Valley of Flowers Trek

The Valley of Flowers Trek is one of the most enthralling and picturesque treks in India. Widely renowned, the Valley of Flowers has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The breathtaking view, postcard-perfect landscapes, and a vibrant display of sprawling blooming flowers captivate visitors from afar. Every year, this trek route is accessible only for a limited time, i.e. from June to September. During the rest of the months, the trail is closed to visitors due to harsh weather. In this Valley of Flowers Trek guide, we have shared all the important information which will help people looking to explore the place.

Best Monsoon Trek

Perched at an altitude of over 10,000 feet, the Valley of Flowers is surrounded by towering mountains with the gracefully flowing Pushpavati river. The months of July to August mark the peak time when all flowers bloom in the valley, making it the best time to visit. While many treks remain closed during the monsoon due to heavy rainfall, the Valley of Flowers trek remains open for visitors. Seeking this, the Valley of Flowers is regarded as the best monsoon trek in Uttarakhand.

Trek Difficulty Level

The Valley of Flowers trek is rated as moderately difficult and is not considered ideal for beginners if they are not physically fit. It typically takes two days to complete from Govindghat, which requires good physical strength and mental endurance. Govindghat is its last motorable point, but visitors can also travel up to Pulna using a local shared taxi. The trek shares its base camp at Ghangaria with the sacred Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara.
 

The total trek distance from Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers is around 7 km. Since it's a protected heritage site, accommodation is not available inside the valley. Thus, visitors have to return to the base camp by the evening. All must obtain a trek permit from the Forest Check Post before starting their trek.

Valley of Flowers Trek Itinerary

Journey Commenced From

The Journey to the Valley of Flowers trek typically starts from Rishikesh. Known as the Yoga Capital, Rishikesh is just 248 km away from Delhi and is accessible via Road, Rail, and Air. Yog Nagari Rishikesh Railway Station offers decent connectivity with a few list of trains from Delhi to Rishikesh. However, the city is not directly connected by Air, so you have to land at Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is just 15 km away from Rishikesh.

How to reach Govindghat?

• Hire a cab, take a shared taxi, or a bus from the Rishikesh bus stand.
• Try to reach early, as buses depart early in the morning between 5 am to 7 am.
• After this, you hardly find any buses to Govindghat or its nearby bus stands.
• Hiring a taxi from Rishikesh to Govindghat can cost you around 8 to 10 thousand, depending on the season.
• Due to the unavailability of buses or a taxi to Govindghat, try to reach the nearest station like Joshimath, Pipalkoti.
• On the other hand, you can also travel to Srinagar, which offers good connectivity to the Garhwal region.

Valley of Flowers Trek Route: Key details

Valley of Flowers Trek Route Map

Drive Route Map (265 km): Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Pipalkoti → Joshimath → Govindghat → Pulna.
 

Trek Route Map (13 km): Pulna → Ghangaria → Valley of Flowers.

Backpack Check List for Valley of Flowers Trek

Trekkers must keep the essential items in their backpacks, which can be used in case of any emergency and if needed. Avoid carrying unnecessary things, which may only cause an extra burden on your shoulders. Based on our own experience, we have curated a list of items that should be in your backpacks on the journey to the Valley of Flowers.

A Trail to the Valley of Flowers Trek

The majestic journey to the Valley of Flowers offers a unique experience, which will take around 5 to 6 days. A detailed Itinerary to the Valley of Flowers is given below : - 

Day 1: (Rishikesh to Govindghat)

• The distance from Rishikesh to Govindghat is around 264 km. You can take a bus, shared taxi or book a cab to access it.
• If transportation to Govindghat is not available, reach the nearest stations like Srinagar, Joshimath or Pipalkoti.
• Upon reaching the site, book your accommodation as per your choice.
• A range of stay options is available at Govindghat, including a Gurudwara.
• Gurudwara not only provide free accommodation but also a free meal (langar).

Day 2: (Govindghat to Pulna, trek to Ghangaria)

• After breakfast, take a shared taxi to Pulna Village, the last motorable point.
• Pulna distance from Govindghat is around 6 km, which takes around one hour.
• Begin your trek to Ghangaria, the base camp for the Valley of Flowers.
• Ghangaria is around 9 km away from Pulna and takes around 6 to 7 hours.
• During the trail, you can spot various food stalls selling parathas and other items.
• Refill your water bottle at a natural water source along the way.
• Upon reaching Ghangaria, find a suitable accommodation or stay at the Gurudwara.
• Obtain your Valley of Flowers trek permit at the check post, if not obtained yet.
• Valley of Flowers Permit Registration can be done both online and offline.

Day 3: (Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and back to Ghangaria)

• The Valley of Flowers trek gate opens at 7 am and remains open until 2 pm.
• Trekkers should be physically fit and mentally sound, as they have to cover a distance of 7 km in a single day.
• Along the trail, you will pass through rare Himalayan flowers, Laxman Waterfall, and the Pashupati River.
• The trail doesn't offer any food stalls or shops, so you must carry your packed lunch.
• Have your meal by enjoying the lush green view of the valley, majestic mountains, and innumerable wildflowers.
• From the Valley, one can also view the majestic peaks, like Gauri Parvat, Nilgiri Parvat, and more.
• Return to your base camp by 5 pm for an overnight stay.

Day 4: (Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back to Ghangaria (Optional)

• If you have a buffer day, you can also visit Shri Hemkund Sahib.
• Hemkund Sahib distance from Ghangaria village is just 6 km, which can be covered by trekking.
• It will take around 6 hours to reach Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara.
• Seek blessings at the Gurudwara and also visit the Lokpal Laxman Temple.
• Enjoy the breathtaking view of the glacial Hemkund Lake.

Day 5: (Ghangaria to Govindghat, Drive to Joshimath)

• After breakfast, trek back to Govindghat, whose distance is around 13 km.
• It takes around 5 to 6 hours to reach Govindghat.
• You can also take a shared taxi from Pulna to Govindghat.
• You may choose to stay in Govindghat or drive back to Joshimath.
• At Joshimath, seek blessings at the Narsingh Temple and don't miss the Sleeping Lady Mountain View.
• Stroll through the market and buy renowned Joshimath kidney beans.

Day 6: (Back to Rishikesh)

• Post morning breakfast, bid farewell to the mountains.
• Take a bus or shared taxi from the Joshimath bus stand to Rishikesh.
• Rishikesh is around 247 km away from Joshimath, which takes around 8 to 9 hours.
• Ensure your return ticket from Rishikesh to your respective hometown in advance.

Accommodation

During the journey, travellers can easily find accommodation facilities at Pipalkoti, Govindghat, Pulna, and Ghangaria. In such places, visitors have various lodging options, including Hotels, Home Stays, guesthouses, and Tents. Apart from this, visitors can also stay at Gurudwara in Govindghat and Ghangaria, both serve as the base camp.

Important Tips for Trekkers

• For services, reach the bus stand early, as buses depart before 7 am.
• To obtain a permit, visitors must carry a valid ID proof.
• A permit can be obtained either online or from the on-site counter.
• Carry sufficient cash for the journey, as the mobile network is limited in the region.
• Non-vegetarian food is not available along the entire trek route from Govindghat.
• Check the weather updates before starting the trek.
• Note down the emergency number from the check post.
• Mule services are available from Govindghat to Ghangaria for luggage offloading.

Valley of Flowers Trek Package

• The Valley of Flowers Trek package is offered by various vendors.
• Its trek package costs range from Rs 6,000/- to Rs 15,000/- per person.
• Visitors should carefully check the list of services included in the package and which are available as add ons.

Facilities in the Trek Package

Popular Trek providers

• India Hikes.
• Trek the Himalayas.
• Trek Up India.
• Bikat Adventure.
• The Searching Souls.
• Himalayan Daredevils.

Trek cost breakdown

Helpline Number

In case of any emergency, contact the Forest Department Check Post or dial 112.