Valley of Flowers Trek

Trek Overview

The Valley of Flowers Trek is a breathtaking monsoon trek in the Indian Himalayas, famous for its vast meadows blanketed in a vibrant palette of alpine flowers. Located in Uttarakhand’s Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, this UNESCO World Heritage Site comes alive between July and September, when the valley is in full bloom. The trek takes you through dense forests, across high-altitude bridges and rivers, and into a magical world of over 300 species of flora, including the rare Blue Poppy and Brahma Kamal.
This moderate trek also includes a visit to the sacred Hemkund Sahib, one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world, located beside a glacial lake at 14,100 ft. Whether you are a nature enthusiast, spiritual seeker, or avid trekker, the Valley of Flowers offers a truly enchanting Himalayan experience.

Trek Highlights

Explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its rare and exotic Himalayan flora.
Trek through lush forests, alpine meadows, and high-altitude wooden bridges.
Visit Hemkund Sahib at 14,100 ft — a sacred Sikh pilgrimage site nestled by a glacial lake.
Ideal monsoon trek (July to September) for botanists, photographers, and nature lovers.
Perfect moderate trek for beginners with basic fitness and a love for the outdoors.

Detailed Itinerary

Day 01: Drive from Rishikesh to Govindghat

Drive Distance: 265 km | Duration: 10-11 Hours | Altitude: 6,000 ft | Stay: Hotel/Guest House

Meet our representative at Rishikesh in the morning and begin the scenic drive towards Govindghat. The journey follows the Alaknanda River and passes through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Nandprayag, Chamoli, Pipalkoti, and Joshimath. Enjoy spectacular Himalayan landscapes throughout the drive before reaching Govindghat in the evening. Check into the hotel, have dinner, and rest for the trek.

Highlights: Devprayag Sangam, Alaknanda River, Panch Prayag, Joshimath, Himalayan mountain drive.

Day 02: Drive to Pulna by Local Union Transport & Trek to Ghangaria

Drive Distance: 4 km | Trek Distance: 9 km | Duration: 5-6 Hours | Altitude: 10,000 ft | Stay: Hotel/Guest House

After breakfast, take the local union vehicle from Govindghat to Pulna, the starting point of the trek. Begin trekking on a well-laid stone trail alongside the Lakshman Ganga River. Cross suspension bridges, waterfalls, and dense forests while enjoying magnificent mountain scenery. Reach Ghangaria by afternoon, check into your accommodation, and relax for the night.

Highlights: Pulna Village, Lakshman Ganga River, waterfalls, suspension bridges, pine forests.

Day 03: Trek to Valley of Flowers & Return to Ghangaria

Trek Distance: 12 km (Round Trip) | Duration: 7-8 Hours | Altitude: 12,000 ft | Stay: Hotel/Guest House

After breakfast, trek to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valley of Flowers National Park. Walk through lush alpine meadows covered with hundreds of species of Himalayan flowers, streams, waterfalls, and breathtaking mountain views. Spend ample time exploring and photographing the valley before returning to Ghangaria.

Highlights: Valley of Flowers National Park, Pushpawati River, Blue Poppy, Brahma Kamal, alpine meadows.

Day 04: Trek to Hemkund Sahib & Return to Ghangaria

Trek Distance: 12 km (Round Trip) | Duration: 6-7 Hours | Altitude: 14,100 ft | Stay: Hotel/Guest House

Start early for the steep climb to Hemkund Sahib, one of the highest Sikh pilgrimage sites in the world. Visit the sacred Gurudwara and the glacial Hemkund Lake surrounded by snow-covered peaks. After spending time at this peaceful destination, descend carefully back to Ghangaria.

Highlights: Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, Hemkund Lake, alpine flowers, panoramic Himalayan views.

Day 05: Trek from Ghangaria to Pulna & Drive to Govindghat by Local Union Transport

Trek Distance: 9 km | Drive Distance: 4 km | Duration: 4-5 Hours | Stay: Hotel/Guest House at Govindghat

After breakfast, descend through the same picturesque trail to Pulna while enjoying the final views of the valley. From Pulna, board the local union vehicle to Govindghat. Check into your hotel and spend the evening relaxing after completing the trek.

Highlights: Scenic downhill trek, mountain villages, river views, Govindghat market.

Day 06: Drive from Govindghat to Rishikesh

Drive Distance: 265 km | Duration: 10-11 Hours

After an early breakfast, begin the return drive to Rishikesh. Travel through Joshimath, Chamoli, Karnaprayag, Rudraprayag, and Devprayag while enjoying the scenic beauty of the Garhwal Himalayas. Arrive in Rishikesh by evening with unforgettable memories of the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib Trek.

Highlights: Panch Prayag, Alaknanda River, Himalayan landscapes, memorable return journey.

Inclusion / Exclusion

Inclusions:

Accommodation (Guest house, Home stay, Camping).
Meals while on trek (Veg. + Egg).
Trek equipment (Sleeping bag, mattress, kitchen & dining tent, crampon, utensils, tent).
All necessary permits and entry fees.
First aid medical kits, stretcher, and oxygen cylinder.
Mountaineering qualified & professional trek leader, guide, and support staff.

Exclusions:

Any kind of personal expenses.
Food during the transit.
Insurance.
Mules or porter to carry personal luggage.
Anything not specifically mentioned under the inclusions.

Cancellation & Refund Policy

Change/Cancellation of Booking by the Participant

Process

The cancellation process is completely automated. Please log in to your Mountain Hike account and follow the instructions on your dashboard. You can choose between Instant Refund or Cash Refund as per the policy below.

Replacement of Participants

Participants can be replaced through the India Treks dashboard if the booking status is “Paid” and at least 5 days remain before departure. If you face issues, email info@indiatreks.co.in with a screenshot of the error. The new participant must submit a signed undertaking form.

Note: Any Volvo/Train transport booked for the original participant will be automatically canceled and is non-transferable.

Cash Refund Policy

Cash refunds apply only for bookings made without promotional codes or vouchers. Refund amounts will be deducted as follows:

30+ days before departure: 5% deduction
15-30 days before departure: 50% deduction
Less than 15 days before departure: No Refund

Refunds will be processed to the original payment method and are based on the Base Price of the trek, excluding transport, insurance, and portage fees.

Voucher Refund Policy

Voucher refunds are available for all types of bookings, including promotional offers. Refund amounts will be:

5+ days before departure: No deduction
Less than 5 days: No Refund

Vouchers are valid for 10 months from the date of issue. The refunded voucher amount does not include service tax paid during the original booking.

Cancellation or Change Initiated by India Treks

We reserve the right to modify or cancel an event due to unforeseen circumstances such as weather conditions, natural disasters, low participation, or any force majeure events. If this occurs, you will be given the choice of:

A replacement event of equivalent value
A full refund (processed as a voucher valid for 6 months)

If cancellation is due to low participation, participants can choose between a cash refund or a voucher.

Changes/Cancellation After Departure

Due to Force Majeure

No refund will be provided for cancellations due to force majeure after departure.

Other Reasons

If cancellations occur for reasons other than force majeure, we will attempt to arrange alternative services or provide a refund in the form of a 6-month voucher (or cash, if preferred).

Participant Dropout During the Event

No refund will be provided if a participant voluntarily drops out of the trek. Any additional costs incurred for return arrangements will be borne by the participant.

Early Return from an Event

If a participant returns early due to force majeure or an event ending sooner than planned, additional expenses (extra nights, transport) must be covered by the participant.

Emergency Evacuation

In case of a medical emergency, we will arrange evacuation to the nearest hospital. Any costs for porters, vehicles, ambulance services, or hospitalization must be covered by the participant.

Trek Info

Quick Itinerary