Valley of Flowers Trek - India's Floral Paradise

The Valley of Flowers Trek in India is the perfect destination for your next vacation. If you love to see flowers of different colors and designs, then The Valley of Flowers Trek in Uttarakhand should be at the top of your holiday list. At an altitude of 3868 meters, the Valley of Flowers is a paradise for those who love to spend time amidst nature and appreciate this place’s serenity.

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It is one of the world’s most beautiful locations, with UNESCO recognizing it as a World Heritage Site. The rivers, valleys, and meadows combine to form a picture, so keep your cameras ready for some more!

Valley of Flowers: Season for Trekking

The purpose of this trek is to witness the beauty of the Valley of Flowers, so you need to plan smartly. Summer months are arid but less crowded. July and August are the best months to visit the Valley to witness the blossoms at their gorgeous best. Every year in June, this tourist retreat opens for business. It isn’t easy to travel across this area and get to most places on your schedule during winter because the roads are still covered in snowfall.

Preparations for the Trek

This trek is beginner-friendly, and most people can cover the distance quickly. It is only when you are heading towards the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara that the trail becomes difficult. Thus, you must include physical activities in your routine if you wish.

Also, travel light and take all your essentials with you, such as flashlights, battery storage, first aid kits, medicines, and good trekking gear. The shoes must be waterproof, and the trekking stick should be slightly curved. Take snacks along with you and have a good time reaching the place.

Towards Valley of Flowers

This tour begins at the sacred place of Govind Ghat, accessible from Haridwar. To travel to Haridwar, you have two options: take a train and get out at Rishikesh Station or fly into Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun. Buses and taxis are available outside these terminals, and the drive will take nine to ten hours.

Enjoy the scenic views of the lush hillside as you immerse yourself in the surrounding beauty of the road. The drive from Haridwar to Govindghat in Joshimath, a gateway to the Hindu Char Dham pilgrimage site of Badrinath, is a visual feast, with lush woods, rugged terrain, and the beautiful peaks of the Garhwal region accompanying you the entire way. After a 9 to 10-hour ride, you will see the Alaknanda River glittering, and when you reach Devprayag, you will see the mystical grandeur of the Bhagirathi River joining it to form the sacred River Ganges.

In addition to being the starting point for the Valley of Flowers Trek and the entrance to Shri Hemkunt Sahib, a revered site for Sikh pilgrims, Govind Ghat, located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, has great religious significance. The next day, you will travel through Poolna to get to Ghangaria village. You will walk the entire distance after driving around 4 kilometers to Poolna. This uphill climb is tedious but not too difficult because of the beautiful alpine trees and the roaring Laxman Ganga River.

Snow Caps & Wildflowers

You will witness the snow-capped peaks of Neelkanth and Hathi Parbat and the vibrant wildflowers. On the third day of the journey, you can find the Valley of Flowers, the tour’s highlight. It is covered in vivid colors of various shades and shapes. This seven-hour journey begins at Ghangaria and proceeds towards the Pushpavati Valley along the banks of the Pushpavati River that flows through this Valley. Enjoy the scents and sights of the Valley of Flowers National Park as you pass by, from Blue Poppy to the Himalayan Rose, from Meadow Geranium to Brahma Kamal, the King of Himalayan Flowers. You’ll need about six hours to walk the eight kilometers that need to be covered.

The blue streams flowing beneath the bridges provide a lovely touch to the surroundings, making you feel like you’ve been transported to a fairyland. See how the glorious evening light paints the sky in hues evocative of the flowers as you return to Ghangaria.

You will be traveling a challenging part to reach Hemkund Sahib the following day, so ensure you sleep enough. A considerable level of physical fitness is required due to the height (4300 meters) and steep rise for most of the walk. In your final hours here, stroll through Haridwar’s colorful streets and return with a treasure box of memories.

Things to Do On The Valley of Flowers Trek

Many treks in Uttarakhand begin at the picturesque hill town of Joshimath, a holy site in the Chamoli district. The Alaknanda River and Dhauliganga are visible from that location. Getting to Badrinath to make prayers and ask for blessings from God is quite simple from here. You should do the Char Dham Yatra, which Hindu pilgrims need if the time meets the requirements.

It is a beautiful and serene place. With a height of 4329 meters and a location next to Hemkund Lake, the Gurudwara is among the highest in the country. Situated on the banks of the Ganges river is the holy Ghat, Har ki Pauri, which translates to “Lord Shiva’s footsteps.” The famous Ganga ki Aarti must be seen while you are here, and the caliber of the crowd that gathers each evening is fantastic. It has a long history, and several traditions say Lord Vishnu once roamed these grounds. This location is the setting for several events, including Pinder Daan, Mundan, and Aasthi Visarjan. This neighborhood is also alive with several fairs that take place here.

The location holds religious significance as it is said that the younger brother of Lord Rama, Lord Lakshman, received healing here, and Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru, meditated beside the lake. Consequently, a temple was erected there. This place is the only one where you can feel solitude. The location is perfect because of the weather and the serene mood.

Mana hamlet is located in the Chamoli region of Uttarakhand, close to the banks of Hemkund Lake at an elevation of 3200 meters. It is renowned as the last village before the line dividing Tibet from India and the perfect example of blending the two cultures. Indulge in some shopping therapy while you’re here; shawls and carpets are the local specialties.

The road is lined with waterfalls and caverns, such as Vasundhara Falls. However, there aren’t any good places to stop and rest. In addition to swimming in the healing waters of Tapt Kund, you’ll be able to see Neelkanth Peak. The Nanda Devi National Park is one of Chamoli’s most popular tourist locations.

The terrain of this area is varied, featuring massive mountain ranges and lush meadows. There are over 500 species, and you can go on a jungle safari to get up close and personal with them in their natural habitats. This region must be preserved to preserve its natural beauty and stop the extinction of the local wildlife, as it is home to many endangered species.

The Flora and Fauna of The Valley of Flowers Trek

A few points about exotic flowers are necessary to know if you are organizing your trip around their blooming season. With ties to Lord Brahma, Lord Shiva’s approval for Lord Ganesha to receive the elephant’s head, and Lord Vishnu, Draupadi’s encounter with the golden lotus, the Brahma Kamal is the most prized flower in the Himalayan region. It is said by many to grant wishes, so if you want to witness its beauty—which blooms just twice a year in July and August—you’ll need to arrange your travel schedule carefully.

Near Ghangaria is the Himalayan Cobra Lily, which has a hood resembling that of a cobra. Just before the monsoon rains arrive, in May and June, it blooms. A flower species that blooms in July and August, the Himalayan Marsh Orchid is at risk of extinction. This perennial shrub has healing effects. It is colored pink and purple. It is typically found around bodies of water and violent rivers. The Himalayan Thyme is a purple-colored shrub with essential oils and is said to help with respiratory and digestive issues. It can also be used as an antibiotic.

Who To Book The Valley of Flowers Trek With?

Our recommendation is to book with local tour operators Ban Banjara. Here is their tour: Valley of Flowers Trek.

Other Himalaya Trekking Tours

FAQs

Is The Valley of Flowers Trek Difficult?

The trek is not challenging. A well-paved and well-defined trail leads through the valley of flowers. There are many steep spots on the trek, but except for the day you trek to the valley, you can hire a pony to reduce the difficulty. The Valley of Flowers trek difficulty level is moderate to easy.

Can kids do The Valley of Flowers Trek?

Families with children who want to visit the Valley of Flowers often ask this question. In general, yes, but infants cannot be brought along. Ideally, the minimum age should be such that the child can enjoy it.

Which is the best month to visit the Valley of Flowers?

There are a few things to remember when visiting the Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand – The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand is from May to October, when the flowers bloom in abundance. To avoid the crowds, you can also visit between November and April.

Closing Thoughts

Valley of Flowers is a location whose beauty stays with you throughout your life. The visuals, the weather, the verdant surroundings, the rivers, and the vibrant wildflowers affect our physical and mental health for the better. This makes this trip possible. Book your tickets to the flower paradise of India.

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