| Flowers and Flowers. Mountains with variety of | | | | When to go |
| flowers all around. It is one of its rarest in the | | | | The path to Hemkund is open from June to October. |
| world.Yes it is in the state of Uttranchal in India. | | | | The Valley of Flowers is in full bloom from July to |
| The walk is no bed of roses, but the valley blooms | | | | September. |
| like no other. | | | | Where to stay |
| You know that improbable scenery on glossy posters | | | | Joshimath: GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) |
| stuck in STD booths? A picture of flowers and | | | | tourist rest houses. Peak season deluxe $20; double |
| waterfalls and a caption reading “if you don’t | | | | $15; dorm $10/bed. Some hotels charge $10/room |
| understand my silence, you will not understand my | | | | and up. Auli (15km away) has luxury hotels. |
| words”? | | | | Ghangariya: GMVN tourist resthouses (price 20% |
| It’s an hour’s bus ride to Gobindghat. Cross | | | | higher than at Joshimath); 1000-bed |
| the bridge there to the 14 km footpath leading to | | | | Gurudwara; Shikhar Nature campsite (only in season) |
| Ghangariya. There are mule wallahs stationed at 10 | | | | 1km away with all amenities, $15/tent |
| metre intervals all along the path.With a ban on | | | | What to do |
| campers and poines, the valley remains pristine. | | | | The Auli ski resort (at 3000m) is accessible from |
| The approach to the valley is through oak, spruce | | | | Joshimath by cable car ($15, 8am-5pm). Walk to |
| and silver birch forests. The mountains are misty, the | | | | Gorson (alpine meadow, great views of Hathi Parbat |
| light is soft and you will feel warmer as you reach | | | | and other Peaks). From Gobindghat, a 10km bus ride |
| the place where the valley opens out. It’s | | | | to Badrinath. |
| flanked by 5,000-6,000 meter peaks, tapering into | | | | Getting there |
| grassy slopes. Waterfalls and streams flow from the | | | | Delhi-Rishikesh: Frequent buses from ISBT from 5am |
| heights into the Pushpawati River, which emerges | | | | -11pm (6 hrs): Shatabdi Express train (6am 5hrs). |
| from a glacier near Rataban and joins the Bhyundar | | | | Rishikesh –Joshimath: Buses from 5am to 9am. |
| Ganga and then the Alaknanda. | | | | There are no buses after 9am, since vehicles do not |
| Wildflowers are everywhere a sea of green dotted | | | | ply on these roads after dark (11hrs, ). Shared taxis |
| with pink and yellow and red. In the middle are green | | | | (9hrs, 10 people per Sumo). |
| tin boards which say things like Saussurea obvallata. | | | | Joshimath- Gobindghat: Buses (1 hr drive Rs 10) and |
| Which one of the eight kinds of flowers that grow | | | | shared taxis from 6.30 am to 4.30pm. |
| around the board does this refer t? | | | | There’s a ‘gate system’ which remains |
| It was known to locals as Bhyundar Valley, the place | | | | closed after 4.30 pm for ALL vehicles. For Gobindghat |
| of fairies and nymphs. Now they just call it Phoolon ki | | | | to Joshimath, the gates open at 7.50 am and close at |
| Ghati. One side track leads over alpine slops to a | | | | 5.45pm. |
| waterfall and a panoramic view. From here you can | | | | Shikhar Nature camp, Ghangariya |
| see varieties in the flower colonies. It’s pleasantly | | | | Gobindghat-Ghangariya-Hemkund: 114 km walk, ponies |
| quiet. Spot a flag marking the grave of an English | | | | and porters available. Charges are negotiable (Rs |
| botanist who died while exploring the valley in 1939. | | | | 150-Rs 400, Gobindghat-Ghangariya). |