Prolog:
Date: 22nd August 2017
After two days of tiring trek, I woke up by 6AM for the valley of flowers visit. After the breakfast, we started the trek by 7:45AM. The first 1KM is the same view as the previous day where we start our trek with the view of Lakshman Ganga flowing through Ganghria. We reach the 1st checkpoint at 8AM. The Valley was open in time since the weather was clear overnight and no rain. The trek forked towards the valley direction leaving behind all the Hemkund pilgrims.
At 8:05AM we reached the check-point where the registration needs to be done. The Leads had collected the Name, Age and Address of all the group to be submitted at the registration office. This registration needs to be checked while existing to ensure all the guests have exited the valley by evening.
The Valley of flowers is a UNESCO world heritage site. The valley is completely guarded and mules are not allowed. There are no commercial shops allowed as well. We had carried our packed lunch due to this reason.
The trek started with slight drizzle but it cleared when we reached the registration point. The scenic view of the path and the river flowing continues to be a delight to watch. This was much like a trek route and very different compared to the Hemkund ascend. No Mules, No Pilgrims and narrow path!! For people who cant walk, there are people waiting with carriers where they carry people on the back. I was fascinated with these people and had a casual enquiry - I was surprised to hear that they can carry people up-to 90kgs in their back.
We crossed 2 bridges , 1st one immediately after the checkpost, and the 2nd one at 8:50AM
There are couple of points which turns dangerous if the valley had rained overnight. The water level rises and bridges might be washed away. Apart from couple of landslide prone ares in the path as well.Due to this reason the valley wont be opened unless the security inspects these key points before the start of the day!!
We continues out slow walk along the trek route. The entire route was full of flowers.
Apart from these flowers, there were few wild fruits also growing there.
The entire route was full of these balsam like flowers which the local people call it dog flower - the reason being the design in the leafs resembles dog shit!!!!
After the long walk with one break at 9:30, the group reached the 3rd bridge where the valley starts. Time was 10:55AM and we waited there for the complete group to reach the spot.
The white water of River Pushpawati was flowing with full energy.
By 11:15AM, the group entered The Valley Of Flowers.
It was a treat for the eyes, all the elements of natures beauty seems to be present in that place. It was green, the weather was perfect with sun shine, the misty clouds, the river flowing and the waterfalls on the way, the beautiful flower dancing in the wind.
This beautiful scenery at the valley is for the eyes to watch, no camera can explain the beauty as seen by human eyes.
The water flowing inside the valley was adding a different texture to the beauty. The white water was there in every place where we see - behind the flowers or in front of the mountains or be it the landscape.
There was a clear view of a glacier from the valley, The leads told that its the Tipra Glacier in Bhiyundar valley.
By 12:00PM, the group found some place to have lunch. We had the packet lunch and took rest for a while. Another key highlight is the water - Its so pure that in the last 3 days we have not bought water from store. Just keep filling the water bottles from these water streams and everyone in the group relished that.
Few people in the group started to explore more into the valley while few in the group wanted to sit and experiments with the camera.
The below video is one such compilation of times lapses by Satish.
Thanks to Satish for sharing this excellent video for the blog.
I went on to explore more and taking picture of flowers and the landscape.
I took 2 complete sphere shots of the valley in the below link.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/OJi3TjGXGEeHaPIJ3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5lCzwvctOEqpP9q13
I reached a point where I could see the Joan Margaret Legge's memorial grave. This is one of the destination where people reach due to historical importance of the valley.
The valley is very big and we realized that we will not be able to cover the complete length of it, Rather we were enjoying in the areas which we visited.
By 2:15PM we started to walk back.
The group started to walk down towards Ganghria and mostly the group was together for this trek.
We reached the checkpoint by 4:30PM very much satisfied and relaxed but tired after the 3 long days.
After the regular snacks, dinner and then chatting for sometime the group decided to close the day planning to start the next day at 5AM.
The experience of Life: The Hemkund Shaib ascend
Date: 22nd August 2017
After two days of tiring trek, I woke up by 6AM for the valley of flowers visit. After the breakfast, we started the trek by 7:45AM. The first 1KM is the same view as the previous day where we start our trek with the view of Lakshman Ganga flowing through Ganghria. We reach the 1st checkpoint at 8AM. The Valley was open in time since the weather was clear overnight and no rain. The trek forked towards the valley direction leaving behind all the Hemkund pilgrims.
At 8:05AM we reached the check-point where the registration needs to be done. The Leads had collected the Name, Age and Address of all the group to be submitted at the registration office. This registration needs to be checked while existing to ensure all the guests have exited the valley by evening.
The Valley of flowers is a UNESCO world heritage site. The valley is completely guarded and mules are not allowed. There are no commercial shops allowed as well. We had carried our packed lunch due to this reason.
The trek started with slight drizzle but it cleared when we reached the registration point. The scenic view of the path and the river flowing continues to be a delight to watch. This was much like a trek route and very different compared to the Hemkund ascend. No Mules, No Pilgrims and narrow path!! For people who cant walk, there are people waiting with carriers where they carry people on the back. I was fascinated with these people and had a casual enquiry - I was surprised to hear that they can carry people up-to 90kgs in their back.
We crossed 2 bridges , 1st one immediately after the checkpost, and the 2nd one at 8:50AM
 |
| Temporary bridge |
 |
| Weak Bridge |
We continues out slow walk along the trek route. The entire route was full of flowers.
 |
| Flowers on the way |
Apart from these flowers, there were few wild fruits also growing there.
 |
| Looks like wild verity of pomegranate |
 |
| Pine fruit - Local name Raga |
 |
| Dog flower |
The white water of River Pushpawati was flowing with full energy.
By 11:15AM, the group entered The Valley Of Flowers.
It was a treat for the eyes, all the elements of natures beauty seems to be present in that place. It was green, the weather was perfect with sun shine, the misty clouds, the river flowing and the waterfalls on the way, the beautiful flower dancing in the wind.
This beautiful scenery at the valley is for the eyes to watch, no camera can explain the beauty as seen by human eyes.
The water flowing inside the valley was adding a different texture to the beauty. The white water was there in every place where we see - behind the flowers or in front of the mountains or be it the landscape.
 |
| Water flowing with Misty mountains behind |
 |
| Waterfall surrounded by flowers |
There was a clear view of a glacier from the valley, The leads told that its the Tipra Glacier in Bhiyundar valley.
 |
| Tipra glacier - Shot from the 300mm lens. |
By 12:00PM, the group found some place to have lunch. We had the packet lunch and took rest for a while. Another key highlight is the water - Its so pure that in the last 3 days we have not bought water from store. Just keep filling the water bottles from these water streams and everyone in the group relished that.
Few people in the group started to explore more into the valley while few in the group wanted to sit and experiments with the camera.
The below video is one such compilation of times lapses by Satish.
Thanks to Satish for sharing this excellent video for the blog.
I went on to explore more and taking picture of flowers and the landscape.
I took 2 complete sphere shots of the valley in the below link.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/OJi3TjGXGEeHaPIJ3
https://photos.app.goo.gl/5lCzwvctOEqpP9q13
I reached a point where I could see the Joan Margaret Legge's memorial grave. This is one of the destination where people reach due to historical importance of the valley.
The valley is very big and we realized that we will not be able to cover the complete length of it, Rather we were enjoying in the areas which we visited.
By 2:15PM we started to walk back.
 |
| Path inside the valley |
The group started to walk down towards Ganghria and mostly the group was together for this trek.
 |
| Path on way back |
We reached the checkpoint by 4:30PM very much satisfied and relaxed but tired after the 3 long days.
After the regular snacks, dinner and then chatting for sometime the group decided to close the day planning to start the next day at 5AM.
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