Ghangaria is a small village situated at a height of 10200 feet is a valley surrounded by huge almost 90 degree peaks. These peaks range from 13500 feet to 16000 feet. Ghangaria is accessible only for 6 months in a year from May to October and rest of the year it is snow clad.
Ghangaria is the base camp for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib Trek. It is most crowded in the month of June when Sikh pilgrims come to Hemkund Sahib Pilgrimage. It has some 20-25 small hotels to serve people coming from across the globe. Actually the owners of these hotels are locals which reside in Pulna Village. They used to reside at Bhyuandar Village in summers. Unfortunately in the floods in Uttarakhand in 2013 Bhyuandar Village is completely washed off. Whereas Pulna’s situation is also very bad. In the year 2013 the villagers lost their houses as well as business which used to feed them for the whole year. Valley of flowers and Hemkund Sahib remained closed in 2013.
Hotels in Ghangaria
Most of the hotels have basic facilities only. Since Ghangaria is accessible only by trek it is not justified to expect luxury in hotels. However you can find decent stay at Ghangaria. Hotel Krishna Place is a good hotel at Ghangaria. You can book the rooms with us also. The picture of the hotel is given below for your reference.
Availability of Electricity in Ghangaria:
Electricity reached in Ghangaria in 2012 June. But with such a dynamic geographical conditions you cannot bank upon it. You will not find electric geysers in any hotel. They heat water on firewood and give you in a bucket. That must be fine with a nature lover. You should carry your own battery operated torch light for night use.
Telephone availability in Ghangaria.
There is almost no signal of any of the telephone operator at Ghangaria but you can do outgoing call from Ghangaria @ Rs. 10 per minute. Still you should take BSNL or IDEA sim at Ghangaria and your tour to Valley of Flowers.
Medical facility at Ghangaria
There is a doctor available at Gurudwara and who can treat. They also have oxygen cylinders with them. There is a chemist shop also at Ghangaria.
Food at Ghangaria
You can easily get meals at Ghangaria in small dhaba type shops. Choose from the one which is most crowded. According to us meals served at Hotel Pritam is of decent quality. Hotel Pritam is in front of GNVN Guest House.
Bird watching and other fauna
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If you love bird photography you can do so here. You can go to waterfall and you will find lot of different types of birds. You can also see tail less rat and if you are lucky enough you can even spot an Asiatic Black Bear near to the village.