Valley of Flowers Trek

Valley of Flowers Trek

Region
Uttarakhand
Distance
56 km
Max Altitude
4150 m (Hemkund Sahib)
Max Group Size
Duration
8 days/ 7 nights, 5 days trekking
Best Time
July to Sep
Cost Per Person
₹ 37,500 + 5% GST

Description

A team of mountaineers chanced upon Bhyundar (Bhuidhar) valley in the Garhwal Himalayas, Uttarakhand on their return after scaling Mt. Kamet. Struck by the beauty of the innumerable wild flower blooms, the leader of the team, Frank Smythe, decided to call it the ‘Valley of Flowers’, and the moniker stuck. Now-a-days, thousands of trekkers and pilgrims visit the region during July and August to enjoy stupendous views of the valley that breaks into a riot of colours during the rainy months of the year.

The trek begins and ends at Pulna village near Govindghat, about 18 km short of Badrinath on the Rishikesh-Badrinath highway. Ghangria is the base for visiting Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers National Park.

Lokpal, a picturesque lake at the foot of seven peaks, is situated above Ghangria. It is considered holy by both Hindus and Sikhs. Lord Ram’s brother, Lakshman, is said to have meditated here and an ancient Lakshman temple is situated next to the lake. It is also believed that Guru Gobind Singh attained Nirvana here in his previous life. Hemkund Sahib is a Gurdwara that was constructed here in 1939 and has since become an important place of worship for Sikhs.

The trip includes the Hemkund Sahib Trek and The Valley of Flowers Trek from Ghangria.

This is the only Uttarakhand trek package that we ofer during the monsoon months as the best time to do the Valley of Flowers National Park trek is from mid-July to mid-Sept.

Itinerary

  • Day 1Dehradun airport - Srinagar

    Reach Dehradun before noon. Set off on the scenic 120 km drive to Srinagar. It should take about 4 hours.

  • Day 2Srinagar - Govindghat (1860m)

    The 180 km long drive to Govindghat should take around 6 hours.

  • Day 3Govindghat - Badrinath - Govindghat

    The day’s program includes Badrinath temple visit, Mana village (the last village before the Tibet border) and an optional trek from Mana to Vasudhara falls and back, covering a distance of 10 km.

  • Day 4Govindghat - Ghangria (3050m)

    Drive to Pulna village (4 km). From there, Buidhar village is 5 km away. The steep trail from there to Ghangria (6 km) passes through a lovely oak rhododendron forest. The walk should take about 6 hours.

  • Day 5Ghangria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangria

    The 3 km trail to the entrance of VoF follows the Pushpawati river. After entering a gorge, the valley widens and can be seen in its entirety from a place called Bamani Dhaur. After enjoying panoramic vistas of lofty peaks (Nilgiri, Rataban, etc) and a flower-strewn valley floor, we return to Ghangria for the night as camping is prohibited in the sanctuary. The day’s walk takes about 6 to 7 hours.

  • Day 6Ghangria - Hemkund (4150m)

    The trail to Hemkund Sahib is steep in places. The picturesque lake is surrounded by rare Brahmakamal and other flowers. After visiting the lake, Gurudwara and Temple, we return to Ghangria for the night. The day’s walk of around 16 km should take about 7 to 8 hours.

  • Day 7Ghangria - Govindghat - Srinagar

    The descent to Govindghat should take not more than 4 hours. From Govindghat, we drive down to Srinagar (180 km away) to stop for the night.

  • Day 8Srinagar - Dehradun Airport/Dehradun city

    The drive from Srinagar to Dehradun should take about 4 hours. Plan to take an evening flight from Dehradun. Alternately, one can get dropped off at Dehradun and catch a train from there.

Inclusions

– Two nights in a resort in Srinagar, Uttarakhand
– Two nights in a guesthouse in Govindghat
– Three nights in Swiss tents in Ghangria
– Comfortable transport by Innova
– Trekking and nature guides
– Porterage – 1 bag per person
– Breakfast and dinner on all days, lunch inlcuded during stay at Ghangria

FAQ

By what time should we reach Dehradun on Day 1?

Please plan to land in Dehradun by noon.

What will the weather be like in July and August?

It does not usually rain heavily at higher altitudes. Rains are likely in lower altitudes though. Expect highs ranging from 10 to 22 °C and lows ranging from 6 to 14 °C.

What is the total distance we will cover on this trek?

Including the Vasudhara falls hike, the distance covered will be 52 km.

Will there be proper toilets in all places?

Yes, there will be proper western toilets at all the stops on this trek.

My children are younger than 10 yrs. Will they be able to do this trek?

The recommended minimum age for doing this trek is 10 yrs. However you are the best judge. If your child is physically active and is used to walking long distances, he or she should be able to do it. Adequate preparation is necessary though.

What kind of preparation do you recommend for participants?

Brisk walking – at least 5 km, at least 3 or 4 times a week, preferably on hilly terrain. Stair-climbing – at least 15 minutes of climbing up and down stairs everyday is highly recommended (start with 5 min of stair climbing and gradually increase the duration).

Are laundry facilities available?

No, there are no laundry facilities available anywhere during the trek.

Is mobile connectivity available throughout the trek?

Mobile connectivity is available at at all the places up to Ghangria. BSNL has the best coverage. Internet speeds will be very low.

Do we have to carry our own luggage?

No, you will only need to carry a day pack in order to carry some water, short-eats, personal medicines, etc. We will use mules to carry your luggage to the destination.

Do all the places where we will be staying have electricity?

Yes, all stops during the trek have electricity. However the supply is quite unreliable in Ghangria. Please get torches or headlamps with extra batteries.

Is water safe to drink in these places?

Water may or may not be safe to drink. Please carry personal water purifiers (Aquaguard and LifeStraw are two popular brands available online) and avoid bottled water.

What are the other things to pack for the trek?

We will send you a trek checklist when you register.

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