, and at many places it is along the river bed.
you can also hire a mule for this trek. Since this is a pilgrimage route for sikhs to himkund sahib there will be enough people on the route and enough eating options.
There are many economical staying options available in ghangharia.recommended is gmvn accommodation(we paid 500 per day for room). there is no network and electricity available for 4-5 hours in a day.
better start early from govindghat as the room price increases by evening.
Day 3: Ghangharia to Himkund Sahib and return
It is a very strenous 12 km trek
Himkund sahib is a pilgrmage trip for sikhs. It is very strenuous as the mountain climb is steep. Mule and porter options are available.carry some glucose, Gatorade or any energy source with you. You will find glaciers on the way. the trek will consume whole day.
Day 4: Ghangharia to valley of flowers and return
It is a 6 km trek and 6 km walk in valley
The valley is surrounded by 7(or more) mountains and atleast 10 streams of water coming out from each mountain. There are no eating options available so have to pack your food. better start early in day as you would like to spend maximum time there. The trek is of 3 km after which valley starts, and you can roam around in it. Better go deep into valley and try to cross as many water falls as you can.then only you would be able to see the diversity in flowers. where ever you are by 3pm start returning back to the base.
we also took bath in the glacier water
Day5: Ghangharia to govindghat to badrinath
We never wanted to go back but had to.the trek down to govindghat is equally difficult. Porter is must and this time we paid 800 to him. it took us 5 hours to reach down.
We were living on pain killers for these 4 days and completed almost 50km of trek
The car was waiting for us down and we left for badrinath the instant we reached govindghat
There are enough accommodation facilities available in badrinath. Since we were there in nonseason period, got good deals.we were staying in murlidhar hotel and paid 1500 for the room.normal charges are 3500.
Day6: badrinath -mana- gochar
it is 200 km drive
Since it was a non season we got entry in temple in no time. there are hot water spring outside where we can take bath.
There is mana village.3 km from badinath which is last indian village on the banks of alakhnanda river. vedvyas wrote mahabartha in that village.
@gochar we stayed in gmvn accomodation and paid 700 for the room, where they served the best food.
Day7: Gochar to haridwar
180 km drive
The cost for entire trip including the rail ticket from delhi and return cameout for Rs 22000.
You can directly contact me on my mail anuj_1012@yahoo.com if you want to know anything in detail
