Valley of Flowers National Park

城市概覽

Ghangaria is also some called Govinddham, even though this refers more to the Gurudwara grounds of the Sikh temple in Ghangaria.

Climate The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is July–August. Average rainfall in this area is almost 1,800 mm. Maximum temperature in this area goes up to 17 °C and minimum goes down to 7 °C, an excellent temperature for trekking.

如何抵達

Ghangaria is 13 km from 1 Govindghat (1,800 m), a village and transport hub at the main road between 2 Joshimath and 3 Badrinath, which is about 50 km from the Chinese border. The first 4 km of these 13 km are on asphalt road, the last 9 km is just a footpath, but a proper one. Govindghat is 276 km from Rishikesh.

On foot You can hike the full 13 km, which will take you at least 5 hr, more like 6–7 hr, considering the altitude gain of about 1,300 m.

By taxi There are also many taxis available for the first 4 km asphalt road, ₹50.

By mule After the 4 km asphalt road end at Pulna village, many locals offer mule service for the next 9 km, to carry luggage and even persons up to Ghangaria.

By bus There is a state-run bus at 5:30AM for ₹620 from the ISBT in Rishikesh to Govindghat, but you need to be there by 5AM, seats are limited. You can reserve a seat through their website, but only Rishikesh–Badrinath (₹675). The bus will take 8-10 hr, depending on the conditions of the road. Also, there is a 14-seater ("transporter") from the Gurudwara in Rishikesh at 5AM for ₹700, which could be faster, but it might not run if they don't find enough people. This however should be clear around 8PM the previous day. Inquire with the Gurudwara in Rishikesh. The bus between Joshimath and Govindghat is ₹45—Taxis are ₹100.

當地交通

On foot Ghangaria can easily be explored on foot, the rest is trekking.

By mule Mules can be hired to Hemkunt for approximately ₹500-₹750 (up-to-date?). However, the ride is rather difficult as the way quite steep—it might be easier to just walk and take your time.

必看景點

1 Lakshman Temple. A small temple behind the Hemkunt Gurudwara, dedicated to Lord Lakshman (brother of Lord Rama).

體驗活動

1 Valley of Flowers (The hiking into the valley is less exhausting than Hemkunt and you can only go in 8 km anyhow. Altitude gain is somewhere around 500 m (+/-) from Ghangaria. And you can always turn around when you decide to feel too exhausted, there is no end that you need to reach, it's just a nice valley to see.). A world heritage, listed since 2004, and among the natural wonders of the world. Beautiful waterfalls, landscapes and meadows at the feet of amazing snow peaks, famous for its endangered animals and endemic alpine flowers. The park itself is spread over an area of around 88 km², the valley is 8 km long and 2 km wide. The national park is surrounded by forests. During the rainy season, the whole valley turns into a naturally created beautiful garden, with different variety of colourful flowers. This valley is at 3,300–3,800 m. There are a few snow lakes and glaciers in the valley which increases the beauty of this place. It's famous for its excellent natural trekking trail, which is the home for many beautiful flowers like Cobra Lily, Blue Poppy and Brahmakamal. Flora includes orchids, poppies, primulas, calendulas, daisies and anemones. Fauna includes tahr, snow leopard, musk deer, red fox, common langur, bharal, serow, Himalayan black bear, and brown bear. Birds include the Himalayan Monal Pheasant. The valley was discovered by British mountaineer Frank Smythe in 1931, when he along with other mountaineers were descending from a successful expedition of Mount Kamet. He came back in 1937 to collect seeds and do research, and later wrote a book called The Valley of Flowers. ₹600/₹150 foreigners/Indians. (updated Sep 2023) 2 Hemkunt (Hemkund / Hēm Kund) (It can be reached by a proper footpath from Ghangaria, but the ascend is about 1,100 m starting at an altitude with already considerably thin air. It is recommended to start your journey early in the morning from Ghangaria. People taking 4-5 hr is not unheard of—if you are reasonably fit and experience

購物

The Valley of Flowers checkpoint sells CDs on various species of flowers, if you are really interested.

美食

Ghangaria has numerous restaurants, both North and South Indian, some serving some Western-oriented dishes. Momos and chowmein is also available. Beyond Ghangaria on the way to Hemkunt, there are small kiosks and cafés, but no restaurants, except for the Gurudwara in Hemkunt serving lunch. Carry your lunch or snacks if necessary.

飲品與夜生活

No nightlife happening here, everyone wants to wake up early for the hikes.

住宿

At least a dozen hotels, guesthouses and home stays (incl. dorms) are available in Ghangaria, at ₹500-₹3,000 (as of 2023). But there are no expensive luxury facilities. Very few camping options are available in Kajila, the village 500 m before Ghangaria, but it is advised to prefer camps only if you carry proper sleeping bags because at night temperatures can below freezing point sometimes, but in summer you should be safe at 5–10 °C.

1 Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib Govinddham. They are quite friendly and open to foreigners. (If they are hesitant, tell them you already stayed in Rishikesh and mainly want to do Hemkunt.) There is no hot water here, except for the drinking water dispenser. The blankets in the dorms are not particularly clean, so sleep with cloths or have your sleeping bag ready. Dorm and food free, donation recommendation ₹50-75/night. (updated Sep 2023) 2 GMVN Tourist Rest House. Dorm/room ₹400/1,200. (updated Sep 2023)

Govindghat Depending on when you arrive in the region, you will have to stay in Govindghat the first night. If you are lucky with the bus and arrive by 2PM, and you are a good hiker, you could still hike into Ghangaria and stay for free at the Gurudwara Govinddham, especially if the Gurudwara in Govindghat doesn't let you stay.

3 Gurudwara Sri Hemkunt Sahib (Govindghat), Govindghat. They are quite hesitant to take foreigners. But try to argue that in Rishikesh, where you did the Hemkunt registration, they guaranteed that in Govindghat they will accept foreigners. And try to (friendly) argue with the manager, not the guys working at the reception—often random Sikh promise you that it is no problem, just for some manager not to give the final go. They will also sent you to get a Form-C from the police, which the Gurudwara doesn't have (but should, since most hotels and guesthouse do). So, if the police doesn't want to help you, maybe try getting it from one of the other accommodations or be insistent with the police and they will ge

順遊推薦

Badrinath – Just further north from Govindghat, a Hindu holy town and a nagar panchayat with the most important of the four Char Dham Yatra Hindu pilgrim centers. Kedarnath – Relatively close, considering you are already in this area. It is one of the four Char Dham Yatra Hindu pilgrim centers, at 3,400 m, which you need to hike at least 16 km to. Nainital – Back towards the plains, one of the most