A riot of Colours in Himalayas

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A riot of Colours in Himalayas

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• No adjectives can suitably describe the beauty of
  the Valley of Flowers in Uttarkhand.  You have to
  actually trek to the valley and get mesmerised by
  the breathtaking view.
• As the snow melts and the entire valley is a riot
  of colours with the flowers in full bloom, the
  picture-perfect spectacle in front of you is
  sheer magic. Best travelled between July and
  August, this trek is a heartwarming experience.

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• At an altitude of 3,658 metre above sea level, as
  you trek your way up the valley you will forget
  your exhaustion as the carpet of blue, red, pink,
  yellow, magenta, white and purple flowers greet
  you.

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Govind Ghat to Ghangria

• If you are travelling from Haridwar or Rishikesh,
  hiring a taxi to Govind Ghat (from where the trek
  to the valley begins) is the best option. Carry
  only your backpack with you.
• Carrying food along is not necessary as there are
  innumerable eateries dotting the uphill trail. In
  case you want a porter or a mule, take one from
  Govind Ghat. But for the physically fit, the
  13-km trek to Ghangria is not an uphill task.

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• As you trail your way along the Alaknanda river,
  which is crystal clear, you will be impressed by
  the cleanliness of the path that hundreds tread
  every day. We were told that the volunteers were
  responsible for the upkeep. You can stop by at
  the roadside dhabas anytime you want to refresh
  yourself.

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• After a trek of almost 7 hours, we were in
  Ghangria, where we put up at a hotel for the
  night. There is a Gurudwara here which offers
  free food and accommodation for everyone.
• So, in case you want to deviate from the usual
  hotel experience, spend the night at the house of
  worship. Otherwise, there are several budget
  hotels that are available in plenty.

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Ghangria to the Valley

• We were told to set out early if we wanted to
  spend the maximum amount of time amidst the
  carpet of flowers. At sharp 6 am we were ready to
  set our eyes on the slice of paradise.
• After about half a kilometer of the trek, you
  reach your destination. As I entered the gate, I
  couldnt suppress my excitement as mist enveloped
  the valley for a while, but the soothing sound of
  the gushing waterfalls nearby and the fragrance
  of the flowers were overpowering.

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• Slowly as the mist disappeared, and the sun was
  beautifully up in the sky I felt as if the entire
  valley was welcoming me with the myriad hues of
  flowers.
• Whether you look towards your right or left or
  right in front of you, the picture itself is
  postcard like.
• The bridge across a gushing stream, the majestic
  mountains right in front, the clear blue sky and
  not to forget the ornate flowers in full bloom
  made me feel as if I am in paradise.

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• I sat by a stream soaking my feet in the cool
  waters, watching the bees and the butterflies
  dancing in the afternoon sun, as we ate our lunch
  that we had packed from the dhaba. Yes, you need
  to pack your lunch for the day, as there is
  nothing available in the valley.

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• After spending hours, where you lose track of the
  time, the valley turns a different shade as the
  sun falls from a different direction. Setting out
  a little early is recommended, as you cannot
  predict the weather.

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• With a heavy heart I started my descent and
  followed the same trail that we had taken from
  Ghangria, but with a promise to return again.
• As I closed my eyes I could not see anything but
  the vast expanse of flowers in full bloom for
  nearly a week. You will have to see it to believe
  it.

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Getting There

• You can get a bus to Haridwar or Rishikesh from
  Delhi. There are several private buses as well as
  state-run buses, which you can avail of. Once you
  reach Haridwar or Rishikesh, taking a taxi to
  Govind Ghat will be your best option.
• In case, you are hard pressed for time, you can
  get to Rishikesh directly by bypassing Haridwar.
  Check out for your tickets for Haridwar or
  Rishikesh at www.ticketgoose.com