You know how they say that it’s not the destination but the journey that matters? Don’t think that applies to the magical Valley of Flowers Trek in Uttarakhand. Sure, the trek is beautiful and exciting. But the Valley of Flowers National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of those places that can make anyone feel like they’re in paradise.
Home to stunning flora such as the blue poppy, cobra lily, Brahma Kamal amongst many others, we’re sure you’d want to unstumble upon this place too. Here’s all that you need to know about the Valley of Flowers Trek in Uttarakhand.
The trek takes 3 days to complete after you’ve reached the destination from where it begins. So, your first day would involve getting from Joshimath-Govindghat-Ghangaria. This can take anywhere between 7-9 hours depending on your pace.
The second day would be Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers. This will take 6-8 hours to go there and return to Ghangaria.
Your final day would be returning to Govindghat from Ghangaria. You can also experience the Hemkund Sahib Trek if you have more days in hand, as that’s also just a detour away from Ghangaria.
Also read: Skiing In Auli Uttarakhand
Before you can begin the actual trek to the Valley of Flowers National Park, you’ll need to get to the mountain town of Joshimath. Located in the Chamoli District at a height of about 6150 feet, the town is the best way for anybody to reach Govindghat, which is the starting point of the Valley of Flowers Trek. There are two ways you can go about this, depending on where you’re coming from.
Before we share the route, you should know that Haridwar Junction is the nearest railway station to Joshimath, while Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest accessible one. The roads from Haridwar and Dehradun are well connected for you to drive to Joshimath, and the distance is about 270 km from both the cities. Here are the two routes you can take.
You can take a bus from Rishikesh but there are no direct buses. So your ride will either take you to Chamoli, which is just 50 km away from Joshimath, or to Rudraprayag, which is further away. Getting another cab or bus from either of these places won’t be a problem. Or you can also get a shared taxi from Natraj Chawk in Rishikesh, which is definitely faster.
Do keep in mind that shared cabs (TATA Sumo) may get cramped up and uncomfortable. So depending on your luck, it might not be a very comfortable ride. But if there are no budget constraints, you can always get a private cab too. One thing is for sure, the journey is pretty enjoyable because of the scenic sights of the mountains and rivers on the way.
Overall, if you take a bus, your journey will take about 11 hours. If you’re used to buses and don’t have back problems, you should be fine. Oh also, the last bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath leaves at 9 am, so plan accordingly. The cab will take about 9 hours. But chances are even that won’t take you directly to Joshimath, so better plan accordingly.
Buses are the undisputed choice if you want a cheaper option. Also, you can take the State Transport Bus from Mussoorie Bus Stand, which will take you directly to Joshimath. These buses run from 5-8 am, with one bus every 30 minutes. If you miss that, your option is a bus to Chamoli or Karnaprayag, from where you’ll have to get another cab or bus to Joshimath.
If buses are not your thing, you can always get shared cabs from Parade Ground and Rispana Taxi Stand. They would obviously cost you more but will save you time if that’s your criteria. The total travel time for a cab would be anywhere between about 7-10 hours, including breaks. Buses, on the other hand, can take anywhere between 8-12 hours, including all the halts and stops.
Now for you to get to the actual place from where the Valley of Flowers Trek begins, you’ll need another shared cab from Joshimath to Govindghat. Your journey will only take about an hour and the shared cabs are not only convenient, but they’re cheap too. This is the fastest mode of transport and quite frankly, the only one you should consider. Not like there are a lot of options anyway!
Here we go! Your first milestone would be the 14 km climb to the village, Ghangria. Start early in the morning because this part takes about 6 hours. Here you’ll come across a lot of the Sikh population as it’s a popular pilgrimage site for them. Things will only get exciting here on. First, you’ll start seeing dhabas and stalls selling parathas, chai, and Maggi Noodles!
You’ll also be spotting a lot of domesticated mules. One of our favorite spots was the footbridge above the river which flows through Govindghat. Also, a great spot to take a short break would be the rocky climb with the river stream of Laxman Ganga flowing on your right side. It’s definitely a great place to just relax and listen to the sound of the stream.
While the trek might seem tiring for first-timers who are not prepared, the charming village of Bhyundar and the elegant flora you’ll come across will totally act as a refreshing sight. Also, you can certainly expect a colorful welcome from the mountains, in the form of beautiful flowers like inula, cobra lily, and clematis vine, among a bunch of others.
After one last steep bit, you will reach Ghangaria. From here the pathway becomes quite narrow and uneven but it’s still not too big a challenge. You’ll find some hotels and guesthouses here. This is where you call it a day and rest a little for that one last climb which takes you to the Valley of Flowers.
Another 3-4 km of climbing from Ghangaria awaits. As you keep going, you’ll feel the refreshing difference in your eyes and nose alike. You’ll see nature blooming in all its glory. The adventure will also involve crossing an iron bridge over the Pushpawati River. But not before paying a nominal fee at the check post and writing your name on the register.
This is the final bit you will have to complete. The path would be rough, sloped, and narrow, so you’ll have to tread carefully. Any moment now, you will come across a wooden bridge with a map. If that’s within your peripheral vision, then voila! Welcome to the magical and colorful paradise, which is nestled away at a height of 11,500 feet!
The Valley of Flowers National Park is exactly what the name suggests. While there are many places in India that have a beautiful flora to treat your eyes, this place is one of its kind. This where nature reveals its true colors in the most untamed and blooming form. The valley is blessed with about 500 species of flowering plants, some of which are also rare.
Not that we felt any differently, but the Valley of Flowers is a vibrant example of how majestic our country is. We were absolutely blown away by how the parking section was packed with subalpine forests of rhododendron and birch. And we came across so many different types of flowers like Himalayan columbine, lusk Larkspur, and many-flowered anemone, to name barely a few.
If that wasn’t enough, the place also inhabits birds like Himalayan yellow-throated Indian chevrotain, Lammergeier, koklass pheasant, and many species of butterflies, bees, and reptiles. Trust us when we say this, Valley of Flowers is where you can come across many rare species of flora and fauna. We came across so many that we didn’t even know existed.
All in all, it’s not just about the flora and fauna, but the Valley of Flowers for us was a reminder of how our country is just as beautiful as any. For us, it was an eye-opener and made us realize just how marvelous nature is and just how little we appreciate it, if at all. Above all of that, the peace and purity of the place is nothing short of therapeutic.
So it doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced trekker or looking for a first-time experience, go trekking here because it’s a life-changing experience, to say the least. This is the kind of adventure that stays with you forever.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Valley Of Flowers?
July to August is the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers. This is the time of the year when the flowers are in full bloom.
Is Valley Of Flowers Trek Dangerous?
The Valley of Flowers Trek isn’t dangerous, but requires you to be in good physical condition to traverse the steep sections.
Which Place Is Known As Valley Of Flowers?
Valley of Flowers is a national park located in the northern part of the Chamoli district in Uttarakhand, and close to the Nanda Devi National Park. The Valley of Flowers is aptly named, thanks to the many, many flowers that carpet the landscape.
Is Valley Of Flowers Worth Visiting?
Definitely! Whether you’re into treks or just want to witness the flowers in full bloom, the Valley of Flowers is the place to be!
How Long Is Valley Of Flowers Trek?
The Valley of Flowers Trek is about 38 km long and would take you about 3-4 days to complete.
Can We Stay At Hemkund Sahib?
No, you cannot stay overnight at Hemkund Sahib owing to its religious significance and higher elevation. But you can definitely stay in the nearby Ghangaria
How Far Is Valley Of Flowers From Auli?
The skiing town of Auli is about 28 km away from the Valley of Flowers and the trip would take you about an hour.
How Long Is The Walk To Hemkund Sahib?
Starting from Ghangaria, the walk to Hemkund Sahib is about 6 km away.
How Far Is Valley Of Flowers From Badrinath?
The holy town of Badrinath is about 25 km away from the Valley of Flowers. The trip would take you about an hour.
Is It Safe To Visit Valley Of Flowers In August?
Yes! In fact, August is the best time to visit as the flowers are in full bloom this time of the year.
