Receive information on multiple itineraries for Valley of Flowers Trek. Book your spot now !
View our privacy policy. *
We have a long but scenic drive ahead of us all the way to Auli. We can also pick you up en route if you wish to arrive a few days prior to explore Rishikesh and its neighbourhood. On our way to Joshimath, we stop at Devprayag to see the confluence of the rivers Alaknanda and Bhagirathi, which form the holy river Ganges. We reach Joshimath by evening and check-in to hotel. We have rest of the day free to relax or to explore the area on your own.
Meals: D
Accommodation: Hotel
We're excited, because it's our first day trekking! We drive to Govindghat, and from here we trek 13 km to Ghangaria, the base camp for the Valley of Flowers. We reach by afternoon and can spend the rest of the day relaxing or exploring the area.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Lodge/Guesthouse
An exciting day awaits us, as we leave for the Valley of Flowers. After breakfast, we make our through beautiful meadows covered with a carpet of flowers of myriad colors and surrounded by the snow-capped Himalayas. Here you will find almost 300 species of wild flowers blooming. In the afternoon we head back to the hotel at Ghanagaria.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Lodge/Guesthouse
Today, the people interested in learning about nature and flower species have an option to continue exploring the Valley of flowers while the trekking enthusiasts could proceed towards Hemkund Sahib. Hemkund Sahib is a revered Sikh shrine on the banks of the Hemkund Lake. The trek to Hemkund is a steep climb alongside the Laxman Ganga River. Once we reach there, we can take in the beauty that surrounds us. Then it's back to the Ghangaria stay.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Lodge/Guesthouse
Today, we trek down to Govindghat via the same route and then get into our waiting vehicles who will drive us to lower Auli.
Meals: B, L, D
Accommodation: Lodge/Guesthouse
Breakfast and drive back to Rishikesh from Joshimath
Meals: B
Santosh, the founder of Adventure Trekking India, was born in Dadun village close to Joshimath, literally in the foothills of the legendary Nandadevi. From his childhood, his dream was to explore the Himalayas. While in school he started guiding and right after completing high school in 2003, he started his own guiding agency: “Adventure Trekking India”, which he has established and grown over the years. After Santosh completed MA in Eco Tourism, he was appointed by the Uttarakhand Tourism Department as the Officer in Special Duty (“OSD”) for its ground adventure project. Santosh started guiding in 2000 when he supported a trekking team of European senior citizens to the Valley of Flowers. Early in his career in 2003, he guided a team from the Indian Air Force in an expedition to climb Mt. Kamet. Since then, he has been instrumental in guiding many climbing teams, including from Indian defense services as well as international climbing teams. Some of his key accomplishments are: • Unique Expeditions. Climbed many peaks including Garuda Peak, Kedar Dome, Rudugaira, Unnamed peak in Nandadevi region, Ronti Saddle, Stok Kangri. First local company who helped and supported a European Kayaking Expedition from Vishnu Prayag to Rishikesh in 4 days (2004) • Experience. Till date have guided more than 10,000 hikers and climbers in more than 200 treks and expeditions • Training and Certifications. Basic and Advance Mountaineering Courses from Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM), Basic and advanced skiing courses from GMVN, Search and Rescue course from ABVI Manali, First AID short training from ATOAI • Affiliations and memberships. Adventure Tour Operators Association of India (ATOAI), Uttarakhand Finest Outdoor Adventure, Tour Operator Association of Uttarakhand, Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF). Presently the General Secretary of Adventure Association of Joshimath and Secretary of Ski & Snowboard Association of Chamoli. • Awards. UTDP and NDNP - Best and fastest growing local eco-tourism trekking organization • Other achievements. Established the first ski & snow school at Auli, offering courses in skiing, snowboarding and heliskiing
A. Booking Term
1. If booked more than 15 days before the trip start date, advance of 10% of the total booking value is payable at the time of booking. Balance amount shall be paid no later than 15 days before the trip start date.
2. If booked less than 15 days prior to the trip start date, the full booking value is due at the time of booking.
3. If the due amounts are not paid as per the payment schedule, bookings shall stand cancelled.
B. Cancellation Policy
1. If cancelled more than 15 days before the trip start date, the advance shall be refunded net of a 5% transaction fee.
2. If cancelled after full payment between 15 to 10 days before the trip start date, 25% cancellation fee of the total booking value.
3. If cancelled less than 10 days prior to the trip start date, the booking amount shall not be refundable.
In the event you opt for Refundable Booking, click here to read the terms and conditions for claiming a refund.
C. Changes to and / or cancellation of trips
Itineraries shown are based on information available at the time of planning and are subject to change. The operators reserve the right to change expedition / trek / package 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 the operator or its agents cannot make provision, the cost of delays and/or other changes are the responsibility of the participant. The operator reserves the right to decline, or accept, any individual as a trip member for any reason whatsoever.
*for 15 pax
Minimum 2 pax for guaranteed trip
The legendary popularity of the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is one of the most compelling reasons to visit this UNESCO World Heritage site. This popularity stems from the intoxicating mix of fragrances arising from some of the rarest Himalayan flora as well as the calm, quaint lake nestled at the height of 14,400 meters.
The Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand Trek opens for the public on 1st June each year. The national park remains open from the month of June to October. Though the Valley starts transforming into its beautiful self from May, with June and September being the peak months attracting tourists, July and August are the months where the flora bloom. Hence, you will find the Valley of Flowers to be highly alluring during these months, with beautiful and rare flowers growing all around.
It is advised to start early from Ghangaria when you are entering the Valley of Flowers. Since it is an acclaimed UNESCO World Heritage site, you need to enter your names in the register, pay the required entry fees, and declare all plastic items you are carrying along with you. The Valley of Flowers opens for tourists at 7:00 am each day, and the latest entry is allowed till 2:00 pm. It is recommended to start back by 1:00 pm so that you can reach your campsite or lodge by 5:00-6:00 pm.
You should always carry extra pairs of socks, ponchos or raincoats, a torch, and spare batteries for your camera while trekking the Valley of Flowers. The weather above 3500 meters is quite unpredictable, and hence you should do careful research before embarking on this trek. Take note of the weather and the road conditions, particularly during the monsoon season.
If you face any kind of emergency while trekking the Valley of Flowers, you should contact the following.
- Uttarakhand Glacier burst helpline- 1070/9557444486
- Police: 112
- Ambulance: 108/102
- Fire: 101
- Child helpline: 1098
- Women helpline: 1090
- NDMA (Disaster management): 1070/1078/9711077372
- Anti poison helpline- 011-1066 (Delhi)
This depends on your itinerary in the Valley of Flowers. However, to fully experience the majesty and beauty of this region, a typical itinerary is between 5-6 days. The first and final days are usually spent travelling to and from the valley, and then you have 3-4 action-packed days in-between to explore this area.
The Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand Trek is not considered a particularly tough adventure. On average it has a low to medium difficulty rating. In terms of physical activity, you will need a decent level of fitness, and walking experience is also beneficial. The hiking trails are not particularly difficult; however, you will cover a decent distance of up to 13km on some days.
The Monsoons are the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers. You can catch a glimpse of the beauty of the mountainous flora and vegetation in its full bloom during this time. The national park remains open to trekkers from the first week of June to the first week of October.
During June, July, August, and September, temperatures remain mild considering the Himalayan climate. It might rise as high as 20°C during the day and drop down to 5°C at night. The rainy weather has an inherent humidity level in the air, and when coupled with the cool winds, it creates a nippy feeling.
The best months to embark on this trek are July and August. During early June, melting snow can be seen finding its way into the Hemkund lake. By the end of August, the rain clouds retreat, and you get to experience a clearer sky.
Starting from Rishikesh, take a direct bus, or book a cab to reach Joshimath 225 km away. Following an overnight stay here, start early for Govindghat by booking a car – an SUV charges around INR 7000 (USD 100 approximately) while a tempo traveler charges around INR 10,000 (USD 140-150) (rates may change). This is a journey of around 22 km. From Govindghat, take a car to Pulna village 4 km away via the recently built motorable bridge. Trek to Ghangaria from Pulna for another 10 km. It's the starting point of the trek to Valley of Flowers.
Valley of Flowers is among the most famous and oldest treks in India. This trekking trail has been well-explored by expert trekkers. The trails are demarcated clearly and frequented by pilgrims and locals to ensure their safety.
Since the monsoons are the peak season for trekking here, you must be careful of the slippery slopes during rainfall. Altitude sickness is another factor, but with patience and the proper medication when necessary, that can be overcome. You have got nothing much to worry about if you are physically and mentally ready for this trek.
The entire trekking path of the Valley of Flowers is around 17 km. You will be covering 10 km from Pulna village to Ghangaria village on the first day. From here, you will trek to the Valley of Flowers and back to Ghangaria village, covering a distance of 7.5 km in total. On the next day, you will be traveling for a total of 12 km to Hemkund Sahib and back to Ghangaria. The entire trip from Rishikesh to the Valley of Flowers, exploring Hemkund Sahib, and back to Rishikesh takes less than a week.
If you have geared up well for the rainy season in the Himalayan climate, it is perfectly okay for you to embark on this trek. Valley of Flowers has been classified as a moderate-level trek, so you can cover it on your own on a solo trek or visit with a group of fellow trekkers according to your comfort. If you are careful about the slippery terrain during rainfall, this trek is not too dangerous.
As the name suggests, you can witness the true beauty of Himalayan monsoons through the endemic alpine flowers that are in full bloom at this time of the year in the Valley of Flowers. This region consists of several rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. There are thousands of nearly extinct medicinal plants that are found in this valley. The picturesque valley is also dotted with rapids and waterfalls. You can interact with the warm and welcoming local people here going about their rural lives.
Is something not as per your expectation after your trip has started?