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 Haridwar to Govindghat

Drive Distance: 270 km | Drive Duration: 10-11 hrs | Altitude: 6,300 ft | Stay: Guesthouse at Govindghat or nearby

Start early from Haridwar and enjoy a scenic drive along the Alaknanda River. Pass through Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Joshimath before reaching Govindghat by evening. Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Highlights: Confluence towns, riverside views, Himalayan foothills.

Day 02: Trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria

Trek Distance: 9 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hrs | Altitude: 10,000 ft | Stay: Guesthouse at Ghangaria

Begin the trek along the river, walking on a well-paved path with gradual ascent. You’ll cross the bridge at Pulna and pass several waterfalls and lush forest sections before reaching Ghangaria — your base camp.

Highlights: River crossings, pine forests, waterfalls, mule traffic.

Day 03: Trek to Valley of Flowers and return to Ghangaria

Trek Distance: 6 km one way | Trek Duration: 7-8 hrs | Altitude: 12,000 ft | Stay: Guesthouse at Ghangaria

Today is the highlight of the trek. Enter the Valley of Flowers National Park and walk amidst thousands of blooming Himalayan flowers with stunning views of the Pushpawati River. After exploring the valley, return to Ghangaria.

Highlights: Brahma Kamal, Blue Poppy, lush meadows, misty landscapes.

Day 04: Trek to Hemkund Sahib and return to Ghangaria

Trek Distance: 6 km one way | Trek Duration: 6-7 hrs | Altitude: 14,100 ft | Stay: Guesthouse at Ghangaria

This steep ascent takes you to the revered Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, surrounded by snow-capped peaks and a glacial lake. Experience the serenity of the site and descend carefully back to Ghangaria.

Highlights: Spiritual site, high-altitude lake, alpine views, stone-paved trails.

Day 05: Trek back to Govindghat and drive to Joshimath

Trek Distance: 9 km | Drive Distance: 20 km | Stay: Guesthouse at Joshimath

Retrace your steps to Govindghat through the same route. From there, drive a short distance to Joshimath for your final night stay. Spend the evening exploring the temple town.

Highlights: Scenic descent, relaxed evening in Joshimath.

Day 06: Drive from Joshimath to Haridwar

Drive Distance: 250 km | Drive Duration: 10-11 hrs

Start early for your return journey to Haridwar. The route offers beautiful views of rivers, terraced villages, and the lower Himalayas. Reach Haridwar by evening.

Highlights: Scenic drive, river confluences, end of trek.

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