The Valley of Flowers Trek sounds appealing. If so, you've found the right site. I traveled alone for six days and independently completed the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. Traveling altogether on a shoestring from Mumbai, I could finish the Valley of Flowers by myself in 4000 Indian Rupees. Therefore, You can certainly accomplish it as well!
This is India's most stunning flower valley, and visiting it will reward you with breathtaking panoramic vistas that will transport you to a paradise.
Read this Valley of Flowers Trek blog to learn how you may successfully execute this journey by yourself, on a tight budget, and with a tonne of fun.
Planning your Valley of Flowers Trek: Important Information
The Valley of Flowers National Park is a protected area in the Himalayan highlands of Northern India. The Valley lies in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It is a top-rated tourist destination and is home to some of the most beautiful flowers in the world. VOF might be it if you are looking for a place with breathtaking panoramic vistas!
It is an internationally recognized biodiversity hotspot and home to endangered species like the snow leopard and musk deer. The Valley is also a popular destination for tourists from all over India, and they come to witness the spectacular views of lush green meadows, towering mountains, and glaciers.
Important Information about Valley of Flowers
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand is home to thousands of Himalayan wildflowers and breathtaking valleys encircled by rivers, waterfalls, and snow-capped mountains.
- One of the most well-known treks in India, it is only accessible to the general public every year during the monsoon season. Check out the best time to visit the Valley of flowers below.
- Exploring the easy-to-moderate Valley of Flowers trip takes a day.
- The Valley of Flowers National Park does not permit camping.
- The Valley of Flowers hike can be completed independently because the trail is well-maintained.
- Let me briefly describe the trek's route before you look at the entire schedule in this Valley of flowers trek guide. – Valley of Flowers > Govind Ghat > Ghangaria > Joshimath > Rishikesh.
To answer any of your queries, continue reading this Valley of Flowers Trek guide.
The trek to the Valley of Flowers lasts how many days?
The number of days required to complete the Valley of Flowers is up to you. You can enjoy each step of your journey through the Valley of Flowers. If you travel alone, you can make the trip last six to ten days; however, if you want to get there quickly, it will only take two to four days.
Depending on your tastes, the weather, and your degree of fitness, you should be able to cover the entire trip from Delhi to the Valley of Flowers in 4 to 6 days.
Of course, if you are traveling from another city, add a day or two, depending on your means of transportation.
Best way to reach the Valley of Flowers National Park
These are the different routes you can take to get to the Valley of Flowers, leaning on your starting pinpoint and the time you hold to trek.
How do you go from Delhi to Rishikesh?
Hike to the Valley of Flowers from Delhi: Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand and Delhi are 515 kilometers apart. The first leg of your journey will be from Delhi to Rishikesh, where the trip will begin. Afterward, from Rishikesh to Joshimath to Ghangaria and scroll further to Valley of Flowers National Park Uttarakhand.
Bus from Delhi to Rishikesh: It takes between six and eight hours to travel directly by bus from Delhi to Rishikesh. There are both public and private buses. At Maharana Pratap Inter State Bus Terminus or ISBT, you can purchase tickets for travel to Rishikesh.
Train from Delhi to Rishikesh: There is no direct train from Delhi to Rishikesh. The closest train station, Haridwar, is just 30 minutes from Rishikesh and is where you can exit the train. Several shared taxis from Haridwar will transport you to Rishikesh for a meager cost of around Rupees 100.
By Air: Dehradun International Airport is the closest airport to Rishikesh from Delhi. Daily, a few flights go from Delhi to Dehradun, and over 300 kilometers separate Dehradun from the Valley of Flowers. Depending on your budget, you can go to Rishikesh from Dehradun by bus, shared taxi, or private taxi.
What time of year is ideal for a trip to Valley of Flowers?
Because it is a monsoon walk, the most fantastic time to visit the Valley of Flowers is while it is raining. On a more serious note, the Valley of Flowers National Park opens each year from the end of June to the middle of September. Several months in advance, the precise dates are revealed. For the remainder of the year, the flower valley is still closed.
The wildflowers of the Himalayas begin to bloom in July, though occasionally, it might start late and in August as well. Some blooms begin to wilt by the end of August, and they keep getting smaller until September. When I visited at the end of July, roughly 70% percent of the flowers were in bloom.
What time of year is ideal for visiting Valley of Flowers?
The final week of July through mid-August, when the full bloom occurs, is when locals advise visiting the Valley of Flowers. Again, the later, the better; August is an excellent choice to see the unique Himalayan blooms!
But there's a problem. It will undoubtedly rain because it is monsoon season, and downpours are typically intense throughout these weeks.
If it is heavy, it is impossible to hike since the park may be closed, or it may take you longer to get to the base village because of the frequent landslides and road blockages at this time of year.
The difficulty of the Valley of Flowers Trek
The Valley of Flowers is located in the beginning scale of the high altitude range, with an elevation between 3,300 and 3,600 meters, or 11,000 and 12,000 feet. This high altitude can result in severe mountain sickness for most of us.
If you've done high-altitude trekking before and are reasonably fit, this shouldn't be too challenging. You are the best person to determine how your body is responding because everyone's body responds to the mountains differently. Each day, you will hike for roughly five to seven hours, covering a distance of about 45 kilometers.
But remember to adhere to the standard trekking rules when doing the Valley of Flowers trip. It is preferable if you engage in some moderate physical activity every day for two to three hours at least 15 days before the excursion if you have never gone on a hike before. Although not a very strict guideline, this would be the best scenario. You can easily pull this off if you are physically fit enough.
Cost of Valley of Flowers Trek
The trek cost from Rishikesh or Joshimath and return if you choose a Valley of Flowers tour with any trek agencies, ranges roughly between 7000 INR and 13000 INR. Most people go on five to seven-day treks.
It cost me about 4000 INR to go from Delhi to the Valley of Flowers and to complete the Hemkund Sahib trek. At the bottom of this piece, you may see a thorough breakdown of my costs.
Detailed Trail Itinerary for the Valley of Flowers
Let me now provide you with the schedule you can use for your trek to the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand.
The Valley of Flowers is one of Uttarakhand's most beautiful and unique places. The Valley of Flower is located in the Himalayan region, just a few hours from the city of Rishikesh or Haridwar, Uttarakhand. The Valley of Flowers National Park was established for conservation and protection. With a large variety of flowers and wildlife, some rare or endemic to this region only.
Day 1: Rishikesh to Joshimath to Govind Ghat
Although it's a long day of travel, the actual expedition begins in Joshimath, the schedule you see in Valley of Flowers tour packages. Depending on the mode of transportation, the journey from Rishikesh to Joshimath takes 8 to 10 hours.
About 270 kilometers separate Rishikesh from the Valley of Flowers, and about 245 kilometers separate Rishikesh and Joshimath. Finally, it is recommended to hike most of the 20 kilometers between Joshimath and Valley of Flowers.
How do I go from Rishikesh to Joshimath?
Bus service connects Joshimath with Rishikesh. Two or three direct buses per day leave at 4 am, and there aren't many public buses; the last one departs at 5:00 am. The price is less than Rs 300.
Make sure to arrive early, perhaps as early as 3.30 am. If you arrive at the bus stop at 5:15 am, the last bus has already left, and you will have to pay more for the shared jeep for Rishikesh to Joshimath travel.
Where to find Buses or Jeeps from Rishikesh to Joshimath?
It would be too early in the morning to drive to Rishikesh's bus station so that you can wait around Tapovan, directly after Lakshman Jhula, instead. You can still board from the station, but it would cost more to take a taxi to get there!
The entire route from Rishikesh is filled with beautiful landscapes! There is a tiny police chowk after Lakshman Jhula. Buses and jeeps from there pick up passengers. There isn't a sign, but you can ask a local where the bus stop is because everyone knows where it is.
Getting from Joshimath to Govind Ghat
Before Joshimath, a little settlement called Govind Ghat was the starting point for trekkers traveling to Hemkund Sahib. Take a shared taxi from Joshimath to Govind Ghat after you are there. You shouldn't spend more than 100 INR on it. Getting to Govind Ghat will take you 45 minutes.
Ideally, it would be best if you arrived at Govind Ghat no later than 8:00 pm. Discuss it with the driver if you take a jeep to Joshimath because they typically drop you off at Govind Ghat as well. They could quote a higher price but barter to lower it to two hundred and fifty rupees.
Advice: To make it to Govind Ghat by nightfall, start your day early, preferably before 4 am. The highlands' weather is entirely erratic, and obstacles are frequent. I began at 05:00 am and arrived at Govind Ghat at 07:00 pm, with two roadblocks in the countryside postponing me by roughly one hour.
Where to Stay at Govind Ghat: Govind Ghat offers a wide selection of small, inexpensive hotels, ranging in price from Rs 300 to 1000 a night. Finding a restaurant is not difficult because there are so many options available. You can also stay at the Govind Ghat Gurudwara to taste the local culture, which was an incredible adventure.
Where to stay at Joshimath: If you're staying in Joshimath, don't worry if you can't go to Govind Ghat. Since it is an hour away, you must start early the following day to compensate for the lost time.
Joshimath, a somewhat larger town, has many affordable lodging options and contemporary hotels.
Visit The Sleeping Beauty Hotel, a fantastic low-cost hotel in a terrific area. Mountain Studio and The Snow City are other cheap lodging options in Joshimath.
Check out Tattva Resorts, Mountain Rover, and Shivalik Camps & Resort for some self-care if you feel like it before or after this hike. They all have beautiful vistas.
Go instead to the government-run GMNV guest rooms, which are moderately priced and offer dorm beds for between Rs 200 and Rs 250. They are clean and kept in good condition. One is in the center, and the other is in upper Joshimath. There are two GMNV residences; you can reserve your stay by calling them the same day or the day before.
Day Two of Valley of Uttarakhand Trek: Govind Ghat to Ghangaria
The actual trek begins; start your day at Ghangaria village, the base camp for the two expeditions, at six in the morning. Govind Ghat and Ghangaria are separated by around 12 kilometers. Shared taxis are available and travel 4 kilometers.
In Govind Ghat, there is a bridge with a checkpoint. Here, registering first necessitates submitting your information. Nearby, shared taxis are parked, and four kilometers are covered in roughly 15 minutes.
Even more difficult than the expedition to the Valley of flowers itself is the hike to Ghangaria. The walk is eight kilometers long one way, but 80 percent of it is uphill, with certain sections being particularly steep. If you find it difficult, you might get a passage on a mule or hire porters to carry your backpacks.
Day Three: Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers
The Valley of Flowers Trek Map can be seen when you begin your excursion, and you will find it at the entrance. When making a solo walk to the Valley of Flowers, it is preferable to have a picture on your phone as a reference.
The distance from Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers is six kilometers. Depending on how long you plan to spend in the national park and how quickly you go through the terrain, the trip from Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers takes five to six hours. Fortunately, there is just a 200-meter elevation gain, and the landscape is varied but attainable. You all who love the outdoors will adore the hike.
A signpost directs you to the valley of flowers as you leave Ghangaria, which you should follow to arrive at the checkpoint. You must enter and obtain the tickets, and Indian citizens must pay 150 INR for entrance.
Finally, your chance to fully experience the Valley's beautiful wildflowers, including the rare and priceless blue poppy and hundreds of varieties of tiny flowering plants, all of which are surrounded by unbelievable scenery.
Pro Tip: Set out on your trek as soon as possible, preferably at 06:00 am. The weather often deteriorates over the day, and heavy downpours typically start about midday. Additionally, a head start guarantees more time to wander along the valley. After all this hiking, it takes some time to enjoy the scenery and take in the magnificence.
Where to stay after your Valley of flower trek: After a tiring but incredibly gratifying day, return to Ghangaria to give your body a break. You merit a reward since you achieved!
Day Four: Ghangari to Hemkund Sahib to Ghangaria
After your hike through the Valley of Flowers, you now have two choices. The first option is to return to Govindghat or Joshimath. The second option is a beautiful glacial lake hike and a Gurudwara Sikh temple, both popular pilgrimage destinations, which can be found at Hemkund Sahib.
Witnessing some stunning high-altitude Himalayan blooms unique to Hemkund Valley of Flowers makes it even more special.
The five kilometers hike from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib has more challenging terrain than the Flowers Valley Trek. An increase in altitude of 1200 meters is also seen, and It's a difficult pilgrimage but achievable! You need to return by 05:00 pm, and you should return to Ghangaria.
Start your hike before 06:00 am. Just remember to include the necessities, like a water bottle, energy snacks, fruits, a poncho, trekking poles, and photography equipment.
Where to stay after Hemkund Sahib Trek: After completing the rewarding Hemkund Sahib trek, you must return to Ghangaria for a well-deserved relaxation.
Day Five: Ghangaria to Govind Ghat hike and Joshimath
Even though the expedition back to Govind Ghat from Ghangaria appears to be shorter, it still takes five hours. As you would need to travel there to get a bus or a jeep to get to Rishikesh, it is best to stay in Joshimath.
You can leave early and walk back within three hours to get to Rishikesh by jeep the same day. The best place to stay will be at Joshimath, and you can also stay at Govind Ghat if you are late.
Day 6: Joshimath to Rishikesh end of Valley of Flowers Trek
Take an early-morning bus or shared jeeps from Joshimath to get to Rishikesh in the evening. The town of Rishikesh is lovely and filled with things to do. Therefore, if you have the time, you may explore this charming town for a few days. To everyone, I'd heartily suggest this town!
Where to stay when in Rishikesh?
In Rishikesh, there are several hotels in every price category, including homestays and guesthouses.
Rajendra Yoga & Wellness Center, Anjali Home Stay, Ambika Resorts, Shalom Backpackers Rishikesh, Blue Jay Hostel Rishikesh, and Nature Care Village- Ayurveda Yoga Retreat are a few places to look for inexpensive lodging.
I recommend the following budget hotels and guesthouses: Hotel Indira Nikunj, Hotel Ganga Forest View, Hotel Tip Top Rishikesh, and Raj Cottage Ganga Vatika.
Things to Carry for Valley of Flowers National Park Trek?
What Should I Pack for a Trek Through the Valley of Flowers? Only bring what you need in your luggage; this should be plenty. Poncho, Umbrella, three layers of clothing for the cold, a wind jacket, waterproof hiking boots, water bottles, and a trekking pole must all be included. Don't forget to pack a little first aid kit—a dry bag to keep gadgets dry.
The trail is difficult, so try to carry as little as possible. It was hard to journey with a large backpack because I had added some more clothing.
To keep hydrated, sip plenty of water. As you go, the altitude changes, from an elevation of 1500 meters to 3100 meters in a few hours.
If you go slowly, you should get to Ghangaria between 4 and 5 p.m. In any case, be sure to arrive before it becomes dark.
Where should you stay when hiking in the Valley of Flowers?
As you can see from the schedule, you will spend more time in Ghangaria. Several lodging alternatives range from contemporary hotels to tents, and rooms start at 500 Indian rupees. Ghangaria also has a Gurudwara where you are welcome to stay for free.
Which one should you visit first, Hemkund Sahib or Valley of Flowers?
Now, if you've decided to hike both the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, you may choose the sequence in which you do both. There are, however, two methods for doing this technique. Go for the valley of flowers instead of the other treks if you feel like you need to warm up and acclimate first.
Hemkund Sahib, on the other hand, ought to be your first option if, like me, you feel the impulse to finish the most complex tasks first.
Cost of a solo trek across the Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand?
These are my costs for traveling from Delhi to the Valley of Flowers and back.
- Delhi to Rishikesh Bus Return Trip = Rs 1000
- Rishikesh to Joshimath Jeep Return trip cost = Rs 1000
- Accommodation expenses one-day hotel cost in Ghangaria = Rs 500
- Free stay at Ghangaria Gurudwara
- Free stay at Govindghat Gurudwara
- Valley of Flowers trek Entry fee is Rs 150
- Food for six days you can eat food at Gurudwara in between for free = Rs 1200
- I did not buy any packaged mineral water on this trip
- I did not buy any packaged snacks like chips and biscuits on this trek
Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand Total Expense is Rs 3850.
It's a wonderful place to explore, and The Valley of Flowers is the most beautiful and unique place in the world. It's home to diverse flora and fauna, including rare orchids.
Endless meadows of flowers, natural ponds, mesmerizing views, and more Visit this paradise today, and you will never regret it!
