Region:
Garhwal
Hills
Best Season: May - October
The Garhwal Himalayas, the world’s
highest mountain range, has s
ome
of the most spectacular lakes, glaciers , forests and wildlife
. The high mountain peaks lush green valleys, alpine forests and
gushing rivers have inspired many a poet and artists. It's
a land of many streams and the birthplace of some of India's greatest
rivers.
The Himalayas blessed with
gushing rivers, majestic snow clad peaks and a rich plethora of
flora and fauna, is described as the "Abode of Gods".
Garhwal is a mecca for the devout and a haven for adventure
sports like river rafting, camping, trekking and skiing.
The sacred places of Badrinath and Gangotri are located
here and so is the source of the most venerated river - Ganga.The
legendary valleys of Garhwal abound with breathtaking natural
beauty.
Garhwal
comprises the districts of Uttarkashi, Tehri, Pauri, Dehradun
and Chamoli. The Garhwal hills are a veritable paradise
for trekkers. Nature is in her element here, and the trekking
trails are renowned for the great beauty of their views, stunningly
different at almost every turn. There are some superb trekking
opportunities in the vicinity of important pilgrimage sites
such as Badrinath, Yamunotri, Kedarnath,
Gangotri and Hemkund close to the Valley of Flowers.
Best Season: Though Garhwal
is a treat throughout the year except the rainy season, it is
advisable to plan any trekking trip to this region during April
to November. Trekking in the Garhwal hills is best between the
months of May and October.
Permits: Indian nationals
need no permission for trekking in any area outside the
inner line. For routes inside the inner line, the local District
Magistrate's permission or that of the central home ministry is
necessary in Advance. For foreigners, crossing the inner line
is not permitted.
Treks upto 4,900m need no permission
and can be undertaken on tourist visas. Above 4,900m, treks can
also be undertaken with prior permission from the IMF provided
no peak is attempted. Camera permits are also necessary.
HOW TO GET THERE
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant in Dehradun. However, the flights
are not very regular. Convenient overnight trains from Delhi connect
Haridwar, the nearest rail head into Garhwal. The Shatabdi Express
serves Haridwar along with trains from Mumbai and Calcutta. For
many of the treks, Rishikesh serves as the base. Bus services
connect Garhwal region with other towns in North India.
