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Valley of Flowers Trek 5 Nights / 6 Days

  • Flights
  • Hotel Stay
  • Meals
  • Transfers
  • Sightseeing
  • Cruise
Overview

The Valley of Flowers Trek is nestled in the vicinity of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve and its multitude of blooming flowers covering the vast expanse of land makes the valley of flowers one of the most beautiful Himalayan treks our country has to offer.

Stretched to an expanse of 87.5 square kilometers with an altitude of 14,200 ft, the valley of flowers trek is popular among all kinds of trekkers. The sheer beauty that the rich biodiversity offers attract many avid nature lovers and the steep ascents and descents allow trekkers to relish in the experience of commencing this Himalayan trek and tick it off of their bucket list. With theHemkund Sahibawaiting on the other side of the trek, many pilgrims embark upon the valley of flowers trek as well.

Being one of the oldest known treks, The valley of flower trek came on every trekker's radar all over the world when it was declared a world heritage site by UNESCO in 2002. The valley is home to more than 520 species of flowers that come together to form a tapestry of colors in front of you with dominating shades of pink, blue and purple. The valley of flowers national park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand and along with being home to a diverse range of flora, it is also home to many endangered animals including snow leopards and red foxes.

Nestled at an altitude of approx 12,000ft, The Valley of Flower National park along with Nanda Devi National park come together to form a transition zone between the mighty Himalayas and the Zanskar range of mountains.

The valley of flowers trek comes under the easy to moderate category when it comes to grading the difficulty level and is considered to be a perfect trek for beginners and even a great trek for families. The hardest climb is the one to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara which is the highest Gurudwara in the world and one of the most important pilgrim sites in Uttarakhand.

The valley itself stretches to a length of almost 10 kilometers, with colors of rainbows speckled across the patchwork of grass, compelling you to stop and look at them closely. The scent of flora lingers in the air and is hard to miss as you keep traversing through the valley, walking on the narrow path that cuts across the flower beds to make way.

In this valley of flower trek itinerary, we start our journey with an 8-hour drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath which is the base camp for the Valley of flowers trek. Though the drive can seem strenuous, the beautiful scenery that accompanies you provides you a glimpse at four of the Panch Prayag which are five holy sites of the confluence of the river Ganga namely -Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, and Nand Prayagwill surely this drive a visual treat for your eyes. Upon reaching Joshimath, we will check into our lodgings and retire for the night.

The next day, we drive from Joshimath to Pulna village which is the starting point for the valley of flower trek. Upon reaching there, we start trekking toGhangaria. We gradually ascend on a stretch of a 9-kilometer route with the Pushpawati river flowing alongside. The trek is considered to be of the easy to moderate category with the uphill route consisting of stone-carved paths and steep ascents testing your endurance slightly as you walk up to your next campsite, Ghangaria village which is located at an altitude of 10,000ft. The trail is lined with many small dhabas so you will have plenty of resources to refill your water bottles and get snacks as you move forward. After walking for almost half of the distance, you will be able to see the Hathi Parvat ranges in front of you. From there on the climb is steep and you’ll be required to maintain proper footing until you reach your campsite.

The next day you will be able to traverse through the valley of flowers. But before that, you have to cover at least a stretch of 4 kilometers of land. As you keep walking for at least 10 minutes, you will stumble upon the Laxman waterfall which gushes streams of sparkling water, the sight of which will surely refresh you. After a few minutes, you will reach the forest check post, from where you can buy tickets. The check post signifies your proximity to another marvel of nature in the form of a wooden bridge that is perched upon the Pushpavati river. No sooner after you have crossed the bridge, mountains will start peeking from behind. Every direction that you take will seem like a natural paradise because all colors of the rainbow are now on the ground in the form of blooming flowers. The difficulty level of the valley of flowers trek becomes easier here as you have to walk flatly throughout the valley.

Adorning the Himalayan peaks with different hues belonging to native flowers like poppies, Himalayan roses, geraniums, etc. The flowery carpet will end after a 5-kilometer stretch at a glacier but the sight of the majestic Himalayan peaks ofNilgiri Parvat, Bhyundar Khal, Rattan, Gauri Parvat,etc still make the view picturesque with a cold stream of water flowing throughout. Eating and camping in the valley aren’t allowed so you will have to head back to Ghangaria and retire for the night.

The hardest part of the valley of flowers trek commences the next day as you head out for Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib, nestled at an altitude of 14,107 ft, it is the highest Gurudwara in the world. The six-hour-long trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib is challenging in more than one way, the first one being that in a matter of a few hours, you gain an altitude of 5,000ft and the scenic views are replaced by steep descents making the climb rather strenuous. As you keep walking, you will be able to look over the entire valley of flowers and soon a cascading waterfall will come into view. You’d be able to feel the low oxygen levels as you gradually ascend, and that is your cue to keep drinking water as much as you can. After traversing on stone-paved pathways and stumbling upon melting glaciers, Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib will bless you with the Hemkund lake right by its side, mirroring its pristine beauty. All your efforts will feel worth it once you have a cup of hot piping chai and a mouthful of khichdi that is distributed during the Langar.

As you stroll on the premise, you’d feel a sense of peace that you won’t find anywhere else. The lake, which is formed by the melting glaciers of Hathi Parvat andSaptarishi peaks, reflects the grandeur of the mountain as well. When the skies are crystal clear, you get a view of the Saptarishis peaks beckoning you closer while on the lakeside, rare flowers like the Brahma Kamal add more charm to the beauty of Hemkund lake. On a clear day, you will be able to glimpse at the Himalayan peaks of Nilgiri Parvat, Bhyundar Khal, and Gauri Parvat as well. A temple dedicated to Laxman, Lord Rama’s brother is also situated near the lake and you can pay your respects there as well. You will soon have to descend and the 7-kilometer walk can put a strain on your muscles.

The next day is relatively easier as the descent to Pulna village would feel easier than the steep uphill climbing of the previous day. The trail is lined with enough dhabas and snack shops making it even easier to descend and in no time you’d have reached the base from where we’d be driving to Joshimath commencing our valley of flowers trek.

Being one of the most well-known treks in the Indian Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers trek is quite safe. It has well-laid trails frequented by pilgrims. However, one needs to be careful on the slippery sections of the trail, especially during the rainy season.

The best time to do the Valley of Flowers trek is in July and August when the blooming of flowers is at its peak. The prominent species of flowers that avid nature lovers find here are Brahmakamal, Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily Anemone, Geranium, Marsh Marigold & Primula. Also, the valley has to offer much more than flowers. There are waterfalls, glaciers, towering mountains, gushing rivers, and quaint villages, not to mention an abundance of peace.

Itinerary
Day 1 : (Rishikesh)
Day 2 : (Joshimath)
Day 3 : (Ghangaria)
Day 4 : (Ghangaria)
Day 5 : (Ghangaria)Ghangaria to Pulna (9 Kms, 5 Hrs) | Drive to Joshimath/Pipalkoti (22 Kms, 1 hour Drive)
Day 6 : (Ghangaria)Joshimath/Pipalkoti to Rishikesh (253 Kms, 8 Hrs drive)
Other Info

  • Meals during transit.
  • Insurance of any kind.
  • Any fees and permits (For Foreigners).
  • Unscheduled delay due to a landslide.
  • Charges for Hot water at Ghangaria (Rs 60 per bucket)
  • Cost Escalation due to “Force Majeure and Evacuation charges”.
  • Anything not mentioned explicitly in the above program.
  • Note:You can apply for travel insurance prior to the trek.

Cancellation Policy

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21 Days

21-15 Days

14-8 Days

7-0 Days

Batch

Shifting

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Cancellation Free

25% Deducted

50 % deducted

100 % Deducted

Booking Amount

Refunded in mode of

Credit Note with Lifetime Validity

No Refund

No Refund

No Refund

Remaining Amount

Full refund

Partial Refund

Partial Refund

No Refund

Payment Policy

Treks

Up to

21 Days

21-15 Days

14-8 Days

7-0 Days

Batch

Shifting

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50% Payment

Optional

Compulsory

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75% Payment

Optional

Optional

Compulsory

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Full Payment

Optional

Optional

Optional

Compulsory

  • Accommodation:2 Nights of Accommodation in a hotel in Joshimath, and 3 Nights of Accommodation in a hotel in Ghangaria on a Triple/Quad Sharing basis.
  • Transportation:Surface transfer from Rishikesh to Rishikesh
  • Meals:All Veg meals from Day 1st Dinner to Day 6th breakfast.
  • Snacks:Morning / Evening Tea / Coffee with light snacks.
  • Trek Leader:Qualified and Experienced Trek leader and support staff.
  • Permits:All necessary fees and permits.
  • Safety Equipment:Basic First Aid kit with Oximeter and Oxygen Cylinder.
  • Guide ratio:1:10

  • Backpack (Min 55 Ltrs with rain cover):You must pick a good quality backpack with a comfortable fit and straps that won’t give you shoulder pain. You can check out your nearest Decathlon store for a good trekking backpack.
  • Day backpack (20 – 30 Ltrs): When you head towards the summit, you are required to carry only a few necessary items and for that, you need a day backpack as you will leave your bigger one on the campsite.
  • Floaters or Sandals:Although the entire trek requires a good quality shoes, you still need to let your feet breathe to avoid chafing and blisters. When you are at the camp, a good pair of sandals and floaters will help you to move freely.
  • Trekking Shoes:A good trekking shoe is comfortable, provides ankle support, and has a good grip as well. They shouldn’t be chunky, instead, they should be lightweight and sturdy.
  • 3 Quick Dry Tees:You must keep at least three pairs of quick dry tees so that you can wash them in between stops for proper hygiene.
  • 2 Track Pants: A good pair of track pants made of polyester will let your skin breathe. They’re lightweight, dry easily, and comfortable to walk around in. You can easily avoid chafing and rashes by investing in a good pair of track pants.
  • 3 Pair of Cotton Socks:Cotton socks are extremely comfortable to move around in and are lightweight as well which is why you can always count on a good pair of cotton socks while trekking. However, keep in mind to change them and avoid wearing them when they are wet.
  • 1 Pair of Woolen Socks:A good pair of woolen socks, especially merino, are comfortable, limit odors and provide adequate insulation from the cold so you can wear them at night.
  • 1 Poncho:A poncho is an evolved form of a raincoat that provides coverage to your body as well as your bag and ensures total water protection from the rain.
  • 1 Heavy Jacket:It’s emphasized that you need to carry proper layers so you can avoid getting cold which is why you need to carry a heavy jacket that you can put on over your other clothes.
  • 1 Pair of Thermal:Thermal is a piece of garment that helps in keeping your body warm in cold temperatures. It is a necessary item that you need when going on a high-altitude trek.
  • Quick-dry towel:A quick-dry towel will help in maintaining proper hygiene. It must dry quickly because the wet fabric will only increase the chance of bacterial growth.
  • Windproof Jacket:As you ascend toward high altitude, you get hit by chilly winds and a windbreaker jacket is designed to resist them. They are lightweight and are made of synthetic fibers.
  • Woolen Cap:A woolen cap will help prevent cold when you ascend to high altitude. You can also cover your ears to avoid any pain and discomfort you might face when going to high altitudes.
  • Gloves:Insulated gloves help in maintaining proper body heat in your hands and also provide a better grasp on trekking poles.
  • Sun Cap:A lightweight sun cap with side flaps is perfect to keep your head cool and avoid sunburns on a sunny day.
  • 1 Scarf or Balaclava:Along with sun rays and chilly winds, you also get hit by dirt and grime during treks which is why it's important to carry a scarf or balaclava so you can cover your face when needed.
  • Lip Balm:Your lips can become chapped due to the harsh cold winds so it's important to keep them moisturized.
  • Cold Cream & SunScreen (SPF 40+):To avoid sunburns and chafing, you need to put on sunscreen as well as cold cream.
  • Antibacterial powder:To avoid rashes that develop from bacterial infestation in your armpits and other parts of your body.
  • Water Bottle 1 Lt.:Hydration is extremely important when it comes to trekking. Carrying a water bottle that you can refill with Himalayan water is a must.
  • Basic Lunch Box with a spoon:On treks, we often give packed lunches which you'll need to carry in a lunch box.
  • Headlamp or torch:You can’t rely on moonlight when you are in the mountains. A torch or even a headlamp with a fresh pair of batteries is always a good idea to bring along.
  • Bag for all your Toiletries:A bag with all your essentials including napkins, toothpaste, sanitizers, paper soap, etc should be carried in a ziplock bag.
  • Personal Medications and basic medical kit:A few cuts and bruises are almost inevitable when you are on a trek so carrying a medical kit with bandages, Dettol, etc is necessary.
  • Dark Sunglasses / People who use spectacles (Use Photochromic glasses instead of contact lenses):Photochromatic glasses are specs that are designed to transform into anti-glare shades depending upon exposure to the sun. They are good when it comes to eye protection but one can also opt for clip-on glasses etc.
  • Trekking Pole:The trekking pole assists in more than one way. It saves energy while also providing stability and helps you to maintain proper balance.
  • Documents:Identification proofs like Aadhar Card, and driver's License.
  • Mobile charger / Power bank:Apart from some of the basecamps, you won’t get electricity in the Himalayas, and hence it is advisable to carry at least two charged power banks in case of emergencies.
  • Travel Laundry Bag:In case your clothes get wet or your garments don’t dry, you can carry them in the bag and keep them separate from your dry clothes.
  • Camera:This should be obvious. To make sure that you get to capture all the great moments from your trek. Make sure that you have enough storage and some extra batteries as well.

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