₹8,500
Summer / Rainy / Autumn
Trekking Distance: 40Km
Trekking Duration: 4 Days
Trek Difficulty: Moderate
Experience Level: Beginner
Fee Includes: Joshimath to Joshimath
Valley Of Flowers Trek
Valley Of Flowers National Park is a beautiful high-altitude valley and located in the Chamoli District of Uttarakhand. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, blue sheep(Bharal), and monal pheasant, and many medicinal plants like Saussurea Obvalata(Brahma kamal), Saussurea Simpsoniana(Fen Kamal), Ainsliaea Aptera, Dactylorhiza Hatagirea, Picrorhiza Kurrooa, Aconitum Balfourii, Polygonatum Multiflorum, Fritillaria Roylei, Podophyllum Hexandrum, etc.
How many flowers species in the Valley Of Flowers?
The Valley of Flowers has 520 types of high altitude plants, out of which 498 are flowering species (Angiosperms) and 22 types of non-flowering plants (Gymnosperms and Pteridophytes). One can found 100-200 species with ease in the valley.
What is the best time to visit the Valley Of Flowers
July to Mid-August: The best time to visit the Valley Of Flower is from the 1st week of July to the 1st week of August. In Valley Of Flowers, Flowers start blooming from June. Most of the flower species bloom in the period of mid-June to the end of July month. Most of the flowers begin to wither after July.
Challenging Trek near Valley Of Flowers Trek
Base camp for Valley Of Flowers Trek
Govindghat, Distt. Chamoli, Uttarakhand, PIN code-246443.
Short Itinerary
- Rishikesh
- Govindghat
- Ghangharia
- Valley of Flowers
- Hemkund
- Ghangharia
- Govindghat
- Rishikesh
Itinerary for Valley Of Flowers Trek
Day 1: Rishikesh/Kathgaodam to Govindghat - Pick-up from Joshimath
- Distance - 280 Km
- Driving Time - 10 Hrs.
- Maximum Altitude - 1904m
On the first day of the trip, you have to reach the base camp Govindghat from Rishikesh or Kathgodam. If you are coming via Rishikesh, then you can use public transport from Rishikesh. You can find plenty of options available for transportation from Rishikesh to Govindghat. You will get a bus/taxi from morning 4.00 am. You can choose from Private/Govt Buses or Taxis. You have to leave Rishikesh in the morning as early as possible. The distance from Rishikesh to Govindghat is around 280 km, which could take more than 10 hours due to bad roads in few places.
Similarly, if you are coming via the Kathgodam side, you can hire a taxi from Kathgodam. It is the only fastest option available. There is no direct transportation for Govindghat available from Kathgodam/Haldwani.
If you chose public transportation, then you will need to divide your journey. The traveling distance from Kathgodam to Govindghat is 311 km via Gairsain.
The Traveling plan you can follow is:
Kathgodam/Haldwani > Dwarahat > Chaukhutiya > Gairsain > Karnprayag > Joshimath > Govindghat.
We will pick you from Joshimath, and your stay will be at Govindghat/Pulna.
Meals:Â Dinner.
Night:Â Overnight stay in lodge/hotel/homestay.
Day 2: Govindghat to Ghangharia
- Distance - 4.5 km Drive + 9 Km Trekking
- Driving Time - 30 min.
- Trekking Time - 6 Hrs.
- Maximum Altitude - 3100m
- Altitude Gain - 1196m
We will leave for Pulna village after breakfast early in the morning. After a 4.5 km drive, our 9 Km trek will start from Pony Stand Pulna up to Ghangaria. After 5 km, we will reach Bhundar Village, where we will have lunch and some rest. Then soon after, we will cross the Pushpawati river and hike towards Ghanghariy. There is a Helipad and the camping ground just 1 km before the Ghangharia. Overnight stay will be at the hotel at Ghangharia. Meanwhile, you can roam around the local shops in the evening.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Night: Overnight stay in Lodge/Camps.
Day 3: Ghangharia To Valley Of Flowers and Back
- total Trekking Distance - 10 to 20 km
- Trekking Time - 8 Hrs.
- Maximum Altitude - 4056m
- Altitude Gain - 956m
As we start our trekking early today, you will witness a beautiful waterfall after just 200m of walking, forms in the Laxman Ganga river, which emerges from the sacred Hemkund lake. After half a km walking on the Ghangharia-Hemkund trail, you find another trek for the Valley Of Flowers on the left side. While walking on that trek about 200 meters, you will get the check post of the Forest Department for the Valley of Flowers. You have to take permission and pay the entry fees for the valley. If you come with us, we will take care of everything.
There is a small bridge on the Pushpawati river for entering into the Valley Of Flowers, which is approximately 700m away from the forest check post. At this place, the Pushpavati River flows roaring, colliding with rocky mountains and boulders, which looks very beautiful and scary at the same time.
There is a steep climb of about 2 km from the bridge, which will surely tire you out. Afterward, you get a flat trek which goes up and down sometimes. By hiking another kilometer, you will reach the Bamandhaur picnic spot, where you find most of the trekkers are wandering around. Only a few tourists go beyond this place. From this point, almost the whole valley is visible. You can now explore the various flowers in this region. Impatiens Sulcata, Polygonum Polystachyum, and Heracleum Candicans flowers are the most common species and spread throughout the valley.
Our favorite spot is River Bed, which is 3 km from Bamandhaur. This place is full of varieties of rare species of flowers. There is a beautiful waterfall at the end of the valley, a must-go spot and only about 2.5 km more from River Bed. You can go beyond the waterfall to explore Brahma Kamal or the Glacier, or you can cross the Pushpawati river to visit another side. If you have come to this spot, then you have completed your distance of about 11.5 km from Ghangaria to here. That means when you return from here, you will complete 23 km of trekking
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Night: Overnight stay in Lodge/Camps.
Day 4: Ghangharia To Hemkund and Back
- Distance - 12 km
- Trekking Time - 6 Hrs
- Maximum Altitude - 4180m
- Altitude Gain - 1080m
Today we will leave for Hemkund Lake, which is at a distance of 6 km from Ghangaria and having an altitude of 4180 m/13714 ft above sea level. Today’s altitude gain will be more than 1080m which is higher than the recommended altitude gain in a single day. You might be having a chance of Acute Mountain Sickness. If you feel any headache or breathlessness, then you should stop there sometime, drink water, and try to relax, inhale long to control your breathlessness. If the problem gets worse, then you should go back to Ghangaria and try to come back the next day after taking a rest.
It is rare to find Brahma Kamal in the Valley Of Flowers, but near the Hemkund Lake area, you will see thousand of Brahma Kamal spreading. In the Himalayas, Brahmakamal found above 4000m. As soon as you reach this height, you will start seeing Brahma Kamal.
There is a Gurudwara at the starting of the lake, known as Hemkund Sahib or Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib. Hemkund is a sacred place for Sikhism and Hinduism. Here is also an ancient temple dedicated to the Laxman from Ramayana, which is known as Laxman Temple or Lokpal Temple.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Night: Overnight stay in Lodge/Camps.
Day 5: Ghangharia to Govindghat
- Distance - 9 km Trekking + 4.5 km Drive
- Trekking Time - 5 Hrs
- Driving Time - 30 Min
Collect your all energy and strength for the last day of the trekking. Today it will be an easy trek as we will be descending from Ghangharia towards the Pulna Village. Be careful while descending steep trails. After long trekking, there is a chance of getting knee and ankle pain. Like before, Bhyundar Village will be the rest point for us. We will be having our lunch there. After that, we will proceed towards Pulna village. We will hire a taxi for the Govindghat from Pulna. Overnight stay will be at Govindghat.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Night: Overnight stay in Lodge/Hotels.
Day 6: Govindghat to Rishikesh
- Distance - 280 Km
- Driving Time - 10 Hrs
It’s time to say goodbye. After breakfast, we will collect your valuable feedback, which will help to make our services better. After that, you will be departing towards Rishikesh/Kathgodam.
Meals: Breakfast.
Night: Nil.
Valley Of Flowers Trek Price
₹8,500 Inc GST – Joshimath to Joshimath
Inclusion
- Accommodation Hotel/ Guesthouse/ Tents
- Meals as per itinerary
- Safety Equipment (oxygen cylinder, first ad...)
- Tour Guide.
- Trekking Gears like Crampons, Gaiters (When needed).
- Forest entry charges, permits & camping fee.
- Necessary Permit
Exclusion
- Porter/Mule charges for carrying personal luggage.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances like landslides, roadblocks, bad. Weather, etc.
- Trekking Gears like poles, shoes, poncho etc.
- Travel Insurance.
Things to carry
- Waterproof Trekking Shoes
- Woolen/Cotton Socks (Thick) - 3-4 Pairs
- Woolen sweater ( warm & Light )
- Jacket/Windcheater
- Trek Pants/Lower - 2 units
- Thermal wears - 2 pairs
- Full Cotton T-shirts - 2-3 units
- Inner wears - 2-3 Pairs
- Gloves
- Sun cap
- Woolen cap
- Warm woolen shawl ( Thin & Light )
- Water Proof Rucksack ( 30-60 liter )
- Rain coat/Poncho
- Rain cover for your bag
- Portable Tourch/Headlamp
- Sunglasses
- Water Bottle
- Toiletries
- Winter Moisturizer Cream
- Lip Balm
- Sunscreen Lotion
- First Ad Kit ( ORS, AMS tablets, Band Ad, Pain Relief Spray, Coldarin, etc.)
Valley Of Flowers Trek FAQs
Valley Of Flowers is in Chamoli District of Uttarakhand, India.
Valley Of Flowers is open from 1 May to 31 Oct. In other months the valley is covered with snow.
Mid-July to Mid-August is the best time to see most of the flowers species in the Valley Of Flowers.
Yes, there are Heli services available between the Govindghat and Ghangaria. You can book Heli services online or at the Govindghat/Ghangharia.
In some cases, individuals suffer from Acute Mountain Sickness when ascending to elevations of over 3,000 meters from sea level. However, it is a common and mild condition. If the body gets enough time, then it can be overcome. The reason why it happens is- reduced air pressure at high altitudes as well as lower oxygen levels. One of the more severe forms of mountain sickness is called High Altitude Cerebral Edema, where fluid builds up in the brain. It is a life-threatening situation and requires immediate medical attention.
Yes, AMS may occur during the trek, as the elevation of Valley Of Flowers is more than 3000m. While going towards Hemkund, there are more chances of having AMS due to the high altitude of the Hemkund lake, which is 4180 m.
Valley Of Flowers Trek
Valley Of Flowers Facts
Latitude & Longitude
30.722163°N 79.589580°E
Max Altitude
4180 m / 13714ft
Total trek distance
40-50 Km
Difficulty Level
Moderate Level 2
Trip Duration
6 Days 5 Nights
Pickup & Drop
Rishikesh
Group Size
4-15
Age Group
12-60
Essential facts
Nearest Medical Facility
Joshimath
Nearest Hospital
Joshimath
Nearest ATM
Joshimath
Mobile Connectivity
Ghangharia
Last Electricity
Ghangharia
Nearest Bus Station
Joshimath
Nearest Railway Station
Rishikesh
Nearest Airport
Dehradun
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