Start Point: Rishikesh
End Point: Rishikesh
6D
Uttarakhand
The Valley of Flowers Trek lies in the vicinity of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. It is surrounded by a multitude of flowers that cover the vast area of land. This makes it one of the most beautiful Himalayan trekking experiences our country has to provide.
The valley of flowers trek was made a world heritage site in 2002 by UNESCO. There are more than 520 varieties of flowers in the valley, which combine to create a beautiful tapestry of colors with dominant shades of purple, blue, and pink. The Chamoli district in Uttarakhand is home to the valley of flowers national parks, a wide variety of flora and endangered animals like snow leopards and red foxes.
The valley of flowers trek covers 87.5 km and is at an elevation of 15,200ft. It is a popular trek for all types of trekkers. Trekkers can enjoy the Himalayan trek's steep ascents or descents, and marvel at the beauty of the rich biodiversity. Many pilgrims also embark on the valley of flowers trek with the Hemkund Shib waiting at the end of the trek.
The Valley of Flower National Park and Nanda Devi National Park are located at approximately 12,000ft. They form a transition zone between Zanskar range of mountain peaks and the mighty Himalayas.
When it comes to difficulty levels, the valley of flowers trek falls under the easy to moderate category. It is perfect for beginners and families. The most difficult climb is to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, which is the highest Gurudwara anywhere in the world and one the most important pilgrim spots in Uttarakhand.
The valley itself is almost 10 km long, and the colors of rainbows are scattered across the grassy patchwork. It's worth stopping to take a closer look. As you continue to walk through the valley, the scent of flowers is evident.
Our Tour:
We will begin our valley of flowers trek itinerary with an 8-hour drive from Rishikesh, to Joshimath. Joshimath is the basecamp for the Valley of flowers trekking. Although the drive may seem long and tiring, the stunning scenery will make it worth it. You'll be able to see four Panch Prayags, holy sites at the confluences of the river Ganga, namely Devprayag Rudraprayag Karnaprayag and Karnaprayag. We will check into our accommodations upon reaching Joshimath and then retire for the night.
The next morning, we will drive from Joshimath towards Pulna village, which is where we start our trek to the valley of flowers. After reaching Pulna village, we will trek towards Ghangaria. You will find the Pushpawati River flowing alongside as we ascend over a 9-kilometer stretch. It will be an easy to moderate trekking experience.
The uphill section is steep ascents and stone-carved paths. Here you will find small dhabas along the trail where you can refill your water bottles as you go. This train will let you see the Hathi Parvat ranges ahead after walking almost half of the distance. After that, you will have to climb up to your campsite, which is a steep way to go.
You will soon be able traverse the valley of flowers on the next day and that requires to cover at least 4 km of ground before you can do that. You will eventually come across the Laxman waterfall, a fountain of sparkling water. This waterfall will make you feel refresh to get you going for at least 10 more minutes. After passing by the waterfall, we will reach the forest check point from where we will purchase tickets for journey ahead.
You will find a wooden bridge perched on the Pushpavati River at the checkpost and the mountains will soon start to peek out from behind the bridge upon crossing. Every direction you go will feel like paradise as all colors of the rainbow are now present on the ground as blooming flowers. The valley of flowers trek is the easier one because you can walk flat through the valley. The Himalayan peaks are decorated with flowers from the native flower family, such as Poppies, Himalayan roses and Geraniums.
The flowery carpet will be gone after a stretch of 5 km. However, the views of the Himalayan peaks - Nilgiri Parvat, Bhyundar Khal and Rattan make it worth the effort. Since, you can't eat or camp in the valley so you have to return to Ghangaria to retire for the night.
The hardest section valley of flowers trek begins the day after you set out for Gurudwara Himkund Sahib. Located at 15,200 feet, it is the highest Gurudwara in the world. This six-hour trek from Ghangaria up to Hemkund Sahib will be a challenging one in many ways.
Firstly you have to climb to a height of 5,000ft in just a few hours and after that, the beautiful views will get replaced with steep descents, making it quite strenuous. You will now be able see the entire valley of flowers and a waterfall as you continue walking. On your ascending, you will feel the oxygen levels getting low and that will be your cue for drinking water as much as possible.
Gurudwara Hemkund Sab will bless you with the Hemkund Lake, which is right next to it, after you have walked on paths of stone and across melting glaciers. After a hot cup of piping chai, and a delicious khichdi which is served during the Langar at the Gurudwara, you can relax and all your hard work will be worth it.
You'll feel a peace as you walk through the premises. The magnificence of the mountain can be seen in the lake formed by melting glaciers like Saptarishi Peaks. If the sky is clear, you can see the Saptarishis peaks, which beckon you closer. Rare flowers such as the Brahma Kamal, add charm and beauty to Hemkund's lakeside. Near the lake there is a temple dedicated to Laxman (Lord Rama's brother),
The 7 km walk down from there will be a strain on your muscles but it will be much easier the next day, as the descent to Pulna village is less steepy than the uphill climb of the day before. There are plenty of dhabas along the trail, and in no time, you will reach the base from where you can drive to Joshimath.
Valley of Flowers Trek is one of the most popular treks in Indian Himalayas. The trails are well-kept and frequently visited by the pilgrims. You should be cautious on slippery sections, especially in the rainy season. The best time to hike the Valley of Flowers is July and August. Brahmakamal and Blue Poppy are the most popular species of flowers found there. The valley offers more than just flowers as you will find waterfalls, glaciers and towering mountains, quaint villages and gushing rivers.
Stay
Activities
Guides
Meal
Transport
INR 10500
Per Adult
