Trek to Gorsan Peak, Auli Uttrakhand - Photoblog

Part 1: Haridwar - Auli - Gorsan Top Trek

One of the most sought after trekking experience for every trekker. Valley of Flowers trek is located near Ghanghariya in Uttrakhand, India. It is one of the most beautiful places in India. In this journey, we start from Haridwar to Auli to Govindghat to Ghaghandhariya to Valley of Flowers + Hemkund Sahib and back. Generally the treks open from April till October. Months of June, July, August can be a little wet due to monsoon.

This is our second trip to Valley of Flowers. I was not completely satisfied by the beauty of the place, hence decided to visit this wonderful place again before monsoon season. 

The brief itinerary is as follows:

• 27th May - Reached Haridwar in morning, site seeing 
• 28th May - Drive from Haridwar and reached Auli at 6pm 
• 29th May - Short acclimatisation trek to Gorsan Bugyal in Auli (around 3200 Meters) 
• 30th May - 30 Kms drive to Govindghat and 11 Km trek to Govindghat 
• 31th May - Trek to Hemkund Sahib (as Valley of Flowers officially opens on 1st June) 
• 1st June - Trek to Valley of Flowers 
• 2nd June - Trek back to Govindghat, visit to Badrinath and Mana Village and back to Joshimath 
• 3rd June - Drive back to Haridwar and then to Delhi by train

The mighty Ganges at Haridwar - photo taken at Har Ki Paudi. The Ganges river leaves foothills of Himalayas and enters the plains in style at Rishikesh and Haridwar. Rishikesh is around 25 Kms away from Haridwar and shared tub-tuks, taxis are available between these 2 twin towns.

Har ki Pauri - Har means Lod Shiva and Pauri means steps - In steps of Lord Shiva.This is one of the most auspicious ghats in India. It is said that bathing here will clear one of their sins. millions of people visit this place every year. Evening Ganga aarti is a must see if you have time.There are many temples on small hills near Har ki Pauri which one can visit.

at Ganga River Rishikesh. 

River rafting at Rishikesh.

Devprayag - the holy confluence of River Alakhnanda and Bhagirathy which forms the mighty Ganga. It got its name from a Sage named Devasharma who lived here. The colors of two rivers are different here. The colors change in other seasons. 

There are 5 holy Prayags (confluence) on this path - Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag. All these confluences are on Alakhnanda river and can be seen while going from Haridwar and Joshimath. 

Hathi Parvat from Auli.Auli is a skiing destination in Chamoli district in Uttrakhand. It is around 2500 meters above sea level. Famous peaks which are visible from Auli are Haathi, Ghoda, Palki, Nanda Devi. Its a surreal place. One can go up in Cable Car as well from Joshimath. There is a beautiful meadow called Ghorsan Pean. Its around 3-4 Km trek from cable car stop. One of the most beautiful places in India. A must visit.

The majestic Nanda Devi Mountain - 2nd highest peak in India.

Nanda Devi (7816 Meters) is the second highest mountain in India, and the highest located entirely within the country. (Kangchenjunga, which is higher, is on the border of India and Nepal.) It is the 23rd-highest peak in the world.

It is also one such peak where there was a covert CIA operation around 1965.


 

Gorsan Bugyal. One of the most beautiful and trek. Very good for acclamatisation if you are planning to trek on high altitudes. This is also the starting point for Kuari Pass and Pangarchulla Peak Trek.

On our way to Gorsan Bugyal. Around 3 Km trek from Cable Car station. Gorsan Bugyal trek is a easy trek and anyone with little or no practise can do it. The views are stunning and climb is gradual. One passes through a small forest to reach to the meadow (Bugyal, as they call it in Garwali). 

The Gorsan Bugyal, Auli
First glimpse of bugyal. The weather is unpredictable. It can become foggy within few minutes. This entire place is covered in snow in the months of October to March.

Gorsan Peak. We will climb this later in the journey after returning from Valley of Flowers. Will post photos in next album.

Mules of the Himalayas. Very docile but useful animal in these parts of the world. They are fed high quality fodder so that they are healthy throughout the year. The mule owner generally has around 2-3 mules on an average, which is his only livelihood for entire year. In off seasons, these are used for road construction and other similar tasks.

Gorsan Bugyal is a well known skiing and tourist destination in the winter months. The artificial lake in this picture is connected to snow pumps which spreads snow on the slopes during winter there by making it suitable for skiing.

View from start of the jungle. Mid way point of the trek.

The Gorsan Bugyal. Another group was also trekking the same day. This is bugyal is also starting point of Kuari Pass trek and Pangarchula Peak Expedition (4700 Meters).

This is what we had climbed. We had covered around 7 KMs so far from the GMNV hotel in Auli at 8pm. The climb was pleasant but difficult due to constant steep ascent and altitude. The altitude at this point was around 3700 Meters and walking just few steps was becoming excruciatingly difficult.

The Gorsan Peak as seen from the start point of the trek. This is around 8-9 Kms trek from the GMNV Resort in Auli.

A beautiful horse on the horizon in-front of mighty mountains. A lovely sight.

The mighty Nanda Devi Peak from Gorsan. The peak gets bigger and closer as we climbed higher.

Beautiful and healthy mountain goats at Gorsan Bugyal

The mountain range as seen from Gorsan Peak

The totally exhausted trekkers!

The breathtaking views, thin and fresh air and hot maggi - things to die for!

The post card effect!

Panaromic View from the Gorsan Peak

The Gorsan Peak

Treknomads
Trek. Travel. Adventure

So this is the end of our first part of the photoblog. In next blog, we will post photos and stories from Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath. So stay tuned!