Valley of flowers

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Overview

Trek Name: Valley of Flowers Trek
Duration: 6 Days
Adventure Type: Trekking
Base Camp: Pipalkoti
Season: Monsoon
Best Months to Visit: June, July, August, September
Country: India
Altitude: 14,100 Ft.
Difficulty Grade: Easy to Moderate
Rail Head: Haridwar/Rishikesh (nearest to base camp)
Stay: Triple or Dormitory (Separate for male & female)
Food: Vegetarian meals during the trek & at hotel/guesthouse
Location: Uttarakhand
Trek Distance: 37 Km
Trail Type: Point-to-point trail | Camping at the same location upon return
Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport (21 km from Rishikesh)

Trek Highlights:

  • 5% GST applicable on trek cost and add-ons
  • Rishikesh to Rishikesh services included (Transport provided)
  • Meeting Point: InclusionTrek Office, Rishikesh
  • Reporting Time: 6:00 AM
  • Drop Time: 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (Subject to weather and road conditions)
  • It’s recommended to reach Rishikesh a day before the reporting time to avoid delays.

Why is Valley of Flowers a Must-Do Trek?

As the name suggests, the Valley of Flowers is a breathtaking valley covered with a vibrant carpet of blooming alpine flowers, including over 500 rare species such as Brahma Kamal and Himalayan Blue Poppy, especially during the monsoon.

Standing amid these colorful flowers with majestic mountain views in the background is truly a dreamlike experience.

You’ll also get to visit Hemkund Sahib, one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world, located beside a crystal-clear glacial lake and surrounded by snow-covered peaks. It offers both spiritual peace and awe-inspiring natural beauty.

The trek also allows you to experience the incredible biodiversity of the Himalayas, with rare flora and fauna thriving in this untouched paradise.

What Makes This Trek Unique?

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Recognized in 2002, the Valley of Flowers is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, spread over 87 sq km in Chamoli district. It’s one of India’s richest biodiversity zones.
  • Best Time to Visit: July to September, when the valley transforms into a colorful wonderland after the monsoon showers.
  • Accessible Trek: Ideal for first-time trekkers, families, and even seniors due to moderate altitude and manageable distance.
  • Stunning Landscapes: Towering peaks, cascading waterfalls, and lush greenery await, with views of Hathi Parvat, Nilgiri Parvat, and Rataban.

Major Attractions:

1. Rare Flowers & Wildlife

Spot unique species like Brahmakamal, Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily, and native blooms like Meadow Geranium, Himalayan Rose, and Dog Flower. Wildlife includes Asiatic Black Bear, Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Red Fox, and birds like the Himalayan Monal and Himalayan Griffon.

2. Hemkund Sahib

A revered pilgrimage site, located at 4,633 m, dedicated to Guru Gobind Singh. The Gurudwara beside a serene glacial lake, surrounded by snow peaks, offers spiritual serenity and is a must-visit during the trek.

3. A Living Canvas

The trek feels like walking inside a painting — vivid flowers, contrasting landscapes, flowing streams, and panoramic mountain views. Every step offers a picture-perfect moment for photographers and nature lovers.

Biodiversity – A Natural Treasure

The Valley of Flowers is a biodiversity hotspot, home to over 500 plant species, many endemic to the Himalayas. The cool, moist climate supports everything from lush meadows to alpine blooms, attracting botanists and nature enthusiasts worldwide.

You’ll also find medicinal plants like Brahmakamal and Dactylorhiza Hatagirea. The valley is rich in aquatic life, insects, butterflies, and birds, making it a complete ecosystem of life in the Himalayas.

Discovery of the Valley

Discovered in 1931 by mountaineers Frank Smythe, Eric Shipton, and RL Holdsworth, the valley’s beauty has captivated explorers for nearly a century. Declared a National Park in 1980 and included under the UNESCO MAB program in 2000, it remains protected and grazing is strictly prohibited.

You can also visit the memorial of Joan Margaret, an explorer associated with the valley.

Final Thoughts

The Valley of Flowers Trek isn’t just a hike — it’s a transformative experience. With its rich flora, stunning landscapes, spiritual energy, and peaceful trails, it offers a complete escape from daily life.

Whether you’re an adventurer or someone looking for peace in nature, this trek is a must-do journey into the heart of the Himalayas, where every step brings wonder, beauty, and calm.

The Valley of Flowers National Park can be found in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. In addition to being home to a wide variety of plants and flowers, the park is also home to a large number of endangered animal species, such as snow leopards and red foxes. The Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park, both of which are located at an elevation of around 3,600 metres (approximately 12,000 feet), join together to create a transition zone between the formidable Himalayas and the Zanskar range of mountains. When it comes to assessing the difficulty level, the valley of flowers trek falls into the category of easy to moderate. It is often regarded as the ideal trip for novice trekkers and is also a fantastic option for trekkers travelling with their families. The ascent to the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, which is the highest Gurudwara in the world and one of the most significant pilgrim destinations in Uttarakhand, is the one that presents the most challenge. The valley itself spans about 10 kilometres in length, and the hues of rainbows are scattered throughout the patchwork of grass, tempting you to pause and look at them more attentively. As you continue to make your way down the valley while walking on the small path that weaves in and out of the flower beds to create room for passage, the aroma of flowers lingers in the air and is difficult to ignore.

Valley of Flowers Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Rishikesh to Pipalkoti

  • Altitude: 1,340 m / 4,400 ft
  • Drive Distance: 200 km
  • Drive Time: 9–10 hours

Day 2: Pipalkoti to Govindghat – Pulna – Trek to Ghangaria

  • Altitude:
    • Pulna: 2,100 m / 6,900 ft
    • Ghangaria: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft
  • Drive Distance:
    • Pipalkoti to Govindghat: 52 km | 2 hours
    • Govindghat to Pulna (local transport): 4 km | 15 mins
  • Trek Distance: Pulna to Ghangaria – 9 km | Approx. 4 hours

Day 3: Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and Return

  • Altitude: 3,500 m / 11,500 ft
  • Trek Distance: 4 km each way | Approx. 7 hours round trip
  • Flora Highlights: Blue Poppy, Snake Foil, White Leaf Hog Foot, Himalayan Rose, Meadow Geranium, Dog Flower, Hooked Stick Seed, River Anemone

Day 4: Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and Return

  • Altitude: 4,300 m / 14,100 ft
  • Trek Distance: 6 km each way | Approx. 8–9 hours round trip

Day 5: Ghangaria to Govindghat and Drive to Pipalkoti (Optional Visit to Badrinath)

  • Trek:
    • Ghangaria to Pulna – 9 km | 4–5 hours
  • Drive:
    • Pulna to Govindghat – 4 km | 15 mins
    • Govindghat to Badrinath – 25 km | 1 hour
    • Badrinath to Pipalkoti – 75 km | 3–4 hours

Note: The road between Govindghat and Badrinath is prone to landslides during monsoon. If weather or road conditions pose a risk, Badrinath may be skipped for your safety, and you will proceed directly to Pipalkoti.

Day 6: Pipalkoti to Rishikesh

  • Drive Distance: 200 km | 9–10 hours

Important Notes

  • Keep a buffer day in your travel plan for unforeseen delays. If not needed, it can be used to explore Rishikesh.
  • Carry both original and photocopies of your ID proof.
  • If arriving by air, plan to reach a day early to avoid delays.
  • Distance, altitude, and trek durations are approximate and rounded off.

  • Inclusions

    1. Accommodation (as per the itinerary):

      • Guesthouse stay in Pipalkoti on Day 1 and Day 5
      • Guesthouse stay in Ghangaria on Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4

    2. Meals (Vegetarian + Egg):

      • All meals included from Day 1 dinner to Day 5 dinner
      • Includes tea, soup, snacks, etc.

    3. Support Staff:

      • Versatile base camp manager to coordinate communication and deploy extra manpower during emergencies
      • Qualified trek leader (trained in mountaineering and first aid)
      • Experienced high-altitude chef
      • Local, knowledgeable guides (number based on group size)
      • Adequate support staff for smooth operations

    4. Trekking Equipment:

      • Sleeping bags, sleeping liners (on request), mattresses, utensils
      • All-season trekker tents (3-person tent on twin-sharing basis), kitchen tent, dining tent, toilet tent
      • Camping stools, walkie-talkies
      • Technical gear (ropes, helmets, ice axes, harnesses, gaiters, crampons – if required)

    5. First Aid & Medical Support:

      • Comprehensive medical kit
      • Stretcher, oxygen cylinder
      • Blood pressure monitor, oximeter, stethoscope

    6. Transportation (as per the itinerary):

      • Transport from Rishikesh to Pipalkoti and back
      • Transport from Pipalkoti to Govindghat, Pulna & Badrinath (if applicable), and return

    7. Load Carrying Support:

      • Mules/porters for carrying central/common luggage

    8. Cloakroom Facility:

      • Available at the base camp for storing additional luggage

    9. Permits and Entry Fees:

      • All necessary permits and forest entry fees for Indian nationals

    10. Trek Completion Certificate

    Exclusions

    • Travel insurance (Mandatory)
    • Food during transit (outside of scheduled meals)
    • Personal expenses of any kind
    • Mules or porters for carrying personal luggage
    • Emergency evacuation, hospitalization, or medical expenses
    • Anything not specifically mentioned under Inclusions

PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING FOR VALLEY OF FLOWERS- TREK

  • 50–60 ltrs backpack
  • Strong hiking boots: a leather upper is best because it gives your ankles more support. If you don’t have a pair yet, you should get one as soon as possible and wear it a lot so that it breaks in well. This will help keep blisters from forming.
  • Tennis shoes or sandals that are light enough to wear in camp
  • Two pairs of thick wool socks, if possible.
  • Two pairs of everyday nylon socks to wear underneath the wool socks to prevent blisters.
  • One shirt for hiking, preferably with long sleeves.
  • Long John top: This is also called thermal underwear, and it should be made of wool if it is the first layer.
  • Two each of warm shirts and pants for camp
  • 1 each rain cot/poncho
  • Warm Jacket: 1
  • One pair of wool gloves as thick as can be bought on the market.
  • Long Johns: The first layer should be wool if possible.
  • Under wear: 2-3 changes Shorts or pants for hiking: 1
  • Sunscreen lotion is up to you. Chap stick or lip balm is optional.
  • Water bottle: Two 1-liter bottles (Pepsi bottles work well), make sure they don’t leak.
  • Headlamp or flashlight: A headlamp is best because it frees up your hands for work. If you bring a flashlight, bring extra batteries.
  • Items for the bathroom, like a toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. And a small one-person medical kit.
  • Cotton or nylon for a sun hat. Sunglasses: Those with an anchor are best.