Valley of Flowers – Haridwar to Josimath

On August 03, 2008, we started our journey from Haridwar to Joshimath by Road. The distance is 300 kms. After we pass Rishikesh, hilly region starts and the roads are zigzag and the danger of being hit by the bolders in the land slide is real. It can take upto 10-12 hours for this journey. When we went to Auli in 1998, we went to Joshimath from Rishikesh by the local newspaper delivery van along with other 8 people jam packed in addition to the driver. It was dreadful journey where the driver put all 11 lives in a lot of danger. But we were young that time and did not realize the seriousness of the situation. I, in fact enjoyed the journey. But as you grow old, you don’t want to trust anybody with your life.

We got ready by 7.00am and by stoping for food or for taking pictures en route, we reached at Peopalkoti at about 5.00pm. From here Joshimath is about 40kms. Here we came to know that about 10kms away form Pepalkoti, the road was closed due to landslide. The work has already begun. It was up to our luck whether the roadblock gets cleared and we get to proceed as per our plan. We were all praying that this should not happen in the beginning of our journey. We had to wait at the Pepalkoti GMVN guesthouse for about an hour. As the vehicles from the opposite side started coming in Pepalkoti, we got our signal and we rushed inside the car and the driver took off. He drove very fast as he wanted to clear the landslide patch of road at the earliest, before it becomes dark. By the time we reach Joshimath, it was 7.30pm. The next day was very important for us - the actual trekking day. So we retired early by agreeing to start the journey by 6.00am. All over Uttaranchal due to the narrow roads, to regularize the traffic, there is gate system followed by the state police. The cars standing at the gate at that time are allowed to go further. But if your does not reach this spot on time, then you will have wait till the next gate timings i.e. 9.00am. We did not want to miss the 6.00am gate timing. Because the sooner you start your trek is better.