Valley Of Flowers Trek From Rishikesh

About this activity

Valley Of Flowers Trek 2023 (5 Days and 4 Nights) – Divine Travels

Upcoming Valley of Flowers trek 2022 on 21st and 28th August as per the given itinerary.  Customised private tours are possible from early July till end of September. Submit the Booking form to get all relevant details in email.

Valley of Flowers trek is a chart topper, when you are considering a monsoon trek.

Attention: Valley of Flowers trek Latest updates & Status July 2022

As we update this section in mid July, Valley Of Flowers is open i.e. the forest department is issuing national park entry permits/tickets. Valley was closed on 10th July and reopened again the very next day. Here are the photos after reopening the park on 11th July.

Note that it is not uncommon to close the valley temporarily for a day due to precautionary measures. For example if heavy rain continues during night and even in the morning then the forest department may not issue entry tickets on that day. Usually their staff will inspect the route on the same day and quickly fix any risk of rockfall/slides on the trail. In this case we will visit Hemkund Sahib on this day and Valley of flowers the next day so that we can cover both.

There are speculations of early bloom due to intense heat throughout the summer. However we found the valley is still in the early bloom stage with a few flowers as one can expect in early July. As the monsoon is picking some momentum now, we can expect more flowering in mid and late July.

All travellers are required to fill Hemkund Sahib Registration Form on the E-Portal. Save the PDF file and take a print. There is a cap of 5000 entries per day to the Gurudwara this year. Fill the form as per the dates of your itinerary. Additionally carry your COVID vaccination certificate(s) and a Photo ID card along with a photocopy of  each.

Important note on itinerary:

• Often it is convenient to reach Rishikesh anytime on Day 0. Either you can fly to Dehradun, Jolly Grant airport (1 hour drive from Rishikesh) or you can get Volvo services (morning and overnight) from ISBT Kashmiri Gate Delhi to Rishikesh (5/6 hours). Arrange your stay in Rishikesh accordingly.
• You may opt for a shared transportation with other group members (NOT included in the TREK FEE) from Rishikesh on Day 1 at 6 a.m. Pick up spots are ISBT, Rishikesh and Tapovan checkpost on Badrinath highway. Else you are free to reach basecamp independently. Similarly you will return to Rishikesh on Day 6 evening by 7 pm. Pick up spot is ISBT, Rishikesh or Tapovan checkpost.
• The Last ATM is at Joshimath, ~20 Km before Govindghat. Withdraw cash well in advance either in Rishikesh, Srinagar or Karnaprayag.
• Major mobile networks work at trek base Govindghat. You will get some or intermittent mobile connectivity at Ghangaria.

Why Valley of Flowers is special:

Already you may be in love with the just wow photos, typically a slope of a mountain covered with wild flowers. You can see somewhat similar flower covered slopes or ground  in some other valleys on the Himalayas as well. However this valley is not special due to a few varieties in abundance during monsoon. But it is the sheer variety and the amount of flowers together that make Valley of Flowers a unique and a must to visit place for a nature lover.

About Valley Of Flowers trek:

Legend and myths met reality when three British mountaineers Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton and Romilly Holdsworth lost their way and reached this piece of paradise on earth. They went to Mt. Kamet expedition (First ascent) and entered into Bhyundar valley during their dramatic descent. Unknowingly the trio found this valley instead of as planned to reach Mana village. Hence the outer world knew that the valley exists.

According to Hindu mythology this is the Nandan Kanan, garden of Lord Indra. A high altitude valley carved by glacial action of the river Pushpawati and runs east west direction along the river. According to a legend, the river was named Pushpawati by the Pandavas when they saw flowers floating on the waters of this snow fed river.

A gigantic snow clad ridge hems this valley from almost all sides. On an average the valley is around 5 Km long and 1 Km wide. Altitude varies between  ~ 3200 m to 3600 m. The area blooms in alpine vegetation for a period of 15-20 weeks (June to October). Rataban peak and Tipra glacier mark the boundary of the valley in the upstream direction. This National Park is truly an all-in-one as a botanist’s dream, an ornithologist’s charm, a photographer’s excitement and a hiker’s delight.

The valley turns in pink, white, blue and violet cover during monsoon (July-August). Anemone, Balsam, Angelica, Bell Flower, Brahma Kamal, Blue Poppy, Forget Me Not, Cobra Lily, Marsh Marigold and Birch are a few common types abundant inside the valley.

Pushpawati flowing through the valley and Laxman Ganga coming from the Hemkund Sahib meet below Ghagaria. From here on it is called Laxman Ganga or sometimes Bhyundar Ganga which in turn meets Alaknanda at Govindghat.

The initial trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria is a long walk of 14 Km, though it’s mostly gradual along with Pushpawati River. Now a motor able road is constructed further till Pulna village, 4 Km ahead. You may hire a car and share with the fellow trekkers. This reduces the trail to around 4 Km and the initial climb from the bridge on the Alaknanda River. Second and the last climb is from Bhyunder village to the Helipad ground from where Ghangaria is another Kilometre walk. You will get tea-stalls/small dhaba throughout the trail within short intervals.

Although the paved walk till Ghangaria isn’t worth much, things change dramatically from here onward. We will visit two valleys on two separate days in our tour. The trail to our left goes inside the Valley of flowers. This trail is pristine and no nuisance of horses inside. This very special valley is indeed very charming for the experienced Himalayan hikers as well. We will walk to the head of the valley and return to Ghangaria.

Next we will visit Hemkund Sahib, a moderate climb to a large high altitude lake and the holy shrine. You may think of hiring a horse on the paved way, if you don’t wish to test your endurance. This track is different from the one inside the valley, but indeed worth a visit. As you gain altitude you will get some snow sections even as late as July. As we approach ~ 4000 m/13000 ft, the terrain gets rocky and is ideal for Brahmakamal bloom.

Valley of flower Trek from Rishikesh 5 Days and  4 Nights Trekking package include Trekking guide, food, stay and transfer.

Distance to Valley of flowers trek (Ex Rishikesh) 285kms and 18kms approx. (one side)
Best Time to Visit Valley of flowers : Mid of Jully to End of October
Region: Garhwal Resion, Uttarakhand
District: Chamoli Garhwal Uttarakhand, India
Altitude: 14,100 feet
Trekking Grade: Easy
Trek Category: High Altitiude Pass
Market and Network: Main Market at Joshimath and Network is available (Airtel, Vodafone, Idea, BSNL, Jio)
Entry Time Valley of Flowers:  Morning open at 7.00 am to last entry is allowed till 2.00 pm every day. You should start back 1 pm to 5.00 pm.

Valley of Flower Opening Date: 1st June 2022
Valley of Flower Closing Date: 31th October 2022