Valley of Flowers - Travel in India
After reading Frank Smith's book many foreign tourists came here. One of them was an English woman called Margaret Lague who came here in 1939. She was very fond of flowers. On the 4th of July, when she was trying to pick one of the rare flowers she slipped from a rock and fell into a chasm to her death. In her memory the tombstone on her grave reads as "My eyes will forever drink in the beauty of the mountains which gave me strength and inspiration". The tourists who visit this valley never fail to visit her grave and pay homage.
Suggestions: Take warm clothes. Do not forget to take an umbrella and also a water-proof jacket. Do not pull out the flowers from their roots and pay attention to the cleanliness of nature. Do not litter with polythene or any other plastic or trash.
Rail: The closest railway station is Rishikesh.
Road: From Rishikesh there are buses and taxis available till Joshimath. Then from Joshimath to Govind Ghat, the distance can be covered by buses or taxis.
Foot: The valley of Flowers is in the Chamoli District of Garhwal. Govind Ghat is a village 20 kms from Badrinath. The trek from Govind Ghat to the Valley of Flowers is 17 kms. The last overnight stay is at Ghangaria which is just 3 kms from the valley. There are small hotels and restaurants available here. Fast foods, Chinese food, cool drinks and vegetarian food are available. One road from Ghangaria leads to the Valley of Flowers and an other is a steep climb of 6 kms to Hemkund lake. This place is an important pilgrim center for those following the Sikh religion. There is a massive Sikh temple here. From Ghangaria, tourists can visit the valley and return the same day.
Govind Ghat is also equipped with hotels and guest houses. 4 kms from here is the Pulna Village and 5 kms later, the Bhyundar Village, from where Ghangaria is 4 kms away. The whole journey sees small petty shops and snack bars on the way. From Govind Ghat ponies and horses can also be hired.
Suggestions: Take warm clothes. Do not forget to take an umbrella and also a water-proof jacket. Do not pull out the flowers from their roots and pay attention to the cleanliness of nature. Do not litter with polythene or any other plastic or trash.
Travel Plans:
Rail: The closest railway station is Rishikesh.
Road: From Rishikesh there are buses and taxis available till Joshimath. Then from Joshimath to Govind Ghat, the distance can be covered by buses or taxis.
Foot: The valley of Flowers is in the Chamoli District of Garhwal. Govind Ghat is a village 20 kms from Badrinath. The trek from Govind Ghat to the Valley of Flowers is 17 kms. The last overnight stay is at Ghangaria which is just 3 kms from the valley. There are small hotels and restaurants available here. Fast foods, Chinese food, cool drinks and vegetarian food are available. One road from Ghangaria leads to the Valley of Flowers and an other is a steep climb of 6 kms to Hemkund lake. This place is an important pilgrim center for those following the Sikh religion. There is a massive Sikh temple here. From Ghangaria, tourists can visit the valley and return the same day.
Govind Ghat is also equipped with hotels and guest houses. 4 kms from here is the Pulna Village and 5 kms later, the Bhyundar Village, from where Ghangaria is 4 kms away. The whole journey sees small petty shops and snack bars on the way. From Govind Ghat ponies and horses can also be hired.
