The Valley of Flowers Trek has become increasingly popular in recent years. The idea of witnessing a valley filled with flowers of every hue and variety can be alluring to nature lovers. The local folklore also enhances the atmosphere of this valley, stating that occasionally the scent of flowers can be so potent that visitors pass out. While we have not personally experienced this, it is certainly plausible.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of Flowers was declared a national park in 1982 and offers trekkers the opportunity to visit the religiously significant Hemkund Sahib, a gurudwara nestled at an astounding height of 14,000 feet. The valley is studded with some of the most colorful, beautiful, and pristine flowers there are. Depending on the season, the flowers display a unique array of colors and patterns that will leave you spellbound.
It is highly recommended that you undertake the Valley of Flowers trek independently, without the assistance of a trek operator, as the trail’s logistics are very straightforward and can be completed by any level of trekker, experienced or novice. The opportunity to combine a spiritual and scenic trek is truly amazing. The best months to visit the Valley of Flowers are July and August, when the wildflower blooms are at their most vibrant.
Itinerary
It is recommended to arrive in Dehradun the night before. From Dehradun, you can take a number of state-run buses and shared taxis that go all the way to Govindghat. These buses and taxis depart from Dehradun between 5 and 8 am. Alternatively, you can hire a private taxi from Dehradun to Govindghat. The journey takes approximately 12 to 14 hours. Spend the night in a guest house or hotel in Govindghat or Joshimath.
The trek normally begins in Govindghat, but these days it is possible to start in Pulna and save 3 km of hiking from Govindaghat. The route from Govindghat to Pulna is on tarmac and has an easy gradient; from here, take the well-marked cemented trail after crossing the bridge on river Alakhnanda. Govindghat has a Gurudwara & few hotels where one can stay.
The trail to Ghangaria, which winds alongside a river with cascading waterfalls and natural water springs that present a very refreshing sight, is usually crowded with pilgrims heading towards Hemkund Sahib. It takes approximately 6 hours to reach Ghangaria, a small village lined with eateries and a Gurudwara. Spend the night in a guest house or hotel in Ghangaria.
Trek to the Valley of Flowers from Ghangaria after breakfast. Leave early to have more time when you arrive at the valley. The trail is relatively flat until we reach the bridge over Pushpawati. From there, it is a steep climb of about 1.5 km until the valley emerges, which is a magical sight with an impressive array of rare wildflowers. Technical names for the flowers found here include: Geranium, Marsh marigold, Prinula, Potentilla, Geum, Asters, Lilium, Braham kamal, Inula, Campanula, Arisaema, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis, Sibbaldia, Trollius, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Strawberry, Epilobium, Rhododendrons, and numerous others. Since the trek is fairly easy, you will have ample time to relax and absorb the beauty of this wonderful place. Soak your feet in the stream and enjoy the sight. Since camping in the valley is not permitted, you will have to trek back to Ghangaria retracing the same route. Spend the night at your hotel in Ghangaria. We will walk for about 10 km in the valley, which is normally carpeted with flowers of an array of colors: Green, Blue, Yellow, and Red. In the far distance, you can see snow-clad peaks. One of the valley's attractions is a refreshing stream named Pushpawati, into which several tiny streams and waterfalls merge.
This trek is lovely, but it is also steep and difficult. The weather can be erratic, and the trek is completed during the peak monsoon months, so it is best to start early to avoid getting caught in the rain. It takes about 4 hours to reach Hemkund Sahib Lake, which is the highest Gurudwara in the Sikh community and sits at an elevation of 4,329 meters above sea level. You can warm yourself inside the Gurudwara and it is best to begin descending before 2 PM.
Get going early on your trek; it is a 13km primarily downhill walk from Ghangria to Govind Ghat. If you walk steadily, you should reach Govind Ghat by 11am. From there, you can either head straight to Dehradun or spend the night there and go the next morning.
Depart from Govind Ghat to Dehradun in the morning.