Valley of Flowers Trek with Hemkund Sahib

The Valley of flowers is one of the few Himalayan treks open during the monsoons. In fact, it is ideally undertaken during the monsoons, between July to September. The best time to see the flowers in bloom would be in July or August!

Since the ideal time to undertake the trip would be in the monsoons, it is best to be prepared for rain during any part of the journey. The path can also get slippery and dangerous, so it is advised that you follow the trek leaders’ instructions carefully. Furthermore, since it is a high altitude trek, the weather will always remain pleasant and cool. The temperature varies from a minimum of 7 degrees to a maximum of 17 degrees this time around!

This is considered to be an easy to moderate trek. Most of the days have a steady, gentle incline and decline. However, the day trek to Hemkund is steep ascent and descent. A person with an average fitness level can easily complete this trek. It is a 6-day journey making it a moderate level trek. Keep this in mind while choosing to go for it!

Definitely! You are invited to chalk out an independent plan at your convenient time frame for any number of people. Cost for private trip is fixed on the basis of group size, trek area, duration and trek style. But it should be done after careful consideration of the lakes involved in the trek.

Trekking is a physical activity and that means that to truly enjoy the journey, you must achieve a certain level of fitness. We recommend that you start following a fitness regime at least a month before embarking on the trek. Target completing 5 km in less than 35 minutes.

You will get minimal network until Joshimath, on your way to the base camp. Beyond that, there is no connection whatsoever. Revel in the natural beauty around you as you leave the internet behind for this splendid week! It is best that you inform anxious relatives beforehand.

The Valley of Flowers is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The trek starts from Govindghat. You can reach Govindghat from Rishikesh. Rishikesh is one of Uttarakhand's big cities and lies at the foothills of the Himalayas.

How to reach Govindghat from Rishikesh:

Govindghat is almost 272 km away from Rishikesh and lies on the Rishikesh Badrinath Highway. It would take around 12 hours to reach Govindghat from Rishikesh. So it is mandatory to reach Rishikesh a day before and rest and sleep before the long road journey. It is recommended to start your journey from Rishikesh as early as possible. If you start at 5 AM then you can reach Govindghat by evening.

Travelling on your own:

If you are travelling on your own with 4-5 people, hire a vehicle. It may cost about Rs 6,000 – Rs 6,500. If you are travelling alone, you can catch a bus from Rishikesh to Badrinath and get off at Govindghat. You can find the bus at 4 AM from the Rishikesh bus stand. You can also reach Govindghat by taking the bus to Pandukeshwar from the Rishikesh bus stand at 4.30 AM. The journey may cost around Rs 400. If you do not want to travel in the early morning, you can take buses to Joshimath, 20 km away from Govindghat, leaving the Rishikesh bus stand at 6 AM. Then, stay at Joshimath and take a shared cab to Govindghat the next morning.

The Scenic Drive

The journey from Rishikesh to Govindghat is exciting as you travel along the river Ganga. You can witness the PanchPrayag of the five confluences that make up the river Ganga – DevPrayag, RudraPrayag, KarnaPrayag, NandPrayag and VishnuPrayag during the journey. So stop the vehicle, spend some time here, and witness. You will go through many bustling hill towns during your journey until KaranPrayag. After KaranPrayag, you can experience the mountains by driving over narrow extensions near the Alaknanda River. To reach and start the amazing trek of the Valley of Flowers, first, you have to reach Joshimath, near Haridwar. Haridwar is well-connected to the major cities of India like Delhi and the cities/towns of Uttarakhand and can be reached by buses, trains or flights.

• Bus: Take a direct bus from Delhi and reach Haridwar. Then take another bus or taxi to reach Joshimath which is 278 km from Haridwar. A 1-hour drive from Joshimath will take you to the base camp of the trek Govindghat.
• Trains/Rail: Direct trains are available from Delhi to reach Haridwar Railway station.
• Airport: The nearest airport is the Jolly Grant Airport which is 40 km from Haridwar.

The Valley of Flowers trek opens from the start of June to mid-October. The rest of the year the valley gets covered in snow. The best time to visit the valley is in the monsoon months from mid-July to mid-August.

The Valley of Flowers is located in the north of the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. The trek to The Valley of Flowers starts from Haridwar. Take a direct bus or train to reach Haridwar. An 11-hour drive will take you to the base camp of the trek Govindghat which is 260km from Haridwar. The total trek is 33 km and can easily be done in 6-7 days.

Yes, it is possible to do the Valley of Flowers trek in August. August is considered the best month to visit the valley. You have the chance to witness the blooming beauty of thousands of flower species.

The Valley of Flowers trek is an easy to moderate trek. It is advisable to do this trek with a trek leader or a certified guide. If you are a beginner then it is very important to do this beautiful trek with a guide.

The Valley of Flowers trek costs Rs 6250 per adult. The Valley of Flowers trek package is for six days and five nights. The package includes Accommodation for five nights, complete meals for the first five days, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks with tea/coffee and breakfast and lunch on the sixth day, all necessary licenses and permits, an experienced trekking guide, relevant camping gear for stay, emergency equipment like stretchers and oxygen cylinders.

The Valley of Flowers trek package is for six days and five nights, and the total distance to reach the Valley of Flowers Trek is 28 km. So, the distance covered in the Valley of Flowers Trek is around 46 km. From Govindghat, you have to trek 14 km to reach Ghangaria and will take 8-10 hours. To reach the Valley of Flowers from the base camp Ghangaria, you have to cover another 14 km which would take 7-8 hours.

The Valley of Flowers trek is one of the most popular treks in the Himalayan region. Though the Valley of Flowers trek's difficulty level is medium to moderate, it requires all the precautions and prerequisites for a Himalayan trek. It would be best to carry trekking shoes and be high ankle and with a high grip. Also, it is recommended to buy waterproof shoes. Carry at least four pairs of cotton socks as well.

No, a diuretic is not advisable for the Valley of Flowers trek. a diuretic is a medicine that you must take to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness. The Valley of Flowers trek's difficulty level is medium to moderate and is quite suitable to beginners, and you can easily adjust well with daily exercises. However, if you find any Acute Mountain Sickness symptoms like headache, nausea, and vomiting, then inform your trek leader. The Valley of Flowers package includes emergency equipment like stretchers and oxygen cylinders, as every campsite has a first aid kit and fully equipped cylinders for such situations.

There is no specific age restriction for the Valley of Flowers trek. Any age group can go for the Valley of Flowers trek, and it fully depends upon the individual's physical fitness. However, it is not recommended for children below four years of age. You must wait for the children to reach four years of age to walk on their own. However, if you are bringing kids along with you for the Valley of Flowers trek, you have to take special consideration. The unavailability of food for the kids, clothes, and medicines in the hilly area is the main problem. The place is a hill station, and you must take additional care to keep the kids from the cool temperatures.

The Valley of Flowers is a scenic national park located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. It is renowned for its stunning meadows adorned with a wide variety of alpine flowers, including many rare and endemic species. The valley is also home to diverse wildlife and offers breathtaking views of snow-clad mountains.

The Valley of Flowers is open to visitors from June to October, as the flowers are in full bloom during this period. The ideal time to visit is from July to August when the valley is at its most colourful and vibrant.

Yes, a permit is required to enter the Valley of Flowers. You can obtain the permit from the Forest Department office in Govindghat. The permit fee is nominal and is valid for a specific duration, usually a few days.

The trek to the Valley of Flowers is considered moderate in terms of difficulty. The trail involves uphill and downhill stretches, and it is advisable to have a basic level of fitness and stamina. It is recommended to acclimatise in Govindghat for a day before starting the trek.

Yes, there are basic accommodations available in Govindghat, where you can stay before and after the trek. However, there are no accommodations inside the Valley of Flowers itself, and camping is not allowed within the park.

Medical facilities are limited in the Valley of Flowers region. It is recommended to carry a basic first aid kit and any necessary medications. It's also advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before embarking on the trek.

The Valley of Flowers is generally considered safe for visitors. However, it is important to follow safety guidelines, trek with a guide or a group, stay on designated trails, and respect the natural surroundings. It is also advisable to check weather conditions and seek local advice before starting the trek.

The Valley of Flowers is generally considered safe for visitors. However, it is important to follow safety guidelines, trek with a guide or a group, stay on designated trails, and respect the natural surroundings. It is also advisable to check weather conditions and seek local advice before starting the trek.