Things to see and do Uttarakhand

It takes at least 6 hours to get up to 14 km. The first lacets are quite rough, followed by alternating parts and mounting parts. The diversity of the landscapes crossed and the sight of these thousands of Sikh pilgrims (up to 10 000 per day in June) with their most beautiful costumes and proudly wearing the sword make the effort forget. The two villages overwhelmed on the road are populated by families who left Rajasthan just over two centuries ago. It is not uncommon to cross the women down the mountain with huge faggots. There are plenty of possibilities for dining, and the Lucky Halfway Restaurant indicates that you have reached half way.

By continuing on the path that passes ahead of the GMVN Tourist bungalow, you enter a beautiful pine tree in which a few horses bask. The views on the Ganges are staggering.

From here you will find neither hotel nor dhaba. They are replaced with joy by hills, torrents, mountains with steep peaks, which are bursting with spectacular waterfalls, glaciers, and, of course, countless flowers that only have the target of your camera. Signs indicate the name of the flowers and their date of flowering. Perhaps you will have the chance to see some rare "Brahma Kamal" in the beige colour bulb. Whatever the time and season, this poetic walk is still an enchantment. Please note that camping in the valley is strictly forbidden.

With a difference of close to 1 200 m for only 5 km travelled, this trek is no rest. It takes 5 hours for the climb and 2 hours to go down. In clear weather, the show at the top is sumptuous. The small lake is surrounded by seven snow-capped peaks, and the brave pilgrims are groups their feet before praying in the gurdwara in the surprising architecture. Govind Singh, the tenth and last gourus (the Builders builders of Sikhism), would have reflecting at the edge of this lake in a previous life, which explains his sanctity.

This small lake (4 135 m) is mainly a pretext for a beautiful trek towards Mount Chaukhamba.

After a kitschissime start showing anemones and rhododendrons dancing to the sound of zither, the film focuses on efforts to preserve the site. The third part is a description of thirty flowers (name, period of flowering, and medicinal use…). As a bonus, you will be entitled to a few images of the Smith expedition in 1931! This informative film may not delight everyone, but it's a way to help protect the local environment. The small bookstore sells some trekking routes as well as Frank Smith's Book of Flowers.