Skip to content
The Himalayas Calling
The Himalayas Calling
Green alpine meadows of the Valley of Flowers below a snow peak
  • Uttarakhand
  • 6 days
  • Moderate

Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib

Overview

A monsoon-season trek to one of the most famous meadows in the Himalaya, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that blooms with hundreds of species, and a climb to the Sikh shrine of Hemkund Sahib beside its glacial lake.

  • The Valley of Flowers in full bloom
  • Hemkund Sahib and its glacial lake
  • Brahma kamal flowers near Hemkund
  • The pilgrim village of Ghangaria

Day by day

Where you sleepHighest night 3,050 m
  1. Night 1: Joshimath, 1,875 m
  2. Night 2: Ghangaria, 3,050 m
  3. Night 3: Ghangaria, 3,050 m
  4. Night 4: Ghangaria, 3,050 m
  5. Night 5: Joshimath, 1,875 m
  1. 1

    Day 1: Rishikesh to Joshimath

    Along the Ganga through Devprayag and Rudraprayag to Joshimath.

    • Night in Joshimath, 1,875 m
    • 255 km, 9 to 10 hours
  2. 2

    Day 2: To Ghangaria

    From Govindghat, a stone trail leads up through the forest to Ghangaria.

    • Night in Ghangaria, 3,050 m
    • 10 km
  3. 3

    Day 3: Into the Valley of Flowers

    A full day among the flowers. Nobody may stay overnight in the valley, so you walk back to Ghangaria.

    • Night in Ghangaria, 3,050 m
    • Highest point 3,658 m
    • 10 to 12 km return
  4. 4

    Day 4: Hemkund Sahib

    A steep climb of about 1,250 metres to the gurdwara and its lake, and back down.

    • Night in Ghangaria, 3,050 m
    • Highest point 4,329 m
    • 12 km return
  5. 5

    Day 5: Down to Joshimath

    Walk down to Govindghat and drive to Joshimath.

    • Night in Joshimath, 1,875 m
    • 10 km on foot
  6. 6

    Day 6: Back to Rishikesh

    The drive back down to Rishikesh.

    • 255 km

What the price covers

Included

  • Guesthouses and hotels, twin sharing
  • All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6
  • Experienced trek leader
  • Valley of Flowers entry permit
  • Transfers from Rishikesh and back

Not included

  • Travel to the start and from the end
  • Ponies and porters
  • Travel insurance and evacuation costs
  • Extra nights caused by weather or road closures
  • Tips and personal expenses
  • 5% GST

Good to know

Permits

The Valley of Flowers entry permit, valid for three days, is included. Entry closes in the early afternoon, and overnight stays inside the national park are not allowed.

  • The flowers peak from mid-July to the end of August.
  • It rains often in season. Pack a good rain jacket and waterproof shoes.
  • The climb to Hemkund Sahib gains about 1,250 metres. Ponies are available.
  • The road from Rishikesh is prone to monsoon landslides, so the schedule stays flexible.

Questions travellers ask

When is the Valley of Flowers open?

From 1 June to 31 October. The bloom is at its best from mid-July to August.

How hard is the trek?

Moderate. The walks are on a well-made stone trail, but the climb to Hemkund Sahib is steep.

Can I stay inside the valley?

No. Camping is not allowed in the national park, so every night is spent in Ghangaria.

You might also like