Touted as one of the most beautiful Himalayan treks, the Valley of Flowers is one of those few trekking expeditions that can be enjoyed during the monsoon season. The Valley of Flowers trek is a well-crafted package, wrapped in the colors of bliss.

Valley of Flowers "Foolon ki Ghati" is one of the most famous monsoon trek located in Uttarakhand, Himalayas. The best time to visit here is July to August. This valley was declared a National Park in 1982 and is famous for its rich flora and fauna, which includes a variety of colorful flowers along with rare and endangered species.

This whole vibrant valley is a combination of panoramic mountain ranges, lush green meadows, colorful flowers, and clouds which all together make it the best destination for nature lovers, photographers, and Botanists. There are so many fairy tales associated with this valley and the most common of them is falling unconscious from the scents of flowers. The Valley of Flowers trek starts from the pilgrimage trail of Govind Ghat, Uttarakhand.

It can easily be called the most colorful Himalayan Odyssey for the innumerable flower patches of vivid colours embellished with meandering mountain streams, dewy meadows snuggled in the lap of snow-capped mountains, a high altitude placid lake, holy rivers, and sacred pilgrimage sites.

The colossal beauty of this amazing array of colorful blossoms, which boasts of the largest collection of wildflower species, remains etched in your memory for the rest of your life.

The Valley of Flowers opens on 1st June till 31st October.

Quick Facts about Valley of Flowers Trek

• Region - Uttarakhand
• District - Chamoli
• Altitude - 14,100 feet
• Duration - 6 days
• Trekking distance - 38 km
• Difficulty level - Easy to moderate
• Start point- Joshimath
• Endpoint - Joshimath
• Base Camp - Ghangaria
• Nearest railway station - Haridwar
• Nearest airport - Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
• Last ATM - At Joshimath
• Best time to visit - July to August

Trek Details

• Start Point - Rishikesh.
• Departure Time from Rishikesh on Day 1- 6 a.m.
• Pickup point from Rishikesh - Natraj Chowk/Old Zostel Hotel, Tapovan.
• End Point -Rishikesh
• Arrival time at Rishikesh on Day 6 - Approximately 6 pm.
• Base camp - Joshimath
• Distance from Rishikesh to Basecamp, Joshimath is 250 km and takes around 8-10 hours.
• Treks end at Rishikesh on Day 6 at around 6 pm.
• Cloakroom: There is no separate cloakroom available. You can also hand over your lugguage to our team and collect it while returning. We will be keeping it at safely at Joshimath in the same Homestay.
• The Shared vehicle will be a Tata Sumo, Bolero, or similar and may be shared with a few other local passengers. The cab may be arranged partly from Rishikesh/Haridwar to Joshimath and Joshimath to Rishikesh/Haridwar.
• The cab is a 7-seater.
• We charge Rs.1200/- per person on each side per person.
• The whole cab costs 7500/- from Rishikesh for one side.
• Trekkers may choose to travel by bus or local cab to reach Joshimath.
• The forest permits for international clients will be as actual and are to be paid by the trekker at the basecamp only.

Distance between Delhi and the Valley of Flowers

The total distance between New Delhi and the Valley of Flowers is 519 kilometers.

You can travel to Govindghat from New Delhi in your car. It takes around 15 hours to cover a distance of 500 kilometres. However, this can be an expensive and very tiring journey. Also driving is not permitted after 8 PM on this route.

From Govindghat, you trek a distance of 19 kilometers to reach the Valley of Flowers via Ghangaria.

About Valley of Flowers

Very true to its name, the Valley of Flowers floors you with infinite flowers in full bloom. One can rename the trek as a floral fairytale romance!

An aesthetic valley bejeweled with a never-ending expanse of the flowers-the fascinating landscape of the Valley of Flowers is like a dream come true. The exquisite meadows peppered with endemic alpine flora are bedecked between the rugged mountain ranges of Zanskar and the Great Himalayas.

Privileged as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the area was declared a national park in 1982. Dotted with colorful blooms of pink, yellow, purple, red, blue, and orange hues, the infinite expanse of exquisite flora is the highlight of this trek. The floral fragrance from the carpeting flowers entices you throughout the trek. The virgin beauty of the valley allures botanists, flower lovers, bird watchers, wildlife photographers, trekkers, nature lovers, and adventure lovers from all over the world.

Valley of Flowers History/Story

Do you know that this trek was an accidental discovery by the British hiker, Frank Smith in 1931? It sure must have been the most beautiful accident of his life! For centuries, this enchanting fairyland lay undiscovered till Frank Smith and his two mountaineer friends went astray from their trekking path and accidentally reached a valley blanketed with flowers. They were left awestruck by this floral splendor and aptly named it “The Valley of Flowers”. Smitten by its beauty Frank Smith even penned a book named The Valley of Flowers. All trekking enthusiasts thank him for his most beautiful flawless accident!

Mythology about the valley

The local population always knew about the existence of this valley. To this date, they believe that the valley is inhabited by fairies and Gods. It was initially believed that whoever visited the valley was captured by the fairies and never returned back.

How to reach the Valley of Flowers

By train-

The nearest railway station is Haridwar which is well connected to the major cities of India. Nanda Devi Express is the best train to travel to Haridwar from Delhi.

From Haridwar, it takes around 10 hours by cab to cover the 280 km distance to reach Joshimath.

If you are looking for a pocket-friendly option then buses are your best bet to travel to Joshimath from Haridwar. 3 non-AC regular buses from G.M.O.U. Pvt. Ltd. ply daily from Haridwar to Joshimath.

By road-

Haridwar is easily accessible by road. The distance between New Delhi and Haridwar is around 218 kilometers. The fastest way to reach Haridwar from New Delhi is by cab which takes 3 hours 50 minutes.

You can even get buses for Haridwar from Anand Vihar ISBT, New Delhi. The buses leave at regular intervals every day and the journey takes around 6 hours. This is the cheapest option to reach Haridwar from New Delhi.

From Haridwar, you can hire a cab or take a bus to traverse the 280-kilometer journey to reach Joshimath.

By flight-

You can reach Dehradun from Delhi by flight. There are daily flights available between the two cities, with a flying time of around 55 minutes. Dehradun is also well connected by flight with other cities like Mumbai, Kolkata, and Lucknow.

There are plenty of cabs/taxis available from Dehradun to Haridwar. It takes around 1 hour 45 minutes to reach Haridwar from Dehradun by cab.

Star attractions of the Trek

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve-

Sprawling in an area of 87.5 square kilometers, measuring 8 km in length and 2 km in width, the Nanda Devi biosphere is a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers. One of the most spectacular wildernesss in the lap of the Himalayas, Nanda Devi biosphere is flanked by Nanda Devi, India’s second-highest peak. This World Heritage site is blessed with a unique climate and soil conducive to diverse habitats, species, and ecosystems. According to a legend, Lord Hanuman had collected Sanjivani Buti at this place to revive Lakshman.

Flowers, flowers and more flowers -

Valley of Flowers treats you to a floral paradise, with a countless variety of blossoms carpeting the meadows and lacing the trekking trails. The quilt of blossoming flowers infuses new life into the valley; rich with color and the fragrant aroma of floral species! This Himalayan jewel is habitat to millions of wild flowers-poppies, calendula, daisies, Himalayan balsam, Himalayan hogweed, Himalayan Whorlflower, Himalayan Thyme, Marsh marigold, zinnia, petunias, lilies and many more.




Himalayan Whorlflower’s fragrant flowers change colors from pale pink to rosy red with time. Edelweiss flower, a symbol of purity and beauty, captivates you with its woolly white flowers. Edelweiss and Trailing Bellflower form a cluster and grow low on the ground. Spotting blue flowers in abundance is the rarest sight as blue is an unusual colour for flowers. Blue geraniums, blue poppy, blue daisy-like flowers, and tiny beautiful blue forget-me-nots invite visitors from all over the world. Some of the celebrated flowers like the Brahma Kamal, blue poppy, and cobra Lily are the rarest floral offerings of the valley.




Among the countless varieties of Himalayan blossoms, Blue Primula, known to be the most beautiful Himalayan flower can be seen blooming in infinite numbers in the valley. The monsoon season from mid-July to mid-August infuses a colorful kaleidoscope into the valley. You can witness the most amazing landscape when the valley is lit with the brightest hues against the contrasting patches of green grass and azure skies.




Amazing fauna-

Valley of Flowers lies in the core zone of the Nanda Devi biosphere which is home to rare and endangered species of animals, exotic mountain birds, and butterflies. Animals like Asiatic black bears, Musk deer, brown bears, snow leopards, blue sheep, and many more have made this biosphere their habitat.

Sacred rivers-

The beauteous road journey from Haridwar to Joshimath is flanked by the holy Ganges, gurgling below the cliff in a mystic green avatar. The pristine aura of the white-sand bed on the banks of the Ganges is highly captivating. You witness the confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda river to form the holy river the Ganges. The emerald green waters mesmerize you with the prolific abundance of their sheer beauty. It is magical to see the two rivers in different shades of green come together to form a single water body.




The confluence of the Pushpawati and Himganga rivers holds you in awe with their wondrous beauty. In addition to these two large confluences, you also witness three small river confluences on your eye-enticing road journey from Haridwar to Joshimath.




Sacred lake-

The awe-inspiring high-altitude lake Hemkund Sahib, at an elevation of 14,100 feet is a sacred site for Hindus and Sikhs. Hemkund means “The Lake of Snow” and true to its name the lake remains frozen for seven months in a year. The beautiful glacial lake lies huddled in the laps of Hathi Parvat and Saptarishi peaks as the glaciers originating from the peaks feed the lake. The crystal clear waters of Hemkund reflecting the view of surrounding seven snow-clad peaks and their glaciers is a sight to behold. The best view to watch out for is a small mountain stream called Himganga flowing out of the lake. As the weather gets warmer and the snow melts, there are sprouts of wildflowers, ferns, and moss on the banks of the lake. The glorious and elusive Brahma Kamal grows in plenty in the rocks on the banks of the lake. Legend has it that Guru Govind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs had meditated on the banks of this lake. Taking a dip in the holy waters of this serene lake is considered sacred.




Gurudwara and Temple-

Pay obeisance to the revered Guru Nanak Dev Sahib at the Shri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, the highest Gurudwara of the Sikhs, located at an elevation of 14,210 feet. Enjoy delicious langar in the Gurudwara premises, which are adjacent to the glacial lake of Hemkund. The lake is also flanked by a Lakshman Temple where you can offer prayers. These are the highest places of worship in India. People from all across India and the world visit this place of religious and spiritual parallelism to perform religious practice and seek salvation. Hemkund is inaccessible between October to April because of snowy paths and glaciers.

Joshimath-

The sacred town of Joshimath is the winter seat of Lord Badri. Lord Badri’s idol is brought from Badrinath temple to Vasudeva temple at Joshimath during winter. This holy town is an important pilgrimage centre for the Hindus.

Ghangaria village-

Perched at an elevation of 10,200 feet, this cozy hamlet lies snuggled in the Himalayan embrace. The last human settlement in the Bhyundar valley, Ghangaria is flanked by the confluence of river Pushpawati (coming from Valley of Flowers) and river Himganga (coming from Hemkund Sahib). Watching the rustic life of people in this village brings you closer to nature. Learning about their culture, daily lifestyle, rich Pahari cuisine, and folk songs while sipping a cup of tea with them is the cherry on the cake.

Valley of Flowers best time

The Valley of Flowers remains open from June to October. Though every month showcases a new vista with varying shades of colors, mid-July to mid-August is considered the best time to visit the Valley of flowers trek when hundreds of blooms splash the valley with vibrant hues of luminous colors against the lush green backdrop.

As the snow melts and the weather gets warmer, the months of July and August are also alive with cascading waterfalls and beautiful glaciers.

Valley of Flowers weather

Summer months of April to June

Summer months infuse crisp freshness in the mountain air when the snow from the winter begins to melt. With rare sightings of mountain birds along with their melodious chirping, the place is a heaven for bird lovers during this season. The flowers just begin to bloom and the fragrance in the environment is palpable.

Winter months of October to February

Winter months from November to February showcase an entirely different landscape when flowers dry up and the once colorful region transforms into a frosty wonderland. The valley is not accessible during these months as it shuts down on October 31st. Visit the region if you are a snow lover and enjoy solitude in the company of glittering snow.

October can treat you to see the fall colors when the last lot of blooming flowers have bid adieu for the year.

Monsoon months of July to September

With the onset of monsoon, the valley is infused with fresh life and comes alive with vivid hues. The never-ending carpets of vibrant blossoms make for the perfect destination during this season. You witness the rarest and most beautiful of floral species; the colorful expanse akin to a picture taken from a book. Amidst this bouquet, the glossy green patches of fresh grass cast a magical glow to the place. The snow-clad mountains rising from a blanket of bright flowers seem to be kissing the sky. The whole valley emanates with the splendid aroma of floral species.

Exotic Himalayan birds and animals love the crisp ambiance of the season and can be spotted in good numbers.

The temperature is conducive during these months for touring the valley.

Valley of Flowers temperature

Temperature in summer months

The average temperature ranges from a minimum of 17 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 29 degrees Celsius.

Temperature in winter months

The average temperature varies from a minimum of 0 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 15 degrees Celsius. The days are warm but nights are bone-chilling.

Temperature in monsoon months

The average temperature ranges from a minimum of 20 degrees Celsius to a maximum of 26 degrees Celsius.

The difficulty level of the Valley of Flowers

A very well-paved trek, The Valley of Flowers is moderate to easy. The trek gradient is steep at some places, especially in the first and last 3 kilometres between Govindghat and Ghangaria but mostly the trek journeys through moderate ascents and descents. One can even take ponies or helicopter ride up to Ghangaria, the base camp of the trek. However, due to foggy and rainy weather conditions, the helicopter service is often interrupted during the monsoon season. From Ghangaria the only choice to reach the Valley of Flowers is by trekking. One can still get dolis or palanquins to take the elderly and kids from Ghangaria to the valley.

It is an easy trek as there are good facilities available throughout the trekking route.

Mobile connectivity at the Valley of Flowers

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has installed a mobile tower at Ghangaria village and 2G mobile services are available within a 4 km radius from Ghangaria. Tourists visiting Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers can enjoy this 2G mobile service.

Is the Valley of Flowers trek recommended for beginners?

An easy-to-moderate trek, it is an absolute favorite among beginners/amateurs as well as avid trekkers. Interspersed with some steep paths, it is recommended that beginners come with good physical stamina and mental endurance to revel in this bounty of nature. Remember not to push yourself and compete with fellow trekkers. Enjoy the trek at your own pace and comfort.

Fitness required for Trek

Any trekking activity requires one to be physically and mentally fit and the same holds for the Valley of Flowers trek. It is advisable to start a 4-week fitness routine before undertaking the trek.

How to prepare for Trek

Getting fit is one of the important criteria to consider before undertaking any activity that is physically and mentally demanding. Let’s find out what goes into preparing for this trek.

• One can prepare for the Valley of Flowers trek by following a simple regimen for 4 weeks. Start with a 10-minute brisk walk followed by a 10-minute jog and a 10-minute slow walk in the first week.
• In the second and third weeks, reduce brisk walks to 5 minutes followed by an increased jogging time to 15 minutes and finally a 5-minute slow walk.
• In the 4th week, increase your stamina by doing a 5-minute brisk walk followed by a 25-minute jog.

Dressing up and trek essentials are some of the important points to be kept in mind while undertaking any trek.

• Among things to carry - a warm shirt, full sleeve t-shirt, thermal innerwear, water-resistant trekking pants, windproof and water-resistant jacket, waterproof gloves, raincoat, muffler, woolen cap, thick woolen socks, and comfortable hiking shoes are an absolute must.
• Sunglasses, sunscreen lotion, lip balm, a sturdy walking stick, a torch, and some essential medications are the trek essentials required for this trek.

Is Valley of Flowers Trek safe?

Uttarakhand is a land of simple people. Rooted deep in their culture, the inhabitants of Uttarakhand are down-to-earth people, very humble and polite. They are known for their warm hospitality. The Valley of Flowers is considered one of the safest treks.

Water availability at Valley of Flowers

It is extremely important to stay hydrated during any trekking activity. It is recommended that you carry a water bottle for the trek. There are numerous streams, taps, and water en route the trek and you easily refill your water bottle.