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Valley of flowers trek, 2013 washed off by floods

· 3 min read · By Devkant Sangwan

Valley of flowers trek, 2013 washed off by floods

Valley of flowers trip may not be possible in 2013

Two vital bridges are missing between Govindghat and Valley of flowers. Trek between Govindghat and Ghangaria is also badly affected. Government has many other issues to solve before it can start working here.
I had talks with some locals and come to know that this year the trip to valley of flowers may not be possible. The vital bridge on Alaknanda River is swept way in flood. Gurudwara Management committee has already called off Hemkund Sahib Yatra this year. If we start one be one the hurdles in our trip to valley of flowers they can be summarized as follows.
  • The bridge over Alaknanda :-
We need at least a temporary bridge over Alaknanda. I think this will soon be made. Even if Hemkund Yatra is to be started next year the repairing work has to be done this year only. The accessibility of Ghangaria is only for 5 months a year. To start any work on trek this bridge has to be constructed. I am very positive that the bridge will be constructed soon.
Govindghat market before the destruction. All this is swept away in floods. Now it has become river bed.
Govindghat market before the destruction. All this is swept away in floods. Now it has become river bed.
Govindhghat after the floods, you can see the trek on the other side of river but there is no bridge available. It is washed off
Govindhghat after the floods, you can see the trek on the other side of river but there is no bridge available. It is washed off
Govindghat after the destruction, many hotels, Parking and a vital bridge swept away.
Govindghat after the destruction, many hotels, Parking and a vital bridge swept away.
  • The trek between Govindghat and Ghangaria is damaged:
Our trek between Govindghat and Ghangaria is at many places near the Pushpawati River. It is badly affected and needs to be rebuilt. You can imagine the destruction Pushpawati River would have done by comparing the pictures of Pulna Village below.
Beautiful view of Pulna Village before the flood. This village is just three kilometers from Govindghat on our trek to Ghangaria.
Beautiful view of Pulna Village before the flood. This village is just three kilometers from Govindghat on our trek to Ghangaria.
Beautiful village Pulna is all destroyed in floods. This village belongs to hotel owners in Ghangaria. Even Bhyundar is also swept away.
Beautiful village Pulna is all destroyed in floods. This village belongs to hotel owners in Ghangaria. Even Bhyundar is also swept away.

To repair and rebuilt the trek it may take this full season. However the temporary trek may be built soon. Once the trek is repaired and rebuilt we can reach Ghangaria. However I do not have confirmed reports but I am apprehensive about a vital bridge over Pushpawati River on our trek between Govindghat and Ghangaria(See picture below).

Bridge over Pushpawati River between Govindghat and Ghangaria. You can see the trek so near to river. It is washed off now. There are many places where the trek is so near to river.
Bridge over Pushpawati River between Govindghat and Ghangaria. You can see the trek so near to river. It is washed off now. There are many places where the trek is so near to river.
Bridge over Pushpawati River on the way from Govindghat and Ghangaria. This bridge is three kilometers before Ghangaria. Now not present.
Bridge over Pushpawati River on the way from Govindghat and Ghangaria. This bridge is three kilometers before Ghangaria. Now not present.

Considering the destruction at Pulna Village there is high probability of this bridge being swept away in floods. If it is also swept away it needs to be rebuilt.


  • A bridge over Pushpawati river 500 meters from Entry gate of valley of flowers:


This used to be my favorite spot for sitting and watching the river for some time. It was really a very romatic place on the trek to valley of flowers from Ghangaria. You can see some golden moments of past in below images.
Bridge over Pushpawati River, some Japanese are taking rest while coming back from valley of flowers
Bridge over Pushpawati River, some Japanese are taking rest while coming back from valley of flowers
Some golden moments at the bridge in 2010. I used to sit near this bridge for hours together. You can see beautiful scenes from here. Even Auli grounds are visible from here.
Some golden moments at the bridge in 2010. I used to sit near this bridge for hours together. You can see beautiful scenes from here. Even Auli grounds are visible from here.
Bridge over Pushpawati, Just 500 meters inside valley of flowers entry gate. This bridge is swept away by floods. This picture was taken in 2010.
Bridge over Pushpawati, Just 500 meters inside valley of flowers entry gate. This bridge is swept away by floods. This picture was taken in 2010.

Unfortunately I have confirmed reports that the bridge is not there anymore. Considering the facts that to reach up to this point we need to first correct step one and two, it may take lot of time. I have a strong apprehension that the trip to valley of flowers may not be possible this year.

However I have reports that Village Ghangaria is not at all affected by floods, all hotels are safe. The trek between Ghangaria and Hemkund Sahib is also ok. All the information given above is collected from my local sources.

Questions travellers asked us

Real questions from readers of this page over the years, answered by Devkant Sangwan. Each one shows its date. Roads, rules and arrangements may have changed since, so please ask us about your own dates.

  • Amrit J. ·

    I have just been to hemkund sahib....the trek from govindghat to ghangria which was 12 kms before is more like 15 kms now and is very steep on the gradient side then before because of the new track built. They have constructed temporary bridges to connect to ghangria and I inquired from the locals who told me that valley of flowers is also affected and there was no bridge to connect to it anymore and they were not working on it right now. Hopefully it will be there by next year.The trek to hemkund sahib is completely intact but bhyundar and pulna have been washed away very badly.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Thanks for the update. The bridge connecting Ghangaria and valley of flowers is built recently and the trek is being constructed. The valley of flowers will be opening only in next year. I will be going in first week of October, just for latest updates.

  • Stalwart ·

    :(
    You know what me had planned to the last details to trek in July at Valley of flowers, But unfortunately due to floods everything got ruined.
    I was really excited about this trip, now totally dejected, Nonetheless i am not sure if i can make it again in this lifetime, Cos i am leaving our Country in a Couple months Time.....

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Stalwart,
    Ghangaria is accessible now but with some extra effort. You can try to go in last week of September. Valley of flowers may not be accessible by that time but you can go to Hemkund Sahib where you can find many flowers. In fact in September there are more flowers at Hemkund Sahib then in Valley of flowers.

  • Subir K. ·

    We had been at Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib during July 2012. It is really painful to receive such natural calamity information. Thank you for updating. Keep updating Sir.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Subir Kumar,
    Thanks for posting. I will keep on updating.

  • Soumi R. ·

    Mr. Devkant Sangwan,
    The picture/photo of pulna village is taken by or someone else? Can anyone please tell me something about the Bhyundar village and the condition of Ghnagaria?

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    It was taken by a local only. Pulna Village is cut off now and no one can go there except by Helicopter but soon a temporary bridge will be constructed over Alaknanda River and rehabilitation work and construction of trek between Goindghat and Ghangaria can be started. I talked to a local from Bhuandar and sorry to tell you that the Village is also swept away by floods. However the good news is that village Ghangaria is intact and the trek between Ghangaria and Hemkund Sahib is also intact. The trek towards Valley of flowers is damaged at some points. However the main part of valley of flowers is intact and next year we will go to valley of flowers for sure.

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