Chanap Valley Trek

Region: Chamoli Garhwal, Uttarakhand
Duration: 5 Nights and 6 Days
Grade: Easy to Moderate
Max altitude: 4050 meters
Approx trekking: 18 kms

Chanap Valley trek is an unexplored valley filled with flowers in the Garhwal Himalaya region of Uttarakhand. It grabs the attention nature lovers as it rich with floral wealth. The valley accessible from Joshimath, Uttarakhand stretches from an altitude of 2500 m to 4050 m. The celestial beauty of valley is decked by the stunning mighty peaks, waterfalls and flower studded meadows. This trek holds the attention of the camera holder. The trekker encounters a great variety of flowers including primulas, marigold, brahma kamal, orchids, daisies, poppies and anemones. The valley is also blessed with an extensive range of plants with medicinal value like Sal, Rhododendron and Teak.

The route is a scenic backdrop of conifers and snowy peaks. A scenic village, Thaing with traditional stone houses is a beautiful lush green village with gentle slopes making it an ideal place to camp. The trekker can do a home stay in either of these traditional houses and enjoy a traditional meal or camp. Dhar Khark which is one kilo meters from Thaing, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of Nanda Devi Peak, Nanda Kot and Dunagiri. The beauty of this valley is a treat to the soul. Thus, this trek fills the trekker with joy and contentment. The beauty of the valley is beyond description and the trekker is takes home remarkable moments in the form of photographs and a yearning to return to Chanab Valley.

WHEN SHOULD I GO?

Summer season is ideal to explore the beautiful Chanab valley. If you want a crystal clear view with the blue sky then the months of June and September are the best time to visit. In the month of June you can see snow on the hills while the valley is a green landscape. The best time to see the flowers is the monsoon season when the valley is an extensive meadow covered with a wide variety of flowers. In the months of September to mid October you can see some flowers and greenery with a touch of blue sky. A chill air touches the soul and the waterfalls welcome you. Bad weather and a cold atmosphere can make this trek challenging.

WHAT IS THE LEVEL OF FITNESS REQUIRED?

The difficulty level of this trek ranges from easy to moderate thus, if you want to do this trek, your fitness level must be quite good and you must have habit of exercising and walking.

WHAT IS THE DURATION OF THE TREK?

5 nights and 6 days

Haridwar – Rishikesh – Govindghat – Thaing – Chanap – Phulana

What is the Trek Itinerary?

Day 1: Drive from Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun to Govindghat

Day 2: Trek from Govindghat to Thaing Village

Day 3: Trek from Thaing village to Chanap Valley

Day 4: Trek from Chanap Valley to Phulana and back to Chanap Valley

Day 5: Trek from Chanap Valley to Thaing village to Govindghat

Day 6: Drive from Govindghat to Rishikesh/Dehradun/Haridwar

Detailed Itinerary

Drive from Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun to Govindghat which takes upto 8 to 9 hours goes through the holiest confluences in Uttarakhand called the Panchprayags (Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, Nandprayag & Vishnuprayag). Govindghat is a small town located at the confluence of Laxman Ganga & Alaknanda. It is the hub for people trekking to the Valley of Flowers and also for the Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath pilgrims. All the guests will check in the guest house where they will enjoy hot delicious dinner.

As Govindghat is the last major town before the trek starts it is important that all trekking equipments and other essentials are procured before starting the trek to Chanab Valley.

After spending a night in Govindghat, the trekkers will enjoy a hot breakfast in the vicinity of the Himalayas before starting the trek to the Chanap Valley. Driving 15 kms along the river Alaknanda we will start the trek to the solitary and secluded village Thaing. The trek stretches through sloppy meadows and involves a gentle and gradual climb. On the way natural drinking water sources are plenty. The traditional stones houses awaits us as we reach the beautiful village Thaing. are made in some distance together so it looks very panoramic. The trekker can do a home stay in either of these traditional houses and enjoy a traditional meal or camp.

After taking hot breakfast and pack the lunch we start further, cross the village with gentle climb we reach to a slopy meadow called “Dum – Dum Pata” villager use this meadow as pasture land for their cattle. Cross this meadow we enter to Dhar Khark, we can take a little bit rest here and take some panoramic shots of peaks and can see beautiful entire view of Thaing village. From here we go by a edge of hill and we can find presence of rhododendron and pine forests and inside the forest is good for to take packed lunch. Although this climb is steep a little but panoramic view around us this way enjoyable. After all we reach the entrance of chanap valley by beautiful meadows. Overnight stay in camp in the lap of majestic Chanap Valley.

This day after breakfast we start our trek to a beautiful part of this valley called “Phulana” which literally meaning ‘The garden of flowers’. This is an enchanting vast meadow which stretches from an altitude of 3200 m to 4000 m. It has a variety of alpine wild flowers like Aquanatum, Campanula Latifolium, Geraniums and Saussureas to name a few. During the trek we will find gurgling waterfalls, breathtaking view of hills around us and small caves which are used by the local shepherds as shelters. Spending an entire day in Phulana we will come back to camp overnight.

How to reach?

By Air: The nearest Airport is Jolly Grant Airport which is located around 27 kms from the Dehra Dun city has a daily flight from Delhi to Dehra Dun.

By Train: Dehra Dun railway station, lies in the heart of the city and Haridwar railway station, are well connected by major Indian cities.

By Road: Uttarakhand Transport Corporation and many private transport services provide road connectivity from Dehra Dun, Haridwar and Rishikesh to Govindghat. and also regular bus services are from Delhi to Dehra Dun, Haridwar and Rishikesh from ISBT Kashmere Gate, Delhi.

TREK COST – Mail or Contact us.

If you want conveyance facilities from Rishikesh/Haridwar/Dehradun to Rishikesh/Haridwar/Dehradun you can contact us by e-mail. The cost is dependent on number of people as well.

Included in the cost:

Accommodation (2 nights hotel accommodation on sharing basis and 3 nights in camp)
Meals while on trek (Vegetarian food only) which includes breakfast, packed lunch & dinner
Qualified & experienced HTT squad
First aid medical kit

Not included in the cost:

Transport from Govindghat to Govindghat
Meals during drive from Rishikesh/Haridwar/Dehradun to Govindghat and back to Rishikesh/Haridwar/Dehradun
Unscheduled stay due to road blocks etc.
Mineral water during trek
Porter for your personal luggage
Insurance

1. Rucksack with a rain cover (50 to 60 liters)
2. Day Sack with rain cover (30 to 40 liters)

A sturdy rucksack and day sack with a water/rain cover is recommended as during the monsoon the rain showers will greet the trekker as s(he) walks into the majestic valley

3. Trekking shoes

A good pair if trekking shoes with a quality bottom is a must for doing this trek. Waterproof shoes are recommended. Avoid shoes made of foam and cloth.

4. Thermal wear (Upper and Lower)

Temperatures dip specially in night and morning even in June. Thus, make sure you keep thermal wear.

5. Cotton sock (2 pairs)

6. Woolen socks (2 pairs)

7. Undergarments (2 pairs)

8. Gloves (1 pair)

9. T-shirts

10. Trek Pants

11. Woolen cap

12. Sun cap

13. Heavy jacket

14. Raingear

15. Water bottle

164. Sunglasses

17. Sunscreen lotion

18. Toiletries: Tooth Brush, Tooth Paste, Toilet Soap, Tissue papers, etc.

19. Head lamp or torch with extra batteries

20. Personal first aid kit