Garhwal: Khirsu, Deoria Tal, Chopta, Auli and the Valley of Flowers

Day 1: Khirsu

1 night · Easy · A quiet forested hill village near Pauri with wide views of the snow-covered Himalaya.

Day 1: Khirsu

• Arrive from Pauri and check in at Khirsu.
• Walk the village and forest paths to the Himalayan viewpoints.
• Visit Ghandiyal Devi Temple.
• Drive to Chaudatakhal and walk up to Ulkha Giri for the afternoon views.

Getting here from Khirsu: Road via Srinagar, Rudraprayag and Ukhimath, about 4 hours. About 95 km by road.

Days 2 to 3: Sari and Deoria Tal

2 nights · Moderate · A small Garhwal village and the short forest trek from it up to the Deoria Tal lake.

Day 2: Arrival day

• Travel from Khirsu to Sari and Deoria Tal (Rudraprayag and Ukhimath, about 4 hours).
• Stop at Omkareshwar temple, Ukhimath, and withdraw cash if the ATM works.
• Check in at Sari village.
• Evening walk around Sari village and its terraced fields.

Day 3: Sari and Deoria Tal

• Start early and pay the forest checkpoint fee.
• Walk up to Deoria Tal, about 2.5 hours.
• Walk around the lake and have tea at the shops.
• If fit and with a guide, continue a little towards Rohini Bugyal.
• Return to Sari before dark.

Getting here from Sari and Deoria Tal: Road via Ukhimath, about 1 hour. About 25 km by road.

Day 4: Chopta and Tungnath

1 night · Moderate · A high meadow hamlet in Garhwal and the start of the short trek to Tungnath temple.

Day 4: Chopta and Tungnath

• Drive from Rishikesh via Rudraprayag, about 7 hours.
• Stop at Omkareshwar Temple, Ukhimath, and use the last ATM.
• Continue 30 km up to Chopta and check in.
• Rest early to get used to the altitude.

Getting here from Chopta and Tungnath: Road via Gopeshwar and Chamoli, about 4 to 5 hours. About 110 km by road.

Days 5 to 6: Auli

2 nights · Moderate · A ski slope and meadow above Joshimath with wide views of Nanda Devi and nearby peaks.

Day 5: Arrival day

• Travel from Chopta and Tungnath to Auli (about 4 to 5 hours).
• Rest and get used to the altitude.
• Walk to Auli Artificial Lake for sunset.
• Ride the chairlift on the Auli ski slopes if it is running.

Day 6: Auli

• In winter, take a ski lesson on the Auli ski slopes in the morning.
• Walk about 3 km up to Gorson Bugyal for the mountain views.
• If time and weather allow, continue to Chattrakund.
• Return to Auli before dark.

Getting here from Auli: Road to Govindghat, about 1 hour, then the trek to Ghangaria.

Days 7 to 10: Valley of Flowers

3 nights · Challenging · A high Himalayan national park of alpine flower meadows, reached only on foot from Ghangaria.

Day 7: Valley of Flowers

• Start early from Govindghat and take a shared jeep to Pulna.
• Walk up the trail and stop for tea at Bhyundar Village.
• Reach Ghangaria by afternoon and check in.
• Rest and drink plenty of water to adjust to the height.

Day 8: Valley of Flowers

• Be at the park gate at 7 am with your permit, ID and a packed lunch.
• Walk into Valley of Flowers National Park.
• Follow the trail along the Pushpawati River through the meadows.
• Turn back by early afternoon and return to Ghangaria well before 5 pm.

Day 9: Valley of Flowers

• Leave Ghangaria at first light for Hemkund Sahib.
• Climb slowly; hire a pony if the height is a strain.
• Visit the gurudwara and the lake.
• Descend to Ghangaria by afternoon.

Day 10: Valley of Flowers

• Walk down from Ghangaria through Bhyundar Village to Pulna.
• Take the shared jeep to Govindghat.
• If roads and time allow, drive on to Badrinath Temple.
• Otherwise start the drive back toward Rishikesh.