Discover the Valley of Flowers – A Paradise of Blooming Meadows and Mountains
Embark on an unforgettable journey through nature's paradise with the Valley of Flowers trek in Uttarakhand. This easy to moderate trek is perfect for beginners and families, offering a rare opportunity to witness the Himalayan valley adorned with a vibrant carpet of flowers.
From July to mid-September, the valley bursts into a riot of colors, boasting over 520 varieties of plants and a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
Explore the highest Gurudwara in the world, Hem Kund Sahib, nestled amidst majestic mountains. But brace yourself for the climb, as reaching an altitude of 4,300 ft can be strenuous.
Since its discovery in 1931, the Valley of Flowers has captivated naturalists and adventurers alike. Declared a national park in 1980 and a UNESCO World Heritage site, it remains a sanctuary for rare species of plants and animals.
While basic accommodations are available, luxury is not on the agenda. Prepare for common rainfall and ensure you pack rain gear and waterproof shoes. And always keep a buffer day in your itinerary for any unexpected roadblocks due to rain.
Embark on this enchanting trek, where every step is a journey into the heart of nature's magnificence.
Itinerary
-
Distance- 200 km, Altitude 1,900m/6,200ft.
-
Pick up from Rishikesh TTH office 06:00 am.
-
Driving Time-9-10 hrs
-
The last ATM point is available in Pipalkoti.
-
Market available in Pipalkoti.
-
Networks are available all along the way.
-
Guest house stay (Shared Accommodation)
Route
-
Rishikesh to Devprayag (confluence of Bhagirathi River and Alaknanda River).
-
Srinagar to Rudrapryag (confluence of Mandakini River and Alaknanda River).
-
Rudrapryag to Karnprayag (confluence of Pindar River and Alaknanda River).
-
Pipalkoti to Govindghat 52 Km will take 2 hours
-
Speciy Govindghat to Pulna in Local Union Transport
-
9 km 4 hours, Pulna to Ghangharia (3,000m/9,800ft)
-
Gradual ascent on a stone-paved path, all the way along the river.
-
Water is available along the route
-
Packed lunch will be given
-
Mule and porter facilities are available from Pulna
-
BSNL network is available at Ghangaria
-
Helicopter service is available from Govind Ghat to Ghangaria and only if the weather allows (Not included).
-
Stay in a guest house (Shared Accommodation)
Noteworthy Site
Govinddham Gurduwara, Govindghat; Hemkund Gurduwara base, Ghangharia; Valley of Flowers Information Center; Ghangharia.
-
Altitude- 3,500m/11,500ft
-
Trek Time- 7 hours.
-
The Valley is 6-7 km long and ends with a glacier.
-
Mixed incline till the valley followed by a level walk on grassland.
-
Can refill water bottles from streams on the way.
-
Packed lunch will be given, no food is available in the valley.
-
Camping inside the valley is not allowed, can’t stay after sunset.
-
Night stay in Guest house (Shared Accommodation).
Prominent flowers
Blue Poppy, Snake Foil, White Leaf Hog Foot, Himalayan Rose, Meadow Geranium, Dog Flower, Hooked Stick Seed, and River Anemone.
-
Altitude- 4,300m/14,100 ft.
-
Distance- 5.5 km, each way
-
Trek Time- 7 hours.
-
Gradual and steep mixed ascent on a stair-welled stone-paved path.
-
Mule ride service is available till Hemkund Sahib
-
Can refill water from roadside dhabas
-
Hot lunch at Gurduwara langar.
-
Brahma Kamal, Himalayan blue poppy can be seen on the way to Hemkund Sahib.
-
Night stay in Guest house.
-
Distance to Govind Ghat- 13 km.
-
Trek Time-5 hours.
-
Driving Time- 1 hour.
-
Packed lunch.
-
Guest house stay.
Note
GovindGhat to Badrinath is a landslide-prone area in monsoon time so if our leaders find that your safety is at risk due to weather conditions/ landslide or road blockage then we shall skip Badrinath altogether and drive to Pipalkoti directly.
-
After Morning Tea/Coffee, depart for home
-
Suggest to carry buffer day book.
- Guest house in Pipalkoti (Day 1 and Day 5 as per the itinerary).
- Ghangharia on Day 2, Day 3 and Day 4.
- All meals (including tea, soup, snacks etc.) from Day 1 Dinner to day 5 dinner.
- 1 Versatile base camp manager: handles communication and deploys extra manpower in emergencies.
- 1 Mountaineering & First aid qualified professional trek Leader.
- 1 Experienced high altitude chef.
- Local experienced guides (Number of guides depending on the group size).
- Enough support staff.
- Sleeping bag, Sleeping liners (if required), Mattress, Utensils.
- 3 men all season trekker tent (twin sharing), Kitchen & Dining tent, Toilet tent.
- Camping stool, Walkie talkie.
- Ropes, Helmet, Ice axe, Harness, Gaiters & Crampon (if required).
- Medical kit, Stretcher, Oxygen cylinder, Blood pressure monitor, Oximeter, Stethoscope.
- Transport from Rishikesh to Pipalkoti and back ( As per the itinerary).
- Transport Pipalkoti to Govindghat, Pulna & Badrinath and return as per the itinerary.
- Mules/porters to carry the central luggage.
- Clock room facility available at the base camp for additional luggage.
- All necessary permits and entry fees, Upto the amount charged for Indian.
- Trek Completion Certificate.
- Insurance (Mandatory).
- Food during the transit.
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Mule or porter to carry personal luggage.
- Emergency evacuation, hospitalization charge or etc.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusion.
Who Can Participate
-
Age; 12 years +.
-
First timers can apply; previous trekking experience is more appreciated.
-
The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance in 35 minutes without stress.
-
The climber should be able to carry a 10-15 kg backpack.
How To Reach
It is essential for everyone to arrive at Rishikesh (06:00 am)
Trek The Himalayas Head office, Tapovan Laxmanjhula, Landmark -Nainital Bank opposite Shiv Vilas Hotel
Once you have reached Rishikesh, TTH will manage the rest of your travel arrangements, if you have opted for TTH's pick-up service, you can select this option during the booking process by adding it as an add-on.
Options to reach Rishikesh
1. Take overnight train/bus to Rishikesh.
2. Take overnight train/bus to Haridwar and drive to Rishikesh (35 min drive with normal traffic).
We always recommend going for the govt. Buses over the private ones outside the bus station as based on the experience we have found that there are very high chances of delay involved with private buses. Also, govt. Buses are always more reliable. Whichever bus you choose, just make sure to reach Rishikesh at least by 05:30 am.
3. Board a flight to Dehradun airport (Jolly Grant Airport) (21 km, 30 min). If you're arriving by air, then come one day in advance.
If you prefer to travel independently to Base camp and don't want to take TTH's pick-up service, you can either take a government bus or book a private cab from Rishikesh. Your trek coordinator will provide guidance on how to arrange for the bus or cab booking.
Arrive in Rishikesh by 6:00 pm.
The designated drop-off point is Trek The Himalayas Office (Tapovan | Laxmanjhula).
Please consider planning your subsequent travel arrangements after 7:00 pm.