Uttarakhand trek

Valley of Flowers Trek

A UNESCO valley that blooms for a few weeks each monsoon

The Valley of Flowers is an easy to moderate trek in Uttarakhand's Chamoli district, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Nanda Devi National Park. Plan about 6 days from Rishikesh or Dehradun, between July and September when the flowers bloom, often combined with Hemkund Sahib.

Max altitude: About 12,000 ft in the valley, higher at Hemkund Sahib
Duration: About 6 days from Rishikesh or Dehradun
Difficulty: Easy-moderate
Best time: July to September, the park opens around June and closes by October
Base: Ghangaria, reached from Govindghat
Getting there: Rishikesh or Dehradun, then a long road day to Govindghat

Valley of Flowers trek: Valley of Flowers National Park 23

Why people pick Valley of Flowers

Meadows of wildflowers framed by glaciers
Hemkund Sahib, a high-altitude Sikh shrine beside a lake
A monsoon trek, when most Himalayan trails are closed

Route, day by day

The usual shape of the trek. Exact camps and timings vary by operator and conditions.

A long mountain drive along the Alaknanda.

Trek or part-drive up to the base village.

Day walk into the valley and back to Ghangaria.

A steep climb to the lake and shrine, back the same day.

Descend and drive towards Joshimath or beyond.

The long drive back.

Fitness

Easy-moderate. The Hemkund day is steep, rain gear matters more than anything else.

What to carry

Trekking shoes with ankle support, broken in
Three warm layers and a waterproof jacket
Headlamp, sunglasses and sunscreen
Two water bottles
Personal medicines and a small first aid kit
Original photo ID

Before you book

Monsoon landslides can close the road to Govindghat for hours or days. Keep a buffer day.

Valley of Flowers questions

Late July to mid August is usually the peak bloom, with different flowers through July to September.

The park is typically open from around June to October, with entry permitted in daylight hours only and no camping inside. Stays are at Ghangaria.

Add a few days near Valley of Flowers

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