Valley of Flowers - Abode of Gods and Fairies (August 11, 2016 to August 18, 2016: 7 Nights / 8 Days) Valley of Flowers is a fairyland situated high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3600 meters protected by the snowy mountains. Unknown to outsiders for centuries, this enchanting valley lay frozen during the cold months and burst into youthful beauty every year as the snow melted with the advent of summer. Every year the valley was splashed with colours as it bloomed with hundreds of varieties of flowers. These colours take on different shades as the month progresses. Valley of Flowers located in Uttarakhand was earlier unknown to everyone other than the locals (who believed it was inhabited by fairies) due to its inaccessibility. In 1931 Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton and R L Holdsworh lost their way and reached this high altitude valley. The mesmerized trio gave it the name Valley of Flowers. Join The Wander Girls this August to feast your eyes on this beautiful valley! Day 1 New Delhi to Haridwar( 266kms. 6 hours approx) We all assemble at Himachal Bahvan near Mandi House metro station, at 11 am. We start from Delhi by road. The road trip to Haridwar will be interesting as introductions will be made amongst the group and it could mark the beginning of new friendships. Lunch enroute. Arrive at Haridwar in the evening. If we reach in good time we can witness the famous Ganga Aarti. Dinner could be taken in one of the many eateries in Haridwar. Overnight at hotel. Day 2 Haridwar to Joshimath (253 kms 8 hours approx) After an early start, we are on a road trip to Joshimath. Joshimath is the winter abode of Lord Badrinath. We soon leave the plains behind and are captivated by the enchanting sight of the mountains around us. We make a brief stopover at Karanprayag, in Chamoli district, one of the five Prayags .Here we see the wondrous sight of the confluence of the holy Rivers Alaknanda and Pindar. Breakfast and lunch enroute. We reach Joshimath in the evening. We can visit the Shankracharya Math. This monastery or Math was established by Adi Shankaracharya in the Advaita Vedanta tradition. Dinner and overnight at Joshimath. Day 3 Joshimath to Govindghat 1828 meters (22kms) To Ghangaria 3049 meters (13 kms trek) After breakfast we drive to Govindghat from where we begin our trek to Ghangaria. This 13 km trek is steep in some parts and takes about 5 hours. But there is no time to be fatigued as we are greeted by fields of perfumed wild flowers by the sides of the path. Packed lunch enroute in this beautiful locale. Ghangaria is the base camp for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. It is on the confluence of River Bhyunder Ganga and Pushpwati which hurtles down to meet the Lakshman Ganga. Dinner and overnight at guest house. Day 4 Ghangaria -Hemkund Sahib – Ghangaria 4329 meters (6kms) This is a steep 6 kms climb but the reward at the end is worth it. This high altitude Gurudwara draws Sikh pilgrims from all over the world. This is the place where the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji meditated in his previous birth. There is a glacial aquamarine lake surrounded by seven mountain peaks. The famed ‘brahmakamal’ grows in abundance amidst the rocks on the banks of the lake. We will carry our lunch with us and can also partake in the ‘langar’ or the community lunch of the Gurudwara. Post lunch we return to Ghangaria. Dinner and overnight at Ghangaria. Day 5 Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers (3kms) Ghangaria Today is the day when we are going to feel like the proverbial Alices who entered the wonderland. After breakfast we start our trek. Valley of Flowers is a fairy land situated high in the Himalayas at an altitude of 3600 meters, protected by snowy mountains. The celebrated flowers here are brahmakamal, blue poppy, cobra lily, clematis, and more. There are big stretches of Himalayan balsam. Sometimes we find ourselves wading through knee deep flowers. There are masses of wooly white flowers, the edelweiss, the symbol of the Alps, right next to you. The stunning vistas leave us wonderstruck. After long time of alternating between staring all around and clicking pictures, it is time to return to Ghangaria. We will have a picnic lunch among the flowers. Dinner and overnight at Ghangaria. Day 6 Ghangaria – Govindghat – Joshimath- Badrinath-Joshimath After breakfast we trek down to Govindghat. From there, we drive to one of the most revered holy towns, Badrinath. Those who desire can do ‘darshan’ of Lord Badrinath, or else you can explore the lovely, quaint town. There will be packed lunch and in addition you can also eat at one of the eateries at Badrinath, if you feel hungry. We then return to Joshimath. Dinner and overnight at Joshimath. Day 7 Joshimath –Haridwar We make an early start for Haridwar. In Haridwar, you are free to explore the city in small groups or witness the Ganga Aarti again. Breakfast and lunch enroute. For dinner, we can eat at one of the many restaurants in Haridwar. Overnight at hotel. Day 8 Haridwar- Delhi. We make an early start for Delhi. Breakfast and lunch enroute. We reach Delhi in the afternoon. We part ways with a heavy heart and fragrant memories. Nature of Trip Though this trek is not difficult, all the ladies will have to be active and physically fit. The Wander Girls Trip Offer: Early bird offer: Book a trip before June 15, 2016 and pay Rs. 32,999/- per person on twin share basis. Twin Sharing: Rs. 34,999/- per person on twin share basis for payments received after June 15, 2016. Cost Inclusions Accommodation on twin sharing basis in hotel/guest house A/C Innova/Tempo Traveller for Delhi to Haridwar and back, Haridwar to Joshimath and back. Bolero for Joshimath to Govindghat and back via Badrinath All meals while on trek All necessary permits and entry fees First Aid and medical kit Services of TWG Tour Manager Mountaineering qualified and professional trek leader, guides, cook support staff Mules to carry personal luggage Cost exclusions Flight tickets Enroute all meals (on the road) Personal expenses such as, mineral water, soft drinks, laundry, phone calls, tips, etc.,. Tips to cook support staff, drivers, hotel and guest house staff. Expenses incurred by reasons beyond our control such as road blocks, accidents, natural disasters. Any kind of insurance, medical assistance and emergency charges Any meals not included in the above itinerary. Dinner in Haridwar ( Day 1 & 7 & Note What to carry: Good pair of shoes. (Should be broken into, not new) Extra socks (at least 6 pairs) 2 light jackets 1 windcheater 1 sweat shirt Tees and lowers. (Wear cargoes , track pants etc on trek days. Do not wear jeans) Rain coat (not umbrella) Small backpack to carry while trekking Water bottle Purifying tablets Cap, sunglasses, lip balm, sun screen Muffler/stole and light gloves Torch and extra batteries A bag or rucksack to carry the above. (the weight of the packed bag should not be more 12kgs) Waterproof your belongings. Zip lock bags for camera and mobile phone while trekking Pack clothes in large polythene packets before packing them in rucksack or bag. Rewards Points: Reward points applicable for this trip. Please read more about our reward points system here. Note: Before booking our trip please read our cancellation & refund policy and terms and conditions. Payment options: TWG provides you with various options to pay for your chosen trip or service. At Par cheque in the name of “Tripcooker Travels LLP” at the given address below. NEFT or RTGS transfer SWIFT transfer (for payments in foreign currency by overseas client) Cash deposit in ICICI Bank branch in your area. Please remember to send us a clear copy (scanned image will do) of the deposit slip with your name on it. Cash collection facility in Mumbai. Bank details: Bank: ICICI Bank Ltd. Address: JUHU SCHEME BRANCH, MUMBAI Account name: Tripcooker Travels LLP (holding entity for The Wander Girls) Current Account number: 036605001143 MICR Code: 400229046 IFSC Code: ICIC0000366 SWIFT Code: ICICINBBCTS (for payments in foreign currency from overseas clients) Address for sending at par cheque: The Wander Girls, Tripcooker Travels LLP, B -119-120 Durian Estate, Goregaon Mulund Link Road, Goregaon (East), Mumbai 400063, India. .