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Valley of Flowers hidden deep in Central Himalayas
The Valley of the flowers is one of the Natural wonders of the world,and recently it has been inscribed as world heritage site, the Alpine Valley nestles at the feet of majestic snowpeaks. This carpet of flowers 10 kms in length and 12 kms in width is the abode of gods. During the rains the entire Valley is transformed into a natural garden with an innumerable variety of alpine flowers. At the altitude of 3,500 meters to 4,000 meters, this valley has snow lakes and glaciers, all now preserved as national park. Nestled high in the West Himalaya, India’s Valley of Flowers National Park is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep. The gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park, which was already inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1988. Together they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya, praised by mountaineers and botanists for over a century and in Hindu mythology for much longer.
ITINERARY FOR VALLEY OF FLOWERS – AUGUST to NOVEMBER 2008
Duration: 6 days and 5 nights
DAY 01: Delhi – Rishikesh.
Leave New Delhi early morning to Haridwar and Rishikesh (distance of 240 kms, travel time of 8 hrs). Night stop at Rishikesh by river Gangaji.
DAY 02: Rishikesh-Joshimath
We start early in the morning after having breakfast, and would reach Joshimath in the evening. Stay overnight at Joshimath. Covering a distance of 260 Kms in 12 hrs travel time.
DAY 03: Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria (25 kms by drive and 13 kms on foot to the valley)
We leave early morning from Joshimath for Govindghat, which is the starting point for the trek. From Govindghat there is a 13 kilometer (8 mile) trek along a steep, narrow, but well defined mountain trail to base camp at Ghangaria. This will take between 4 to 8 hours, depending on your fitness! The start of the main valley, where all the flowers are, is a further 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) from Ghangari. Night stay at Ghangaria.
DAY 04: Ghangaria – Valley Of Flowers – Joshimath/ Auli
After breakfast 3 km trek to The Valley Of Flowers from Ghangaria. This place is a feast for the eyes. We would have a heart-full stay in the valley. Again trek back to Govindghat and leave for Joshimath(if possible in terms of trekking time, as the main road towards Joshimath closes by 19.00 hrs ). Night stay at Joshimath or Auli (16 kms from Joshimath) -which is a skiing paradise at a height of about 2850 meters above sea level with great views of the entire Himalayan valley
DAY 05: Joshimath /Auli – Rishikesh
Leave early morning from Joshimath or Auli towards Rishikesh, covering a distance of 260 kms in 12 hours.
Day 06: Rishikesh -Delhi
Leave Rishikesh to New Delhi, a distance of 240 kms and travel time of 8 hours. Drop the group at respective places i.e. Railway station, Airport or Hotel/ Guest House.
END OF ITINERARY
VEHICLE HIRE
We offer variety of vehicles on hire including motorbikes. SUV are recommended vehicles for Himalayan trip as the roads are demanding, require high ground clearance and long journey durations (180 kms can easily take 8-10 hrs). All land transportation will be by air-conditioned Toyota Qualis and Innova -type SUV for the group and Tata Indica for couples and individual.
ACCOMODATION
Our partners offer a range of accommodation facilities ranging from Luxury to Budget rooms and ashram/ camp site accommodation. All the partners’ accommodation facilities are clean, spacious, airy and value for money propositions. All rooms have attached bathrooms, with hot water facilities.
FOOD
Food plays an important part in making our travel an enjoyable and memorable experience. Many of the partner accommodation facilities have in-house restaurants/kitchens, which provide clean, healthy and homely food (for in the case of Guest House and Ashrams) ideal for travelers. The staff members are polite and well – mannered. Facilities, which do not offer kitchen/restaurants services are located adjacent or near to good places to dine.
FITNESS
As this trip requires at least 34 kms trek on steep and narrow mountain trail at 6000 to 9000 feet above sea level a decent level of physical fitness is desirable. Elder or less fit people could engage pony hide or cover the distance over length.
COST
a) Only Vehicle use (covers only land transportation needs)
· Small Car(3 to 4 seater) i.e. TATA INDICA – Rs. 2000/ 47 USD per day (this includes hiring, fuel, tax and driver allowance)
· Big Car (4 to 7 seater) i.e. TOYOTA INNOVA – Rs. 3200/ 74 USD per day (including hire, fuel, tax and driver allowance)
· Motor Cycle hire i.e. Royal Enfield and Bullet 350 CC and 500 CC @ Rs 350/8 USD and Rs 550/13 USD per day respectively (fuel and repairs charges are not included)
b) Group Tour: Covers Travel + Accommodation +Break Fast+Lunch+Dinner cost (minimum of four members)
· Per person with Budget Rooms Rs. 12,000/ 279 USD (Shared Double room occupancy with breakfast and meals)
· Per person with Budget Rooms Rs. 16500/ 384 USD (Single occupancy room with breakfast and meals)
· Per person in Luxury/mid range Hotels Rs. 22,000/ 512 USD (Shared double room occupancy including breakfast and meals)
· Per person in Luxury/mid range Hotels Rs. 27,000/ 628 USD (Single occupancy including breakfast and meals)
Estimate does not include cost of hiring a pony from Govindghat to Valley of Flowers and back. It also does not include car parking changes either, which have to be borne by clients
OTHER SERVICES
Yoga and consultative sessions, ayurvedic massage, white water river rafting, trekking, nature camping and other services can also be made available to the group from recognized teachers/institutions at competitive rates.
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