Valley of Flowers (Photos by Chinku)

We had read about Valley of flowers and did not want to miss it at any cost. We reached Govindghat—the place from the trekking to the valley starts—early morning. We carried the necessary food, clothes for an overnight stay at Gangria and enough water. Unlike Kedarnath, there were no shops on the trekking path. And only two villages are there on the way. So it is better to carry all the necessary items from the base itself. Chinku, who was enthusiastic about finding new trekking paths, lost his way at one point and for an hour or so we could not communicate with him at all. I panicked. He was back finally with some bruises that happened while climbing up the rock.

We walked along the banks of the wild, but beautiful, Alaknanda. Like Kerdarnath, the first few KM were easy going but then the trek became too steep to climb up. The only tourists we met on the way were a Sikh family and they were returning from a visit to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. At some point we were even too tired to talk. It was a never ending trek! Finally, late in the afternoon we reached. Only one hotel was open and we got some rice and dal to eat. And it was a feast after that long trek.

The Valley of Flowers is just 3 KM up from Gangria. This stunning Valley was introduced to the world by Frank S. Smith, a botanist by profession in 1935. We started our trek to the valley early morning. The weather was very chilly and windy. But this time I was some what prepared; few warm clothes and a woollen cap and two pairs of trousers too! We were the only people on the breathtaking trekking path. No ponies are allowed here and that protects the sanctity of the area. We walked through a broken bridge and a hanging bridge over the river Alaknanda which runs passionately. It was beautiful to walk through the not so well laid pathway looking at the flowers and early birds. Unfortunately, the season has not begun. The first flowers were just coming out. However, at that moment the whole valley was ours. We sat on a rock watching the stunning enormous peak and down there the glacier where Alaknanda begins. The ethereal beauty! Time stops here!

We started back to Gangria, once again through the beautiful pathway. To make it gorgeous, the sun was playing hide and seek through the wild trees. We stopped in many places; this time not because we were tired but wanted to stand still and enjoy the serene atmosphere – far away from the maddening crowds. We were in a trance. And I want to come here again, when the whole valley will be blanketed with flowers. Krishna collected a bottle of water from the untouched river and I am preserving it as a treasure now.

We were back in Govindghat; this time not by walking but on a pony. Different experience- we – Chinku and me enjoyed enormously after the initial discomfort. But Krishna was yearning to get off the beast! And next day back to Haridwar and a night train to Delhi

So that was the end of our trip!