Valley of Flowers is an easy to moderate trek that offers rare access to the part of Uttarakhand Himalayas which has an expanse of a valley covered with flowers. It is also considered an ideal trek for first-timers, including family and kids. During the Valley of Flowers trek, one also gets a chance to visit the highest Gurudwara in the world – the Hemkund Sahib.
The valley of flowers is about 2 km wide and 8 km long and the best time to visit is between July to mid of September. The temperature on this trek usually stays somewhere between 5 to 20 degrees Celsius and you can expect moderate rainfall even while trekking with a thick cloud cover hovering over most of the time. The most difficult part of the Valley of Flowers trek is the climb to Hemkund Sahib on the last day, where we climb an altitude of about 4,300 ft in a day and that can be a bit strenuous.
The Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is extremely rich in biodiversity making it a paradise for naturalists. The Valley Flowers is home to many rare species of flora and fauna that add to the magnificence of the trek. The Valley of Flowers boasts an impressive record of 13 species of mammals, each contributing to the region’s rich wildlife. The biodiverse haven of Valley of Flowers features as many as 520 varieties of plants. This trek is a testament to the extraordinary biodiversity that graces the Himalayan region.
We will start our journey from Haridwar. Travel to Joshimath will commence after all hikers are picked up at the Haridwar train station. We’ll be picking people up from Rishikesh as well as the city of Badrinath on our way to Joshimath via the Badrinath road. The landscape you’ll pass through your route to Joshimath will blow your mind. Don’t forget to bring your camera so you can record these unforgettable experiences. Although while the 9-hour trip to Joshimath may leave you exhausted, keep in mind that you will never lack for stunning scenery. As we ascend, the river that parallels you on the other side will get wilder and more intriguing. You’ll go via four of the Panchprayag, or five happy links of the Ganga, on your way to Joshimath: Devaprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandaprayag. Now is the moment to get out your camera and sit back with wide eyes to catch some really breathtaking scenes of nature.
Around 22 kilometres separate Govindghat and Joshimath. Get up bright and early in the morning because you have a trip to Govindghat planned for right after breakfast. You will arrive to the last Vishnuptayag as you go down the path. We will arrive at Govindghat at about eight in the morning, and then go on to Pulna, which is located just four kilometres away from Govindghat. You should go ready for a challenging 9 kilometre race that includes crossing a creek called Pushpawati. Along this route, there are a number of little shops that sell delectable food items like as hot noodles, paratha, tea, omelettes with bread, and a variety of other similar dishes. As a result, you won’t ever have to worry about being hungry. After we have arrived in Pulna, we will begin our walk to Ghangharia on a well-defined stone-paved route that is appropriately designed with steps. You will be arriving at Bhyundar village, after 5km of walking. This settlement is well-known for the breathtaking vista that it provides of the Hathi Parvat mountains in the distance. In addition to this, the path is well-known for providing stunning vistas of the breathtaking natural environment that the world around us has to offer. You will first be given a delicious lunch, and then you will continue on the trail, which will get somewhat more difficult. You will arrive in Ghangharia in the evening, but before the sun goes down, and have time to rest while taking in the breathtaking scenery of the enchanting locale. After you have reached Ghangharia, you will be at a height of 3,000 metres (10,000 feet). You will also get the opportunity to see several unique bird species that are exclusive to the region’s mountainous terrain and can only be seen there. The guest home will serve as a gathering place for the hikers to unwind and spend the night throughout the evening.
Get up and eat breakfast by 7:00 in the morning, even if you have to get up early. The third day of our trip will be rather eventful since we will be hiking from Ghangaria to Valley of Flower and then back to Ghangaria again. This day will undoubtedly restock your recollections with some unforgettable and breathtaking perspectives of dreamland. The journey to Valley will allow you to feel the peace and tranquilly of nature away from the clamour and activity of city life. This is because Valley is a genuine natural beauty as well as the natural paradise of the world. From Ghangaria, the distance to the beginning of the hike is nearly 4 kilometres. The length of the valley is around 6-7 kilometres, and the distance that may be travelled inside the valley is going to be determined by the manner in which the trekkers choose to explore the valley. But, it will also be contingent on the stamina of those who are going on the walk. After you leave Ghangaria, the arrival of the forest check station will be after a period of thirty minutes. Despite the fact that you may not find the check post to be intriguing, there is a waterfall called the Laxman waterfall that is located just in front of the check post. After hiking for twenty minutes through the forest, visitors will reach the next point of interest. In this particular location, you will discover the Pushpavati river winding its way under the wooden bridge, providing a picture-perfect illustration of beauty. Even if it is rather common, there is still something special and captivating that you may catch with your camera. Like in times past, the path is both steep and stone-paved throughout its whole.
After a hearty breakfast, we will get started on our walk as soon as possible in order to get to the well-known holy site of Hemkund Sahib as quickly as possible. It is situated at a height that is both alpine and above the tree line at the same time. As a result of the large number of people that go to Hemkund Sahib in the hope of receiving blessings, the path that visitors use is not only quite broad but also very well marked. Along the path that leads from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib, there are a number of tea booths and dhabas that you may stop at. Along this route, when you get closer to an elevation of 4,000 metres, you will see that there are many Brahma Kamal flowers blooming. The ascent is unrelenting despite having just a little gradient. The journey to Hemkund Sahib is estimated to take between three and four hours to complete. You need to be aware that The Hemkund Sahib is regarded as the highest gurudwara in the world and is one of the most revered shrines for every Sikh.
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First, you can arrive at Delhi, Dehradun airport or Chandigarh. The journey from these locations to Rishikesh is explained below.
1. Take overnight train/bus to Rishikesh.
2. Take overnight train/bus to Haridwar and drive to Rishikesh (25km | 35 min drive with normal traffic).
3. Take overnight train/bus to Dehradun and drive to Rishikesh (50km | 1hr 20min drive with normal traffic).
We always recommend going for the govt. Buses over the private ones outside the bus station as based on the experience we have found that there are very high chances of delay involved with private buses. Also, govt. Buses are always more reliable. Whichever bus you choose, just make sure to reach Rishikesh at least by 05:30 am.
4. Board a flight to Dehradun airport (Jolly Grant Airport) (21 km, 30 min). If you’re arriving by air, then come one day in advance.
Valley of Flowers is a 6 day long trek that covers a distance of approximately 37 km.
Valley Of Flowers Trek is an easy to moderate grade trek.
Yes, it is advisable to be physically fit to undertake the Valley of Flowers Trek. While the trek is considered moderate in difficulty, it does require a certain level of physical endurance and stamina.
Yes, a permit is required to undertake the Valley of Flowers Trek. The Valley of Flowers National Park is a protected area, and obtaining a permit is necessary to regulate the number of visitors and ensure the preservation of the fragile ecosystem. When you trek with us, we obtain the permit for you.
During the Valley of Flowers Trek, the stay is arranged in guesthouses on a sharing basis ( Triple / Quad )
As you climb to higher altitudes, the air grows thinner and less oxygen is present. The amount of oxygen in our blood is equivalent to the proportion of haemoglobin that is saturated with oxygen. At altitudes above around 2,100 metres (7,000 feet), the amount of oxygen carried by our blood starts to decrease. At the same time, the human body possesses both immediate and long-term adaptations to altitude that help it somewhat compensate for the shortage of oxygen.
A Great First Trek for Anyone Who Wants to Get Into Hiking:
These are documents required for legal purposes by Trekgoindia and the forest department. Without any of these, you will not be allowed to trek.
Note: Trekgoindia has a panel of doctors who can help you with a medical certificate. They are available for online consultation. To get in touch with them, please write to trekgoindia@gmail.com. They will respond to you within 24 hours.
Consultation fee: Rs 300
PRO TIPS
Keep important documents in a clear plastic cover and slide them into the inner pocket at the back of your backpack. This keeps them from getting wet. Please note there is no facility to get printouts and photocopies at Sari.
Before you purchase any gear, make sure you visit the Crosstrek Rental store, where you can get custom-made high quality gear at 5% of the buying cost.
You can rent trekking shoes, backpacks, padded jackets, trekking poles, rainwear and headlamps for less than Rs 1400 for the entire duration of your trek.
Here is a list of everything you need for your trek.
Shoes and backpack
Warm Layers and Clothes
Accessories
Toiletries:
Cutlery:
Once you run through this list, don’t miss this ultimate guide on what gear to take on a trek. It contains tips on what gear to choose, where to get it from and how much to spend on it.
Our only tip: Keep your backpack light. Trekgoindia practices low impact sustainable trekking in every aspect of the trek. Carrying your own personal backpack reduces your impact on the mountains by 20%. We expect all our trekkers to carry their own backpacks unless they have a justifiable reason not to.
Carry these medicines with you, easily accessible at all times. Do not take any medicine unless you have consulted your trek leader.
Our trek leaders carry a high altitude medical kit with them which also consist of Life Saving Drugs. If there is an emergency our trek leaders know how to tackle it. Meanwhile, contact your trek leader before consuming any of these medicines listed here.
Pro Tip: We find that these medicines by trekkers are rarely used. But you cannot do away with them. At the end of the trek please donate unused medicines to your trek leader. Some of these medicines get distributed to villages on the trek and some are added to the Trekgoindia medical kit.
In the normal course of things, IndianTreks anticipates that you will be the one to carry your own personal gear; but, if you want to unload your backpack, you may give it to the mule.
Charge of offloading Backpack
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To book a trek or an adventure programme, please use our online booking form; if you prefer, you may also give us a call at the number provided. To confirm your reservation, you will need to wire a deposit in addition to the original payment.
Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip
Refund options
Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip
Refund options
Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip
Refund options
Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek
Refund options
Note- If a booking is made using a voucher or discount code, the policies related to vouchers and discounts cannot be modified.
In the unlikely event that TrekGoIndia cancels a trek prior to the scheduled departure date:
While it is extremely rare for TrekGoIndia to cancel a trek, we understand that unforeseen circumstances or natural disasters may occasionally require us to do so before the scheduled departure. These circumstances could include continuous rain or snow, thunderstorms, snowstorms, landslides, floods, earthquakes, or any other natural calamity that poses a risk to the safety of our trekkers. Additionally, unforeseeable events such as local riots, curfews, pandemics, lockdowns, government orders, or any similar situations that compromise the safety of the trekking experience may also necessitate a cancellation.
In the event of such a cancellation, TrekGoIndia will provide you with a voucher equivalent to the amount you paid for the trek. This voucher can be redeemed for any of our treks within the next year, allowing you to still enjoy an adventure with us at a later date.
Note
The issuance of a voucher is not applicable in situations where you are required to descend from the trek for any reason. The trek leader may make the decision to send you down from the trek due to factors such as insufficient fitness level, symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), high blood pressure, exceeding the designated turn-around-time, health concerns, or if you are found smoking, drinking, or violating the rules set for the trek. In such cases, the provision of a voucher does not apply.
In the rare event that TrekGoIndia shifts a trek:
We would like to emphasize that weather conditions in high-altitude areas are highly unpredictable and can undergo sudden changes at any time, irrespective of the day. Additionally, circumstances beyond our control, such as natural disasters, political unrest, pandemics, and lockdowns, may impact the feasibility of conducting a trek. In cases where we are unable to proceed with an event due to such circumstances that are beyond our direct control, we will make every effort to provide you with an alternative trek that is safer and more suitable.
In such situations, we will issue a voucher to offset the cost difference between the originally scheduled trek and the alternative trek. This voucher can be redeemed at any time within one year from the date of issue. Please note that a refund fee or reimbursement of the cost difference is not applicable in these cases.
Note:
Cash Voucher Terms:
Itineraries are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. “TrekGoIndia” reserves the right to change expedition dates, people or itineraries as conditions warrant. If a trip must be delayed or the itinerary changed due to bad weather, road conditions, transportation delays, government intervention, airline schedules, sickness, or other contingency for which TrekGoIndia or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. TrekGoIndia reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
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