On The Trail--Paradise On Earth-valley Of Flowers

A Path To Heaven

We continued trudging along. Tired towards the end, the journey of the last 2-3 kms only was more steep but there was no time to rest my weary feet as we were keen on reaching Ghangaria before sunset. Then we came across a helipad area, and a cluster of tents.We knew from what we had been told that this was an indication that we have almost reached.In between gasps I tried and not look ahead nor think about what lies ahead of the bend. I stopped so often and each time it was a task to get up and walk again. My friend has deserted me by now and I was alone. Every heartbeat telling me this is the last. I was grim by this point but continued on into the setting sun, cresting several passes, forging way ahead in to the dark valley.

As I left the last pit stop, I saw the camping ground with dotted colors of the tents. It was a feeling of relief till my eyes wander over to a milestone, tucked away in the grey corner “GHANGAHIA 1KM”. Various ailments had already reached a sort of silently-shrieking crescendo – my back was gone, muscles stretched to their limits and I now remembered the song” Comfortably Numb”. In between these wandering thoughts, I surprised myself by making it to Ghangaria.

We took about 7 hours to walk up the 13 kms and reached Ghangria at 4.30 pm.Ghangria has a helipad and some space for camping. Half a km from the helipad is the one streat village of Ghangria lined with hotels,resturants and a Gurudwara. Gurudwara offers free accomodation and food to all. We found a basic room right accross the gurudwara. Ghangria has power supply only between 5 am to 7 am and 7pm to 9.30 pm.By evening Ghangria turns very cold Though people say that its wiser to visit VOF before Hemkund because that gives greater time for your body to acclimatize.

Ghangria

In the twilight, at one point, I watched the fog clearing up and voila..I saw before me just a few feet away from the lodge a huge mountain side, like a tall wall looming right in front of me. I fele it real close like a spectacular wallpaper on my PC monitor but that was real and beautiful nature! It was an exhilarating experience spending time in the midst of these towering peaks some of which are at a height of more than 20,000 feet above sea level.I covered up well to protect from the freezing weather to go out for some early dinner in anticipation of having an early night in Ghangaria. I was just one night away from the day that was to dawn when I would be in the Valley of Flowers finally. With pleasant thoughts of anticipation of that day, I fell asleep.