" Travel only with thy equals or thy betters; if there are none, travel alone."
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THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK
I don't know exactly where to start from, as I have never written anything in past about my travel experience and this is the very first time I am writing about my journey. I would like to describe in few words about my journey, my experience. There would be lot of mistakes in my writing, so please I apologize for the same.
I always had a dream of visiting north India once in my life time, but never thought of such opportunity would come up so early.
And after planning things out and places to visit, I shortlisted The Valley of Flowers (VOF) national park of Nandadevi BioSphere Reserve an UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE which is situated in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal, known for its meadows of alpine flowers and botanical wonderland. It is also home for few endangered species of animals like Asiatic black bear, snow leopard (yes, snow leopard), blue sheep and many others. I won't tell the rest of the geographical part and besides this, the only fascinating thing about this place is its beauty, in its own.
I always had a dream of visiting north India once in my life time, but never thought of such opportunity would come up so early.
And after planning things out and places to visit, I shortlisted The Valley of Flowers (VOF) national park of Nandadevi BioSphere Reserve an UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE which is situated in Garhwal Himalayas of Uttaranchal, known for its meadows of alpine flowers and botanical wonderland. It is also home for few endangered species of animals like Asiatic black bear, snow leopard (yes, snow leopard), blue sheep and many others. I won't tell the rest of the geographical part and besides this, the only fascinating thing about this place is its beauty, in its own.
So here in Mumbai, the backpacker was ready for a solo adventurous journey without any bookings from Delhi and so on. I felt strong urge to drop and forget everything and run to the mountains .. some where far from the hectic metro world to the open spaces and lose myself in the open arms of the nature.
MUMBAI- AHMADABAD- JAIPUR-DELHI-RISHIKESH-JOSHIMATH-GOVINDGHAT-GHANGRIA- VOF- HEMKUND SAHIB........& back
DELHI ( 23rd, June , 2012)
I met an old friend Arun, upon arriving at Tis Hazari Metro Station. After 3 years of our college farewell. After spending some time and gup-shap with Arun, I arranged for my ticket online website, and as per information, as maximum buses ply to Rishikesh in night. After spending ample amount of time with Arun for the whole day, I rushed to ISBT Anand Vihar to get into the bus as it was scheduled at 2230hrs, I couldn't wait any longer in Delhi as the temperature was rising every moment you breathe and for my fate the bus was late too, Damn!. I made two friends on the way,who were on vacation like me and for my surprise, they too were heading to Chamoli dist. up in the Himalayas, but they had different destiny , unlike me who wanted to explore the nature alone.
RISHIKESH( 24th, June)
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| Ganges as seen from Rishikesh town |
It was 7 in the morning, when we reached the Yoga capital of the world. The sound of river Ganges rushing towards south can be heard randomly in the town. Being situated at the foothills of the Himalayas, it was also known as (The Gateway to the Himalayas) & one could see plenty of foreigners(Thank you BEATLES) who visit to explore the world of yoga and meditation and other domestic tourists who come usually come in big flocks either to visit temple or for the world famous White Water River Rafting , which is considered to be one of the most famous to do Tough and Adventurous rafting off medium to rough rapids of class 3 and 4 where one can raft upto 36 kms. Amazing!
For my surprise, there was one more person, who joined us in Rishikesh early in the morning and found out that this three were childhood pals.I befriended with them Tewari, Vivek and Gaurav who hails from Lucknow and I took a room for refreshment and short rest as we did not wanted to spend the day in Rishikesh. Later on by noon, we called for a cab( Tavera) , who charged Rs.5000 as car rent till Joshimath located at 261 km up. We charged our camera and mobile batteries completely and fully to avoid any future disappointments on the way.
I became very friendly to them, as I finally realized that I won't do this journey alone.By the time we were in Devbhoomi(The land of gods).Beautiful rocky mountains, clouds playing hide and seek and as you slowly ascent on these zig zag roads, you see the world opening up on the other side with Ganges still giving company to you.Due to high terrains, no automobile would go beyond speed of 30 - 40 km/hr.
For my surprise, there was one more person, who joined us in Rishikesh early in the morning and found out that this three were childhood pals.I befriended with them Tewari, Vivek and Gaurav who hails from Lucknow and I took a room for refreshment and short rest as we did not wanted to spend the day in Rishikesh. Later on by noon, we called for a cab( Tavera) , who charged Rs.5000 as car rent till Joshimath located at 261 km up. We charged our camera and mobile batteries completely and fully to avoid any future disappointments on the way.
I became very friendly to them, as I finally realized that I won't do this journey alone.By the time we were in Devbhoomi(The land of gods).Beautiful rocky mountains, clouds playing hide and seek and as you slowly ascent on these zig zag roads, you see the world opening up on the other side with Ganges still giving company to you.Due to high terrains, no automobile would go beyond speed of 30 - 40 km/hr.
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| options available from Rishikesh |
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| R&D via lenses of Ganges midway |
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| at Srinagar(Uttaranchal) - the KITKAT shaped was made by India in recent years and one sustained was by British. |
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| Rudraprayag |
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| Devprayag- Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers confluence to become a official Ganges |
Note: Do carry a camera to capture the beauty on the way to Joshimath , because you never know what all surprises from Ganges and Himalayas are waiting for you.Travelling in a car or bus or whatever, it could be dizzy and much tiring for one's journey due to zigzag hilly high roads. So my suggestion for one would be that to take ample amount of rest down the hills before you turn up and medicines along to avoid throwing up.
