THE NANDA DEVI SANCTUARY-11 days

Right up in the northern most frontiers of the Kumaon Himalayas, the Johar Valley remains till today one of the less frequented but well coveted destinations for the true lovers of the Himalayas. Nanda Devi needs no introduction. Ever since the closure of the sanctuary, knowledge about this cross section of the Himalayas continues to be the preserve of books and periodicals only. But lately with relaxation of the innerline permit it has now become possible to walk upto the Nanda Devi base camp through the Johar Valley from Munsiyari.

Detailed itinerary Nanda Devi Sanctuary (East, Milam side)

Day 01 : Delhi(evening) - Pithoragarh(morning)
Overnight journey by bus. arrival in the morning at Pithoragrh, also known as a part of Sor valley. Pithoragarh is curious amalgamation of the town and the village, the settlement and the agricultural fields. Famous for leather, woolen, wooden and cane goods, the town also has a host of temples.

Day 02 : Pithoragarh - Munsyari distance is 154 kms. Overnight stay at Munsyari which is the road head of the trek. From Munsyari one gets an excellent view of the Panchchuli peaks.

Day 03 : Munsyari to Lilam (13 kms) - After breakfast vehicle will drop participants at Darkot (4 kms) from where trekkers will commence walking along the banks of Gori Ganga at an average height of 4500 ft. Our destination is past Lilam village to Raurgari where we camp for the night.

Day 04 : Today is a strenous walk along a gorge past the Gori Ganga river. The route is fairly up and down but generally eases off before reaching the Mapang(3100 mts, 9 kms) and to Rilkot(3200m 4km)

Day 05 : RILKOT - MARTOLI VILLAGE (3324 m)-LAWAN(3600M) 10 kms trek.
You are in high mountain country now and the tree line disappears giving access to vast stretches of Alpine pastures. One gets the view of the Martoli peak soon after Rilkot and we reach Martoli and explore the town before lunch. The trek to Lawan is along the river and through meadows with the Nanda Devi looming up large ahead.

Day 06 : LAWAN - SHIAMA KHARAK(4200 M) 10 kms Shiama Kharak with its rolling meadows is our base camp. From here only we can get fantastic views of the biggest Indian Himalayan Peaks.

Day 07 : Bhital Guar (4450 m) 5kms Day trek to the base for views of the glacier and the peaks. From here we can visit the glaciers on the Traill's pass area and the base camp for Nanda Kot.

Day 08 : It is a day to rest and simply enjoy yourself in this magnificent location. Options include the hike up to the snow ridges of Nanda Devi East. There have been several sightings of bluesheep in the region.

Day 09 : SHIAMA - RILKOT (20 kms).

Day 10 : RIRGARI - MUNSIYARI (20 kms).

Day 11 : MUNSIYARI - SAAT-TAL- KATHGODAM - DELHI Drive back starting early from Munsyari to reach Kathgodam by the evening to catch the overnight train to Delhi from Kathgodam in the evening. Arrive in Delhi on the 21st morning.

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VALLEY OF FLOWERS TREKS (A Botanical Excursion) - 11 days

Destination : Delhi - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Ghangaria - Valley of flower - Auli - Delhi
Duration : 08 Nights / 09 Days
Best Season : Jul 1, 2004 to Oct 31, 2005
Places Covered : Delhi, Rishikesh, Joshimath, Govindghat, Ghangaria, Hemkund Sahib, Valley of flowers, Badrinath, Rishikesh

Day 01 : Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.

Day 02 : Departure from Delhi To Rishikesh, transfer to hotel, visit to the Ashram on the bank of river Ganga, evening to Triveni ghat for Ganga Arti.

Day 03 : Departure from Rishikesh to Joshimath. transfer to hotel.

Day 04 : Departure from Joshimath to Govind Ghat and then trek to Ghangaria 14km transfer to hotel.

Day 05 : Trek to Valley of Flower (3 km) spend the whole day and stay at Ghangaria. Stay at hotel Himalaya. (Explore the entire valley and enjoy packed lunch to be had in the Valley of Flowers)

Day 06 : Trek down to (14km) Govind Ghat and then drive to Joshimath. Stay at hotel Dronagiri. (packed lunch to be had on the way down to Govind ghat)

Day 07 : Explore Auli and Tapovan. (Morning explore Auli a ski slope accessible by 4 km long cable car, for lunch back to the hotel after some rest drive to Tapovan a hot spring 12 km from Joshimath, back to the hotel for the evening tea)

Day 08 : Departure to Rishikesh. transfer to hotel, evening at leisure

Day 09 : Departure to Delhi. Tour ends.

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VALLEY OF FLOWERS TREK
T.G. Longstaff and Frank Smythe discovered the Valley of Flowers in 1931. More than a thousand varieties of flowers, ferns and Himalayan herbs grow in the valley. The most beautiful of all Himalayan flowers, the Blue Primula can be sen blooming in the valley. To reach the valley one has to trek from Govindghat on the route to Hemkund Sahib upto Ghangharia, 12 kms ahead. Few furlongs ahead of Ghangharia, the trek route to the valley takes a detour towards the left. The valley is at a distance of 5 kms from Ghangharia.

Best Season : Jul 1, 2004 to Oct 31, 2005 City, State Rishikesh, Uttaranchal (North)
Places Covered : Delhi, Rishikesh, Joshimath, Govindghat, Ghangaria, Hemkund Sahib, Valley of flowers, Badrinath, Rishikesh

Day 01 : Arrive Delhi
Transfer to Hotel for Overnight Stay

Day 02 : Delhi - Rishikesh(230 kms)
Early Morning after breakfast leave for Rishikesh by car Arrive Rishikesh, transfer to hotel for overnight stay.

Day 03 : Rishikesh - Joshimath(256 kms-1975m)
Drive: 9-10 Hrs. Early morning drive to Joshimath. the enitre drive is along the Alaknanda river. Lunch enroute at Rudraparayag. Arrive Joshimath and transfer to hotel for dinner and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 04 : Joshimath - Ghangaria
Drive & Trek 2 Hrs 7-8 Hrs. Early morning after breakfast drive to Govindghat, a small hamlet situated on the confluence of Alaknanda and roaring Laxman Ganga. Arrive and commence trek to Ghangaria. Lunch enroute. Arrive Ghangaria and camp on the banks of Laxman Ganga. Dinner and overnight camp.

Day 05 : Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers
Trek: 6-7 Hrs. Morning after breakfast start trek to Valley of Flowers.The first part of the trek is through thick forest along the Pushpavati river. Later we trek in the open meadow. Arrive and explore the area. After encountering rare Flowers e.g Brahmkamal, Blue poppy, Potentilla, and hundreds of others we trace our steps back to the base camp, Ghangaria. Dinner and overngith camp.

Day 06 : Ghangaria - Hemkund Lake
Trek: 8-9 Hrs. Morning after breakfast we trek to Hemkund, one of the finest high latitude lakes in the area, and pilgrimage for Sikhs and Hindus as well. The entire trek today is uphill till we reach Hemkund. Explore the area and trace your steps back to the base camp.One can encounter some of the flowers on this strech as well. Dinner and overnight camp.

Day 07 : Ghangaria - Govindghat
Drive 2 hrs. Morning after breakfast trek down Govindghat. Lunch enroute. Arrive and commence drive to Badrinath, the most important temple in north India for hindus. Evening visit the badrinath temple for the evening Darshanas. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 08 : Badrinath
Morning after breakfast trek\drive to Mana village , the last Indian village on Indo-tibet border. Remaining day free to explore the area. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 09 : Badrinath- Rudraprayag
Drive 7-8 Hrs. Morning after breakfast drive to Rudraprayag. Arrive Rudraprayag and transfer to hotel. Dinner and overnight at hotel.

Day 10 : Rudraprayag - Rishikesh
Drive 5-6 Hrs. Morning after breakfast drive to Rishikesh. Arrive Rishikesh and transfer to Hotel for lunch and wash and change. Evening transfer to Railway station to board train for Delhi.

Day 11 : Delhi.
After breakfast leave for Sightseeing of delhi. Visit the historic city of old Delhi including the Red fort and the Jama Masjid. Post lunch tour of New Delhi to include Qutub Minar, India Gate, Humayun's tomb and the Lakshmi Narayan temple. arrive in Hotel and leave in time to reach airport to catch flight for onward destination.

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