Trekking to Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers is situated in the Himalayas of the Uttaranchal at an awesome altitude of 3600m above sea level. Protected by snowy mountains, this valley is most sought after by flower lovers, botanists and trekkers alike.

Trekking to the Valley of Flowers

Trekking route would be Delhi - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangria - Govind Ghat - Joshimath - Srinagar - Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi

From Delhi one can travel by train to Haridwar and there on travel to Govindghat via Rishikesh. Govindghat is approximately about 16 kms before another important destination Badrinath. Some also prefer to drive a distance of 500 km from Delhi to Badrinath. From Haridwar and Dehradun, it is about 270 kms from Joshimath in Garhwal. This is a nearest major town to the Valley of Flowers

Govindghat is a small town close to Joshimath, an hour from each other. Here the trek begins. From Govindghat, it is a trek of about 14 km Trekkers can reach the Ghangaria, a small settlement located about 3 km from the valley. The trek from Gobindghat to Ghangaria is common to the Sikh temple at Hemkund.

After reaching Govindghat on the route to Hemkund Sabib, Ghangharia is about 12 kms ahead. After a few furlongs ahead of Ghangharia, the trek route to the Valley of Flowers takes a detour towards the left. The valley is about 5 kms from Ghangharia.

From Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers it would be about six to seven hours of trek. In Ghangaria, perfumed wild flowers greet the trekkers. Wild rose bushes and wild strawberries beckon on both sides of the path. The Valley of flowers starts near a gorge over the Pushpawati River. In other words, the first part of the trek to reach the Valley of Flowers is along a thick forest bordering the Pushpawati River,

Later, it is an open meadow. After encountering the rare flowers, the kind like Brahmkamal, Blue Poppy, Potentilla and may more, the trekker can trace his steps to the base camp Ghangaria.

Trekking route: Delhi- Rishikesh-Ghuni-Pana-Ghaghria-Badrinath-Haridwar-Delhi which would take about 15 nights and 16 days.

This trek route rises in the middle of the beautiful forests of oaks, pines, rhododendrons, poplars and cedars. The magnificent Bugyal grasslands are seen through the mountain passes and traditional villages.

The trekker can view the spectacular sights of Trisul at 7120m, Kedarnath at 6968m, Kamet at 7756,. Nilkanth at 6596m and Changabang at 6864 m and Chaukhamba at 7128 m and finally the twin legends of Nanda Devi at 7816 m.

It was the British explorers who discovered this route. On the trail, while trekking on the slopes of the Kauri Pass, take in some of the most picturesque sights of the Himalayas. Finally, the trek takes you to the Valley of Flowers and the holy place of the Sikhs.

Trekking route: through Rishikesh-Ghagharia-Badrinath-Almora-Nainital

Reaching the Valley of Flowers situate at a height of 3660 m. This Valley is about 10 km long and 2 km wide. Trek starts from Govindghat or Govind Dham which is about 25 kms from Joshimath. The trekker can stay overnight at one of the hotels in Ghangaria as camping outside is not allowed in this Valley. The complete route is a well laid cobbled path.

This beautiful Valley is replete with flowers and wild flower species in the entire region, along the aptly named ‘Pushpawati river (river of flowers) this Valley has about 520 identified species of flowers.

Be prepared to see the Himalayan black bear, Musk deer, Brown bear and a multitude of birds and butterflies in this wondrous Valley of Flowers.

Trekking route: Delhi - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Govindghat

Beginning about 6 kms from Bhuindhar village and covering an area of 87 kms approximately - the holy lake of Hemkund serves as an important pilgrimage centre for Sikhs and Hindus alike.

This sacred geometrically shaped Gurudwara lies near the lake at an altitude of 3050 m and it is believed that Guru Govind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs meditated and united with the Lord at the location of the Gurdwara.

At an altitude of 3500 - 4000 m, the Valley is full of snow lakes and glaciers and it is now preserved as a National park.

Indeed the gentle Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged wilderness of the Nanda Devi National Park and it is inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1988. Together they encompass the beautiful transition zone between the Zanskar and Great Himalayan ranges. The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is from mid June to mid September.