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1000 Nomads share their thoughts on trekking post COVID-19

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1000 Nomads share their thoughts on trekking post COVID-19

With the country under lockdown again, we wanted to see where our Nomads’ hearts are at.

We conducted a survey to understand what trekkers feel about trekking post the COVID-19 pandemic. The short 5-question survey ran between 17th May 2021 to 6th June 2021 and we received an overwhelming 1078 responses.

Not only did our Nomads give us responses to the options, but they also took the time to share detailed suggestions and feedback. The team at TrekNomads spent the weekend reading through the responses and we cannot tell you how happy and positive this makes us feel.

A huge thank you to all of you who took the time to share your thoughts with us!

Here’s a quick look at what we understand from the survey:

We asked 5 simple questions:

  1. Are you considering trekking in 2021?
  2. Which trek are you looking forward to doing this year?
  3. Treks that interests you
  4. Which option below are you more comfortable with while trekking/traveling during and post COVID-19?
  5. Anything that you wish to share with us?

Let’s dive deeper into the results we have received:

1. Are you considering trekking in 2021?

Of the 1078 responses, 86.9% of Nomads said that they are considering trekking later in 2021. 13.1% said that they do not wish to trek or travel in 2021.

As you can see in the chart above, over 86% of our Nomads are ready to trek later in 2021. Most of the popular domestic Himalayan treks such as Valley of Flowers and Kashmir Great Lakes start departures post-July every year. This leaves a window a good 3-month window between July to September for Nomads to do these treks.

Coming to International treks such as Everest Base Camp, Annapurna Circuit Trek, and even Annapurna Base Camp trek which is primarily based in Nepal, these treks are open for trekkers post September every year. These treks can be done in September – October window. The weather is pleasant and the trails are less frequented as most trekkers prefer the spring season.

2. Which trek are you looking forward to doing this year?

As you can see in the chart below, we asked trekkers what kind of departures were they looking forward to being a part of in 2021. As expected, we see a larger chunk of trekkers about 21.4% opting for longer domestic Himalayan treks, 15.5% choosing weekend treks in the Western Ghats. About 8.3% stating that they just wish to travel with a nice stay and 6% wish to go on International treks.

If you take a look at our upcoming treks, we have a good number of treks in the Western Ghats, departures scheduled for the Himalayas in Uttarakhand, and international departures as well that you can choose from.

3. Which trek interests you?

We asked our Nomads which of these treks were they keen on doing later this year. 20.2% stated that they wish to Valley of Flowers trek, 15.5% chose Kedarkantha trek which, like Valley of Flowers is a popular trek in the country. 14.3% said that they want to explore Kashmir through the Kashmir Great Lakes trek. Both Kuari Pass and Everest Base Camp were surprisingly tied at 11.9%. Leaving us 10.7% who were interested in doing the Annapurna Circuit trek.

Interestingly, here is how time and again the Valley of Flowers Trek, which also happens to be our flagship trek, has come out as one of India’s most preferred treks. And rightly so, because of its trail and extremely vibrant beauty.

Recommended Reading: All you need to know about the Valley of Flowers trek

4. Which option below are you more comfortable with while trekking/traveling during and post COVID-19?

We asked our Nomads to tell us what group size and group type they would be comfortable trekking with post the COVID pandemic. 38.9% said that they wish to trek with a known group of 3-4 people. 16.7% said that they need a bigger group of 10-12 people. Another tie here of 16.7% stated that they wish to trek with family/friends. 11.1% would love to trek with their partner. 11.1% said that it doesn’t matter who they trek with as long as they’re trekking. And about 5.6% said that they would love to trek solo.

Considering the pandemic, it is not surprising that a large group of trekkers will choose to trek in smaller-known groups.  Thankfully, our customized departures cater to such groups where you can:

  • Choose your preferred dates
  •  Customize your itinerary
  • Opt for accommodation as per your choice

Recommended Reading: How TrekNomads is making it safe for trekkers to trek post the COVID-19 pandemic

Coming to trekkers who wish to trek in groups of 10-12, almost all our departures cater to smaller more concise groups to ensure that we provide a personalized experience that makes your trekking experience even more comfortable. We have also had custom departures for couples who have celebrated birthdays, anniversaries, etc. in the mountains.

5. Anything that you wish to share with us?

Amongst all the open suggestions we have received, here are a few that we would like to highlight:

Booking a trek in these uncertain conditions:

As uncertainty looms over our heads, we understand that making the decision to book a longer trek may be difficult. This is why we have introduced the register now and pay later policy here at TrekNomads.

What does this mean? You can register for your preferred trek by paying a nominal registration fee and confirm your participation 30 days before the departure. So you have the flexibility of not paying the entire amount but still planning your treks.

Flexible cancellations:

A big concern that we noticed was around cancellations if the country suddenly goes into lockdown, or even in the unlikely event that Nomads or their family members turn COVID +ve. In lieu of the same, we have already taken measures to relax our cancellation policy.

With the changing travel advisories and newer regulations coming into the picture, we understand that deciding and booking a trek can get tricky. This is exactly why we have decided to extend our COVID cancellation policy for all treks booked up until 31 December 2021.

For every trek booked until 31 December 2021, cancellations made up to 14 days prior to the departure date will eligible for a full trek voucher refund after deducting a 10% booking fee, if you test positive (a valid government-approved document would be required for verification). The trek voucher will be valid until March 2022 and can be redeemed across any treks that we offer.

You can read our detailed cancellation policy, here.

Ensuring safety during COVID times:

As a community, our major focus has always remained on ensuring the health, safety, and security of our Nomads, our on-ground staff, and the locals. Since October 2020, we have taken around 250 Nomads to the mountains. To ensure their safety and the safety of our future trekkers, we have put strict COVID protocols in place. We have a detailed guide on all the Safety protocols we are following prior, during, and post our treks.

Other than the protocols we follow, we also ensure that our Nomads follow all regulations laid down by the government to ensure their safety and the safety of fellow trekkers.

Recommended Reading: Here’s how we’re making treks safe for our Nomads

How are we ensuring the safety of female solo trekkers:

Almost all our departures have female solo trekkers who either choose to trek solo or they choose to join an existing batch. In any case, we do our maximum bit to ensure the safety of women and all our Nomads who choose to trek with us. From accommodation to taking care of you when we’re trekking, traveling to ensuring you reach home safe when you’re with us, you are safe. We have had women-only groups who have done long treks with us in some of the most remote areas of Uttarakhand, they come back happy with tons of good experiences.

This women-only batch trekked with us to Valley of Flowers, here’s what they had to say:

Mariam Taqui Ali who joined us on the Chadar Trek was also a solo female trekker, she had some amazing memories that she has shared with us as well. Read all about her experience here.

Solo female trekker Ananya Muttagi shares her story of overcoming fear and living a life of her dreams as she trekked with us to Kedarkantha Peak. Click the image above to read her blog.

Recommended Reading: Leadership lessons learned through the trail by Priyanka Murthy

Main takeaways from the survey:

What we observe through the survey is that our Nomads are ready now more than ever to start trekking again. A lot has changed for us on-ground – the way we manage treks, the protocols we follow, the way we scout and train guides and trek leads. To more important details such as how we cautious when we provide accommodation or even during transit to and fro from the arrival destination to the base camp.

Over the past few months, we have been constantly working on the ground to ensure these measures are set up for Nomads. This in turn has helped us make our departures safe and more inclusive. We can with sureity say that we are now ready to take our Nomads to the mountains, and we sure know that our Nomads are ready to go back to the mountains.

Trekking & Travel Photography Tips – A Complete Guide

Mahendra Rathod
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Trekking & Travel Photography Tips – A Complete Guide

“Photography” – The one thing which we like to do while on treks is – taking photos, lots and lots of photos. We actually end up with lots and lots of photos. Post the trek, when the time comes to share these photos, we try to share them all. Which is a big mistake. When it comes to trekking and travel photography tips for beginners,

The first rule of photograph sharing: Never share your entire album. Be selective in what you share. Edit your photos before these go out.

This blog is an effort to help you become a better photographer. This is based on my personal experiences. This trekking and travel photography tips blog is not for “pro” photographers. But for regular Joe like me and you, who wants to capture and share decent pics on social media.

Trekking & Travel Photography Tips for Nomads!

1) Invest in a good camera

Believe it or not, a phone can never replace a good camera. With the latest phones and editing software, phones may definitely give you good-looking pictures. But when it comes to quality, clarity – a good camera is always better than a phone. If you want to take up photography a bit more seriously, I would suggest you purchase a decent camera.

Cameras are of generally 2 types: Point & Shoot and DSLR. (There are many types of cameras, however as I mentioned, this blog is for beginners and not to show off my googling skills!)

Point and Shoot cameras are simple, lightweight, and cheaper. It provides good quality pics. These cameras have good zoom (in certain models) and can be used as multipurpose camera. The photo quality will be better than mobile.

If you want more depth, quality, and clarity in your images, then go for a basic DSLR. The base versions of Canon or Nikon would be good. DSLRs are a little heavy and have a detachable lens. Don’t buy fancy and expensive lenses and go with the standard 18-55 lens which comes with the base model. Once you graduate to a better photographer and feel the need to shoot wild animals, you can purchase a zoom lens.

But before we jump into trekking & travel photography tips, it is important to learn about your camera.

Photo Courtesy: ThePhotographer.com

2) Take proper care of your camera

Buying a camera is one thing, however, most cameras (esp DSLRs) require little care. First, get a good camera bag – mostly you will get along with the camera. 2nd make sure your camera is not always in damp places. The lens may get fungus, which will impact the performance.

While trekking during the monsoon, avoid taking pictures with your camera. Monsoon in mountains is unpredictable. If your camera is exposed to rain or moisture, it may stop working. You can switch to mobile phones, which these days are water-resistant.

travel photography tips

If you are going to cold environments, make sure you keep your batteries warm during the night. The batteries may drain very fast during cold weather. You can keep your batteries inside your spare socks or sweater for warmth. Generally, camera batteries cannot be charged through power banks. So if the batteries are drained, your camera will become extra weight.

3) Your mobile can capture great pictures too

Don’t want to invest in a camera? You can always use your mobile to take great pics.

As mentioned earlier, these days mobile phones have also up the ante in terms of camera quality. You may not get the benefits of the camera as highlighted above, but you still get share-worthy pics.

mobile photography tips

Recommended Reading: Check out our blog on amazing mobile apps which can help you with mobile photographs.

These days mobile phones have portrait and landscape modes. So you can still get good pics. Just follow the other tips to enhance your photography. This is one of the most useful travel photography tips that in our experience.

4) Learn to hold the camera properly

It may sound stupid, but this is one of the most useful pieces of advice. You will get a number of videos and pics on google on how to hold your camera or mobile for a better picture. Generally, make sure the shake is eliminated and your grip is firm (but not too tight). Hold your breath for a few seconds before clicking.

Photo Courtesy: Digital Photography School

5) Basics of photography

A blog about travel photography tips is never complete without taking you through the basics of photography. Shutter speed, aperture, ISO: Let’s go to a little technical detail. I will try to explain these 3 important aspects of a camera in a very simple language.

Shutter speed:

This means how long would the shutter of a camera be open. The longer it is open, the more light it can capture. And the shorter it is open, the lesser light it can take. So, how does it matter, and in which situations?

If you are taking a picture of an animal running or someone who moves a lot, you need to increase the shutter speed. A fast shutter speed freezes the motion.

A 30-second shutter speed photo of the moon – Photo Credit: photographylife.com

Slower shutter speed will help you take mesmerizing and milky waterfall pics or night photos. A tripod is definitely recommended while using slow shutter speed pics. Like this picture below captured on the Kashmir Great Lakes trek captures the Milkyway wonderfully.

Picture courtesy to our Nomad Avijit Nandy.

Aperture: 

Aperture is the opening of the lens, which controls the amount of light hitting the camera’s sensor. It affects the depth of field. Depth of field brings focus on the main object while blurring the background. A wider aperture means more light hitting the sensor, isolated object, and greater depth of field. Conversely, a narrower aperture means lesser light, lesser depth of field, and hence more objects are in focus.

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Example of a wider aperture and very high depth of field. Photo Credit: Google Images

Here’s a quick guide to Aperture and Shutter Speed that you can refer to:

trekking & travel photography tips

ISO:

ISO controls the light sensitivity of a photograph. A lower ISO (100/200) is useful for daylight photography. A higher ISO (400 or 800 or higher) is used for night or low light photography.

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Night photography like the above is done through higher ISO. You also have to control the shutter speed and aperture for this. Photo Credit: Google Images.

If you are a beginner photographer, do not get too confused with the above terms. However, if you wish to learn more on these topics, there are plenty of resources available on the net. You can learn the techniques and then practice as much as possible.

Mostly while trekking, put your camera in landscape mode. The camera will auto-adjust with a lower aperture and give you great pics. When you want to isolate an object like a bird, insect, or a friend, put the camera in portrait mode for a higher depth of field effect.

6) The rule of third

One of the most important rules of photography is the composition of a photograph. The composition would mean how you place all objects together in a picture. E.g. you want to take a portrait shot of a person with a beautiful background. You cannot put the person at the bottom of the pic while keeping the entire pic above empty with the background.

One important tip on how to have a better composition is to follow the rule of third. Rule of thirds divides your view into 9 parts. 3 horizontal and 3 vertical lines. The theory says that you should put your main object not in the center, but slightly on the right or the left of the center. This provides better balance to the photograph. Also, the horizon should be either on the top or the bottom of the line.

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But hey, rules are meant to be broken. Just make sure that you have an effective result after breaking the rule.

7) How to take great landscape photos

As mentioned above, you can control the aperture to take great landscape photographs. A narrower aperture is required for a sharper landscape photo. While on treks, you will mostly take landscape photographs. As a beginner, make sure that your photo composition is well balanced and your camera is on landscape mode.

Mount Trishul at Brahmatal Trek – Dec 2020

8) How to take great portrait photos

Portrait photographs are great when the depth of field is good. For a good depth of field make sure that your camera is in portrait mode. At times, zooming out and focusing on the central image may also provide a higher depth of field.

Make sure you hold the button for a few seconds for the lens to focus, before clicking a photograph. Hold your breath for a few seconds while clicking to avoid a shake and blurry pic.

A good portrait picture with a mountain, landscape background can look absolutely stunning. Not to mention it makes for wonderful profile pictures!

9) Auto Mode – Good, Bad, Ugly

The most default mode in all cameras in auto mode. Auto mode adjusts shutter speed, ISO, aperture as per the lighting conditions and tries to give you the best picture. Almost all mobile cameras operate on auto mode. Auto mode is good if you really do not want to get into any technicalities of taking a picture – while still want to take good pics.

While the auto mode is good, it has its shortfalls. The biggest being, it will stop you from taking great pics. When you play with the shutter speed, ISO, and aperture, you get out-of-the-world pics.

10) Focus on the eyes

While taking close portrait shots, try to focus on the eyes. A good sharp photo with a focus on the eyes while definitely elevate your pictures.

At the same time, when you are taking a photo of an animal. Try to make sure that their eyes are visible. However, it is advisable to stay at a safer distance from wild animals during treks. 

11) Shoot Sunrise and Sunset

In photography, an hour after sunrise and an hour before sunset are called “golden hours”. This is because the light is warm and soft during this time. Light is the most important element of photography. So the golden hours will give you the best opportunity for a great shot.

While on the treks, you will encounter surreal sunrises and sunsets. There are various tricks you can try during photographing the sunrise/set.

sunrise photography tips
Photo Courtesy: Google images

Take a time-lapse video

Time-lapse video is a technique, where we play with the frame rate of a video. In simple language, we take videos at a lower frame rate (1 or 2 per second). While playing the video the frame rate is increased to 30. This shows the video in a fast-forward mode. Most of the mobiles have time-lapse video options. In cameras, if you do not have an option – you have to manipulate during editing. Time-lapse are a great way to capture sunrise and sunsets. You have to be patient as it will take a good 15/30 mins for a time-lapse. Also, make sure that you use a tripod for better stability. 

Direct sun shots

Generally pointing the camera directly at the sun is not good for your sensor – when the sun is very bright – at noon. However, during the golden hour, the sun rays are a little softer. The photos taken when the sun is just coming out or going down into the horizon will give you very good photos.

Silhouette Pics

This is also a great technique of photography – which is really effective during sunrise or sunset. It is generally done on people in the front and light in the background. Do not turn on your flash. Make sure that the object (or person) remains darker, while the background illuminates.

Sunset with silhouette effect during Brahmatal Trek – Dec 2020

12) Learn basic software photo editing

Taking photographs is just 50% of the work. You also need to make sure that you edit your best pictures. Editing elevates your pictures and helps you add various effects, colors, and filters.

Tools for editing: Most mobile phones have inbuilt editing options. This makes it convenient to edit photos taken through the mobile. You can take pics throughout the day and at night edit the ones you want before sharing. There are pre-built filters also while taking a photograph. I would not recommend using these, as later your freedom of editing a picture is generally lost. There are a bunch of apps that are built to help your trek and travel photos on the go. If you’re a beginner, some of these apps can come in super handy. Especially for pictures taken on your mobile phone.

If you are taking pics through a camera, you may want to edit the pics in software. You can download pics to your computer and edit them with inbuilt photo editing software. You don’t have to purchase something expensive like Adobe Lightroom. A MacBook has an inbuilt image editor which is good enough. The same applies to a windows PC.

  • Use Basic Editing: While editing, avoid clicking the “auto” edit option. This may not give you a proper result. Instead, work with the following to enhance your photos. 1) Light, 2) Contrast, 3) Saturation. Adjust these 3 while keeping an eye on your photo. See before and after and adjust as per your requirements.
how-to-edit-travel-free-instagram-collection-photoshop-actions
When editing, bear in mind that you are showing your audience a little exaggerated version of what your camera captures.
  • Don’t overdo editing: At times, we get carried away and apply too much saturation or apply an unnatural colour filter. Avoid doing this. Try to make very simple and small adjustments to your pics. It will give you good results.
An example of a badly edited photo. This makes your photo looks unreal and that is the last thing you need.

13) Click, Sort, Select, Edit, Share, Delete

I was trying to search for an acronym from above. But CSSESD did not make any sense! However, the point I am trying to make is about managing your photographs effectively.

On average, an enthusiastic photographer takes 500-600 photographs during a 6-7 day trek. You cannot share all these on your social media or with your loved ones. They will get bored seeing all these pics. So, be selective and follow this method.

  • Click – Experiment. Click as many photos as you want. Click throughout the day for better light effects. Practice with a lot of styles and techniques. Try to capture most of the moments during the trek.
  • Sort – Before editing, go through the complete set of photos. Sort the good ones. Delete the bad ones – blurred pics, bad composition, lighting, etc. 
  • Select – Select photos you want to showcase. Try to create a story from your photos. So select photos as per the flow of your trek.
  • Edit – Edit only the ones which you have finalized for sharing. DO NOT share pictures without editing. When you have done most of the hard work in taking pics, it makes a lot of sense to edit before you share.
  • Share – Share selected photos to your social media or friends once you are back in the network. Try to put a watermark or your signature in the image. Do not share through WhatsApp as it reduces the quality of the picture. Reduce the picture size a bit to upload pics faster.
  • Delete – Do not clutter your mobile and laptop hard-disks with unnecessary photos. Remove the unwanted ones and keep the good ones.

14) Practice, Practice, Practice

When it comes to travel photography tips, reading is also essential. Now once you have applied these techniques and are a better photographer, make sure you improve every day. Read advanced concepts from the internet. Apply these during your photography and during editing. Learn from your mistakes. Review your bad pictures and try to figure out what went wrong. Participate in online photo contests for extra motivation. Put your photos as your mobile or laptop wallpaper.

15) Have fun

Photography is a very complex art form. Once you go deeper – it becomes more complex and creative. It is also expensive and time-consuming. Decide what do you want as a photographer. You can be a casual photographer who can take good pics during a trek. Or you can learn more about the techniques and turn into a pro photographer. But the most important thing is having fun. Enjoy what you are doing, respect others and esp respect nature.

About the author:

Mahendra Rathod has done Post Graduate Diploma in Management(PGDM) from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from M.S. University Baroda. 

Reading, trekking and running are what keeps him going. He is a thinker with a thirst for knowledge of various subjects including public affairs, economics, fitness, human behaviour, etc. He is also an active business mentor. To know more about Mahendra, catch him on LinkedIn here.

8 Best Trek and Travel Photo Editing Apps You’ll love – #TrekNomadsRecommends

TrekNomads
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8 Best Trek and Travel Photo Editing Apps You’ll love – #TrekNomadsRecommends

These days your photos from your treks and travels need an edge. While an ordinary Instagram filter used to do the trick until a couple of years back, now you need something else to up your game. Trekking and travel photo editing apps are here to help you get through this! Pictures may never make justice to how beautiful nature is when you see it from your eyes but these apps can help you pop those colors and show the world, its incredible beauty. There are a million ways you can edit your photos on your mobile device these days. However, choosing the right app can help you from going overboard with your editing.

Whether it’s a pictured you capture of the snow-capped trails of Kedarkantha, the frozen river of Chadar, or even the color Valley of Flowers trek this trekking and travel photo editing apps guide is here to help you. Whether you’re a professional photographer, an absolute beginner, or anything in between, these apps are built to make editing easy!

In this post of #TrekNomadsRecommends, we’re sharing 8 of our most favorite trekking and travel photo editing apps and additional tips on how you can share them on the go!

Trekking & travel photo editing apps

1) Snapseed

Snapseed is one the best free trek and travel photo editing apps out there for its wide array of capabilities. It has an easy-to-use interface with quick and simple image adjustment tools like crop, saturation, and sharpness. Snapseed provides everything from ready-made filters to tweaking every detail possible!trek and travel photo editing apps

Price: FREE

Available on: Android & iOS

2) Adobe Lightroom

Adobe Lightroom CC is one of the most powerful mobile photo editing apps out there for professional photographers. If you want more options than just changing your pictures into a black and white image, try Lightroom. This app allows you to remove unwanted objects from the background. It has several advanced photo editing tools like tweaking tone curves, gradients, and effects to make a photo exactly how you want.

What’s more, you can even use this application on your desktop or on your mobile device.

trek and travel photo editing apps

Price: Free (To access Adobe Creative cloud storage, you need a subscription)

Available on: Android & iOS

3) VSCO

VSCO is perfect for everyone from amateurs to photographers. The app has incredibly on-trend filters and presets that will have your photos Insta-worthy in a matter of seconds. This photo editing app also has the option to purchase limited-edition filters, so you can use one for each of your trekking destinations.

The editing options are quite basic but include all the main tools: adjustment, contrast, white balance, etc. You can purchase a membership to unlock even more tools, such as borders and HSL (hue, saturation, lightness). It also remembers your previous edits and your most-used presets which makes your photo editing process more simpler and easier!

trek and travel photo editing apps

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Available on: Android & iOS

4) Adobe Photoshop Express

This app takes the best of Photoshop’s features and puts them into a compressed version of the mobile app. Adobe Photoshop Express has a lot of options and filters that are the dream for any medium-high skilled photo editor. Photoshop Express has hundreds of filters within its library and users can also use many of Photoshop’s classic features.

With red-eye, blemish removal, lens flares, adding text, preset crop shapes as well as the ability to lay photos out in a collage and edit border size and colors as well as adding shadows, there’s very little the Photoshop app can’t do.

photo editing apps

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Available on: Android & iOS

5) PicsArt

When it comes to trekking and travel photo editing apps – PicsArt is a versatile photo editing app meant for beginner photographers. You can use its awesome stickers, fonts, blemish removal tools, and text features to create magical images. The best features about Picsart include perfect remixing and collage making.

photography app

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Available on: Android & iOS

6) DarkRoom

Darkroom is easier to navigate, even if you’re not a pro photo editor (yet!). It has slightly fewer tools, but all the major editing features are available. Darkroom is one of the best photo editing apps for iOS devices. This is also a major competitor for Adobe Lightroom. However, considering the easy-to-navigate user experience, this one takes the cake. What’s more – You can e sets of hashtags that you can export with one-tap from anywhere: Home screen, Today widget, Export sheet, and more. Create your own Siri Shortcuts to copy all your favorite hashtags from any app!

creative photo editing apps

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Available on: Android & iOS

7) Afterlight

One of the most straightforward apps for those wanting to quickly adjust or add a filter, upload a photo or take one with Afterlight’s camera. Then, choose from several editing tools ranging from basic to advanced, or select one of the 10 free filter options.

For those who want to add stickers or text, the artwork tab has a variety of options. The app is connected to Twitter and Instagram, allowing you to share your newly edited photos directly from Afterlight to other social media feeds.

creative photo editing apps

Price: FREE (with in-app purchases)

Available on: Android & iOS

8) Photos App – Pre-Installed On IOS

One app that is potentially overlooked by iPhone users when editing apps is the standard trek and travel photo ediitng app that comes with every iPhone. While the older versions of this app were not known for their editing quality, the latest versions have kicked it up a notch to keep in line with Apple’s high-quality cameras.

With portrait mode, numerous great-looking filters such as ‘Dramatic’ and more detailed editing options such as brilliance, black point, and vignette, as long as users stay away from the automated editing option, there is real potential to make any photo, be it landscape, food photography or portraits, look exceptional.

free photo editing app

Price: FREE

Available on: iOS

Bottom Line:

Last but not least! Photographs play a significant and vital role in everyone’s life. They connect us to our past; they remind us of people, places, feelings, and stories that we have gone through.

To collect good memories, we need to have some perfect pictures, which can be obtained using any of the above trek and travel photo editing apps of your choice. Use these awesome tools and create brilliant pictures!

If you wish to download this #TrekNomadsRecommends blog as a pdf, click here.

Leadership Essentials from my 2021 Everest Base Camp Trek A Blog by Priyanka Murthy

TrekNomads
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Leadership Essentials from my 2021 Everest Base Camp Trek A Blog by Priyanka Murthy

This blog was originally published on LinkedIn. Click here to read the blog.

Pushing my limits to trek to Everest Base Camp (EBC) was always on my bucket list. So when an opportunity to join a trekking expedition to EBC came by this year, I took the plunge. Amidst the impending pandemic crises, there was definitely a lot of hesitation on whether this is the right time to pursue this goal. But safe travel arrangements, assurance by our trekking organizers #TrekNomads & the promise of clean mountain air in the lap of nature gave me the courage to bring this dream to fruition last month.

As I reflect on the 12-day trek and the month-long preparation that made this happen, I am very grateful of the valuable trekking lessons that made this expedition a success. Not only did they make me fitter & mentally strong on the trail, but also naturally unfolded as Leadership Essentials that anyone can espouse and fall back on during a Career or even Life Span.

Sharing below a snippet of these essentials with a glimpse here & there of the wondrous Everest Base camp trekking trail….Hope you enjoy the read!

1.    Know where you are heading: Preparation is key

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Over the course of 2020, as has been the case for most of us, the extended time working from home had benefitted me by bringing a balance to physical fitness & well-being. I had evolved from someone who felt lethargy towards workouts to becoming a fitness enthusiast who felt incomplete without a daily dose of movement – be it a jog, yoga, or sometimes just a brisk walk in between meetings.

But was that enough to climb at higher altitudes with low oxygen & steep terrains?

To be honest, I wasn`t fully confident and latched on to the fitness routine & tests we had to endure to qualify for the trek. Knowing beforehand that a mere step count & fitness endurance at ground level is not a sure shot qualifier for an altogether different terrain & atmosphere, was key to our preparation. So what helped me immensely was staying close to this awareness & gap I had to fill, @ home preparation for a month before the trek, and most importantly sound guidance from co-trekkers through the course. To simulate a high altitude experience at home a simple routine I followed was climbing a flight of 50 floors up & down in 20 mins flat.

It goes without saying, even in a career span, the 1st step really is to know where you are, where you aspire to be & prepare on the areas that will help you navigate the climb

P. S – Sometimes what we are looking for is right under our gaze & we miss it. While preparing for the trek @ home I was amazed at the simplicity & effectiveness of stair climbing as an activity & till date keep wondering why I hadn`t explored this earlier! It now continues to be a routine activity to stay in motion & energized even at home!

2. Climb High, Sleep Low!

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The 12-day trek to EBC entailed gaining altitude every day and resting at a new place every night. We started from Lukla, Kathmandu which is at a height of 2860 meters above sea level on Day 1, and by Day 8 were at our destination – Base Camp which is at an ambitious 5500 meters above sea level. The trick was to acclimatize our bodies to altitude & drop in oxygen levels by gaining as much altitude as we could during the day & resting at a lower altitude by night. This helped us adapt to the demands of the terrain & atmosphere while ensuring a steady climb on a daily basis.

To read a guide on the Everest Base Camp trek, click here.

Drawing this as a leadership analogy, one cannot refute the subtle yet profound impact you can make as a Leader by continuing to climb to higher echelons of Leadership while ensuring to stay humble, nimble footed & grounded. So as our local guides & Sherpas advised us to Climb High & Sleep Low, aspiring leaders should lay clear focus & sincere effort on their next career move or next project, not withholding the humility to count their blessings, stay grateful & grounded – Become a curious learner on the journey..

3. 20 Steps, 3 Deep Breaths always on your Ascent : Trust your Pace, do not make it a Race!

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Without a doubt everyone would agree that an ascent is always more taxing as essentially we are in anti-gravity motion. Ironically though, & true to the nature of my astrological symbol – Capricorn : the Mountain Goat, I find it easier to climb up an ascent, when well paced. Mountain goats are said to find solace in climbing high peaks for 1) there is a height to be achieved & 2) slowly but surely this can be achieved. So equipped with this armor, I found it even more beneficial & less exhausting to climb an ascent when I used the simple rule of 20 Steps, 3 Breaths as advised by our Trek Guides. Ensuring deep breathing in a regular interval while on a steep trail, gave us the much-needed short bursts of excess oxygen flow, energy & most importantly a sense of a short victory in a short span of time.

I find that even at work when you are faced with a challenging new situation when you are at crossroads or are a new Leader uncertain about how to proceed, it is quite effective to break things down as quick wins to infuse confidence on your journey & stay mindful with meditation & deep breathing regularly – It`s important to pace yourself & not Race yourself – A valuable leadership lesson more so in the uncertain times that we live in…

4. Enjoy & make the best use of your surroundings: Journey is more gratifying & beautiful than the destination

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Truth be told, by Day 3 on the Everest Base Camp Trail one can catch a gorgeous glimpse of the mighty Everest. What ensues on each day is a steady climb and a hope in the heart to try and catch a glimpse of the scenic wonder once again. But what is more astounding is the pristine & breathtaking views one can witness at every moment on the trail, even aside from the Everest peak – be it the vast expanse of snow capped mountains in the entire Solukhumbu district, the very sturdy & joyous rides on the steel suspension bridges that we witnessed ( such as the famous Hillary Suspension Bridge in the pic ), the colourful & welcoming Buddhist flags all along the trail or even the thriving flora & fauna around. I realized the biggest motivation to complete an arduous task of walking 6-8 hours everyday on the trail were the views …. and the journey : If we just paused to take note & pay attention. And the returns of this momentous investment of time & attention are something that will be etched in my mind for a lifetime.

Needless to say, leaders & teams can enrich themselves with a lot more learning by focusing in the moment & not getting bogged down by the end goal or task completion at hand. Keep refining your course, stay inquisitive, observe & learn from each other & thoroughly enjoy yourself on the journey!

5. Stay Resilient: Potential & Possibility always outweigh Problems!

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Apr-May is considered a good time for a Spring Trek, although we witnessed unexpected snowfall by Day 4. It did make the trek a lot more treacherous to complete as the trail gets slippery, but what definitely outweighed our challenge was having the opportunity to witness a ‘snow-trek’ in spring, glistening snow capped mountains & trails at our disposal & well….. some ‘snow-ball’ wars to add to the fun.

Point being, there are always two perspectives to any situation- And in my view, a potential / possibility is always bigger than a problem – there are Perks & Peaks always up for grabs! Leaders & teams can benefit a lot from this simple principle – Look at any Problem as a Potential to something even better..

6. Every Ascent has a Descent. Find your sweet spot & be @ Play

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The best part of a mountain trek is that an Ascent always has a Descent 🙂 What goes up has to come down & this is an organic way in which Mountains enable a balancing act. So while the ascent is a slow climb & more taxing it gives an opportunity to Pause Reflect & enjoy the views – take a rest. And the Descent gives you the opportunity to see things from a Height – See the Bigger Picture and take the advantage of gravity to come down faster & gain time!

Leaders & teams can benefit by viewing every task as having potential ascents ( learning curves) & descents ( productivity gains) that will come along – The key is to stay cognizant of the fact that it will not always be a steady course & that with the right pacing & awareness, anything can be accomplished..

7. Take a break, stay hydrated, seek friends & mentors all along!

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Lastly, a journey is more enriching, more alive & more meaningful with the right Comrades along the way… Personally to me, the dream of completing an Everest Base Camp Trek started with a discussion that I had with a fellow trekker who had similar interests & took fruition when I was coached & encouraged by a mentor. Which made me realize the importance of having the right support system & dedicated Mentors to coach & guide you when testing new waters ( such as the trek in my case) or when on a new terrain.

Here are 10 reasons why you MUST do the Everest Base Camp Trek!

Leaders undoubtedly can expedite their Leadership Potential & soar to new heights by being more self-aware of what they want to achieve early on & tapping on the right sources from time-to-time to help them navigate their Climb 🙂

(…………… pun intended )

About the author:

Priyanka Murthy is a Talent & Organization Development Leader at Novartis & an amateur trekker.

For more details and for her profile, click here.

#TrekNomadsRecommends – Skincare Tips for Longer Himalayan Treks

TrekNomads
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#TrekNomadsRecommends – Skincare Tips for Longer Himalayan Treks

Trekking is definitely one of the easiest ways to explore and enjoy nature. It also has a lot of benefits and is great for your body and mind. But trekking is not always kind when it comes to your skin. Of course, you get ample sun time and but the extreme weather conditions on the trail can cause problems on your skin through harsh UV rays, extremely dry weather, dehydration, etc. But this does not mean you need to put your trekking plans aside. Skincare while trekking is as essential as wearing the right boots and we are here to help.

Skincare while trekking – 10 Practical Tips for You to follow :

1. Cleanse your face

skincare while trekking - 2

You may or may not be able to wash your face with a cleanser on the trail. However, cleansing is an important part of keeping your dirt free. Carry a light cleanser and clean your skin twice every day once in the morning and in the night. Don’t wipe your face dry after using the cleanser, instead, let the water soak in.

2. Moisturize your face, neck and upper thoracic

Hydrating your skin is especially important before you head outdoors and this is crucial when it comes to skincare while trekking. High altitudes can sap your skin of moisture, so you want to be sure that you’re using an oil-free moisturizer. Apply this generously all over your face and neck. Remember, this will be your layer 1.

3. Don’t forget your sunscreen

skincare while trekking - 3This is a no-brainer when you speak about skincare while trekking. The sunrays in the mountains are harsher on your skin than in the city, so wearing sunscreen on your trek is a MUST! Opt for a non-comendogenic sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher. Apply generously on your face, neck and all exposed parts of your body. Apply this 15 minutes before the start of your trek and reapply every 3 hours.

4. Use Face Wipes or face towel

Carry gentle facial wipes for a sweat-free face on those long days. Ensure that they are paraben-free, without alcohol, and unperfumed. You could also use a face towel to rid the sweat off your face/body by wetting it with some water. Remember, if you’re using a face wipe, dispose it in the waste bag and do not litter.

If you’re using a face towel, wet it with water and then use it to cleanse your face. Wet it again after use and dry it whenever possible.

5. Safeguard your lips 

Protecting your lips is as important as protecting your face. You may have experienced lip burn/ lip extreme dry lips on treks because of the weather conditions. The only way to prevent this is by applying generous amounts of lip balm on your lips every 3-4 hours.

6. Avoid UV Exposure

skincare while trekking

Your skin cells are vulnerable to the damaging effects of overexposure to UV radiation. Cells on the outside of your body require the same strategies as the cells inside, in terms of proper hydration and nutrition.

Either use a sun hat or an umberella while trekking in the sun. This will give you additional sun protection against ultraviolet radiation and does a great job of keeping my head cool during direct sunlight hours. Look for ones that are easily packable, and provide an ultraviolet protection factor of at least fifty. 

Another part of your body that is prone to sun damage and tanning is the back of your neck. Cover it fully or use caps that come with an extended neck cover

7. Hand Sanitizer

This isn’t skincare exactly, but proper hygiene will go a long way to keeping you – and your skin – as comfortable as possible when spending time outdoors. A small bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer will keep your hands clean and safe after bathroom breaks and before meals.

8. Chafing

One of the most crucial and neglected part of skincare while trekking is chafing. This can even ruin your trek if not taken care of. Bring some non-petroleum-based anti-chafing ointment, or talcum powder for keeping your skin dry in chafe-prone areas such as inner thighs, nipples for men, your sleeves, between and underneath your breasts, the creases in your groin and buttocks, and the tender skin beneath your waist band. Make sure whatever product your choose is sweat-resistant, too; you’re going to need it.

Skin Elements has great anti-chafing cream for your body.

9. Hydration

Due to exposure to sunshine and rigorous activity associated with trekking, your body will dehydrate. For your body skin to remain soft and smooth, water is essential. Therefore, always stay hydrated by drinking lots of water.

10. Soothe Burned/Blistered Skin

If you’re trekking in dry extreme cold conditions, the possibility of you getting a skin burn is much higher. If you are stuck with a skin burn on a trek, use a soothing product that can reduce the inflammation and calm the skin. Aloe vera gel is just perfect for this. If you’re looking for something medicated, Silverx ointment can be good for blisters, burns and open wounds. Carry either a small tub of Aloe vera gel and a small tube of Silverx on your treks, it will be extremely helpful.

Leave no Trace

Skincare while trekking is an essential as getting the right backpack. Even if the soap and other daily products you bring with you are biodegradable, and made of organic ingredients, that doesn’t mean you can just leave them behind. Be sure to pack up any wipes you use and carry them out, just like you would any other trash. Leaving no trace should be a lifestyle that you must follow to keep our mountains clean and safe. 

In Conclusion:

Skincare is important, but living life to its fullest even more so.

Less is more! No matter what you choose to include in your regime for skincare while trekking, remember the reason why you’re in the mountains in the first place – to have a good time. Don’t spend a lot of time worrying about skin care products. Just enjoy the ride, take some good care and have lots of fun!

You can also download a pdf version of our tips.

Photo Blog: Valley of Flowers, Auli, Hemkund Sahib Trek

Mahendra Rathod
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Photo Blog: Valley of Flowers, Auli, Hemkund Sahib Trek

One of the most sought-after trekking experiences for every trekker- Valley of Flowers trek. A journey by our Nomad Mahendra Rathod

Valley of flowers trek is located near Ghanghariya in Uttrakhand, India. It is one of the most beautiful places in India. In this journey, we start from Haridwar to Auli to Govindghat to Ghaghandhariya to Valley of Flowers + Hemkund Sahib and back.

This trip was done in 2nd half of August 2016. Generally, the trek opens from June till October. Months of July, August can be a little wet due to the monsoon.

The brief Valley of flowers trek itinerary is as follows:

  • Day 1 – Reached Haridwar/Rishikesh in the morning/afternoon, site seeing
  • Day 2 – Drive from Haridwar and reached Auli around 6 pm
  • Day 3 – Short acclimatization trek to Gorsan Bugyal in Auli (around 3,200 Meters)
  • Day 4 – 30 Kms drive to Govindghat and 11 Km trek to Ghanghariya
  • Day 5 – Trek to Hemkund Sahib
  • Day 6 – Trek to Valley of Flowers
  • Day 7 – Trek back to Govindghat, visit Badrinath and Mana Village, and back to Joshimath
  • Day 8 – Drive back to Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun and then to home city
Haridwar is a famous tourist destination as well as one of the seven sacred places in the Hindu religion. It exactly means ‘An Entryway to God’. Haridwar is that place where the divine Ganga River leaves the Himalayas to stream down to God’s favourite city. Haridwar is connected to major cities through trains. The nearest airport is near Dehradun which is around 40 km away. If you are in Haridwar, you should visit Har kir Pauri (Into footsteps of Lord Shiva) and try the food at local shops (Chotiwala, Mohan Ji Puri Wale, Hoshiyar Puri and more).
Valley of flowers trek
Har ki Pauri – Har means Lod Shiva and Pauri means steps – In steps of Lord Shiva. This is one of the most auspicious ghats in India. It is said that bathing here will clear one of their sins. millions of people visit this place every year. Evening Ganga aarti is a must-see if you have time. There are many temples on small hills near Har ki Pauri which one can visit.
The mighty Ganges at Haridwar – photo was taken at Har Ki Paudi. The Ganges river leaves the foothills of the Himalayas and enters the plains in style at Rishikesh and Haridwar. Rishikesh is around 25 Kms away from Haridwar and shared tuk-tuks, taxis are available between these 2 twin towns.
Aloo Paratha and Curd. One of the tastiest and common dishes available in these parts of the world. A must-try.
The Great River Ganga before Rishikesh. This was during monsoon season. Hence the waters were brownish due to silt and the river was flowing in full force. It was divine. From Haridwar, we had to travel around 250 km to reach Auli (near Joshimath). We have to travel along the river throughout the journey.
Devprayag – the holy confluence of River Alakhnanda and Bhagirathi which forms the mighty Ganga. It got its name from a Sage named Devasharma who lived here. The colours of the two rivers are different here. The colours change in other seasons. There are 5 holy Prayags (confluence) on this path – Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag. All these confluences are on the Alakhnanda river and can be seen while going from Haridwar and Joshimath.
Landslides. The road authorities in Uttarakhand is very efficient. Any such road blockage is cleared within few hours. However, currently, there is a road-widening project going on. Hence the roads are dusty and with a good amount of traffic. It is advisable to leave Rishikesh around 5 am to avoid traffic and reach early.
More Landslides. Landslides are caused due to loosening of rocks on mountains due to erosion of soil around them.
There is nothing like a hot cup of tea on mountains after a 12-hour bone-breaking journey.
View from Auli. Auli is a skiing destination in the Chamoli district in Uttrakhand. It is around 2,500 meters above sea level. Famous peaks which are visible from Auli are Haathi, Ghoda, Palki, Nanda Devi. It’s a surreal place. One can go up in Cable Car as well from Joshimath. There is a beautiful meadow called Ghorsan Pean. It’s around a 3-4 Km trek from the cable car stop. One of the most beautiful places in India. A must-visit especially when you’re doing the Valley of flowers trek.
Nanda Devi peak
Mt Nanda Devi from Auli. Nanda Devi (7816 Meters) is the second-highest mountain in India, and the highest located entirely within the country. (Kangchenjunga, which is higher, is on the border of India and Nepal.) It is the 23rd-highest peak in the world. It is also one such peak where there was a covert CIA operation around 1965.
Himalayan Flowers
Himalayan Flowers. There are many varieties of flowers available in the region. It’s a photographer’s delight. Keep your macro lens ready once you visit this place.
Helianthus – Helios = Sun + Anthos = Flower. One such Helianthus with the mighty Himalayas in the background. A truly spiritual experience.
Auli
The mighty Himalayas. At Auli, you can feel that you are face to face with the Himalayas. The large green peaks are at almost the same height as you are while the super large white peaks are standing behind and looking at you. You feel humbled and insignificant.
Ghorsan Peak
On our way to Ghorsan Peak. around 3 Km trek from Cable Car station. Gorsan peak trek is an easy trek and anyone with little or no practise can do it. The views are stunning and the climb is gradual. One passes through a small forest to reach the meadow (Bugyal, as they call it in Garhwal).
Ghorsan Bugyal
A small forest en route to Ghorsan Bugyal. It was moist during the monsoon with a lot of growth on the tree trunks. One can see some of the large variety of algae, mushrooms and insects. There is a small temple in the route to the top.
First glimpse of bugyal. The weather is unpredictable. It can become foggy within few minutes.
Panaromic shot of the Bugyal. This entire place is covered in snow in the months of October to March.
A lone trekker at the top.
Govindghat is a town in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India, located at the confluence of the Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers. Lakshman Ganga river comes from the Valley of Flowers and Haathi Parvat. There are no ATMs in this place. The last ATM is available in Joshimath, which is around 25 km away. So if you need cash (which you will need in Ghaghariya for 3 days), take it out at Joshimath. Keep around 20K to be on the safer side. From Govindghat helicopter service is also available for those who do not want to hike to Ghanghariya. Govindghat to Ghanghariya is around 15 km. For the first 4 km, you can take a jeep as it is a motor-able road.
trek from Govindghat to Ghanghariya
The trek from Govindghat to Ghanghariya. Around 11 km to hike after the first 4 km of jeep ride. The road is well laid and properly maintained. The beautiful Lakshman Ganga river flows on the right while going up. The descent is gradual and easy for the first 7 km. There are few beautiful waterfalls nearby mountains. There are plenty of shops on the route to rest, tea, Maggi, parathas etc. Govindghat is at ~1,828 meters above sea level, while Ghanghariya is at 3,049 meters – around 1,200-meter altitude gain in 15 km. Just relax, walk at a steady pace, take rest when required, drink plenty of water, take lots of photographs. With a steady and relaxing pace, this distance of 11 Kms can be covered in around 5-6 hours. The last 4 km after the bridge in Bhyunder, the ascent increases and the trek become tougher.
Govindghat to Ghanghriya
Govindghat to Ghanghriya – almost halfway through. This route sees thousands of tourists and pilgrims visiting the holy Hemkund Sahib every year. Many pilgrims take mules to travel on these routes. Mules are also available on the Hemkund Sahib trek. With so many mules, there is so much mule potty (and lots of smell)! You have to be careful not to put your expensive trekking shoes in one of these 🙂. Mules also walk in a zig-zag manner and a group of 2-4 follows a leader. Make sure you do not walk towards the valley side of the road when mules are coming towards you. Apart from that these mules are almost harmless.
One of the many shops on Govindghat Ghanghariya hike road.
The tent site at Ghanghariya. The village of Ghanghariya is just 1 street village. It has few hotels, shops, small restaurants and a Gurudwara. The village is open only during the tourist season which is around April to Oct. Before entrance into the village, there is a helipad for tourists who would like to travel by helicopter. The helicopter ride is around Rs 3,000 per person for one way in 2016. Helicopters can be booked by informing your guide or hotel staff. Stay in tents near a helipad is also a good experience till it rains. The tents are fitted with private toilets and have a power supply. From Helipad, (where we think that we have reached after a 10 km trek), one has to climb another 700-800 meters to reach the hotels. This is one of the toughest climb of the day psychologically.
Ghanghariya to Govindghat
Helicopter ride from Ghanghariya to Govindghat Generally, they charge around 3K to 4K depending on season and demand. If you are not interested in trekking 11 km and do not want to ride a pony, this is one good option with amazing views. The ride takes around 3-4 mins only!
The Valley of Flowers Entrance The entrance is around 1 km from the village. The ticket is valid for 3 days and charges are 150 rs for Indians and 600 Rs for Foreigners. Don’t tell them that you are shooting a feature film else, they will charge Rs 1 Lakh (unless you are shooting a feature film for a commercial purpose). Try to start your trek as early as possible (around 6-6:30 am) so that you can reach deeper parts of the valley by around 12:30 pm. The actual valley is around 2-3 km from this point. It’s a long and treacherous route. Do not waste a lot of time photographing flowers here. You will get plenty of flowers once you are in the valley. Porters are available to take you inside in their basket. Children, the elderly or someone who doesn’t want to walk can take this facility. The charges are around 1,000 to 1,500 Rs depending on the season and your luck. Keep a packed lunch from the hotel you are staying in. Also keep dry fruits, chocolates, groundnuts etc because you will be very hungry after the gruelling climb.
Bridge across River Pushpawati
Bridge across River Pushpawati 2 km before entering VOF. While on our trip, we saw many such bridges washed away by gushing water. The glacial rivers are a little unpredictable, the water levels can rise without warning. Hence it is advisable to cross the bridge carefully. Do not spend a lot of time on the bridge taking photographs and building traffic.
Pushawati River
The powerful Pushawati River in full monsoon force. The Pushpawati rises from the East Kamet Glacier, near Rataban, at the base of the Himalayas near the central part of the Garhwal-Tibet border. It flows in a southerly direction to join the Bhyundar Ganga near Ghagharia. The combined stream is thereafter known as the Lakshman Ganga. The latter merges with the Alaknanda River at Govindghat. The Pushawati River passes through the Valley of Flowers. There are many glacial streams inside the valley of flowers that meets Pushawati. We have to pass around 5-8 such small/medium streams.
Erigeron multiradiatus One of the many beautiful flowers in the valley of flowers. These flowers are a delight for a photographer with water droplets on top of the flowers. These are found from the entry gate to the Pushpawati River bed. There are around 100s varieties of flowers whenever you go.
The first glimpse of the valley of flowers. At 3,352 to 3,658 meters above sea level, the gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km2 and it is about 8 km long and 2 km wide. Both parks are encompassed in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (223,674 ha) which is further surrounded by a buffer zone (5,148.57 km2). This Reserve is in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2004. (Wikipedia)
Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers in its full glory in August 2016. It was peak monsoon and everything was wet. It was raining mildly. While the views were stunning, the snow-clad peaks were hidden behind the clouds. A surreal experience.
Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers – around 3 km inside. Please note that this valley is not a Bugyal. The green shrubs are around 2 feet in height. There are predefined paved roads that tourists are asked to take. These roads are prepared and maintained by local and Nepali labourers who stay and work in Ghanghariya. One has to get out of Valley at 5 pm. That means you will have to start walking back to the gate around 12:30-1 pm.
Polygonum Polystachyum
Polygonum Polystachyum. The white little flowers forms majority in this photograph.
Valley of Flowers
The majestic Valley of Flowers. The valley is open from June to October. The valley changes its form and colour every month. From Nov to May, it is covered with snow and glaciers. It is at its greenest and most vibrant in monsoon months. However, it is also wettest in these months. Sept, Oct months offer stunning views of snow-clad mountains surrounding the valley as the weather is clearer. However lesser number of flowers are found in these months. River Pushpawati flows in the middle and can be seen/heard when you are in the valley.
The rocky path laid out for climbing Valley of Flowers. Initial 1 km is tough and steep especially if it’s raining. Around 400-500 meters is through a small forest. Climbing up is tough…climbing down is tougher…
Shri Hemkund Sahib Hike
The starting point of Shri Hemkund Sahib Hike. It starts next to the valley of the flower gate. As soon as you start, you are greeted by a beautiful waterfall and a steep climb. Hemkund Sahib climb is around 7kms from Ghanghariya and is at an elevation of around 4600 meters. Ghanghariya is at a 3,000-meter altitude, which means in 7 km you will gain around 1,600 km. That is actually steep. The trek is difficult at times. However, there are shops, rest benches every few hundred meters. The tip is simple: Climb slow, drink lots of water, do not drink alcohol the previous night (or in the morning) 🙂 Ponies, porters are also available to carry tourists who are too tired or do not want to walk up. The views are stunning and there are many flowers on the route. So if you have missed photographing any flower in VOF, you can do it here.
Hemkund Sahib
Finally, after 4-5 hours of climb, you will reach Hemkund Sahib. There are two types of milestone markers on the road. The old and the new. We cannot figure out which is old and which is new. This creates lots of confusion when you are climbing, tired and sweating profusely. One milestone will say 2kms left and suddenly you will come across another which says 3km left! Nothing can be more demoralising than that during this climb. However, the hike is well maintained and safe. There are ponies in this route as well. So stay away from the ponies and walk towards the hillside when they are around. Use a trekking pole or a stick especially when you are coming down.
Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib
Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib. One of the most surreal places you will ever go to. There is spirituality everywhere. There is a small (and only one) temple of Lakshman. According to the placard in front of the temple, the temple is where King Vasuki meditated in his earlier incarnation. King Vasuki is the king of snakes and Lakshman from Ramayana is an incarnation of him. Hemkund Sahib, known as Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib Ji, is a Sikh place of worship and pilgrimage site in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, India. It is devoted to Guru Gobind Singh Ji (1666–1708), the tenth Sikh Guru, and finds mention in Dasam Granth, a work dictated by Guruji himself. (Wiki)
The famous Khichdi of Gurudwara Langar. Trust me, after 4-5 hours of climb, this is one of the sweetest and filling things you will ever have.
Climbing Down from Hemkund Sahib. Climbing down is always tougher than climbing up. On one side, there is the excitement that you had climbed 4600 meters above sea level and have achieved something. On other hand, you are sad that you are leaving one of the most beautiful places behind. Mountains are intriguing!
Ghanghariya village from enroute to Hemkund Sahib. VOF is on the left once you leave Ghanghariya and pass a small bridge which is visible at the bottom of the photograph and Hemkund Sahib is on the right.
Valley of flowers trek route from Hemkund Sahib route. This is a new route of VOF. The old route was washed away due to landslides in 2014. the old route was simple and easy. The new route is longer and tougher.
Evidence of 2014 flash floods in the area 🙁 Salute to people of this region for living in this beautiful yet dangerous and unforgiving environment.
Treknomads. Trek. Travel. Adventure.

About the author:

Mahendra Rathod has done Post Graduate Diploma in Management(PGDM) from the Indian Institute of Management Bangalore (IIMB) and a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from M.S. University Baroda. 

Reading, trekking and running are what keeps him going. He is a thinker with a thirst for knowledge of various subjects including public affairs, economics, fitness, human behavior, etc. He is also an active business mentor. To know more about Mahendra, catch him on LinkedIn here.

 

Some important Valley of Flowers links:

  1. If you want to check the Valley of Flowers Itinerary: Head over to our Valley of Flowers trek page
  2. Best time to do the Valley of Flowers trek: Click here
  3. To check out the complete Valley of Flowers Guide: Click here
  4. For queries regarding the trek: Go to our Valley of Flowers FAQs page and find answers to all your question
  5. To see how the Valley looks during the monsoons: Check out this photoblog of 45 stunning pictures captured during the monsoon trek to Valley of Flowers
  6. How to get fit for the Valley of Flowers trek: Click here to read a detailed blog on preparing for the Valley of flowers trek
  7. Wondering what to carry for the trek: Read this blog with a detailed list of things to carry for the Valley of Flowers trek

Best Time to Trek to the Valley of Flowers

TrekNomads
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Best Time to Trek to the Valley of Flowers

Today, we are bringing to you an interesting fact, to share with you something that no one tells you about the Valley of Flowers trek. As a team, we have been trekking to the Valley of Flowers for over a decade now. We have spent months in Ghangariya at a stretch trying to understand the Valley of Flowers trek.

In the time that we spent there, we came across one of the most valuable insights – The best time to trek to the Valley of Flowers.

That’s right, while the Valley of Flowers trail opens up between June – September every year, we have seen the Valley transform week after week, not just in terms of flowers, but also weather, and the crowd coming in to the valley.

best time to do the valley of flowers trek

When is the best time to trek to the Valley of Flowers?

In 2019, our Founder and Trek Captain Naveen, spent 4 consecutive months, taking over 150+ people to the Valley. The one thing he discovered is the best month to trek to the Valley of Flowers. But before we give you that detail, we want you to experience what the Valley feels like between the months of June – September.

The best part about the Valley of Flowers trek that we discovered was that 400+ species of flowers bloom over a period of 4 months giving you an exhibition of a floral masterpiece.

What is it like to trek to the Valley of Flowers in the month of June?

valley of flowers - best time to trek

Since this is the opening month, you can expect to see some amount of snow on the trail to both Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. You will see a variety of flowers and plants blooming near the glaciers and snow that would be melting quickly. When you trek in June, you will notice a lot of tiny buds erupting all set to bloom in the coming months.

The weather remains cold and as mentioned earlier, you can see patches of ice in the Hemkund Sahib trail and on the Valley of Flowers trail. The skies remain clear during this time and the breeze is pretty pleasant as well.

The trail is less crowded during this month as the Valley would have just opened its gates to trekkers.

What about July then?

While the Valley officially opens up in June, the Valley goes from snow-clad to lush green in July. You can see fresh greenery all around you owing to the rains. Huge colonies of Golden Lily, Anemone Tetrasepla, and Geraniums. And, you will also see a very beautiful and very rear flower called ladies Slipper Orchid. Ask your trek lead to spot this for you.

July is when the monsoons hit the Valley in full swing. While there is slight rainfall in the first week of July, it is after that when you can expect good rainfall. A lot of trekkers prefer this time as they get to experience monsoon trekking in the Himalayas, something that no other trail has to offer.

best time to trek to Valley of Flowers

The trail is least crowded during this month which makes it great for trekkers who are looking for a less crowded trail.

best time to trek to Valley of Flowers

How is the Valley in August?

The best part about the Valley of Flowers is that flowers keep blooming all through the four months. The Valley is carpeted with yellowish to peachish flowers around this time.  The lush greenery from the monsoons adds to the divine beauty of the Valley in this month.

When it comes to the weather, you can expect a few drizzles here and there. Places like Govindghat may see some heavy rainfall, but in the higher altitudes, a good drizzle is what you can expect.

best time to trek to Valley of Flowers

The crowds in the first two weeks of August are quite manageable since our itinerary is crafted in a way that you will be trekking to the Valley and Hemkund Sahib during weekdays and not weekends.

Did you know that another bonus of trekking during this period is that the Badrinath temple, one of India’s char Dham’s remains relatively empty. While the travel to Badrinath & India’s last village Mana is included in our itinerary, the travel here depends solely on weather conditions. If you’re lucky, you can spend more time inside the temple premise, and see the aarti without any disturbance. When it is crowded, you hardly get a minute to stand there.

How is the Valley in September?

best time to trek to Valley of Flowers

September is a beautiful month to trek to the Valley for 2 reasons, 1 – During September all those flowers that have bloomed at the end of August would have matured and you will see more berries. 2 – The skies are super clear and the peaks are all snow-clad again. These berries can be found both in the Valley of Flowers trail as well as the Hemkund Sahib trail. This is definitely a sight to behold. Also, the colors of the Valley will change in a super dramatic way as you can see in the picture below.

You may experience a little drizzle at times, however, you will find the clearest skies during the month. If you’re looking for good long views of the valley, then this is the perfect month to trek in.

best time to trek to Valley of Flowers

The trail is slightly crowded during this month. Mostly because of the pilgrims who come to visit the Gurudwara in September. But we’ve always found solace even in these times as the crowds help motivate you to climb, especially when you’re climbing up to Hemkund Sahib.

If that is the case, why do you see more of July & August being promoted for Valley of Flowers?

The simple reason being – the time between April – June, and September – November are the busiest months for tour operators with the Char Dham tours. July – August will see a dip or nil in Char Dham Tours as it’s the monsoon season. To capitalize during the monsoon season, Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib is promoted. This is primarily why you see July and August being promoted as the best months to do the Valley of Flowers across the internet.

Winding up…

From our experience and observation, we recommend booking your trek any time between June to September as the Valley showcases unparalleled beauty across all months. So, if you ask us what is the best time to do the Valley of Flowers Trek, we would say – picking one month would not do justice to how the Valley unfolds itself in the few months that it opens its arms to trekkers.

But, one thing we can guarantee is that whatever month you choose to do the trek, you will experience the best of this UNESCO World Heritage site.

Some important Valley of Flowers links:

  1. If you want to check the Valley of Flowers Itinerary: Head over to our Valley of Flowers trek page
  2. To check out the complete Valley of Flowers Guide: Click here
  3. For queries regarding the trek: Go to our Valley of Flowers FAQs page and find answers to all your question
  4. To see how the Valley looks during the monsoons: Check out this photoblog of 45 stunning pictures captured during the monsoon trek to Valley of Flowers
  5. How to get fit for the Valley of Flowers trek: Click here to read a detailed blog on preparing for the Valley of flowers trek
  6. Wondering what to carry for the trek: Read this blog with a detailed list of things to carry for the Valley of Flowers trek

Experiencing Kedarkantha a blog by our Nomad Ananya Muttagi

Ananya Muttagi
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Experiencing Kedarkantha a blog by our Nomad Ananya Muttagi

Experiencing Kedarkantha trek- This blog was originally published here.

Travel is liberating, no doubt. But there are times when you pick a new destination to rebel. Trust strangers, scream in the mountains, slide on the snow, pay attention to the unknown and live like a nomad. There is a charm in being rebellious about your existence and living deeply. When people ask me how I fund my travel, I always say that the logic is simple – I invest in experiences and not in things. It is much more comforting for me. Read ahead to know more about my Kedarkantha Trek experience.

Once I hit the 25ish mark, the social pressure of conforming seemed to kill my vibe. I was expected to be perfect at home, job, deadlines, and even while searching for “the one” – but once I started flirting with the idea of imperfections, everything started falling into place. I started travelling alone to places as it seemed better than travelling in with friends.

Kedarkantha trek was one of those treks that I’ve heard stories about from so many people, but I was yet to explore it. this is one of the most explored treks in Himalayan ranges and you get to see all the 13 peaks from the peak of kedarkantha. Any new nomad who wants to explore Himalayan ranges can start from kedarkantha as the altitude is less comparatively. It is so true that the mountains should call you till then you cannot conquer them no matter what, trust me it’s not a just fact, but, it’s totally true. You don’t just make up your mind to go on a trek, get your leaves approved from the most annoying manager, get flights at cheaper costs and the weather conditions is a must.

TIP: This blog on the Ultimate Winter Trekking Guide from TrekNomads was really helpful!

I wonder ” Why do we even try when the barriers are so high and the odds are so low? why don’t we just pack it in and go home? it would be so much easier. It is because in the end there is no glory in ease. No one remembers easy. They remember the Struggles the pain the long and agonizing fight to the top and that’s how you become legendary“.

Deadlines workload, year-end targets we all had the same boring life, 14 November 2018 me and my friend Priyanka planned to go on a vacation. We checked many places but we didn’t find anything suitable then came on a website. Goa and kedarkantha trek were such strong competitors that the battle went on for 3 months.  Finally on 13 Feb 2019, I planned to go alone on the trek. But work never allows you to take decisions that sudden. But unfortunately, I couldn’t plan for another 2 years. As the saying goes – you cannot conquer the mountains unless the mountains call you.

Naveen Mallesh the founder of trek Nomads sent a message that he is going to lead the Experiencing Kedarkantha trek from Feb 13-21-2021. My first taught was that I cannot join as it’s 10 days long trip and we all know how difficult is to get holidays so said I’ll think and let him know but I was sure I cannot join the trek. But at one moment I gave it a thought that if not now then never. So I immediately called Naveen intimated and booked flights within no time, without informing my mom my colleagues, and my manager. But at the later part somehow I had managed to get my leaves.

Since it was my first winter/ snow trek I had to shop all the trek gear since I did not own any of these priorly. But yes, when I maxed out my credit card is when I realized how expensive this trek was for me, thankfully, TrekNomads was taking care of everything, right from our accommodation, transport, trekking, and everything right from the time they picked us up to dropping us back to the airport. And as for the trekking gear I purchased, well, now I have one more reason to go on more treks!

Kehete hain new year naya resolution banna ka time lekin bagwan ne hamara kismat me ek anjaan doston ka bhaoot bada list banaya tha. I started from Bangalore at 12 pm flight and my whole mind was “ki kaise hoga sab log mujse alag hai kaafi cool hoga”. I met Naveen at the Airport for the first time at the boarding gate. Ramya and Navya, 2 sisters also joined the trek. Most of our trek group was in the same flight . I was in 2A they were like 20 seats far. We reached Dehradun airport at 4 PM, the airport which looks like a metro station in Bangalore; and then, the rest of the day started. Lakshman Shyam who was my social media friend had also joined us from Hyderabad.

Pre trek Stay – Dehradun Airport to Mussoorie 

Dehradun the place I’ve been hearing about for many days in the movie but I was presently there today. weather was bearable.  Uttarakhand is the state which is least considered in terms and infrastructure and development, roads not bigger than 8mts, huge bents mixed emotions all over scared and excited. I kept on chanting only one thing “YES, I can do this, it is possible“.

Photo Credits: Lakshman Shyam

We stopped near a small cafe for coffee and tea passing the National forest which was amazing. I had coffee which was not as good as I prepare, but yes, tea was good. This was when we started the Introduction Round. My story was a bit strange but not as strange as I met the one amazing family. 7 Group families with over 30+ ppl in the group out of which only 11 were in the trek. Travel freaks who had already been to many treks, 2 sisters Ramya and Navya, Avinash and Pavan who were into business, Rakesh and Hemanth who were supposed to join the trek the next day. (when 35+ aged can climb this, why can’t I ). I was a girl with scars yet fearless, trying to get rid of all my fear and become dauntless. We started from the dhaba and started towards Mussoorie. we reached the hotel already started feeling cold.

Manasa my roommate, married and mother of two cute boys, fun, caring, talkative and also very energetic. Maybe it would have been difficult to get adjusted to other people but I’m sure she started remembering her young age and she started feeling 10 years younger than me.

That night Shyam and I were introduced to the family. My trekking family.

Kedarkantha trek: Day 1- Mussoorie to Sankri

Still scared and excited, we had to travel for 7 hours. I liked the way our trek was planned, first getting used to Mussoorie temp and then Sankri and then trekking in various altitudes. We woke up at 6.30 and were asked to be ready by 8 am. we had our breakfast(continental) with some idli, poha, and omelet. I ate a bit less as it was a long journey ahead and had experienced. This is when we clicked our first group picture.
Photo Credits : Prem AS
We all felt uneasy as the roads were with curves like cricket wickets one by one started throwing up. team in the one were counting “one wicket down, 3 wickets down”. Feeling happy and equally disgusting the whole journey. Before losing my phone network I called my mom for the last time and told her ” I’ll not be available over call for 4 days or so by 19 if I call you I’ve finished my summit or else I’m not alive”, she laughed out loud and said “I know you will “, and cut the call. The 7-hour drive was the best, Window seats with earplugs. Every one can imagine. We reached Sankri at around 4 PM. We stayed in tents today but not only tents but tents with luxury. there were cots, bedspreads, and blankets with attached toilets. It was cozy. Taking bath was not allowed I was not so disappointed because it would be difficult to maintain it in high altitude and cold places. The view from my tent was majestic. We left the tent in the evening to just roam around and do some shopping.
TIP: I suggest if you are planning for a snow trek or high altitude treks please buy the woolen socks with fleece there, it’s literally helpful.
We walked towards the checkpoint and saw glimpses of Swargarohini and other peaks. By listening to the mythology of the mountains we had Maggi and momos and returned to the camp for dinner. we had to sleep early as we had to start off early the next day.

Kedarkantha trek: Day 3- Sankri to Jainula Campsite

Today was the day, I woke up with a positive feeling. Filled up confidence and also some courage, and being motivated always. We finished our breakfast packed our bags and gave them to the porters that were included in our inclusions.
kedarkantha trek
Photo Credits : Prem AS

We started around 9 AM from Sankri towards the start point of the kedarkantha trek. Chalte Chalte, I had already become close with the rest of the team. Few had got some packet full of dry fruits which I always enjoy eating. The views started becoming more and more mesmerizing and yes, of course, maine decide kiya tha ki “Jo bhi hoga maine picture click karne ka kaam nahi karongi”. Shyam took some amazing pictures, which compensated. We also decided not to play any music just enjoy the music of nature which truly was effective. It was self-soothing.

The staff at one of Dhaba’s we stopped by played some flute for us which was truly a delight to listen to during our mini-break. This is why l loved this whole experience. We not only got to make good friends, but we also got to interact and learn about the staff who was trekking with us. TrekNomads certainly makes this whole trekking experience super personal, something that you will remember for the rest of your life.

There were a couple of Maggi points before we reached the camp. We camped at the Jainula campsite as Juda Ka Talaba, the other campsite was crowded. It was an open green ground which was filled with snow on one side and greenery on the other side. As time passed by we started feeling cold and had to wear our thermals to keep ourselves warm. We had some soup at the dining tent and started talking about many topics till dinner. It was Yathesh’s Birthday our trek lead had arranged for a nice Rava Cake which was delicious. After dinner, we slept in our tents. This time in an actual tent.

TrekNomads cups at the campsite made us feel so good.

TIP: Keep your bags above your heads and below your feet to make sure that air doesn’t enter the tent. 

At around 12.30 AM I woke up to the thought “I have to go back I cant do it If I climb up I have to come back down I cant stay there”. After which I have no idea when I dozed off
Day 4 – Jainula – Juda Ka Talab – Kedarkantha Base Camp
We started at 9 AM today as we had to Pass the Juda Ka Talab campsite and then reach Kedarkantha Base Camp by noon. The views started becoming more and more majestic. The Sankri mountains started to become smaller and the farther Himalayan ranges started becoming more clear.
kedarkantha trek
Photo Credits: Ananya                                                                                   
Photo Credits: Ananya

After an hour we reached Juda ka Talab, A frozen Lake. We did a lot of photography there and boomerangs and we clicked an amazing group picture.

Photo Credits: Prem AS

kedarkantha trek

We wore our spikes after crossing 500 mt from Juda Ka Talab. I first experienced snowfall here. It was like I’m going near and near to the peak. There was a lot of ascending climb today but after which we had the flat surface to reach Kedarkantha trek base camp. The tents were ready, the weather was not great there was a snowfall and cold breeze together. Naveen informed that there are 80% chances we can’t summit the peak as heavy snowfall is predicted. For once I taught (I wish the snowfall wouldn’t stop so I can give a reason to stay back and tell everyone it was weather). I had a problem of Descending (basophobia) so more up I climb I start feeling that how difficult it is to descend. Maybe this time God wanted to teach me a lesson and let go of my fear. The snow suddenly stopped and it was sunny, we were one of those fortunate people to see the sunset and the snowfall. We spent some time singing and having hot soup to gear up for the next day but only I knew how frightened I was. I just didn’t want to accept the fact that I’m scared of the descent. I slept early but trust me it was too cold it felt like it must already be -5 degree here. I used a couple of warmers as I couldn’t bear the cold.

Photo Credits : Naveen Mallesh

Day 5 KBC to Kedarkantha trek Summit – Jainula campsite 

This was the day I had been waiting for so long I woke up thinking I have to stop giving reasons and stop imagining that I can’t do it. “Maybe it is time to take the steering wheel step on the accelerator and drive the damn Car straight to the finish point”. We woke up at 2.30 AM today and got ready wearing all thermals and proper gaiters. I had lemon tea and got some light snacks to eat on the way. It was freaking cold I was scared already and had to climb up the most difficult part. More than climbing it was the descent that was worrying me. Till the Maggi point, I was in the 1st row but as time went by, I realized that I was the 12-13th person in my team.

Time passed by the stars started going away and the light started showing us the way how far we were from the peak. Maybe I was wrong about me that taking risk of climbing when I know I can’t climb down. But I wanted it to be false.  There were about 2 times when we got fooled and taught it was the summit and realized it was just a cliff later after climbing. Finally after taking help from many people I reached a peak. Panting losing breath but it was breathtaking.

Photo Credits: Hemanth
Photo Credits: Hemanth
Photo Credits : Naveen Mallesh

I witnessed the most perfect Sunrise I have ever seen before. In the Experiencing Kedarkantha trek, the entire view of Himalayan ranges looked white like cotton candy. It is so easy really. It is wind and air and knowing how to breathe how to catch it and how to join with it. I sat there and felt so emotional the tears started rolling down my cheeks. I wanted to hug my mom and say Yes I did it.  I had no mood to click any pictures as I wanted to just be there and not miss out on the sun starting the day.

Photo Credits : Ajay K P

 I Wrote

I try to be happy , He says “Come to Me”,
I try to go to him he says “i’ts not time yet”,
I go near him, he says “Conquer me”,
I pause and apologize, he says “Just continue”,
I slip away, he holds my hands
I say its over I give up, He says “You have to push a bit”,
I reach the saturation level, he says “That’s it”, and continues, 
“I decide who climbs up who climbs down, i decide whom to push whom to betray but honey only the true person who aspire can hug me and that’s when they become legendary. I cannot be only your and i cannot satisfy everyone but everyone feels me in their. own way, and that’s me “Pinnacle””.

That’s when they called for the group picture

Photo Credits : Naveen Mallesh
Photo Credits : Ajay K P
Naveen, Shyam, and I at the summit

The part I waited to see was over but next was the most horrifying part. Descending. “Oh dear lord, I’m definitely gonna fall down“. Half of the time I spent at the summit I was horrified, Naveen could easily make out what I was going through. He asked me to stick with him while climbing down. There came the hard part. The whole world in front of me looking like foam and tiny ants going down.

This was when I started looking at the descending trail all the way to the campsite. I was afraid was an understatement.
I could only imagine now. But our lead managed to get me down safely and told me some tricks and managing while climbing down. After 3 hrs of descending, we finally reached base camp had our lunch, and started towards Jainula Campsite. As it was already late the snow had melted down and the trail was too slippery it was a long descending all over. Around 4 PM I reached the campsite I was one of the last persons to reach. Since there was a sudden variation in the altitude had a bit of mile fever and was totally tired. It was Pavan’s birthday and they celebrated. Manasa and I were not in a situation to attend the celebration, I ate dinner inside the tent and slept. Never knew when I dozed off.

Day 6 Jainula Campsite to Sankri

It was finally coming to an end just a few more hours I would be finishing the trek I couldn’t wait and tell my mom how amazing the trek was. I had recovered automatically from fever, totally back to normal. Had our breakfast and then started towards Sankri. This time I had a strong gut feeling that I shouldn’t ask for help while descending and be brave. I actually did it. In 2 hours me and a few from the team reached. My fear of climbing down was gone thanks to our Captain.
Emotions were rushing inside me, like how the outside world said that I can’t make it to the summit. I cant climb down. But yes, now I wanted to shout out and say Bloody hell Screw the world and I did it. We reached the tent freshened up and gathered for lunch. It started snowing there and Naveen said the people who are in the base camp today cant summit tomorrow. That’s when I realized, how lucky were we. Later that evening, we did have a small dance party. The Ground crew/ local trek guides also made us dance for their music. We had a pretty amazing night and we slept like a baby the whole night.
So that’s how my trekking journey came to an end from there we reached Mussoorie the next day and did really cool shopping and returned back to Bangalore after 2 days.
Lekin ek cheese hai jaise Shyam ne kaha. “Janta nahi ki family kya hota hai kaise hot hai lekin trek ke family na bahoot alag se hota hai. Because you can only talk about the whole trek only with the same family and no one else feels the same excitement”.

About the Author

Ananya Muttagi, the author, is a Sales and Marketing professional working with a real estate company. She likes meeting new people, traveling, dancing, painting, and writing. This was her first Himalayan trek and with her fears behind her, she is all set to climb more mountains in times to come. You can read more about her here: Instagram, LinkedIn.
This blog was originally published on her very own blogsite. Click here to read the blog.

Valley of Flowers Trek Guide – All You Need To Know About The Trek

TrekNomads
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Valley of Flowers Trek Guide – All You Need To Know About The Trek

We love the Valley of Flowers Trek and there’s a reason why it’s our most favorite treks in Uttarakhand. This trek also happens to be one of those treks where a lot of trekkers begin their journey of exploring the Himalayas. There’s definitely more to this trek than meets the eye. This detailed Valley of Flowers trek Guide will give all the details you would need to know about the Valley of Flowers Trek.

  1. About the trek
  2. Highlights of the trek
  3. Valley of Flowers Itinerary
  4. Altitude covered during the trek
  5. Treknical details of the trek
  6. Best time to trek to Valley of Flowers
  7. How to get fit for the Valley of Flowers trek
  8. Things to carry on the trek
  9. How does the trail look in the Monsoons
  10. Valley of Flowers FAQs
  11. Insurance for the Valley of Flowers Trek
  12. Infographic on the Valley of Flowers guide
  13. Valley of Flowers Important Links

Valley of Flowers Trek Guide – All you need to know!

About the Valley of Flowers Trek:

The gorgeous Valley carpeted in flowers.

Located in the Nanda Devi Biosphere, Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage site and also India’s largest natural botanical garden. One of Uttarakhand’s most scenic destinations are the two adjoining treks, Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib conveniently positioned between Joshimath and Badrinath.

Visit the abode of Flowers!

The valley opens up in a floral splendor from June up until September every year. A good 500 different species bloom and carpet the valley during this time.

Acclimatize in Auli

valley of flowers 2021
Acclimatization trek to Auli and the man-made lake you find on the way to Gorson Bugyal.

Visit India’s most popular and one & only ski destination – Auli on the first two days of the trek. Head out to the beautiful Gorson Bugyal for an acclimatization trek. Check the photoblog here.

Have hot langar by an Alpine Lake at 15,200 ft (4,633 m)

The Valley of Flowers trek is incomplete without an exhilarating climb to the world’s highest Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib. Nestled in the backdrop of the pristine Hemkund lake is the holy Gurudwara that is visited by over thousands of devotees and trekkers every year. (Click here to read a detailed photoblog on our trek to Hemkund Sahib)

Visit the Panch Prayag

Travel via the five sacred river confluences in the Garhwal Himalayas. Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandaprayag and Vishnuprayag in the ascending flow sequence of their occurrence.

  1. Devprayag is the confluence of the two holy rivers, the Bhagirathi – the chief stream of the Ganges and the Alaknanda. It is the first Prayag on the way to Badrinath. Beyond this confluence, the river is known as the Ganges.
  2. Rudra Prayag is the confluence where the river Alaknanda meets the Mandakini River. The confluence is named after god Shiva, who is also known as Rudra.
  3. Karn Prayag is the location where Alaknanda River is joined by the Pindar River that originates from the Pindar glacier, below the Nanda Devi Mountain range.
  4. Nandaprayag is the confluence where the Mandakini River joins the main Alaknanda River.
  5. Vishnuprayag – The Alaknanda River, which originates from Satopanth glacier is joined by the Dhauli Ganga River near Joshimath (on Joshimath – Badrinath route). Alaknanda flows in front of the Badrinath temple, one of the most revered Hindu shrines.

The Views!

The trail to Gorsan Bugyal gives you a good close-up view of the revered Mt. Nanda Devi along with other peaks such as Mt. Chaukamba, Mt. Dronagiri, Hathi Parvat, Ghoda Parvat, and many more. All of this makes this trek a perfect escapade from the monotony of daily life. The landscapes will surely make you fall in love with photography.

valley of flowers 2021

Highlights of the trek:

  • 5 Treks in one trip
  • Acclimatization trek to Gorson Bugyal in Auli
  • Trek to Hemkund Sahib – The highest Gurudwara in the world
  • Trek to the Valley of Flowers – Explore the depths of this UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • 2 Night stay in Auli – Ski destination of India
  • Travel via the Holy Confluences of River Ganga (Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag, Vishnuprayag).
  • Visit one of the four Char Dham’s – Badrinath & India’s last village Mana (Photoblog of the trip to Badrinath & Mana)

Itinerary of the Valley of Flowers trek:

valley of flowers trek

  • Day 1 – Arrive at Rishikesh
  • Day 2 – Travel to Auli (Travel via the 4 holy confluences of River Ganga – Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag)
  • Day 3 – Acclimatization trek to Gorsan Bugyal
  • Day 4 – Drive to Govindghat via Joshimath and Trek to Ghanghariya
  • Day 5 – Trek to Hemkund Sahib – Highest Gurudwara in the World
  • Day 6 – Trek to Valley of Flowers – UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Day 7 – Trek to Govindghat from Ghanghariya and travel to Badrinath and Mana* (Travel via the 5th holy confluence of River Ganga – Vishnuprayag)
  • Day 8 – Travel to Rishikesh
  • Day 9 – Travel back to your city

Altitude Covered:

  1. Joshimath: 6,150 ft (1,875 m)
  2. Auli: 8,366 ft (2,550 m)
  3. Gorson Bugyal: 10,544 ft (3,214 m)
  4. Govindghat: 5,997 ft (1,828 m)
  5. Ghangariya: 10,003 ft (3,049 m)
  6. Hemkund Sahib: 15,200 ft (4,633 m)
  7. Valley of Flowers: 12,002 ft (3,658 m)
  8. Badrinath: 10,828 ft (3,300 m)
  9. Mana: 10,561 ft (3,219 m)

Treknical Details of the trek:

  1. Trek Gradient: Moderate
  2. Trek Distance: 50+ Km
  3. Assembling Point: Rishikesh
  4. Average Temperature: 5°C to 20°C
  5. Travel Distance: 720+ Km
  6. Best Months to trek: June, July, August, September

Best time to trek to Valley of Flowers:

This trail officially opens up in June (dates defer each year depending on snowfall and other factors). This trek showcases a different side of nature every month making all the months between June – September equally beautiful. In this Valley of Flowers guide, we will help you picture how each month between June-September looks like on the trail and which season is best suited for you!

  • June – Since this is the opening month, you can expect to see some amount of snow on the trail to both Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib
  • July – This is when the monsoons hit the country, however, the monsoons only start from mid-July and bring the Valley alive. You may not get to see a lot of flowers until mid-July but the lush green valley will leave you captivated, nevertheless. Also, July is one of the least crowded months on this trail.
  • August –  August is when you see the valley carpeted in flowers, if you are a nature enthusiast or a photographer, then this is when you should trek to the Valley of Flowers. There will be slight rains in August but the misty Himalayas just make the experience twice as good.
  • September – You can expect to see a lot fewer flowers in September than in the other months, but what is interesting is that the skies clear up in September, giving you perfect views of the mountains and the trail. Also, the trail may be more crowded during this month owing to the pilgrims trekking up to Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib.

In our opinion, anytime between Mid July – August end is a great time to trek to Valley of Flowers. 

How to get fit for the Valley of Flowers trek

valley of flowers trek

The Valley of Flowers trek is super popular when it comes to Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand and rightfully so. Especially because of the views, the grand valley, the majestic Hemkund, and other attractions on this trail. What no one tells you about the Valley of Flowers trek is that while it is good for beginner trekkers, there is definitely a need for trekkers to be physically fit to do this trek. So, when it comes to preparing for the Valley of Flowers trek, don’t leave fitness behind.

During the Valley of Flowers Trek, you complete over 50+ Km of trekking on 5 consecutive days, you trek roughly between 6 – 14 Km every day. There are a few patches in the trail (Govinghat to Ghangariy and the entire trail to Hemkund Sahib) that are quite steep and can only be done if you’re physically fit.

If you don’t have a fitness regime already, we recommend you start one at least 8 weeks before your trek. Eventually, you should be able to build your endurance over a period of time.

That is what this Valley of Flowers Guide is for. To know more about how to get fit for the Valley of Flowers trek, click here.

Things to carry:

Understanding what are the things to carry for the Valley of Flowers trek can be tricky because of the various weather changes that the trail sees between the months of June – September. You need to be careful about what you carry especially when you’re doing the Valley of Flowers trek in the Monsoons.

How does the trail look in the Monsoons

valley of flowers best season

The Valley of Flowers trek comes alive during the monsoons. While the trail normally opens in June, it is in July and August when you can enjoy this trek the most. Furthermore, the Valley of Flowers trek is the only Himalayan trek in India that is meant to be done in the Monsoons. You can expect anything from a slight drizzle to a heavy downpour in these months. While the Valley and most the trail may be covered in mist and thick fog the serenity of the trail is unlike any other.

This trail is a paradise for botanists, new Himalayan trekkers, and photographers. We have picked out 45 stunningly beautiful pictures of the Valley of Flowers Trek captured over the years that will make you want to book your next trek right away! Here’s the link to the blog.

valley of flowers 2021

Valley of Flowers FAQs:

Valley of flowers FAQ

Thinking of doing the Valley of Flowers trek? Got queries that you need answers to before or after you book your trek? Well, if you’re thinking of, or, if you’ve booked your trek already, we are here to give you information and help you address all your queries.

Read the entire list of FAQs answered here

Insurance for the Valley of Flowers Trek

valley of flowers guide

Here’s some happy news: Your trek package when you trek with TrekNomads includes complimentary insurance coverage!

The inclusions are:

Benefits Coverage amount
Hospitalization Expenses for injuries & illness INR 3,00,000
Medical Evacuation INR 1,50,000
Personal Accident INR 3,00,000
Outpatient Expenses for injuries/illness INR 10,000
Daily Allowance in Case of Hospitalisation due to injury/illness INR 500*5 days
Checked-In Baggage Loss INR 10,000
Checked-In Baggage Delay INR 2,500
Missed connections INR 10,000
Compassionate Visit INR 20,000
  • This plan covers all types of accidents and illness during the event
  • Sickness is also included
  • Medical Evacuation includes Air Evacuation

Infographic on the Valley of Flowers guide

valley of flowers trek guide

Valley of Flowers Important Links:

  1. If you want to check the Valley of Flowers Itinerary: Head over to our Valley of Flowers trek page
  2. For queries regarding the trek: Go to our Valley of Flowers FAQs page and find answers to all your question
  3. To see how the Valley looks during the monsoons: Check out this photoblog of 45 stunning pictures captured during the monsoon trek to Valley of Flowers
  4. How to get fit for the Valley of Flowers trek: Click here to read a detailed blog on preparing for the Valley of flowers trek
  5. Wondering what to carry for the trek: Read this blog with a detailed list of things to carry for the Valley of Flowers trek
  6. If you are looking for more treks to do in 2021: Here’s a link to our upcoming treks lined up for 2021
  7. Wondering how we’re ensuring safety during the COVID-19 situation: Click here to learn all about how we’re keeping treks and our Nomads safe during treks.

 

Preparing for the Valley of Flowers Trek – The Complete Fitness Guide

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Preparing for the Valley of Flowers Trek – The Complete Fitness Guide

The Valley of Flowers trek is super popular when it comes to Himalayan treks in Uttarakhand and rightfully so. Especially because of the views, the grand valley, the majestic Hemkund, and other attractions on this trail. What no one tells you about the Valley of Flowers trek is that while it is good for beginner trekkers, there is definitely a need for trekkers to be physically fit to do this trek. So, when it comes to preparing for the Valley of Flowers trek, don’t leave fitness behind.

During the Valley of Flowers Trek, you complete over 50+ Km of trekking on 5 consecutive days, you trek roughly between 6 – 14 Km every day. There are a few patches in the trail (Govinghat to Ghangariy and the entire trail to Hemkund Sahib) that are quite steep and can only be done if you’re physically fit.

If you don’t have a fitness regime already, we recommend you start one at least 8 weeks before your trek. Eventually, you should be able to build your endurance over a period of time.

Preparing for the Valley of Flowers Trek – Your Fitness Guide:

valley of flowers cost
Gradual ascent

Let’s admit it, to trek, you need to be fit. You can’t enjoy the beautiful view if you’re huffing and puffing for breath, now, can you? The level of fitness required varies for various treks. There are a bunch of easy trek-friendly exercises that you can do at home without equipment.

What are trek friendly exercises?

These are workouts work on very specific muscle groups that you use while trekking. They will help you improve your balance, strengthen your core, improve your endurance and help you trek with ease.

The below exercises help you build three essential parts of your body that are most important while trekking:

  1. Legs
  2. Core
  3. Shoulders

Exercises for the Valley of Flowers Trek:

valley of flowers trek
The steep trail to Hemkund Sahib
  1. Stair Climbing
    How will this help – Pushing your body against gravity is a great cardiovascular activity. Stair climbing helps strengthen the muscles around your knees and helps build endurance.
  2. Push-Ups
    How will this help – Push-ups help you strengthen your upper body and your core, which is very important when you ascend while carrying a backpack.
  3. Squats
    How will this help – Squats are the best form of functional fitness. They promote balance and stability and strengthen the legs, thighs, hips, buttocks, and hamstrings.
  4. Crunches
    How will this help – Crunches work on your abdominal muscles to build your core strength. This exercise will help you keep your balance on uneven surfaces.
  5. Interval Running
    How will this help –Running is a great aerobic cardiovascular workout that uses more oxygen. This workout helps make your lungs stronger.
  6. Burpees
    How will this help – Burpees is a great full-body strength training exercise and the ultimate example of functional fitness which helps abs, hamstrings, chest, glutes, and arms.
  7. Rest
    How will this help – Rest is an integral part of your fitness routine which must not be missed. Overdoing can cause an unnecessary injury to your body.

Fitness tips to keep in mind while preparing for the Valley of Flowers Trek:

Acclimatization trek to Auli. This gives you a first-hand experience of a steep ascending trek.
  1. If you wish to include more cardio into this workout, you could add in cycling, swimming and running as well. But remember, everyone has a different body type, it is advised that you speak with our Founder before beginning your fitness regime.
  2. The trek to Gurudwara Sri Hemkund Sahib can be challenging for most trekkers as you hit an altitude of    4,633 m and the trail is steep from the start all the way up to the top. This is where your endurance will play a major role. You can check a detailed blog on how the Hemkund Sahib trail looks like here.
  3. It is always recommended to do smaller one-day, two-day hikes to prepare yourself for a multi-day Himalayan trek. Sign up for smaller hikes over the weekend that can also help you build your stamina.
  4. Prepare yourself mentally and physically before you embark on the trek. The higher altitudes you reach, the more tiring you get, so prepare yourself for this before the start of the trek!

Your trek experience depends on how you prepare yourself for the trek

preparing for valley of flowers trek
The initial steep climb through the forest on the Valley of Flowers trail.

Always remember to not take your fitness for granted especially when you’ve signed up for the trek. Start your preparations immediately to experience the trail better. If you are not physically fit, you may end up not enjoying the trek or worse, not being able to complete it. This can make or break your experience.

While the Valley of Flowers is an easy-moderate trek, it still requires you to be in good shape.

Valley of Flowers Important Links:

  1. If you want to check the Valley of Flowers Itinerary: Head over to our Valley of Flowers trek page
  2. For queries regarding the trek: Go to our Valley of Flowers FAQs page and find answers to all your questions
  3. To see how the Valley looks during the monsoons: Check out this photoblog of 45 stunning pictures captured during the monsoon trek to Valley of Flowers
  4. Wondering what to carry for the trek: Read this blog with a detailed list of things to carry for the Valley of Flowers trek
  5. If you are looking for more treks to do in 2021: Here’s a link to our upcoming treks lined up for 2021
  6. Wondering how we’re ensuring safety during the COVID-19 situation: Click here to learn all about how we’re keeping treks and our Nomads safe during treks.
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