• 1 Week trek
• Easy Grade Treks in Himalayas
• Fall Treks
• Family friendly
• Garhwal Treks
• Himalayan Tea-House Treks
• Monsoon Treks
• Uttarakhand

Valley Of Flowers Trek:

Upcoming Valley of Flowers trek 2023 in July and August as per the given itinerary.  Customised private tours are possible from early July till end of September. Only available group tour is starting on 20th August 2023 from Rishikesh. Submit the Booking form to get all relevant details in email.

Valley of Flowers trek is a chart topper, when you are considering a monsoon trek. Below is your Complete Guide to Valley of Flowers trekking tour 2023. Click on a link to jump to a specific part of information.

Valley of Flowers: Current Status, News & latest updates 2022
Brief itinerary
Notes on itinerary
Why it is special
About the trek
Trek distances, altitude gain and profile
Trek difficulty
Safety and risks during monsoon
Things to bring
Best time to visit
Package and trek cost
Biodiversity, flora & fauna
How to reach trek basecamp?

Brief Itinerary:

Day 1: Start from Rishikesh by 6 a.m. and drive  to Govindghat (~1815 m/5950 ft) – 265 Km  – 10 to 12 hours. Lodge or hotel accommodation.
Day 2: Drive from Govindghat to Pulna  (~ 2050 m/6725 ft) – 4 Km and then trek to Ghangaria (~3050 m/10000 ft) – 10 Km – 5 to 6 hours. Lodge or hotel.
Day 3: Trek to the Valley of Flowers, (~3450 m/11320 ft) explore around and back to Ghangaria – 8 to 10 Km – 6 to 8 hours. Lodge or hotel.
Day 4: Trek to Hemkund Sahib (~4160 m/13650 ft), explore the adjacent lake and back to Ghangaria – 12 Km – 7 to 8 hours. Lodge  or hotel.
Day 5: Trek to Pulna – 10 Km – 4 to 5 hours. Drive 4 Km to Govindghat. Lodge or hotel accommodation.
Day 6: Drive from Govindghat to Rishikesh – 265 Km – 10 to 11 hours. You will reach Rishikesh by 6 to 7 pm. From here, Haridwar is ~ 20 Km, Dehradun (DED) Jolly Grant Airport is also 20 Km away and an hour’s drive.

Important notes on travel and the itinerary:

• You may opt for shared transportation with other group members (NOT included in the TREK FEE) from Rishikesh on Day 1 at 6 a.m. Pickup spots in Rishikesh are Natraj Chowk and Tapovan Police Checkpost on Badrinath road. Otherwise, you are free to reach basecamp independently. Similarly, you will return to Rishikesh on Day 6 evening by 6 to 7 p.m. Arrange your travel tickets accordingly.
• Cab fare is ₹ 8,000 and ₹ 11,500 for a Tata Sumo and Tempo Traveller one way respectively. This is shared equally by the team members and paid directly to the driver.
• Often, it is convenient to reach Rishikesh anytime on Day 0. Either you can fly to Dehradun (DED, Jolly Grant airport) which is only 1 hour’s drive from Rishikesh. Otherwise, you can take Uttarakhand state transport volvo bus services (afternoon and overnight) from ISBT Kashmiri Gate Delhi to Rishikesh (5/6 hours). Arrange your stay in Rishikesh accordingly.
• The last ATM is at Joshimath, ~20 Km before Govindghat. Withdraw cash well in advance either in Rishikesh, Srinagar, or Karnaprayag.
• Major mobile networks work at basecamp Govindghat. You will get some or intermittent mobile connectivity at Ghangaria.

Why Valley of Flowers is special:

Already you may be in love with the just wow photos, typically a slope of a mountain covered with wild flowers. You can see somewhat similar flower covered slopes or ground  in some other valleys on the Himalayas as well. However this valley is not special due to a few varieties in abundance during monsoon. But it is the sheer variety and the amount of flowers together that make Valley of Flowers a unique and a must to visit place for a nature lover.

About Valley Of Flowers trek:

Legend and myths met reality when three British mountaineers Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton and Romilly Holdsworth lost their way and reached this piece of paradise on earth. They went to Mt. Kamet expedition (First ascent) and entered into Bhyundar valley during their dramatic descent. Unknowingly the trio found this valley instead of as planned to reach Mana village. Hence the outer world knew that the valley exists.

According to Hindu mythology this is the Nandan Kanan, garden of Lord Indra. A high altitude valley carved by glacial action of the river Pushpawati and runs east west direction along the river. According to a legend, the river was named Pushpawati by the Pandavas when they saw flowers floating on the waters of this snow fed river.

A gigantic snow clad ridge hems this valley from almost all sides. On an average the valley is around 5 Km long and 1 Km wide. Altitude varies between  ~ 3200 m to 3600 m. The area blooms in alpine vegetation for a period of 15-20 weeks (June to October). Rataban peak and Tipra glacier mark the boundary of the valley in the upstream direction. This National Park is truly an all-in-one as a botanist’s dream, an ornithologist’s charm, a photographer’s excitement and a hiker’s delight.

The valley turns in pink, white, blue and violet cover during monsoon (July-August). Anemone, Balsam, Angelica, Bell Flower, Brahma Kamal, Blue Poppy, Forget Me Not, Cobra Lily, Marsh Marigold and Birch are a few common types abundant inside the valley.

Pushpawati flowing through the valley and Laxman Ganga coming from the Hemkund Sahib meet below Ghagaria. From here on it is called Laxman Ganga or sometimes Bhyundar Ganga which in turn meets Alaknanda at Govindghat.

The initial trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria is a long walk of 14  Km, though it’s mostly gradual along with Pushpawati River. Now a motor able road is constructed further till Pulna village, 4 Km ahead. You may hire a car and share with the fellow trekkers. This reduces the trail to around 4 Km and the initial climb from the bridge on the Alaknanda River. Second and the last climb is from Bhyunder village to the Helipad ground from where Ghangaria is another Kilometre walk. You will get tea-stalls/small dhaba throughout the trail within short intervals.

Although the paved walk till Ghangaria isn’t worth much, things change dramatically  from here  onward. We will visit two valleys on two separate days in our tour. The trail to our left goes inside the Valley of flowers. This trail is pristine and no nuisance of horses inside. This very special valley is indeed very charming for the experienced Himalayan hikers as well. We will walk to the head of the valley and return to Ghangaria.

Next we will visit Hemkund Sahib, a moderate climb to a large high altitude lake and the holy shrine. You may think of hiring a horse on the paved way, if you don’t wish to test your endurance. This track is different from the one inside the valley, but indeed worth a visit. As you gain altitude you will get some snow sections even as late as July. As we approach ~ 4000 m/13000 ft, the terrain gets rocky and is ideal for Brahmakamal bloom.

Valley of Flowers trek distance and altitude profile:

Now the track is motorable from Govindghat to Pulna, 4 Km on the way to Ghangaria. This reduced the distance to around 8 Km than it was a few years back. Pulna to Ghangaria, to and fro is around  20 Km. Take 8 Km, to and fro to Valley Of Flowers from Ghangaria and another 12 for a return trek from Hemkund. You need to walk around a total 40 Km or so on mostly paved track and trail inside the valley.

Below figure will give you an idea of the Valley Of Flowers trek distance and corresponding altitude profile.

Valley Of Flowers trek difficulty level: Is it suitable for first timers?

Yes, certainly this is a Himalayan trek which is ideal for the beginners. We categorise it as an “Easy” grade trek.

Although the entire trail length is longer than our many Easy grade treks, at the same time it’s pretty gentle till Bhuydar village. A moderately steep climb for an hour or so from Bhundar bridge is the only climb till you reach Ghangaria.

The trail is concrete or paved track and well marked throughout.  The climb to Hemkund Sahib can be tiring and slow ascend is recommended. Being a “Tea-House” trek you will stay in a lodge throughout the trek and may be convenient for the beginners.  However you should keep in mind that this is a trekking trail, where you need to walk 6/7 hours a day and need basic physical fitness to complete the Valley Of Flowers trek comfortably. If you are not sure about carrying your own backpack, you have the option to offload the bag and carry it by horse. This will be arranged with additional charges, on spot.

Safety and risks on the Valley of Flowers during monsoon: What is expected?

As this is a Himalayan trek, the adventure components will have their uncertainties and associated risks. But there is nothing to be worried of or can’t be dealt with. This section will help you on what to expect on an adventure tour in monsoon meanwhile getting ready for the same.

Valley of Flowers and Hemkund is perhaps one of the safest Himalayan treks. Most of it is a paved concrete trail essentially the type one gets in the Yatri/Pilgrims routes. Only Ghangaria to the valley and return, one day you will get the usual easy grade trekking trail with some cobble stoned path. rocks etc. In case of an emergency horses can be used to return quickly. Additionally there is a Helipad at Ghangaria with flights from and to basecamp Govindghat. Note that during inclement weathers Helicopter will not fly.

At the same time monsoon brings some risks. Usually you will not trek in the monsoon unless there is a special reason. Flowers are the reason that you travel during monsoon.

Be it during the road travel/drive to basecamp and return or in the trek, mentally prepare for some delays, unexpected situations, hindrances etc. For example minor landslides or rockfalls and subsequently a road block/road diversion for a couple of hours is common. Similarly on the trek if it continues to rain for long hours, sometimes entry to the Valley/park is closed for a day. This is a precautionary measure and to quickly check and fix the trail. Here in such a situation we will visit Hemkund first and wait to visit Valley of flowers next day.

Pro tips: Adding a buffer day to the itinerary makes sense here. Surely this will help during the monsoon and in particular groups coming together in private/cutomised tours.

To conclude, even with the above risks it is completely safe to trek on this trail during the monsoon season.

Do I need special clothing or shoes for this trek? Things to carry for Valley of flowers tour:

As this trek is best during monsoon, you will need to bring adequate waterproofing. Either you can carry a raincoat/poncho or a waterproof windcheater to fully protect yourself from rain. Make sure that your waterproof gear has a hood that protects your head during rain.

It is always better and recommended to get specific warm clothing and trekking shoes for any Himalayan treks. However you can reuse your existing warm clothing and good quality rubber soled sports shoes for Valley Of Flowers trek. You may have to use more than one layer of warm clothing.

So you need to bring at least:

1) Waterproof jacket/raincoat/poncho.
2) Warm clothes – jacket, sweaters, hoodies, thermals (use couple of layers), anything which may keep you warm.
3) A rucksack to carry your stuff. Pack clothes etc, inside plastic packets and put inside your backpack to keep things dry.
4) A decent rubber soled sports shoe to give you some grip on the trail. A waterproof shoe is a better choice during monsoon season. Trekking show (with wateproofing + ankle support) is a plus.

Check here for the detailed List of things to carry in a Himalayan trek. Do check the list as there are other essentials which you need to take in Valley Of Flowers trek. Also you can download the list as PDF.

Best time to visit Valley Of Flowers? When should I visit to get maximum flowers?

The seasonal bloom in the national park area begins as early as June. Some flowers remain as late as the end of September. So it spans over a period of 16 weeks or so when you will get to see some flowers.

However you will get more species variety and flowering as the monsoon sets in properly. As in this area, monsoon sets during early July and extends till late of August. In this way it is good to visit Valley Of Flowers anytime in July or August. Even if you visit during early September, you will get a green valley and some flowers.

Considering this it is best to plan Valley of Flowers trek between mid July to late August.

Valley of Flowers trek tour packages and cost inclusions:

Fixed Group departures: Our usual scheduled Fixed Departure Valley of Flowers treks are of Economy/Budget type. The accommodation at lodge/hotel in Govindghat and Ghangaria is usually on twin/quad sharing basis. We will provide separate rooms for male and female trek members. Meals are simple vegetarian and nutritious.

One or more local expert trekking guide(s) will accompany you depending on the strength of the group. He will be carrying a basic medical kit as required. You are protected with accidental insurance coverage aiming for evacuation and hospitalisation which covers the full itinerary of 7 days.

The TREK FEE is ₹ 10,950 + 5% GST per person, Govindghat to Govindghat.

On request we may arrange your transportation from Haridwar to Govindghat and return. This is on an actual basis and payable directly to the driver. Check the COST INCLUSIONS tab for more detailed information.

Customised private tour packages: This is more flexible in nature as you can choose any date to start. TREK FEE depends on group size and type of accommodation. You can either opt for Economy/Budget type or avail the option of Standard/Premium type accommodation on twin sharing basis.

Expect a matching TREK FEE as of our Fixed Departure when you are a group of 8 to 10 persons. Inclusions will be the same as the COST INCLUSIONS tab.

In standard & premium package we provide twin/triple sharing type rooms at Govindghat. Premium package includes Swiss cottage tents instead of rooms at Ghangaria. This is mainly for families or small groups of people, however we can arrange for larger groups as well.

Valley of Flowers National park and it’s Biodiversity:

Cuddled on the high Himalayan peaks in Chamoli district of Garhwal, Valley of Flowers National Park is always noteworthy for its floral diversity and unmatched natural beauty. This biome is home for more than 500 species of vascular plants, 160 + species of birds and other insects and mammals.

The Nanda Devi National Park and Valley of Flowers National Park are exceptionally beautiful high-altitude West Himalayan landscapes with outstanding biodiversity. Both the parks form the core zones of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and listed under UNESCO: http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/335). The Park is declared as a UNESCO heritage site of biosphere reserve in 2005.

Flora inside Valley Of flowers:

This valley boasts more than 520 species (recorded and identified) of plant and flowers of which many are endemic to this area.  Here are some of these:

Himalayan Rose (Rosa Macrophylla); Himalayan Honeysuckle (Leycesteria formosa); Woolly Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis Triplinervis)Himalayan Blue Poppy (Meconopsis bella); Himalayan Mini Sunflower (Cremanthodium ellisii); ; Brahma Kamal (Saussurea obvallata); Himalayan Cinquefoil (Potentilla Atrosanguinea) 8) Silky Woundwort (Stachys emodi) 9) Whiskered Commelina (Commelina benghalensis) 10) European Goldenrod (Solidago virgaurea) 11) Himalayan Thyme (Thymus linearis) 12) Woolly Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis triplinervis) 13) Himalayan Rhodiola (Rhodiola himalensis) 14) Whorled Solomon’s Seal (Polygonatum verticillatum) 15) Devendra’s Balsam (Impatiens devendrae) 16) Purple Stalked Gentian (Gentiana pedicellata) 17) Showy Inula  (Inula orientalis) 18) Jacquemont’s Cobra Lily (Arisaema jacquemontii) 19) Large Bellflower (Campanula latifolia) 20) Himalayan Milk Vetch (Astragalus himalayanus) 21) Himalayan Monkshood (Aconitum ferox) 22) Purple Stalked Gentian (Gentiana pedicellata) 23) Creeping Aster (Aster diplostephioides) 24) Himalayan Typhonium (Typhonium diversifolium) 25) Himalayan Thimbleweed (Anemone obtusiloba)

Fauna inside Valley Of Flowers National Park:

This National Park together with Nanda Devi National Park forms one of the most bio diversified regions on the Himalaya. This area is the home of many mammals including Asiatic black bear, Leopard, Snow leopard, Brown bear, Civet cat, Musk deer, Blue sheep, Serow and others.

The bird type includes, Snowcock, Partridge, Monal, Pheasant, Vultures, Eagles, Laughing- thrushes, Warblers, Yuhina, Nuthatch, Honeyguide, Woodpeckers, Flycatchers, Magpies, Robins and Redstarts, Sunbirds, Accentors, Rosefinches etc. One can observe many species of colourful butterflies, moths and bees. Birding enthusiasts can check the list of available species in Valley of Flowers National Park from here.

References:
Concise Flowers of the Himalaya, illustrated edition by Adam Stainton & Oleg Polunin, ISBN: 9780195644142;
Pocket Guide to the Birds of the Indian Subontinent, Grimmett & Inskipp, ISBN: 9780195651553;
Birds of India, Om Field Guides by Krys Kazmierczak, ISBN: 9788187107040;
National parks of India by R.S.Bisht, ISBN: 8123001789;
EDC (Eco Development Committee), Bhyundar;

Updates from 2022:

As we update this section in mid July, Valley Of Flowers is open i.e. the forest department is issuing national park entry permits/tickets. Valley was closed on 10th July and reopened again the very next day. Here are the photos after reopening the park on 11th July.

Note that it is not uncommon to close the valley temporarily for a day due to precautionary measures. For example if heavy rain continues during night and even in the morning then the forest department may not  issue entry tickets on that day. Usually their staff will inspect the route on the same day and quickly fix any risk of rockfall/slides on the trail. In this case we will visit Hemkund Sahib on this day and Valley of flowers the next day so that we can cover both.

There are speculations of early bloom due to intense heat throughout the summer. However we found the valley is still in the early bloom stage with a few flowers as one can expect in early July. As the monsoon is picking some momentum now, we can expect more flowering in mid and late July.

All travellers are required to fill Hemkund Sahib Registration Form on the E-Portal. Save the PDF file and take a print. There is a cap of 5000 entries per day to the Gurudwara this year. Fill the form as per the dates of your itinerary. Additionally carry your COVID vaccination certificate(s) and a Photo ID card along with a photocopy of  each.

Access to Valley Of Flowers trekbase – Govindghat:

To reach the trek base Govindghat you need to reach Rishikesh on your own arrangements. Nearest airport Dehraun (DED, Jolly Grant) is only 20 Km from Rishikesh (1 hour).

We may arrange a pickup  from Rishikesh to Govind Ghat and return. This will be on a cost to cost basis and shared by the availing team members. You pay directly to the driver, sharing equally.  The fare is ₹ 8,000 for a Tata Sumo, one way and can accommodate 5 to 6 people. Whereas a Tempo Traveller charges ₹ 11,500 (10 to 12 seats) one way. Approximately, ₹ 2500 per person when you avail both ways. This cost is not included in the TREK FEE.

Or else you may reach Govindghat independently and join us here. Below is a road map with major points en route to Govindghat.

Why treks with HT?

Duration	6D/5N
Grade	Easy
Physicality	5.5/10
Highest Point	4160 m/13650 ft
Trail Length	40 Km