Detailed information of Govindghat to Ghangaria trek
On your trip to Valley of Flowers your first trekking day is trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria. Govindghat is the last motor-able road for Valley of Flowers Trip. Govindghat is at a height of 5500 feet and Ghangaria is at a height of 10200 feet. The total lateral distance to be covers is 14 kilometers. The trek is restructured after floods in Uttarakhand affected the area.
On you trek to Ghangaria from Govindghat you will come across two hamlets Pulna and Bhyuandar. But both of these villages were badly affected by the floods in 2013. In fact the village Bhyuandar is completely washed off. Village Pulna is merely 3.5 kilometers from Govindghat and latest news is that the Uttarakhand government as already issued tenders for making a motor able road till Pulna. We hope the road will be constructed in 2014. The total distance for trek to Ghangaria from Govindghat is increasing every 2 years due to restructuring of the treks. In 2011 the trek near Govindghat itself got affected badly and was restructured resulting in increase of almost half kilometer.
The major restructure happened after floods in 2013 when 3 kilometer of trek beyond Bhyuandar village was completely washed off. Now the river Pushpawati is crossed at Bhyuandar village itself.
The ascent of Govindghat to Ghangaria trek.
The trek is bit steep for the first and last 3 kilometers. But it is continuously ascent. You need to gain an altitude of 4700 feet in a trek of 14 kilometers so it is quite steep.
Ponies for Govindghat to Ghangaria trek
Ponies are easily available for Govindghat to Ghangaria trek @ Rs. 800 to Rs. 2000 depending upon demand and supply. Generally the pony ride is costly in the month of June and it is less expensive in July to September.
Porters from Govindghat to Ghangaria
Porters are easily available at Govindghat for Ghangaria. Porters can carry luggage as well as human beings. A single porter can carry a person with weight of 60 kg at most. They cost the same as hiring a pony. Palanquins are also available at Govindghat but they are bit costly they charge almost Rs. 8000 for carrying a person from Govindghat to Ghangaria.
Helicopter from Govindghat to Ghangaria
Helicopter service is also available from Govindghat to Ghangaria @ Rs. 3500 per person. All the prices given in this page are of 2013.So expect a reasonable inflation increase in prices. The inflation rate in India after 2012 to 2014 has been nearly 10%. The Helicopter service is highly dependent upon weather conditions. So never make an itinerary keeping less time by assuming that you will get helicopter from Govindghat to Ghangaria. Helicopter will drop you at helipad ground at Ghangaria. It is 1 km before Ghangaria and the last 1 km is a steep climb. So manage your luggage accordingly, however you may get a porter from Helipad ground to Ghangaria.