We have started packing our luggages so that we could start towards Ghangaria-a gateway to the nature from Govindghat. Ghangaria is the base camp to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib.Its the last human habitation.
Ghangaria-a view from the top of our room
From Govindghat we started our journey around 8 AM in the morning and reached Ghangaria around 3.30 P.M, Total distance from Govindghat to Ghangaria is around 14KM.It is a track which is full of natural beauties and eye catching views. One has only few options for this track either on his own feet or can opt to hire a porter or mule. But if you want to enjoy nature and love adventure we must advise you to go on your own.
The road to Ghangaria is not a clear and a good road as we have already pointed it's' a track/road made of rocks. Also its highly advisable to take as few things as possible, carrying lots of luggage can be a problem in the track.
Tips: Cost of things will start increasing and due to the medium level track its advisable to take with yourself some Dry fruits, Glucose (any instant energy provider drink),Biscuits and don't forget to taken your medicin kit with yourelf.
On the way to Ghangaria
It took us around 6 hours to reach Ghangaria and this track was full of natural beatuties including green valley, snow covered peaks and rivers/streams.
Track was really a tiring one and we were almost half dead when we reached Ghangaria, one mistake we made that we packed a lot of clothes which increased the weight of the bags, nights and morning temperature at Ghangaria is very low so one must keep this in mind while start packing but on the track you will feel hot and humid.
Eye catching view on way to Ghangaria
Weather
Being at an altitude around 3100 Meters, this place is unpredictable with respect to the weather condition and one must pack a rain coat for dealing with any such kinds of conditions. Ghangaria remains open from the month of May to the end of September and for rest of the time it is covered under 8-10 feets of snow.
Ghangaria
Ghangaria is situated at the bank of the river Lakshman Ganga which is coming from Hemkund sahib lake and its also the meeting point of the two rivers Lakshman Ganga and Pushpawati which is flowing across the Valley of Flowers.
Accomodation
One can find a number of accommodations at Ghangaria and rates depend upon the time one is visiting Ghangaria, if someone is visiting Ghangaria in peak season then rates are quite high. Here are some of the accommodation options for anyone visiting Ghangaria.
Gurdwara
Local Hotels (Rates are variable)
GMVN (Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam) accomodation (Recommended)
GMVN hotel can be booked online and this is the most preferred accommodation in terms of facilities and comfort.
Eating out
There can be number of options for eating out at Ghangaria but being a basepoint for popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs one can find good numbers of Punjabi dishes but one can also find number of restaurants offering variety of options. Here is a small list for the eating out options
Gurdwara : Best if one want fresh and good food
GMVN : They also have a restaurant where one can find fresh and hygienic food.
Some Local eating out points : Not sure about the food quality
Communication
In order to get one connected to outside world one can find number of PCO at Ghangaria where one can make STD/ISD calls but rates are quite high like 10 INR per minute. Beside that BSNL have their mobile connectivity even at Ghangaria so you can also get your self equipped with BSNL simcard.
Ghangaria is only the gateway for the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. We will cover Hemkund Sahib, a place which is surrounded by 7 peaks in our next post. So stay tuned for a visit to the Great Himalaya with us.