Day Wise Detailed Itinerary of Valley of Flowers Trek
Trek Overview
Valley of Flowers is considered the most striking Trek in Uttarakhand you can enjoy during the rainy season. It is seamlessly located in the West Himalayan parts of Uttarakhand and nestled at a height of nearly 3600 meters above the sea-level. Here, you can get the opportunity to see the extremely rare blue Primula. This trek is also considered one of the most popular treks in the world.
The Valley of Flowers, according to ancient scripts (Ramayan), is the place from where Lord Hanuman got the magical herb to save Lakshman. The refreshing combination of scents released from the beautiful flowers will make you feel like you are in heaven when you enter the valley.
Here you will also discover a hidden lake at 14,400 ft. height, which makes a personal coop for various species of wildflowers such as petunia, zinnia, geranium, daisies, calendulas, poppy, lilies, sedums, and saxifrages.
Day : 01 Arrival at Govindghat, acclimatization, and overnight stay.
- Distance: 300 km
- Duration: 10 hours
- Altitude: 6,300ft. / 1,920m
Karchi is the starting point to begin your Valley of Flowers trek. You will enjoy your drive from Rishikesh to Karachi because the road is along the streams of the Ganga.
The road moves along, embracing the hills, and you explore the valleys and forests of Garhwal underneath you.
After crossing the Pipalkoti village, the whole landscape transforms. Suddenly you perceive a significant difference in the scenery when getting near the range of Greater Himalayan. Pay attention to Mt. Drongiri’s huge mountain from the Karchi.
This mountain will follow you for your overall trek duration. The base camp has some exciting things that you should understand. If you reach there a day before your trek, you can visit nearby places, like the province of Lata, Reini, where India’s Chipko movement commenced, and The Hotsprings, the initial view of Mt. Dronagiri peak.
Day : 02 Trek to Ghangaria
- Distance: 13 km
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Altitude: 9,600ft. / 2,926m
On this day, you will start your journey to Poolna via cab, which decreases the trekked distance from 13km to 9km. You will begin your cab ride (4km) to Poolna.
The road is well-maintained and is usually packed with Sikh pilgrims walking to and from Poolna. Your trek to Ghangaria from Poolna, which covers a 9kkm distance, goes along the river.
You can halt by any roadside dhaba or restaurant to eat something or drink. The road is alternately shaded and bright. After crossing half the distance from your trek, you cross the river Ganga and reach another side. After crossing this river, you no longer see the river ahead.
Your trek takes around five or six hours, and you move towards a tabular terrain. That’s when you will get closer to Ghangaria. This place also has a helipad plus some beautiful space to set up your camp.
There is a one-street village of Ghangaria after half a kilometer distance where you will see a Gurudwara and some restaurants and hotels. The Gurudwara provides free food and accommodation to everyone.
Day : 03 Trek to Valley of Flowers
- Distance: 4 km (one side)
- Duration: 6-7 hours
- Altitude: 11,500ft. / 3,505m
In the early morning, you will leave Ghangaria and get the entire day to spend a lovely time at Valley of Flowers. The road divides in half a kilometer, and you will see a gate where you can get entry tickets to the valley.
Go inside and watch the tiny flowering plants blooming up on every side. After one kilometer inside the gate, you will find a beautiful bridge across a river flowing below.
You will also see a big rocky mountain. After a few walks, the well-laid-out path will become a small footway along the valley sides. The river gushes below you, and you will observe hard, small snow patches by the valley side.
There will be limited Trekkers Of India with you in the Valley of Flowers. The view will also take a drastic turn, and the views will be picture-perfect wherever you look around. You will cross another wobbly bridge and gather some drinking water from below.
The whole valley is usually a carpet of hues like blue, red, yellow, and green. It is enclosed by peaks with various trees at lower levels, grey and brown soil in the center, and snow at the acme.
A vibrant day will ensure blue skies and give you a stunning view. It is like a dreamland for every botanist. You can explore buds, leaves, and flowers of different colors, sizes, and shapes, all cultivating together.
Observe different types of insects and bees drifting on these eccentric flowers. When you move ahead to the valley, you will experience some extraordinary aromas.
The valley expands 5-7 kms more until it completes with a glacier noticeable at a distance. The river gushes through the valley. You can remove your shoes and dip your feet into the icy cold water.
If you visit this place in July-August, you will see some favorite flowers like Dog Flower, White Leaf Hog Foot, River Anemone, Blue Poppy, Himalayan Rose, Hooked Stick Seed, Snake Foil, and Meadow Geranium.
You should carry some food from Ghangaria before heading to the Valley of Flowers because you will not find food there. Also, you cannot camp inside the valley; it’s prohibited. You will need to return the same way by early afternoon.
The afternoon sun shading its rays on the valley of flowers from an opposite direction will give you a new outlook on the same place.
Day : 04 Trek to Hemkund Sahib
- Distance: 6 km (one side)
- Duration: 9-10 hours
- Altitude: 14,107ft. / 4,300m
On day 4, you will have to wake up early. The climate can be reckless at noon, and unexpected rain and cloud cover can trap you if you don’t come down on time.
You might find it hard to wake up so early, around 5 am, but Gurudwara nearby will help you. Singing of bhajans in the Gurudwara begins at 4 am.
So, you will need to wake up and grab your preferred beverage. You should get a trekking pole and a light raincoat before going to the Hemkund trek. Cross the departure to Valley of Flowers. Keep trekking up the vertical road gradually but steadily.
There, you will observe a beautiful waterfall on your right side. After approximately two hours of trekking, you will reach higher, and the scenery improves.
You will feel less oxygen level after one more hour of slow trekking with some halts. You will also find a melting glacier on your route. Take some breaks while ascending the vertical path.
These halts or stoppages are crucial before climbing up at a faster pace could get you sick.
Avoid sitting down during the breaks because it can cause your muscles to unwind, and starting your trek can be tricky. One more hour of the stiff accent will get you to Hemkund-Sahib Gurudwara.
Behind this Gurudwara, you will see a beautiful ice-covered lake for six months. You can warm up in the Gurudwara and have some hot khichdi and tea.
When you go around Hemkund Lake, you will experience serenity and peace. It’s undisturbed and clear and replicates the peaks surrounding it.
The Gurudwara and the lake in this atmosphere are lovely pictures to watch. Around Hemkund Lake, Brahma Kamal and Himalayan flowers grow in abundance.
This flower breeds only at altitudes of 10,000 ft-15,000 ft. Now, you will have to leave this place by early afternoon. Climbing down can be exhausting on the toes and the knees. Walking down to 6 kms may take nearly 4-5 hours.
Day : 05 Trek to Govindghat and Departure Distance: 13 km
- Distance: 13 km
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Altitude: 9,600ft. / 2,926m
Now you will have to return to Govindghat from Ghangaria, which will cover nearly 13 km. You can say goodbye to the enchanting valley and finish your Trek. Now depart from Govindghat and make your journey ahead.
Trek Policy
Inclusion
Accommodation in Homestay or Guest House during the trek- All meals during the trek ( Veg / Egg Only )
- Experienced trekking guide and support staff
- First aid and medical kit
- Permits and entry fees
Exclusion
Transportation to and from Govindghat.- Personal expenses and tips.
- Travel insurance.
- Any additional accommodation or meals not mentioned in the itinerary.