In the month of August, I set out on a trip to Uttarakhand after joining people from a traveller’s group that I found on FaceBook.
The journey began from New Delhi, the Indian capital, and I headed to Haridwar by road. The initial plan was to visit only the Valley of Flowers and this mesmerizing monsoon trek. However, a pitstop had to be made due to heavy rains in the region.
After Haridwar, the Tempo Traveller first halted at Srinagar in Uttarakhand. After Srinagar, I and a group of strangers that I met on the trip, set out to explore Chopta and Tungnath. Later on, we visited Govind Ghat which was an interesting place. Further on, the trek to the Valley of Flowers commenced. We also visited the five Prayags somewhere in between, which was a totally spiritual and peaceful experience.
With plenty of rainy days and bittersweet moments, this trip was indeed a great one. Full of adventure, I was happy to be out by myself, on a solo trip with strangers.
Offbeat Locations Covered:
Ukhimath – Narsingh Temple, Govind Ghat, Hemkund and others
Budget:
Approximately Rs. 8000
Duration:
6 – 7 Days
Stay:
Tushar and his group mostly stayed in tents.
For a couple of nights, they also stayed in a budget hotel which was difficult to trace and adjust in.
Food:
Basic meals were provided with food items like dal, rice, etc.
At Govind Ghat, one may also find places serving buffet meals which are quite tasty.
Best Time to Visit:
Preferable season to visit Chopta-Tungnath:
Winter (as you can clearly see the peaks at that time)
Best season to visit the Valley of Flowers:
Monsoon (The flowers are in full bloom at that time.)
Problems Faced:
- Clothes, shoes and other belongings became wet and stained with mud due to heavy rains.
- There was no electricity as it was generated by solar panels which were unable to generate electricity due to rains.
- Leeches and insects were everywhere which caused an issue.
Things to Pack:
If you’re traveling to the mountains, especially in the monsoon season
- Carry a lot of polyethenes.
- Carry waterproof shoes.
- Carry a torch / head torch.
Tips for Travellers:
- Spare some time in hand. Having a buffer time of a couple of days is beneficial in case of dire circumstances.
- Respect the mountains. Don’t litter around. Obey the authorities. It’s unpredictable and there can be occurrences of floods or landslides. Hence, be careful and respectful.
This trip was a beautiful journey and what mattered in the end was the scenic views, natural beauty and the calm and solace it brought.
About The Author
Tushar is a travel enthusiast who loves to take risks when journey calls! An adventure is incomplete without the thrill of losing yourself in unknown paths. Through his story Tushar taught us just how amazing it can be to let things unfold at their own pace sometimes.
