Ghangaria

Ghangaria is a village at 3,100 m in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand state in Himalayan North, India. It is the gateway aka base camp for hikes into the Valley of Flowers and the Hemkunt pilgrimage site.

Understand
Ghangaria is also some called Govinddham, even though this refers more to the Gurudwara grounds of the Sikh temple in Ghangaria.

Climate
The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is July–August. Average rainfall in this area is almost 1,800 mm. Maximum temperature in this area goes up to 17 °C and minimum goes down to 7 °C, an excellent temperature for trekking.

Get in
Ghangaria is 13 km from ' (1,800 m), a village and transport hub at the main road between ' and , which is about 50 km from the Chinese border. The first 4 km of these 13 km are on asphalt road, the last 9 km is just a footpath, but a proper one.

Govindghat is 276 km from Rishikesh.

On foot
You can hike the full 13 km, which will take you at least 5 hr, more like 6–7 hr, considering the altitude gain of about 1,300 m.

By taxi
There are also many taxis available for the first 4 km asphalt road, ₹50.

By mule
After the 4 km asphalt road end at Pulna village, many locals offer mule service for the next 9 km, to carry luggage and even persons up to Ghangaria.

By bus
There is a state-run bus at 5:30AM for ₹620 from the ISBT in Rishikesh to Govindghat, but you need to be there by 5AM, seats are limited. You can reserve a seat through their website, but only Rishikesh–Badrinath (₹675). The bus will take 8-10 hr, depending on the conditions of the road.

Also, there is a 14-seater ("transporter") from the Gurudwara in Rishikesh at 5AM for ₹700, which could be faster, but it might not run if they don't find enough people. This however should be clear around 8PM the previous day. Inquire with the Gurudwara in Rishikesh.

The bus between Joshimath and Govindghat is ₹45—Taxis are ₹100.

On foot
Ghangaria can easily be explored on foot, the rest is trekking.

By mule
Mules can be hired to Hemkunt for approximately ₹500-₹750 (up-to-date?). However, the ride is rather difficult as the way quite steep—it might be easier to just walk and take your time.

Do

 * "Flowers Blossom At valley of flowers Chamoli, India" 15.jpg
 * Hemkunt-003.jpg


 * Hemkunt Pilgrimage – First check into the Gurudwara in Rishikesh (dorm), just northeast of the ISBT. They will only accept people doing Hemkunt, but do the registration and get yourself a wristband. You can also stay here on your way back then. The next day take an early morning connection to Govindghat. There are two Gurudwaras that offer free places in dorms for pilgrims here, first in Govindghat and second in Ghangaria. Inquire all necessary information from the Gurudwara in Rishikesh. There are also at least two Gurudwaras along the way to Govindghat, one in Srinigar and one in Joshimath (very welcoming), in case you want to take it slow or have a stop on the way back. This can be a very different (to the regular tourist travel) and inexpensive experience to remember.



Buy
The Valley of Flowers checkpoint sells CDs on various species of flowers, if you are really interested.

Eat
Ghangaria has numerous restaurants, both North and South Indian, some serving some Western-oriented dishes. Momos and chowmein is also available.

Beyond Ghangaria on the way to Hemkunt, there are small kiosks and cafés, but no restaurants, except for the Gurudwara in Hemkunt serving lunch. Carry your lunch or snacks if necessary.

Drink
No nightlife happening here, everyone wants to wake up early for the hikes.

Sleep
At least a dozen hotels, guesthouses and home stays (incl. dorms) are available in Ghangaria, at ₹500-₹3,000 (as of 2023). But there are no expensive luxury facilities.

Very few camping options are available in Kajila, the village 500 m before Ghangaria, but it is advised to prefer camps only if you carry proper sleeping bags because at night temperatures can below freezing point sometimes, but in summer you should be safe at 5–10 °C.



Govindghat
Depending on when you arrive in the region, you will have to stay in Govindghat the first night. If you are lucky with the bus and arrive by 2PM, and you are a good hiker, you could still hike into Ghangaria and stay for free at the Gurudwara Govinddham, especially if the Gurudwara in Govindghat doesn't let you stay.



In general, also Govindghat has several accommodation options, starting at ₹500 (as of 2023).

Stay healthy
Children below 10 years may find the trekking from Govindghat to Ghangaria difficult.

Also, after reaching Ghangaria at 3,000 m, the air gets thinner and movement generally slower. With Hemkunt at above 4,000 m this needs to be considered as well as. Altitude sickness happens regularly, especially with people coming in for a quick trek to Hemkunt from Delhi.

Many Indians get a stick for hiking, but you won't need them, there is a proper footpath here.

Connect
There is proper LTE reception in Govindghat, Ghangaria, Hemkunt and the beginning of the Valley of Flowers.

Go next

 * Badrinath – Just further north from Govindghat, a Hindu holy town and a nagar panchayat with the most important of the four Char Dham Yatra Hindu pilgrim centers.
 * Kedarnath – Relatively close, considering you are already in this area. It is one of the four Char Dham Yatra Hindu pilgrim centers, at 3,400 m, which you need to hike at least 16 km to.
 * Nainital – Back towards the plains, one of the most popular hill stations of India, famous for its lake. But the bus connection might be painful.