Itinerary
Valley of Flowers is an easy to moderate trek that offers rare access to the part of Uttarakhand Himalayas which has an expanse of a valley covered with flowers. It is also considered an ideal trek for first-timers, including family and kids. During the Valley of Flowers trek, one also gets a chance to visit the highest Gurudwara in the world – the Hemkund Sahib.
The valley of flowers is about 2 km wide and 8 km long and the best time to visit is between July to mid of September. The temperature on this trek usually stays somewhere between 5 to 20 degrees Celsius and you can expect moderate rainfall even while trekking with a thick cloud cover hovering over most of the time. The most difficult part of the Valley of Flowers trek is the climb to Hemkund Sahib on the last day, where we climb an altitude of about 4,300 ft in a day and that can be a bit strenuous.
Day 1 : Rishikesh to Joshimath
- 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).
• Devprayag to Srinagar.
• Srinagar to Rudrapryag (confluence of Mandakini River and Alaknanda River).
• Rudrapryag to Karnprayag (confluence of Pindar River and Alaknanda River).
You will begin your journey with us from Rishikesh. Starting the drive from Rishikesh from the appointed pickup point Rishikesh bus stand or TTH office in Tapovan, we will take the fabled Badrinath Road.
The nine-hour drive to Pipalkoti will surely be long and arduous, but you are never going to run out of mesmerizing views. The great river running with us on parallel will get wilder and more fascinating as we trudge uphill. We will pass by 4 of the Panchprayag or the holy confluences of Ganga—Devaprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nandaprayag. So, keep your cameras ready and remain awake for most of the journey!
Day 2 : Drive From Pipalkoti To Govindghat - Pulna and Trek to Ghangaria
- 35 km, 1 hour, Govindghat (2,050m/6,800ft). Travel is included in the cost.
- 5 km 10 minutes, Pulna(2,100m/ 6,900). Travel is included in the cost.
- 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.
From Pipalkoti to Govindghat the distance is 35 km. En route, you can spot the final confluence - Vishnuprayag. We will start in the morning after breakfast and reach Govindghat by 8 am and then a 4 km drive to Pulna which is the starting point. Todays travel is included in the cost. It will be a 9 km uphill route along the river, Pushpawati. The entire trail will be crowded most of the time. Many snack shops selling beverages, hot noodles, omelettes with bread, paratha, and the like can be found on this trail. So, you will never go hungry.
The trek will be on a clearly defined stone-paved path, conveniently built with stairs. After a 5 km walk, you will arrive at Bhyundar village. This village marks an amazing viewpoint for clear Hathi Parvat sights. Enjoy the wonderful sight as much as you can, because the strainful steep ascent will commence henceforth. You will reach Gangharia before nightfall, attaining an altitude of 10, 000 feet. The stay will be at a guest house.
Day 3 : Ghangaria to Valley of Flower and back to Ghangaria
- Altitude- 3,500m/11,500ft.
- Distance- 4 km, each way.
- 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.
The journey to Valley of Flowers is a distance of 4 km. The valley is 6-7 km long; the distance travelled in the valley depends on how the trekkers want to explore the valley. Another, factor to be considered is the stamina of the trekkers.
Right, when you start from Ghangaria in 30 minutes forest check post arrives. The check post might not be an attraction but right before the check post, there is a gushing waterfall called Laxman Waterfall. Another 20 minutes into the greenery and the next furious attraction comes. At this point, the Pushpavati River flows furiously below a wooden bridge. It is quite a common yet unique and mesmerizing capture. The trail is steep and stone paved like the previous day. You can find many bridges and landslide areas when you enter the valley.
The valley is thousand times more stupendous than you might have imagined. It truly makes the Himalayan peaks lively and cherishing. Blue Poppy, Snake Foil, White Leaf Hog Foot, Himalayan Rose, Meadow Geranium, Dog Flower, and Hooked Stick Seed are the native flowers. These astounding colourful blossoms end after a 5 km stretch at a glacier. If the weather is clear the mighty Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri Parvat, Bhyundar Khal, Rattaban, Gauri Parvat, etc. in the background. Today’s journey will conclude with your coming back to Ghangaria before nightfall.
Day 4 : Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back to Ghangaria
- 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.
Get ready early in the morning to start trekking (6 Km) for Hemkund Sahib. One of the most revered of all Sikh shrines and the world’s highest Gurudwara, Hemkund Sahib, is situated at an altitude of 4,329 meters. There will be porters and mules if you wish to offload your load. The trail today will be similar to previous days, stone-paved and continuous ascend. There will be shops on the way where you can energize yourself. Watch out for the rare flower Brahmakamal that will be spotted beside pathways.
The Gurudwara is placed magically beside the mirror-like glacial lake Hemkund. During clear skies, one can witness the flawless reflections of the adjoining Saptrishi peaks. The lake is fed by the melting glaciers of Hathi Parvat and Saptrishi peaks. Religious Laxman temple is also found near the lake. In the afternoon trek down to reach Ghangariya for an overnight stay. The evening is free for rest & relaxation.
Day 5 : Ghangaria to Govindghat and Drive to Badrinath (Mana)
- 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 your breakfast in the morning, we descend to Govindghat and then drive to Pipalkoti. From this place, Badrinath is 25 km away and takes 1 hrs to reach. You can visit Badrinath only if road and weather condition permits us.
Day 6 : Badrinath to Joshimath ( Night Stay)
Day 7 : Joshimath to Rishikesh, Haridwar
On arrival, check into the hotel. Overnight stay is arranged in a hotel.
- After Morning Tea/Coffee, depart for home.
- You’ll reach Rishikesh between 5 -6:00 pm. You can book further travel any time after 7:00 pm.
The ride will commence at 6 am and you will reach Rishikesh around 5 - 6 pm. Your Breakfast and Lunch will be on the way at a roadside inn, exclusive of charges, after having your morning tea/coffee you can leave for your next destination. We advise you to book further travel after 7 pm.
Who Can Participate
- Age; 10 years.
- First timer can apply; previous trekking experience is more appreciated.
- The climber must be fit and have sufficient stamina to cover 4 km of distance in 30 minutes without a stress.
- The climber should be able to carry a 10-15 kg backpack.
Health Awareness
- Pulse rate at rest must be in between (60 to 90 beats per minute)
- Blood Pressure Reading must be in between (DIASTOLIC 75 – 85, SYSTOLIC 100 - 130 mm Hg)
- Respiratory rate at rest must be in between (12 to 20 breaths per minute)
- Should not have Liver and kidney issues
- Should not have Diabetes Mellitus, Bronchial Asthma, Epilepsy, Heart problems, Hypertension etc
- No pacemaker implant
- People with the Sinus issues please contact to trek coordinator before booking the trek
- If your BMI is not normal, Please contact our Trek coordinator before Trek booking.
Cost Terms
Inclusions
1. Accommodation. (Guest house - Triple/quad/penta sharing, Camping - twin sharing)
2. Meals while on trek (Veg.+ occasional Egg): Day 1 Dinner to Day 5 Dinner as per the itinerary, Drinking water while on trek (Tape/Mountain water).
3. Trek equipment: Sleeping bag, mattress, tent (twin sharing), kitchen & dining tent, toilet tent, utensils, and crampon (if required)
4. All necessary permits and entry fees.
5. First aid medical kits, stretcher, and oxygen cylinder.
6. Mountaineering qualified & professional trek Leader, guide, and Support staff.
7. Mules to carry the central luggage
Exclusions
1. Any kind of personal expenses.
2. Transport from Dehradun to Sankri and return
3. Food during the transit.
4. Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
5. Any kind of emergency evacuation charges.
6. Anything not specifically mentioned under the head.
7. Transport cost.
Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things)
1- Satellite phone/setphone - is a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cellphones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth's surface.
2- Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag (Portable Hyperbaric Bag) - is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.
3- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) - are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly
Cancellation Policy
For the cancellation of services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, Trail Tracker India must be notified of the same in writing at trailtrekkingindia@gmail.com At the time we receive your written cancellation, refunds based on the total fare are as follows.
Cancellations prior to 5 days from the start of the Trip
Refund options
- 5% deduction of trek fee
Winter Offer
If you more than 10 person in one group we offer 2 person free trek
Kedarkantha trek
Harkidun trek
Nagtibba Trek
BONUS ATTRACTION
1st Day: Ban Ganga, Yamuna JI Visit
7th Return Day: Lakha Mandal Visit