Lost on the way back
In 1931 Frank Smythe and fellow British mountaineers lost their way returning from Kamet and walked into this valley. They named it the Valley of Flowers.
After the trek · the almanac
The trek in four numbers
Two round trips from one village: one into a national park of wildflowers, one up to a holy lake.
4,329m
Hemkund Sahib
1982
Made a national park
46km
Walking, over 4 days
17°C
Daytime high in season
🌼 Best: mid-Jul–Aug🏛️ UNESCO World Heritage🚫 No camping in the valley
Day by day
Four days, step by step
The Bikat Adventures plan, Govindghat to Govindghat.
How high you are on each kilometre
- Day 1Govindghat → GhangariaOr drive on to Pulna and save 3 km13 km · about 6 h🛏️ Ghangaria
- Day 2Ghangaria → Valley of Flowers → GhangariaNo camping inside the valley10 km🛏️ Ghangaria
- Day 3Ghangaria → Hemkund Sahib → GhangariaStart at 5 am, head down by 2 pm10 km🛏️ Ghangaria
- Day 4Ghangaria → GovindghatDown the same way13 km
Stories and nature
A valley found by accident
What blooms
Brahma Kamal, Primula, Geranium, Marsh Marigold and rhododendrons, at their best from mid-July to the end of August.
Hemkund Sahib
The highest gurudwara of the Sikh community, beside a glacial lake that stays frozen for about six months a year.
When to go
A monsoon trek
The flowers come with the rains. From November to April the valley is under snow.
Mid-Jul–Aug
Peak bloom. Highs near 17 °C, lows near 7 °C.
Nov–Apr
Snow covers the valley and the lake.
Hemkund day
Leave by 5 am and start down by 2 pm.
Plan your trip
Getting to Govindghat
Govindghat is on the Alaknanda road beyond Joshimath. Jeeps run on to Pulna, where the trail begins.
- Rishikesh🚌 Long drive up the Alaknanda valley
- Govindghat🚙 Jeep, saves 3 km
- Pulna
Hardest part
Day 3: the steep climb to Hemkund, over 1,000 m above Ghangaria.
Altitude sickness
Headache, sickness or dizziness? Tell your leader, rest, and go down if it gets worse.
Good to know
The small things
Cash, signal, water, permits and help on the way. Checked October 2026; confirm with your operator.
Entry permit
₹200 for Indians, valid three days. Only 300 people a day, so book early at valleyofflower.uk.gov.in. Discover with Dheeraj
Gate hours
Open 1 June to 31 October. Gate opens 7 a.m., last entry 2 p.m., everyone out by 5 p.m. Discover with Dheeraj
Last ATM
The last ATM is in Joshimath. Trekkaro
Phone signal
Only BSNL and Jio work reliably in Ghangaria. Don't expect data. Himalayan Hikers
Stays
No camping in the valley. Ghangaria has a GMVN guesthouse, tented camps, homestays and a Gurudwara. Himalayan Dream Treks
Food
Ghangaria has tea shops and a Gurudwara serving free langar. Trekkaro
Ponies and porters
About ₹1,000–2,000 per person per day. A helicopter seat is about ₹10,800 before tax. Himalayan Dream Treks
Jeep to Pulna
Shared jeeps from Govindghat to Pulna cost about ₹50 a person. Discover with Dheeraj
Shared cab
A cab from Rishikesh to Joshimath costs about ₹7,500 one way per 5–6 seat car, split between the group. Trekkaro
Nearest hospital
Joshimath, 25 km from Govindghat. Himalaya Shelter
What to pack
Your checklist
Tick items as you pack. Your ticks stay saved on this device. Items with a red price can be rented.
Clothing
Shoes
Gear
Papers and money
Health
List from Trekkaro: Valley of Flowers things to carry.
Rent or buy
Where to get gear
Many operators lend tents, sleeping bags and spikes. Ask yours before you rent.
Dehradun before you leave
DecathlonBuy · thermals, socks, fleece, gloves, torch, polesPlot 1591, Haridwar Bypass Road · Website
Himalayan Dream TreksRent · shoes, jackets, bags, trek pants, ponchos, poles, torches, power banks, gaiters10 B Mothorowala Road, Dharampur · +91 80896 93825 · Website
Shop details are from each shop's own page. Phone to confirm prices and stock.
Who runs it
Choose an operator
We found 7 operators with a Valley of Flowers page in October 2026. The park closes on 31 October, so only 2 list dates, for the 2027 season.
Prices are base prices from each operator's own page (October 2026); most add 5% GST. Ratings are what each operator shows, not an independent audit. Names marked † show last season's price or one seen only in a search snippet.