The Valley of Flowers trek in Uttarakhand takes you through Nanda Devi National Park, deep in the Garhwal Himalayas. It spreads across 87 sq km, at an elevation of about 11,980 feet. This is one of the top treks in India, but the beauty of the valley remains pure and untouched. The sight of the Valley of Flowers, full of colourful blossoms of various hues and shades, nestled between rugged Himalayan slopes, is one that you will cherish forever.
The Valley of Flowers National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with over 300 species of wildflowers that bloom in the valley during the peak season. Every few days, some blooms fade, while new buds open up, creating a rainbow of perpetually changing colours. Apart from this, there are waterfalls, glaciers, towering mountains, mighty rivers and quaint villages to be explored, making it one of India's most popular treks.
There are a number of variations to the Valley of Flowers trek. You can customise it to suit your preferences. Hemkund Sahib is a popular addition to the itinerary. The emerald-green lake with the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara on the banks is an important pilgrimage spot for Sikhs, and a wonderfully serene spot to visit. Apart from this, some itineraries include a night in Auli or a visit to Badrinath temple on the way back.
The Valley of Flowers trek is a moderate trek and is great for both first-timers as well as experienced trekkers looking to visit. The trail is mostly paved and follows a gentle ascent, but there are some steep sections and tricky patches to negotiate, especially as trekkers approach Hemkund Sahib. It is suitable for families with children and is a popular destination for school groups too.
Camping is banned inside the Valley of Flowers, so trekkers return to their hotels and mountain lodges every evening. While the days are spent exploring the natural beauty of the Himalayas, the comforts of a hotel room at night make this an easy trek for first-timers.If you’re planning a trip to Uttarakhand, you should check out our list of Short Treks in Uttarakhand.
The Valley of Flowers in India opens for tourists between June to September, and peak blooming season is from mid-July to mid-August. During this season, over 300 species of wildflowers such as orchids, poppies, anemones, and even the rare Brahmakamal, bloom here. The temperatures are mild, with pleasant days and cooler nights and chances of rain.
Check out our blog, Best Season to Visit Valley of Flowers for a detailed description of what you’ll see each month.
Day 1: Haridwar to Govindghat
Day 2: Govindghat to Ghangaria
Day 3: Day trek to Valley of Flowers!
Day 4: Day trek to Hemkund Sahib
Day 5: Ghangaria to Govindghat
Day 6: Govindghat to Haridwar
In the early hours of the morning, you'll be picked up from Haridwar railway station and driven for about 8 to 9 hours to Govindghat. On your journey, you'll pass the holy city of Devprayag, at the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda rivers and reach Govindghat by evening.
Check-in at the hotel and spend the night resting and preparing for the trek the next day. Overnight at Govindghat in the hotel.
Day 2: Govindghat to Ghangaria
Today, you will trek up a well-maintained pilgrim trail to Ghangaria. It's an easy 14 km trek, with only a few challenging stretches of uphill climbs. You should finish this trek in about 4 hours. Overnight at Ghangaria in the hotel.
Day 3: Day trek to Valley of Flowers!
After an early breakfast, you will set off for the much-awaited Valley of Flowers trek. The trek to the valley is overall an easy climb. When you reach the valley, you'll be greeted with the most beautiful sight of blooming unique and beautiful flowers.
The Pushpawati stream that runs through the middle of the 10 km long valley makes this sight even more stunning. After getting an eyeful of this scenery, you will trek back to Ghangaria. Overnight at Ghangaria in the hotel.
Day 4: Day trek to Hemkund Sahib
Today, you'll trek up to an elevation of 14,202 feet to Hemkund Sahib. The trek involves steep slopes and is more challenging, compared to your other days of trekking. The views that you'll be treated with; however, will make it worth the climb
Hemkund Sahib is a Gurdwara situated on the banks of a glacial lake, surrounded by seven snow-capped mountains and is truly an awe-inspiring sight. By afternoon, you will begin trekking back to Ghangaria. Overnight at Ghangaria in the hotel.
Day 5: Ghangaria to Govindghat
Today, you will trek downhill to Govindghat. The trek is easy and will only take about 4 hours to reach Govindghat. Subject to good weather and road conditions, you will board vehicles at Govindghat and pay a visit to the holy temple in Badrinath. A final call will be taken by the tour leader on the day of the visit. If this visit is not likely to happen, then you can spend time exploring the picturesque town of Govindghat. Overnight at Govindghat in the hotel.
Day 6: Govindghat to Haridwar
You will set off on your drive back to Haridwar in the morning. You can eat lunch on the way. You will reach Haridwar by evening. Your trip ends here.
This trip includes:
You should plan your trek in the peak time, between the months of July to August, to make sure you have a gorgeous trek. During this period, you'll be able to set your eyes on over 300 species of blooming wildflowers.
As you trek through the valley, you'll spot the lush green paradise dotted with poppies, lilies, orchids, anemones and so much more. The atmosphere is filled with a sweet aroma and the days are pleasant while the nights are cool, with the low hanging clouds contemplating rain.
The Valley of Flowers opens up to travellers starting July. You’ll be surrounded by picturesque views of the Garwhal Himalayas carpeted in green, shroud by low-hanging clouds, and speckled with patches of snow that are yet to melt away.
Since July just marks the beginning of the flowering season, you’re not likely to see many flowers in bloom, but the greenery is still astounding. You may experience some rainfall towards the end of July, but the earlier days of the month are fairly pleasant.
We recommend July for trekkers that would like to visit when crowds are lesser and aren’t particularly trekking to see the flowers in bloom.
August is the peak month for the Valley of Flowers, in terms of flowering buds, rains, and even footfall. In the first weeks of this month, you’ll witness hundreds of rare and endemic species of flowers bloom, dot the landscape in a burst of colours, and wilt away only to make way for fresher flowers that change the scenery all over again.
Rains in the valley add another layer of fun to the trek as they aren’t too heavy. We recommend August to most trekkers as they can fully experience the magic of the Valley of Flowers in all its glory.
If you’re looking for lesser crowds in August, try trekking on weekdays as these days see lesser footfall as compared to weekends or public holidays.
The rains and flowers depart from the Valley of Flowers by mid-September. Most plants shed the last of their flowers, so if you’re visiting the valley just to catch their glimpse, September would not be the best time.
However, as the rains die down for the season, they leave the valley in a thick of green which also makes for some of the most beautiful sights you could lay your eyes upon. Given the greater level of ease without the rains, the valley tends to get crowded with pilgrims visiting the Hemkund Sahib gurudwara.
We recommend September for trekkers that are visiting with families that have slightly senior members or for those who wouldn’t like to trek in the rain. Do keep in mind that you will not be able to truly enjoy the flowers of the valley during this month.
Between July and September, the Valley of Flowers remains pleasant with light showers that peak in August. The temperature ranges between 20-25°C during the day and 3-8°C during the night. The months just before and after the peak season, i.e., May-June and October-November are slightly cooler and more pleasant without any rain or snowfall. The valley receives ample snowfall between December and April, and may remain inaccessible due to the depth of the snow.
The Valley of Flowers is open for a short window of time, from June to September. Once the rains begin, the peak blooming season is between mid-July and mid-August. The colours of the flowers change every few days, and the waterfalls and Hemkund Sahib are in full spate during this time. Note however that travel during the 15th August period gets especially crowded.
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For the Valley of Flowers trek, you will need to reach Haridwar. Most operators will cover your travel arrangements from here to the endpoint of the trek and back.
Jolly Grant Airport is the airport that serves Dehradun, located about 48 km from Haridwar. There are daily flights from Delhi and other major cities in India for Dehradun. From here, you can catch a taxi/cab to Haridwar.
Haridwar is connected to important cities in India like Mumbai, Delhi, Mussoorie, Varanasi, Kolkata, Lucknow by a strong rail network
There are many private and government buses offering their services from Delhi to Haridwar. The drop-off point of these buses is usually at Haridwar bus station. From here, you will have to make your way to Haridwar Railway Station.
Wear quick-dry t-shirts and track pants while trekking. Wear a full-sleeved sweater or fleece jacket, scarf and socks to protect yourself from the chill. make sure you carry extra pairs of socks.
If you're planning your trip during the monsoon season, wear a poncho or raincoat. Your trekking shoes must be sturdy and if it's new, make sure it's well broken into. You should also wear a sun cap and sunglasses while trekking during the day.
When picking trekking shoes, make sure they have a strong and sturdy sole and fit you perfectly. Though all treks may not require you to have shoes that have ankle support, it’s a good idea to invest in shoes that have good ankle support to provide you with more comfort on longer or harder treks.
Make sure that your shoes provide some rain protection and don’t get drenched easily. You can pick any brand based on your budget. Most importantly, make sure that you purchase your shoes at least one month prior to your departure and wear them, exercise in them, walk in them daily to break into them well before your trek begins. This ensures you don’t trek in uncomfortable shoes.
As for socks, keep multiple pairs of quick-dry trekking socks handy. Trekking socks go above your ankle and are made from materials that keep your feet dry and less sweaty. Carry thicker quick-dry socks for the night to keep your feet warm.
Pro Tip – For treks like Valley of Flowers, with potential damp conditions, carry antiseptic/wet wipes and wipe down your feet and let them dry before changing into your night socks. Check for any shoe bites, blisters, or other injuries before you sleep so you’re ready to put your shoes back on the next day.
Your trekking pants need to be quick-dry, water-resistant, and comfortable. Remember that you may need to wear thermal layers beneath your trekking pants (if you go in July) or rain pants over your trekking pants. Your trekking pants need to fit you well enough to accommodate these extra layers. Make sure you carry thicker pants for the night as it tends to get much colder.
For the Valley of Flowers trek, you will need synthetic trekking gloves. These need to be waterproof and quick-dry. They’ll come in handy to protect your hand from harsh weather and/or injuries and discomfort. Make sure they fit you well and aren’t too tight or too loose.
The Valley of Flowers receives ample rainfall from July-end to mid-September, accompanied by occasional showers before and after the peak monsoon season. You need to ensure that any gear you purchase for tackling rains in the Valley of Flowers is strictly waterproof and not simply water resistant.
You will need a rain jacket or a poncho (we prefer ponchos as they have ample room to cover you and your daypack), rain pants that go over your trekking pants, rain covers for your daypack and backpack that fit them securely and don’t fall off, and rain protection for your shoes. Please do not carry light jackets or windcheaters or umbrellas as they will not be able to protect you, your gear, and your personal belongings from the rain. Do not forget to cover your backpack in its rain cover before you give it to your porter to carry.
For the Valley of Flowers trek, we recommend carrying a quick-dry sun cap and a woollen cap.
Your sun cap should fit you well, have a brim at the front, and a flap at the back that covers the back of your neck, protecting it from sunburn. We recommend carrying a few handtowels that you can soak with water and lay them on the back of your neck in case you do suffer from a sunburn.
Your woollen cap should be made from thick and good quality material that can insulate heat well. It should fit your head snugly and cover your ears to protect you from cold winds.
On the Valley of Flowers trek, the temperatures and weather conditions constantly change during the day. Days may be sunny or rainy and nights may be chilly and cold. Make sure all your layers of clothing are easy to put on and remove as you may need to keep switching them up.
Your base clothing layers (consisting of your innerwear and thermals) should be comfortable, thin, quick-dry, and fit close to your body. Wear a thin, quick-dry, full-sleeved sports t-shirt beneath your t-shirt to protect your arms from harsh weather conditions and injury. In July, you may need to wear insulation layers like a sweater or fleece jacket and fleece pants.
A few essentials for this trek include a minimum 50-litre backpack and a minimum 10-litre daypack, both protected by a rain cover, trekking poles, water bottles, headlamp or torch with fresh and extra pair of batteries.
You will need to consider the duration of the trek to determine the size of your backpack. It’s always a good idea to check the recommended backpack size with your operator. Make sure you purchase an appropriately sized rain cover for your bag that fits it well and ensures that it stays completely dry.
On most Valley of Flowers trekking itineraries, your backpack will be carried by a porter (don’t forget to cover your backpack before handing it over to them). You will only have access to your backpack when you reach your guesthouse/hotel, which is why it’s a good idea to carry a daypack that will hold your snacks, water bottles, emergency and prescription medicines, camera, basic toiletries, jackets, etc.
Do carry some plastic or reusable synthetic bags to store your wet, sweaty, or dirty clothes and keep them separate from your fresh clothes and other items.
Lastly, but most importantly, CHECK YOUR BAGS! A few weeks before your departure, check all the straps, zips, and velcro fittings of your bag and make sure they’re in good condition. Fill your bag up completely and check if the straps are able to hold the weight of a stuffed bag. If you find anything that needs fixing, get the mends done and recheck your bag. Do this both for your daypack and backpack.
The Valley of Flowers trek can get sunny and give you slight headaches. Buy sturdy, well-fitting sports sunglasses that have UV protection lenses. If you wear prescription glasses, check if your sunglasses have the same updated prescription to ensure you can see clearly through them and don’t get uncomfortable trying to adjust to different prescriptions. Make sure your sunglasses have a plastic frame as metal can get cold and cause discomfort. Carry a sturdy case to store your sunglasses (and another one for your prescription glasses if you wear any).
A headlamp is one of the handiest tools you can bring with yourself on the Valley of Flowers trek. It keeps you handsfree while helping you in various situations from going to the washroom at night to finding your way back to your group in case you get lost. It also may be possible that your trek gets stretched past sundown, where a headlamp will be extremely useful in watching the trail ahead you.
Make sure your headlamp fits you comfortably, is functioning properly, and has fresh batteries. Do carry some extra batteries just in case you run out.
A trekking pole can come very handy in the Valley of Flowers trek, especially on the steeper stretches and on your trek to Hemkund Sahib. It provides relief when trekking for long hours by helping with weight distribution and helps you maintain your balance on some of the rougher, steeper patches. Make sure your pole is sturdy, has a good grip, and is collapsible so you can easily fit it in your daypack. In case you don’t wish to invest in a trekking pole, you can ask your operator to rent one out to you at an additional cost.
Firstly, make sure your toiletries are packed in a tightly sealed, waterproof pouch. Carry enough of the following to last you the duration of your trek, and then some more. You will be trekking to remote areas where there may not be shops for you to purchase these items.
As a general rule, carry 2 one-litre reusable water bottles per person. Make sure that at least one of your bottles is thermally regulated as you may need to sip on warm water or soup when it gets cold (your trek staff will give you the boiled water or soup).
If you plan on carrying hydration packs instead, make sure they fit you well and are easy to strap around you. They should be able to hold at least 500ml of water. We would still recommend also carrying at least one thermal flask for the hot water/soup.
It’s always a good idea to have a basic pen knife with a pair of scissors, a knife, toothpick, screwdriver, etc. on hand. This can come in handy to cut fruit if you get snacky while on the trek, replace some cutlery, help you mend small damages to your bags or shoes, and much more.
Though your trek guide will be carrying a first aid kit, you should also carry a personal first aid kit with gauze, sprain bandage, antiseptic liquid, cotton, muscle relief spray, and loads of band aids. Also carry altitude sickness pills (please consult your trek guide before taking one) and pills for headaches, an upset stomach, cold, cough, allergies, and nausea.
Carry your personal prescription pills to last you all the days of your trek and then some extra in case your trek gets stretched due to unforeseen circumstances. Do check your medical kit for stock and expiration dates well in advance.
The Valley of Flowers trek is ideal for fit beginners and even families with children who want to experience Himalayan trekking. The minimum age requirement is 8 yrs. You will be required to cover a great distance in a short period of time, so it's best to spend some time building your stamina. You can prepare for this trek by performing exercises like stair climbing, jogging, running, etc.
Although the trek is easy, do keep in mind that you will be walking on an ascend for several hours each day, nearing an altitude of approximately 11,200 ft above sea level.
Make sure you walk or do cardio exercises for at least an hour a day in the weeks leading up to your trek. Additionally, walk up several flights of stairs to build stamina and to get accustomed to uphill climbs, practise yoga and breathing exercises to regulate your breathing, and go for a few short runs once you’ve built onto your stamina.
Remember to rest and take your exercises easy in the days before your trek to avoid overworking yourself.
Cancellation policies differ from operator to operator. These policies are available on our website’s trip booking pages. As a general rule, any no shows will not receive a refund.
All trekkers are required to be doubly vaccinated to join any departure for the Valley of Flowers trek. Trekkers are required to maintain social distancing of 6 feet from one another (or from one personal group/family to the other). Temperatures of all trekkers will be screened before the departure with thermal temperature guns, and those with abnormal temperatures may be disallowed from joining the trek group.
If at any point of the trek you feel unwell or symptomatic, please inform your trek leader and they’ll provide you with the next steps of action. Do ask your operator for additional protocols that they undertake before you depart for your trek.
All permits and National Park entry formalities will be arranged by your trek operator. You will simply need to carry a government-issued ID. Do ensure that you stay updated on the COVID-19 guidelines laid by Uttarakhand authorities and carry any vaccination certificates or RT-PCR reports as mandated.
You’ll be given freshly cooked vegetarian meals. Please check which meals are included in your package. During road travel, the group will stop by a local highway restaurant/dhaba. Here meals are to be purchased by trekkers themselves.
Your trek guide is fully equipped to help you in case of an emergency. A basic first aid kit will be available, but please ensure that you carry your personal medication for the trip. In case you are feeling unwell or seem unfit to carry on with the trek, your guide may advise you to remain at the base camp. To ensure your safety, and of those around you, consumption of alcohol, tobacco products, vape pens, or any other intoxicants is strictly prohibited.
Yes, you will need to inform the hotel manager an hour prior to this. Note, water is heated on wood fires and takes time, especially when large groups of people arrive at the same time and request water. In most packages the cost of hot water is not included and the homestay/hotel is likely to charge you a small amount for each bucket of water.
There is no network on the Valley of Flowers trek. The last place you’re likely to get any network connection is at Govindghat. Hotels and guesthouses to have electricity (be prepared for outages), but most do not have any internet connection.