
Difficulty
Moderate | Level 2

Duration
6 Days

Highest Altitude
14,107 ft

Age
8 to 62 years
Duration
6 Days
Age
8 to 62 years
Difficulty
Moderate | Level 2
Highest Altitude
14,107 ft
Valley of Flowers
A Legendary Trail the World Wants to Trek in
The Valley of Flowers trek is one of India’s most popular treks in the Himalayas. People who haven’t even stepped into the Himalayas, have heard about the Valley of Flowers trek.
But there is a solid reason behind Valley Of Flower’s legendary popularity – it is one of India’s oldest known treks.
In 1980, the Indian government created the Valley of Flowers National Park, and later in 2002, it was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This pushed Valley of Flowers on the bucket list of trekkers from around the world.
Having said that, you must note that the Valley Of Flowers trek is not easy. It is a moderate level trek, with slightly longer trekking days and a steep ascent to Hemkund Sahib that will challenge your endurance. So, prepare well for this trek. We have talked in detail about this in the ‘difficulty’ section of this trek guide.
This extensive trek guide contains all details you need to know to do this trek.
And, it also contains an interesting insight, a story of how one can fall in love with Himalayan treks after trekking to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. Yes, that can happen. We know because it happened with Sandhya UC, Co-Founder and COO of Indiahikes.
Valley of Flower Videos
Watch these videos to prepare well for your trek.
Quick Itinerary
Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Valley of Flowers trek.
Day 1
Drive from Rishikesh to Govindghat
Drive Distance: 269 km | Drive Duration: 11 hours | Pick up point for Indiahikes trekkers: Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh | Pick up Time: 5 am | Location of Indiahikes basecamp: Govind Ghat
The pick-up location is at Live Free Hostel, Rishikesh at 5:00 AM. The cab costs Rs 8,000 per vehicle for an SUV and Rs 11,500 for a Tempo Traveler. The amount is divided equally between the team, the total number of vehicles used by the total number of trekkers travelling in all the vehicles.
Day 2
Drive from Govindghat to Poolna. Trek to Ghangaria
Drive distance: 4 km | Drive Duration: 1 hour
Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours Altitude gain: 6,215 ft to 10,520 ft
A short drive followed by a gently ascending river-side trail. The trail is well-laid out with several trekkers and pilgrims frequenting the route.
Day 3
Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and back
Trek distance: 3.7 km each way | Trek Duration: 6 hours | Altitude gain: 10,520 ft to 11,550 ft
A rewarding trek to Valley of Flowers, with flowers blooming on either sides of the trail.
Day 4
Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back
Trek distance: 6 km each way | Trek Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude gain: 10,520 ft to 14,107 ft
A series of switchbacks continuously climb to Hemkund Sahib. The gurudwara and lake at the top are a wonderful reward for the challenging climb.
Day 5
Trek from Ghangaria to Poolna. Drive to Govind Ghat
Trek distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 4 hours | Altitude loss: 10,520 ft to 6,215 ft
Drive distance: 4 km | Drive Duration: 30 minutes
A swift descent to Poolna, followed by a drive to Govind Ghat
Day 6
Day 6: Drive from Govind Ghat to Rishikesh
Drive Distance: 269 km | Drive Duration: 9-10 hours
The cab costs Rs 8,000 for an SUV and Rs 11,500 for a Tempo Traveler.
Please note: The distance between campsites may vary by 100 meters depending the weather conditions and the route you take. The altitude may also vary by 100 feet for similar reasons.
IMPORTANT POINTS
- It is mandatory for trekkers to carry a copy of their photo ID for entry at forest check posts on the trek.
- Your stay will be arranged at lodges throughout the trek. The number of people per room depends on the availability at the time.
- We have a cloakroom facility at the base camp for excess luggage. Do not leave behind any valuables in the cloakroom.
- Any additional cost incurred due to landslide that happens before or after the trek will have to be borne by trekkers.
Study this chart to know how much altitude you would gain/lose every day on the Valley of Flowers trek.
PRO-TIPS
Book flexible flight tickets
The Valley of Flowers trek is done in peak monsoon season. This is a time when heavy rain can affect your road journey. While roadblocks usually get cleared within a few hours, there have been instances where it has taken a day or so. So it is always good to book flexible flight tickets for your journey. Most travel agencies offer this for a small added cost.
Choose trains over buses to reach Rishikesh
Train journeys are less tiring and more punctual than bus journeys. It's even better if you reach Rishikesh by evening and stay there for the night. It will give you more rest and refresh you before your journey to Govind Ghat.
Flowers at a Glance
The Valley of Flowers trek is well-known in the world for its flowers. Sandhya UC, Co-founder and CTO, Indiahikes also loves the trek for its flowers. She says, "A narrow path in between the flowers beckons you to go deeper. You now start seeing a variety of flowers. Not only in colours but in shapes, sizes, textures and smells. A few tens of steps bring you to a new variety of flowers. You wonder who got them here. What made the variety change? It was also interesting to see the big fauna change along with the changing flora.
I stood by the flowers, sat down beside them, and lay down on the small exposed trail trying to immerse myself and feel a part of the multitude of flowers in the valley. The cool mountain breeze coming from the glacial end of the valley brought with it scents that I had never known before."
This video takes you through some of the flowers from the valley.
What I Like and Don’t Like About Valley of Flowers Trek
What I Like About Valley of Flowers Trek
Why I Believe Everyone Must Trek: A Note from the Founder
Trekking transforms lives. It has completely changed my life. When I see my colleagues at Indiahikes, all of them have been impacted greatly. The transformations have been profound and irreversible.
I see it in our trekkers too. I have seen them change professions, careers or start a new life. I have seen them get in and out of relationships, and start new projects. These are life-changing experiences.
I have seen children building resilience. I have seen families come together. When I see those above 55, I see them rediscover passion and a sense of purpose. These are not small gains.
In the mountains new professions, new economies and new businesses have opened up. Our staff no longer go to cities to earn their living. Their income has increased. Above all, they are happiest working in this world. Trekking has been truly transformative.
Everyone must trek. It transforms lives far more than you imagine.
Valley of Flowers Is Best Discovered Through Pictures
Know Your Trek
We have always wanted trekkers to be well-informed before they go on a Himalayan trek. Knowledge is the difference between a safe trek and a dangerous one. It’s also the difference between a wholesome experience and a superficial experience.
Use this section to learn about the Valley of Flowers trek. It has in-depth information about each day of the trek, what to expect, and how you need to prepare for it. Many years of expertise have gone into this content. Trekkers find that extremely useful.
PRO TIPS
Why fitness matters on Valley of Flowers
On Moderate treks like the Valley of Flowers, you walk for about 6-8 km each day. The ascents and descents could get steep. The maximum altitude will range between 13,000 ft to 14,000 ft. You’ll come across tricky patches frequently (like snow or scree), which require you to navigate with a certain amount of caution. There might also be small stream/river crossings.
Your goal is to 5 km with an intention to finish within 35 minutes.
Note: If you are above the age of 58 years, you'll also need to submit your Treadmill Test within 7 days of registration.
Available Dates
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