Valley of Flowers Trek

History and Legends of the Valley of Flowers Trek

The Valley of Flowers, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India, is a stunning national park known for its rich diversity of flora. Discovered in 1931 by British mountaineer Frank Smythe, the valley is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The valley is renowned for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and outstanding natural beauty. The legend has it that the valley was the playground of fairies, adding a mystical charm to its allure. The trek to the Valley of Flowers is a journey through nature’s canvas, adorned with vibrant blooms and surrounded by majestic peaks.

 Trek Highlights:

The history of the Valley of Flowers is deeply intertwined with local folklore and spirituality. It is believed that this valley was the place where Hanuman found the Sanjeevani herb to revive Lakshmana in the Hindu epic Ramayana. The local inhabitants have always regarded the valley as a sacred place, imbued with mystical powers and divine beauty. The valley remains uninhabited and is accessible only during the summer months, from June to October, when the snow melts, and the flowers are in full bloom. The trek to the Valley of Flowers is moderate in terms of difficulty and requires a good level of physical fitness. The journey starts from the village of Govindghat, located at an altitude of 1,828 meters. From Govindghat, trekkers undertake a 13-kilometer trek to Ghangaria, which serves as the base camp for further treks to the valley and Hemkund Sahib. The trek from Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers is approximately 3.7 kilometers and involves traversing through dense forests, crossing streams, and climbing steep paths. While the trek is not overly strenuous, the high altitude and unpredictable weather conditions can pose challenges, making it essential for trekkers to be adequately prepared.

Valley of Flowers Trek Detailed Itinerary

DAY 1: Rishikesh to Joshimath/Govindghat

• 6:00 AM: Departure from Rishikesh.
• Drive: 9-10 hours to Joshimath/Govindghat.
• Route: Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag –
• Karnaprayag – Joshimath/Govindghat
• Arrival in Joshimath/Govindghat:
• Evening, check-in at a guesthouse/homestay.
• Accommodation:Guesthouse orhotel (provided).

DAY 2: Joshimath/Govindghat to Ghangaria

Morning:

• Drive: 1 hour to Pulna.
•  Trek Start: Begin the trek from Pulna to Ghangaria.
•  Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 10 kilometers.
• Altitude: Govindghat (1,828 meters) to Ghangaria (3,049 meters)

Afternoon:

• Arrival at Ghangaria: Check-in at guesthouse/camps.

Evening:

• Rest: Relax and acclimate at Ghangaria.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or camps (provided).

DAY 3 Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and Return

Morning:

• Trek Start: Begin the trek to the Valley of Flowers.
• Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 12 kilometers round trip.
• Altitude: Ghangaria (3,049 meters) to Valley of Flowers (3,658 meters).
• Exploration: Explore the Valley of Flowers and its diverse flora.

Afternoon:

• Return to Ghangaria: Descend back to Ghangaria.

Evening:

• Rest: Relax and enjoy the evening at Ghangaria.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or camps (provided)

DAY 4 Ghangaria to Govindghat and Drive to Rishikesh

Morning:

• Trek Start: Begin the descent from Ghangaria to Pulna.
• Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 10 kilometers.
• Drive Start: Drive from Pulna to Govindghat

Afternoon:

• Drive to Rishikesh: 9-10 hours.

Evening:

• Arrival in Rishikesh: Around 7:00-8:00 PM.

Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib Trek | ₹12,999/person

DAY 1: Rishikesh to Joshimath/Govindghat

• 6:00 AM: Departure from Rishikesh.
• Drive: 9-10 hours to Joshimath/Govindghat.
• Route: Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag –
• Karnaprayag – Joshimath/Govindghat
• Arrival in Joshimath/Govindghat:
• Evening, check-in at a guesthouse/homestay.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or hotel (provided).

DAY 2: Joshimath/Govindghat to Ghangaria

Morning:

• Drive: 1 hour to Pulna.
•  Trek Start: Begin the trek from Pulna to Ghangaria.
•  Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 10 kilometers.
• Altitude: Govindghat (1,828 meters) to Ghangaria (3,049 meters)

Afternoon:

• Arrival at Ghangaria: Check-in at guesthouse/camps.

Evening:

• Rest: Relax and acclimate at Ghangaria.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or camps (provided).

DAY 3:  Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and Return

Morning:

• Trek Start: Begin the trek to the Valley of Flowers.
• Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 12 kilometers round trip.
• Altitude: Ghangaria (3,049 meters) to Valley of Flowers (3,658 meters).
• Exploration: Explore the Valley of Flowers and its diverse flora.

Afternoon:

• Return to Ghangaria: Descend back to Ghangaria.

Evening:

• Rest: Relax and enjoy the evening at Ghangaria.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or camps (provided)

DAY 4: Hemkund Sahib Trek

• Trek from Ghangia to Hemkund Sahib (6 km trek, about 4-5 hours trekking round trip).
• Visit Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site nestled beside a glacial lake at an altitude of 4,300 meters.
• Return to Ghangaria by late afternoon.
• Overnight stay in Ghangaria.

DAY 5: Ghangaria to Govindghat and Drive to Rishikesh

Morning:

• Trek Start: Begin the descent from Ghangaria to Pulna.
• Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 10 kilometers.
• Drive Start: Drive from Pulna to Govindghat

Afternoon:

• Drive to Rishikesh: 9-10 hours.

Evening:

• Arrival in Rishikesh: Around 7:00-8:00 PM.

Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib & Badrinath | ₹13,999/person

DAY 1: Rishikesh to Joshimath/Govindghat

• 6:00 AM: Departure from Rishikesh.
• Drive: 9-10 hours to Joshimath/Govindghat.
• Route: Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag –
• Karnaprayag – Joshimath/Govindghat
• Arrival in Joshimath/Govindghat:
• Evening, check in at a guesthouse/homestay.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or hotel (provided).

DAY 2: Joshimath/Govindghat to Ghangaria

Morning:

• Drive: 1 hour to Pulna.
•  Trek Start: Begin the trek from Pulna to Ghangaria.
•  Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 10 kilometers.
• Altitude: Govindghat (1,828 meters) to Ghangaria (3,049 meters)

Afternoon:

• Arrival at Ghangaria: Check-in at the guesthouse/camps.

Evening:

• Rest: Relax and acclimate at Ghangaria.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or camps (provided).

DAY 3:  Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and Return

Morning:

• Trek Start: Begin the trek to the Valley of Flowers.
• Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 12 kilometers round trip.
• Altitude: Ghangaria (3,049 meters) to Valley of Flowers (3,658 meters).
• Exploration: Explore the Valley of Flowers and its diverse flora.

Afternoon:

• Return to Ghangaria: Descend back to Ghangaria.

Evening:

• Rest: Relax and enjoy the evening at Ghangaria.
• Accommodation: Guesthouse or camps (provided)

DAY 4: Hemkund Sahib Trek

• Trek from Ghangia to Hemkund Sahib (6 km trek, about 4-5 hours trekking round trip).
• Visit Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site nestled beside a glacial lake at an altitude of 4,300 meters.
• Return to Ghangaria by late afternoon.
• Overnight stay in Ghangaria.

DAY 5: Ghangaria to Govindghat and Drive to Badrinath Dham

Morning:

• Trek Start: Begin the descent from Ghangaria to Pulna.
• Trek Distance: 6-7 hours, approximately 10 kilometers.
• Drive Start: Drive from Pulna to Govindghat

Afternoon:

• Drive to Badrinath and after Darsha return to Govindghat / Joshimath.

Evening:

• Arrival in Govindghat / Joshimath: Around 7:00-8:00 PM.

DAY 6-  Govindghat/ Joshimath/Garudganga to Rishikesh

• Arrival in Govindghat / Joshimath to Rishikesh: Around 7:00-10:00 PM.

Inclusions

• Transportation: From Rishikesh/Haridwar to Govindghat and back.
• Accommodation: In tents and guesthouses.
• Meals: during trek

Exclusions

• Personal Expenses.
• Rental Gear Fees (if applicable).
• Any Costs Arising Due to Unforeseen Circumstances like roadblocks, weather conditions, etc.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What is the Valley of Flowers Trek?

The Valley of Flowers Trek is a UNESCO World Heritage Site trek located in Uttarakhand, India, known for its vibrant alpine flowers, Himalayan meadows, and stunning glacier-fed landscapes.

Q2: How difficult is the Valley of Flowers Trek?

The trek is considered Easy to Moderate. It involves well-defined trails and gradual ascents, making it suitable for beginners with reasonable fitness levels.

Q3: What is the altitude of the Valley of Flowers?

The Valley of Flowers is situated at an altitude of approximately 3,658 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level.

Q4: What is the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers?

The best time to visit is from July to September, when the valley is in full bloom with hundreds of species of alpine flowers.

Q5: How many days are required for the Valley of Flowers Trek?

The trek typically takes 4 to 6 days, including travel from Rishikesh/Dehradun and visits to Hemkund Sahib.

Q6: Is Hemkund Sahib included in this trek?

Yes, Hemkund Sahib is a popular extension of the Valley of Flowers Trek. It is a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site located at a higher altitude near Ghangaria.

Q7: What are the major highlights of the trek?

Key highlights include Ghangaria village, Valley of Flowers National Park, Hemkund Sahib, Pushpawati River, and breathtaking Himalayan glacier views.