Harsil, Valley of Flowers & Auli

Harsil

Harsil is a beautiful spot to see the colors of the nature. The walks, picnics and trek lead one to undiscovered stretches of green, grassy land. Harsil is a perfect place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
Sighting here includes the Wilson Cottage, built in 1864 and Sat Tal (seven Lakes). The adventurous tourists have the choice to set off on various treks that introduces them to beautiful meadows, waterfalls and valleys.
Situated amidst the incredible beauty of mountain peaks, Harsil is counted amongst some of the most beautiful places in the Garhwal region.

Sat-Tal
Sat Tall or seven lakes are situated just above Dharali, beyond Harsil. The 7 Km. trek is rewarding, as this group of lakes is situated amidst beautiful nature surroundings. It also provides lovely camping sites.

Gangotri
The shrine of Gangotri is situated at the elevation of 3200Mts. above sea level amidst captivating surroundings. The Temple constructed by Gorkha General Amar Singh Thapa in the 18th century is situated on the Right Bank of Bhagirathi. Gangotri is at a distance of 100 Kms. from Uttarkashi.
A number of Ashrams provide accommodation facilities to the tourists and the devotees who visit the shrine every year.

Height 5000 Mts. above sea level.

Climate Cold in winters, Pleasant in Summers.

Clothing
Winter - Heavy Woollen,

Summer- Cotton and Light Woollen

Season Round the Year.

Language Garhwali, Hindi.

ACCESSIBILITY

Air Nearest Air port is Jolly Grant, 244 Kms.

Rail Nearest Railway Station is Rishikesh, 224 Kms.

Road Harsil is well connected by motorable road.

ACCOMMODATION
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Tourist Bungalow.
PWD Inspection Bungalow.
Forest Rest House

Valley of Flowers

High in the Himalayan ranges of Garhwal hills of Uttaranchal lies an enchanted valley. Here flowerful pastures with clear running streams are set against silver birches and shining snow peakf. Dew lies thick on the flowers,birds sing in the surrounding forest and the air is pure and charged with floral smells. Hidden from the probing eyes of civilisation, this valley had been known to the inhabitants as the Bhyundar Valley, the playground of fairies and nymphs. Trespassing their celestial abode was avoided although shepherds did take the liberty to graze their cattle here. Legends associate this valley with the area from where Hanumanji More...

How to Reach

Air : Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 306 kms. (Dehradun 333 kms.)
Rail : Nearest railhead is Rishikesh, 289 kms.

Approach :- The Valley is approachable from Govindghat. There are two ways to reach Govindghat.

(1) Rishikesh - Srinagar - Karnprayag - Joshimath - Govindghat - (Distance approx. 270 kms. on Haridwar - Badrinath highway)

(2) Haldwani - Ranikhet - Karnprayag - Joshimath - Govindghat (Distance approx. 332 kms.)

After crossing the Alaknanda river at Govindghat, an ascending bridle path along Bhyundar Ganga leads to Ghanghria which is
13 kms. away from Govindghat, from where the Valley is only 3 kms.

Hospital/ Market/Bank : Joshimath
Best time to visit : Mid July to mid August

Accommodation

1) TOURIST REST HOUSE - GHANGHRIA
Deluxe - 4 Rooms
Executive - 4 Rooms
Dormitory - 9 beds
Electricity - Available
Reservation - General Manager (Tourism)

2) Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.,
Survey Chowk, Dehradun - 248 001
Asst. Gen. Mgr. (Tourism)
Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam Ltd.
Muni-Ki-Reti, Rishikesh - 249 201.,
Tel. : (01364) 431793, 431783

Auli

Adiguru Shankaracharya on his visit to Uttarakhand had founded Joshimath which is 47 kms from Badrinath and this snow-covered mountainous region is well known for its winter sports, especially skiing. The third most famous skiing spot in the country is Auli which is just 12 kms away from Joshimath. There are dozens of areas for trekking where a tourists can take a walk and the scenery is extraordinary.

Auli - Gurso Bugyal (3 kms),
Auli-Kwanri Bugyal (30 kms),
Auli - Chattrakund (4 kms)
Auli - Joshimath (4 kms)
Auli - Tapovan ( 10 kms)

One road from here leads to the famous Valley of Flowers. The hot water springs are also wonderful.

The skiing center was set up in Auli in 1984. The Uttar Pradesh State Government has a branch called Garhwal Mandal Corporation which runs this center. Professionally trained people have been employed for teaching. This spot was discovered by the Indian Army which was posted on the Tibetan border. The army has its own skiing center here.

Auli is considered the best skiing slope in Asia. Both sides of the slope are covered with oak and coniferous trees which break the speed of the wind and this makes it ideal for skiing.

Another attraction here is a sight-seeing trip between Joshimath and Auli by a ropeway. This ropeway is 4 km long one and is called the Rajju and is at a height of 1917 mts to 3027 mts above sea level. This is the longest and the second highest ropeway in Asia. Two passenger cabins are used in this. Each cabin can accommodate from 20 to 25 people. This whole trip passes through ten towers. On the eighth tower of the ropeway one can stop because this is where one gets off for skiing and looking in and around Auli. It takes about half an hour to complete this trip. This service operates from morning to evening.

Right in front of Auli, is one of the highest peak, Nanda Devi. Along with it can be seen the Hathigauri, Neelkanth, Comet and Eravath mountains.

Auli is a grazing land spread over 6 kms. In the local language they call this "Byugal". In summer, in the old days, the local villagers used to graze their cattle here. During monsoons thousands of different variety of flowers bloom here.

Tourists Spots:

Gurso Bugyal: 3 kms from Auli, Gurso Bugyal is a huge meadow spread amidst a mixed forest of oaks and conifers. Gurso Bugyal is at 3056 mts above sea-level. One can reach Joshimath via the ropeway. It is barely 1.5 kms from the last tower of the ropeway.As there is no accommodation available here one can only admire the scenery during the day and return to Auli by night.

Chattrakund: 1 km from Gurso Bugyal, in the middle of the jungle is a small lake of sweet water called Chattrakund. This place can be visited when visiting Gurso Bugyal.

Saildhar Tapovan: 15 kms on the Joshimath road is a small village where there are many hot-water springs. 3 kms ahead in Saildhar are hot water fountains where the water is almost at a boiling point.

Kwanri Bugyal: 12 kms from Gurso Bugyal Kwanri is a very interesting place for trekkers. Its at 3350 mts above sea-level. Many tourists camp here in summer. Nanda Devi hotel in Joshimath organises such camps where porters, guides, cooks and camping equipment are available. June and September months are the best time visit.

Joshimath: 12 kms from Auli in the Chamoli District is this town with many temples and memorials. It is a gateway to Badrinath and the Valley of Flowers.

Chenab Lake: The last village from Joshimath is Dang which has to be passed to reach this beautiful lake. The road is rough, because of which this lake is not very popular with the tourists.

Vanshinarayan Kalpeshwar : 12 kms from Joshimath, 10 kms from a village called Helang, this is a beautiful valley where there is a cave called Kalpeshwar. 10 kms further down the road is a spot called Vanshinarayan which is unmatched in its beauty.

Bhavishya Badri: 3 kms by foot from Tapovan this spot is situated in the midst of a dense deodar forest.

Clothings: Light woollens in summer and heavy woollens in winter .

Temperature:

Climate Max Min
Summer 13°C 9°C
Winter Below 0°C Below 0 °C

Hotels: Garhwal Mandal Corporation has 19 huts for tourists. 3 fiber glass huts have also been constructed. Altogether 105 beds are available. There is a canteen and a restaurant also where both vegetarian and non vegetarian food is available.

Travel Plans: Auli is about 500 kms from Delhi. The last stations before Auli are Rishikesh, Haridwar and Dehra Dun. From Rishikesh, there are daily buses and taxis. Rishikesh is 253 kms, Haridwar is 277 kms and Dehra Dun is 298 kms from Auli.

Services available at the Auli skiing center:

1. 4 km long ropeway from Joshimath.
2. 500 mts long ski lift .
3. 800 metre long chairlift (16 such chairs are available. In each chair 3 passengers can be seated)
4. 7 and 15-day skiing courses (the course fees includes food and accommodation)
5. Two snow-eater machines (these smoothen the surface of the snow).
6. Skiing equipments are available which are charged on a daily basis. There is a discount for students.
7. 108 beds which include 19 huts and 3 fiber glass huts.
8. Canteen and restaurant with an orchestra, fast food, vegetarian and non vegetarian food.

Auli-Getting There
The closest airport for Auli is at Dehradun, the capital of Uttaranchal. The airport is at a distance of 298 kms.

The nearest railhead is at Rishikesh, about 235 kms from Auli.

Frequent buses run for Auli from Dehradun, Rishikesh, Hardwar and Delhi, so road is a good option too. From Joshimath, one can also get to Auli by hired jeeps.