Nature is beautiful if you see it closely and more so by sitting in its lap. This all I experienced when I went for 7 days tracking tour to Valley of Flowers and Hemkunt Sahib situated in beautiful valleys of U P. This tour was organised by All India Young Men Association, New Delhi from 13th - 20th August, 2007. Before proceeding, it gave us training about bagging, eatables, shoes, etc. and provided us Rucksack Bags, Hunter Shoes and Sleeping Bags, Keeping in view the destination as remote area and difficult journey, we carried enough eating material and water purifying pills with us.

Our journey started on 13th August's morning and we reached Haridwar at 3.00 O'clock in the afternoon. Since, journey from Haridwar to Karan Prayag, being hilly areas has to be performed only in day time, we proceeded at 4.00 a.m. from Haridwar and reached Karan Prayag at 9.00 in the evening. This journey of about 17 hours was like a amazing experience with river Ganga flowing on our right side and our bus passing through clouds. During the journey, we met people of Gharwal and came across with land slide also at various places. Next morning, we started for Gurudwara Sahib, a place before Hemkunt Sahib & Valley of Flowers. Since it was a tracking tour, we walked for 16 to 18 kms. on hilly area passing through heavy forest to reach Gurudwara. A bag of 12-15 kg. and the mountain area gave us restless and tired experience.

In the morning of 16th August, we proceeded for Hemkunt Sahib situated at about 14000 ft. hight, above sea level. This journey was difficult as no proper stairs etc. were there and we have to move through rocks, stones and snow. Somewhere, it was so dangerous that if you loose your balance then you will find yourself with God. Thanks to hunter shoes. Reaching Hemkunt Sahib took us around 7-8 hours and after reaching there it was just an amazing view. Lots of mountains covered with snow around the Gurudwara Hemkunt Sahib and a Sarovar. We took a short bath in the chilled water of Sarovar and went in the Gurudwara for darshan. Next day, we went for Valley of Flowers situated at about 12000 ft. height above the sea level. This journey was not so difficult as of Hemkunt Sahib but very risky in the sense that there were narrow and slippery way with lots of thick snow. At one point of time when I was moving through the snow, I slipped and was rescued by my team mates from going directly into the river flowing nearby. The valley of flowers is a wonderful creation of the nature and it was just unbelievable. Flowers and flowers were around us which were surrounded by snow mountains. The snow with sunlight were looking as somebody has placed quintals of silver on the peak of the mountain. We have not come across such type of amazing view ever before. The flowers were unusual totally different from those which we all know. I have never been to Kashmir but I experienced all the beauties of Kashmir there.

Next day we all started for Delhi via the same route and on 20th evening I was at home.