Valley of Flowers Trek is located in the spectacular Garhwal Himalayas, in the state of Uttarakhand, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This place is a dream destination for trekkers and nature lovers alike.
Some of the most beautiful meadows carpeted with rare and beautiful flowers are witnessed through the Valley of Flowers trek. It’s one of the most beautiful sceneries, if not the best, among other treks in India.
Whether you are an ardent trekker, or a lover of nature looking for the memories of a lifetime, the Valley of Flowers trek presents a magical journey through nature’s pristine beauty.
This valley transforms into a multicolored riot from mid-July to mid-September as thousands of different species bloom against the backdrop of snow-capped peaks.
Apart from such landscapes, the valley also derives spiritual importance since it is just a few kilometers away from Hemkund Sahib, which happens to be a sacred Sikh pilgrim center.
This trek gives a chance for a relatively moderate level of adventure where one gets the blend of floral beauty, wildlife, and serene views of the Himalayas.
Valley of Flowers National Park is situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. This national park is a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and is situated near the pilgrim town of Badrinath. Govindghat is the starting point of the trek, which lies about 292 kilometers from Dehradun and 25 km from Badrinath.
The Valley of Flowers trek is rated as moderate and, therefore, comes well within the realm even for first-timers who are relatively fit and enthusiastic. Again, the path is marked and has gradual ascents but remains challenging at various elevations.
The general duration for a trek is 4 to 6 days considering the tour. Most of the trekkers go along with the Valley of Flowers and visit Hemkund Sahib, so it takes an extra day. So, your itinerary may look something like this:
The Valley of Flowers could be visited between July and September when the valley is fully in bloom. The valley takes on a tapestry of vibrant colors of wildflowers during the monsoons. One should not visit the valley during winter, as the valley remains snow-covered and inaccessible.
In winter, Valley of Flowers turns an essay into a snow wonderland; however, trekking is disallowed during the winter months.
The Valley of Flowers Trek is one of the most compelling journeys through one of India’s most glorious national parks, replete with colorful wildflowers and breathtaking landscapes. Below you’ll see a detailed day-by-day overview of the trek, covering routes traveled, distances, altitude gain, major sites, and camp locations.
Itinerary
Your day starts from Govindghat. Govindghat is a small town and town located on the banks of the Alaknanda River. Post your healthy breakfast, gather together with your trekking team, before any formal orientation and check of the equipment.
From Govindghat, one needs to take a shared jeep up to Pulna, which is the starting point for this trek. The road is scenic and can be enjoyed since it winds its way through luscious greenery and one gets flashes of the Alaknanda River. From Pulna trek on towards Ghangaria.
This has a steady ascend path that follows a well-marked trail mainly from Pulna-Ghangaria and is lined with beautiful tea stalls and small shops selling refreshments. As you trek, there are breathtaking views of cascading waterfalls as well as the mountains around. It passes through picturesque villages and you may glimpse locals in their daily activities.
Reaching Ghangaria, you would put up at the accommodations available. There is not much to Ghangaria other than acting as a base for trekking in the Valley of Flowers. It has guesthouses and lodges.
You can roam about in Ghangaria, look for local shops from where you can purchase souvenirs and trekking equipment, and also have a hot meal at night preparing you for another adventure.
Itinerary:
You shall begin after an early breakfast towards the Valley of Flowers. It is indeed a treat as you are going to view a grand array of flowers – vibrant in colors, a priceless scenario. The track towards the valley is about 5 km and it is a gentle ascent through marvelous landscapes.
As you trek, you will find denser forests of rhododendron, deodar, and birch. The air is fresh; breathe in the scent of wildflowers. On this way, look around for animals, colorful butterflies, and other types of birds seen wandering about.
Once inside the park, the Valley of Flowers National Park provides very beautiful views: you see sprawling meadows just covered by flowers. There are over 500 species of flowering plants, some even very rare like the blue poppy, Brahma kamal, and many others, making it a fantastic scene with the land of snow-capped peaks as the backdrop.
Spend the day exploring the valley with camera clicks and gazing at the beauty around you. There are resting and picnic areas all around so you can enjoy your packed lunch amidst flowers.
Towards late afternoon, descend to Ghangaria. Upon reaching your stay, rest and think about the beauties of the day. Have another warm meal and rest soundly for the next day.
Itinerary:
You will be able to trek to Hemkund Sahib, a very sacred Sikh pilgrimage site at such great altitude. You are going to walk early morning after having your breakfast to Hemkund Sahib.
The trail to Hemkund Sahib is arduous, requiring brisk steps and determination. The trail is dotted with gorgeous alpine flowers that normally provide breathtaking views of the surrounding peaks. It can be expected that as you ascend, the temperature might drop, thus warm dressing is required.
Once you reach Hemkund Sahib, a serene scenario greets you from Hemkund Lake surrounded by seven snow peaks. The lake is considered sacred for Sikhs and is a place of serenity where thousands of pilgrims come to meditate and sit in silent reflection.
See the Gurudwara, which affords the opportunity of taking part in the community kitchen known as the Langar which provides free meals to all guests.
Spend some time soaking in the spiritual atmosphere and the spectacular views. Then start descending back to Ghangaria.
Once back, enjoy a well-deserved meal and rest. You can choose to go out around Ghangaria or relax at your accommodation.
Itinerary:
Wake up early have breakfast, and be ready to come down to Govindghat. The returning route is familiar, but, you will see the landscape from different perspectives with wonderful views of the river and surrounding valleys.
Enjoy the vistas as you walk downhill. Keep taking pictures of interesting things around you and take time off whenever. It would take about 5-6 hours for Govindghat by early afternoon.
Once you reach Govindghat, you can opt for lunch from any of the local eateries, reflect on the adventure you’ve had in the Valley of Flowers, and spend some leisure time. You may spend the night here or continue your journey as per your plan.
The Valley of Flowers Trek was definitely magical, providing trekkers with total immersion into the natural beauty of the Himalayas. With a beautiful floral diversity and spiritual context, this trek will always have something special in store for anyone.
Well prepared, enjoy the journey, and cherish views and memories made along the way. This complete detailed itinerary should guide you through the adventure of a lifetime in the Valley of Flowers.
Key Highlights
Here is the list of necessities for the Valley of Flowers trek: Trekking boots: Good grip, ankle height, water-proof
Even though this trek is rated as moderate, it still requires a good amount of physical fitness. One has to hike for 5-6 hours every day through the gradual ascends and descents, which require lots of stamina and physical fitness. Preparation for the trek would involve walking or jogging every day, yoga to be flexible, and cardio to help build stamina.
Starting Point
Govindghat is accessible by road to most towns in Uttarakhand. This trek can be reached easily by road.
Most of the trekkers, however, would be spending the night at Ghangaria. Here you can easily find guesthouses, lodges and some basic camping facilities for the adventurous ones.
Facilities for Food
Simple vegetarian food is available on the trek, mostly in Ghangaria, small dhabas which are around that area that are serving meals. Packed lunches can be carried for the day hikes to the valley or Hemkund Sahib.
Permits
One needs to take permits before entering the Valley of Flowers National Park. The permits can be purchased at the park entrance in Ghangaria. Tickets for entry into Valley of Flowers National Park are as follows: Indians – INR 150, and foreigners – INR 600.
Rules and Regulation
The visitors are supposed to carry out the practice of leave-no-trace principles so that the fragile ecosystem of the valley can be preserved. There is a total ban on plastic bags, and the trekkers are urged to carry back their waste to Ghangaria for proper disposal.
Here is a simple description of the trek map to give you a visual idea of the route.
The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers would be from mid-July to mid-September. In this time, there are ample flowers in bloom, giving a heavenly view.
Yes, the Valley of Flowers trek is good for beginners as it is reasonably fit-related. The trek is moderately demanding and most of the time fairly well-marked; thus, it will be easy to handle for novice trekkers.
The Valley of Flowers temperature during the trekking season ranges between 15°C to 20°C in the day and drops sometimes down to 5°C at night. Warm clothes are recommended to carry.
The age limit is not particularly defined, but people having children younger than 10 years are recommended to consult a doctor before attempting this trek. The elderly with some health issues are not to be allowed.
Yes, many trekkers like to go solo but be well prepared on the route with enough knowledge of the same. Joining a group does enhance safety and companionship.
Some basic vegetarian food is available at the dhabas in Ghangaria and near Hemkund Sahib. Some snacks and packed meals to be carried on the trek to the valley are advisable.
Always carry a first aid kit and learn the most basic procedures for emergencies. For major problems, one should always fall to lower altitudes and get treated in Ghangaria.
Yes, for entry into the Valley of Flowers National Park, you would need to procure a permit; this is issued at the entrance of the park at Ghangaria.
