If one is looking at a short 5-day trek in the Himalayas then look no further. This is one of the most enchanting short treks and lies in the Garhwal region of Himalayas. This hike is in a protected area and hence there are minimal signs of civilization and abundance of flora & fauna, which adds to the beauty of the place. In the first leg of the trek we hike up to Deoriatal. This is a beautiful lake at an altitude of 2438 m and has captivating surroundings with forests all around. The Chaukhamba peak feels like it is an arm’s length away and the reflection of the mighty peak in the crystal clear waters of the lake creates a beautiful effect.
The story associated with this scenic place is that when the Pandavas were in exile and were hiding from the Kaurava king, Duryodhan, they stopped nearby for a rest. When their mother Kunti felt thirsty, one by one four of her sons went to fetch water from this lake but died, as they could not answer the question put forth to them by the Yaksha Devta who resided here. When the eldest son's Yudishtra's turn came, he answered all questions correctly and with the result the dead brothers also came back to life. Here we will camp by the lakeside and enjoy the star spangled sky in the night. Next on our trail is Chopta, popularly referred to as the Mini-Switzerland of India because of its undulating green meadows (carpets of snow in winter!!) and a breath taking view of the majestic Himalayan peaks. Camping here is a totally enjoyable experience.
We will meet at Haridwar railway station at 7 a.m and from here board a vehicle (arranged by us) and be driven up to Auli. This is a long but interesting drive. You will for most part of the journey drive along the Ganga & Alaknanda rivers. En route you will be crossing the holy towns of Rishikesh, Dev Prayag & Rudra Prayag. Evening relax at the beautiful lodge set up in an apple orchar
Early morning drive for about an hour or so to reach Govindghat, our starting point for the trek. We start the trek by crossing the river Alaknanda over a bridge at Govindghat and from there walking towards the Bhyundar valley through forest area and a few villages. There are numerous waterfalls and absolutely lush green landscape all around. The gradient of the trail is moderate. The 14 kms trek to reach Ghangria takes about 4-5 hrs, one can also hire a mule or use the helicopter service to reach Ghangria. Overnight in GIO’s Camp Valley of Flowers, Ghangharia.
It's a delightful and short ascent to the valley. Gradient is moderate and the landscape extremely soothing to the eye. It will take about a couple of hours to reach the valley. The beauty of this world renowned valley totally lives up to its reputation. There are unending meadows laden with varieties of alpine flowers, network of streams and big mountains all around.
At the entrance of the Valley stands the snow-clad peak of Ratban Parvat, towards the left is Nar Parvat, which separates the Badrinath valley from this valley, and to the right is dense Birch forest on the hillsides. We will spend 3-4 hrs exploring different corners & vantage points of the valley and towards late afternoon head back to the camp at Ghangria.
Today's climb to Hemkund Sahib is steep at places and will take about 3 - 4 hrs. Hemkund Sahib is a popular Sikh Shrine built next to the beautiful lake. The lake is surrounded by wild flowers with Brahmkamal being the most popular. Pilgrims take a dip in the freezing cold waters of the lake, not an easy task. The hot tea served in the Gurudwara (shrine) is divine to say the least. We will also visit the Laxman mandir next to the Gurudwara. Towards afternoon head back to Ghangria. Overnight in the camp at Ghangharia.
Today we trek back to Govindghat and from there drive for about an hour to reach the beautiful temple town of Badrinath. Situated on the banks of holy Alaknanda and with the backdrop of
Neelkanth peak, an ancient temple with hot sulphur water pools and crisp and clean air, Badrinath is a wonderful destination to visit. For the spiritually inclined, there can be no better place. Later in the evening we return to Himalayan Eco Lodge, Auli where a hot shower followed by a sumptuous meal awaits us. Overnight in H.E.L, Auli.
After breakfast drive down to Haridwar. Trek ends here
Transport Options (Delhi – Dehradun – Delhi)
For travel to Dehradun and back one can choose between air, rail & road. For air travel, the closest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport DED, and is well connected to Delhi and other parts of the country by Indigo , Alliance Air , Spice Jet , Air India and Vistara Air.
There are frequent Public Transport buses including Volvos available from Delhi to Dehradun that cost about Rs. 1200- 1500 per person. These buses depart from ISBT Delhi every 30 mins. or so and take about 8 hrs to cover the distance. The same is also applicable on the return journey. A private vehicle could also be arranged for if you require the same.
Weather Details
Located at an elevation of 2189.31 meters (7182.78 feet) above sea level, Uttarakhand has a Temperate highland tropical climate with dry winters climate (Classification: Cwb). The city’s yearly temperature is 23.67ºC (74.61ºF) and it is -2.3% lower than India’s averages. Uttarakhand typically receives about 92.31 millimeters (3.63 inches) of precipitation and has 110.55 rainy days (30.29% of the time) annually.
Please keep in mind that the above information is not exact and does not account for sudden changes. Whatever the temperatures and conditions rest assured we will be prepared to handle it with ease as we use equipment of very high specifications
The trek can be done year-round, but the best months are March to May (spring blooms) and October to December (clear mountain views). Winter treks (Dec–Feb) offer snow, but conditions are tougher.
It’s a beginner-friendly trek with a moderate difficulty level. Basic fitness is required as there are gradual ascents and high-altitude stretches.
The Chandrashila summit stands at around 3,690 meters (12,100 ft), offering breathtaking 360° views of the Himalayas.
Yes! Tungnath Temple, the highest Shiva temple in the world, is located en route to the summit and is a key spiritual and scenic stop.
Yes, basic lodges and guesthouses are available in Sari village and Chopta. Meals are typically simple and nourishing local food.