In the distant landscapes of Uttarakhand lies a UNESCO-recognized valley covered in a blanket of vibrant flowers. The Valley of Flowers is one of the most famous and oldest treks in India, still charming enthusiastic trekkers to partake in it. This valley in Uttarakhand became a national park in 1980 and gained the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2002. Here’s all the information you need to know about this mesmerizing trek that will take you through lush green meadows and vibrant flower fields in Uttarakhand.
Valley of Flowers: A Beginner’s Guide To The Trek Route, Packing Checklist, Best Time, And More
Information About the Valley Of Flowers
Valley of Flowers is home to over 500 species of alpine flora, most of them being rare to find anywhere else. The valley is also known for being home to the State Flower of Uttarakhand – the Brahma Kamal. This unique flower blooms only once a year and is considered an auspicious flower associated with Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, as per Hindu mythology.
Located near this valley is the Hemkund Sahib, considered to be one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world. The Brahma Kamal grows in the valley surrounding this Gurudwara, with many tourists flocking to the holy site to capture a glimpse of the elusive flower.
Not just flora, but the valley is known to house some of the most elusive and mesmerizing Himalayan wild animals. These include snow leopards, musk deer, and Himalayan monal (a kind of pheasant). If you’re lucky enough, you might spot some of these in their natural habitat, strolling through the Valley of Flowers.
Valley of Flowers Trek Route
The Valley of Flowers trek is a moderate-level trek, with the highest point of altitude being at 14,100 ft. Many trekkers start their trek usually from Karchi or Pipalkoti and then make their way to Govindghat, from where the trek route is pretty straightforward. Here’s the route:
Karchi/Pipalkoti – Govindghat – Poolna – Ghangaria – Valley of Flowers
This trek covers a total distance of 37 kilometers (km) and takes about 6 days for the complete journey. The Valley of Flowers trek will take you through some of the most stunning orchards, meadows, and valleys, and is just perfect for a beginner trekker.
Note that, while the Valley of Flowers trek can be done solo, in groups, or just with your friends, we recommend participating in an organized trek if you’re a beginner. There are plenty of organizations like Indiahikes, Trek The Himalayas, Thrillophillia, Trek Nomads, and Trek Veda that offer reasonably-priced packages. They include other facilities like to-and-fro transportation, accommodation, food, as well as travel insurance, making it convenient for first-time or beginner trekkers.
Best Time To Trek To The Valley Of Flowers
July: Early Bird Season
The Valley of Flowers opens up every year by June, however, this month is not the most ideal for setting out on a trek. It is the month of July when you can actually start planning a trek. The reason being that the snow starts to melt, rains arrive, and the flowers begin to bloom. July is also the month with minimum crowds, making it perfect for trekkers who wish to have the valley all for themselves.
August: Peak Season
However, August is the perfect time to visit the Valley of Flowers if you wish to witness all the flowers in full bloom. August receives plenty of rainfall here and that might make the environment a bit cloudy, but the real beauty of this valley can only be seen in this roughly one month time period. Trekking during this time can mean plenty of trekkers joining you to witness the full bloom, so make sure to go there on a weekday for a comparatively lesser crowd.
September: Peak Season For Devotees
If you wish to avoid the peak tourist season in the valley, September is also a good time along with July. As September approaches, the flowers begin wilting and retreating, so you may not get the experience you had dreamt of. However, the skies are comparatively clearer and the weather is also pleasant. The only downside of visiting the Valley of Flowers is that this month sees a massive increase in the devotees visiting Hemkund Sahib.
Overall, July to September is the ideal time to visit the Valley of Flowers. If you wish to get as small a crowd as possible, make sure to visit between mid-July and mid-August.
Packing Checklist And Tips For Valley Of Flowers Trek
It’s time to know about what you need to pack for the trek to the Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand. Remember to get all essential items but do not overpack as you’ll be responsible for carrying the weight of the backpack.
Packing Checklist for Valley of Flowers Trek
Documents:
- Government-issued ID Card: Aadhar Card, PAN Card, Driving Licence, etc
- Medical certificate issued by an authorized doctor
- Travel insurance
Clothing and accessories:
- Thermal wear
- Fleece jackets
- Waterproof and/or padded jackets
- Socks, caps, mufflers, and gloves
- Sunglasses
- Mid/high ankle trekking shoes
Electronic items/necessary gear:
- Power bank
- Travel adapter and charging cables
- Camera equipment (if required)
- Trek poles
- Compass
Toiletries and miscellaneous items:
- Toothbrush and toothpaste
- 50+ SPF Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Towel
- Sanitary products (if required)
- Reusable water bottle and cutlery
- Zip lock pouches/reusable plastic bags
Pro Tip: If you’re a beginner trekker and on a tight budget, you can rent trekking gear such as shoes, trek poles, and even camera equipment instead of buying them. Several online stores as well as organizations arranging these treks rent their equipment at pocket-friendly prices.
Tips While Visiting The Valley of Flowers
- Beginner trekkers must practice walking daily for at least 3 to 4 km before the trek.
- Exercise daily for at least 10 to 30 minutes and maintain a healthy diet.
- Maintain a healthy water intake by consuming enough water, fruits, and electrolytes.
- If you’re reaching Rishikesh and then heading towards your base camp, make sure to reach the city at least a day in advance. That way, you’ll be able to plan the trek better and have a buffer day on hand to explore the city.
- Do not litter the environment on your way to the Valley of Flowers.
- Do not move away from the designated route while trekking.
- If you notice the symptoms of high altitude sickness, immediately descend to a lower elevation for your own safety.
- Even though it is tempting, do not pluck flowers or harm the environment in any other way.
How To Reach Rishikesh: The Starting Point Of Your Trek
Rishikesh is the city from which you can begin your trek. This is because, even though the base camps are located in places like Karchi and Pipalkoti, you need to reach them, and this is possible only from a major city like Rishikesh. In fact, if you’re going on this adventure with a trek organizing company, it will ask you to first reach Rishikesh, from where it will pick you up. Here’s how to reach the spiritual city of Rishikesh:
Air Route
You can fly directly to Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport, which is about 15 km away from Rishikesh. From Dehradun, you can take a bus to reach Rishikesh in just an hour. Alternatively, you can first fly to Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and take a direct, overnight bus to Rishikesh from the ISBT Kashmere Gate.
Both airports are well connected to other Indian airports like Srinagar, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Mumbai, Jaipur, Pune, etc.
Rail Route
Your easiest way of reaching Rishikesh by rail is to take a train from Delhi to Haridwar and then board a bus from the latter. Two reliable trains that you can board are the Dehradun Jan Shatabdi and the Dehradun Shatabdi Express.
You can reach Delhi to board your train via flight, train, or road, as the capital city is well connected to most Indian cities.
Road Route
Rishikesh enjoys excellent connectivity with cities near it, such as Haridwar, Roorkee, Ambala, Chandigarh, and others. In fact, there are regular bus and cab services from Haridwar that will take you to Rishikesh. There are overnight buses and cabs available from other cities as well, including Delhi.
Summing Up
The Valley of Flowers is one of the most unique UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India due to its transient nature. Blooming for a short period of time, the natural beauty of this site deserves to be maintained for generations to come. It is a reminder that each and every corner of India, be it the remote mountains and valleys or the coastlines, holds immense beauty and natural treasures. So, when are you setting out to cherish these natural wonders of India?
FAQs
Which Month Is Best To Visit The Valley Of Flowers?
The months of July to September are the best to visit the Valley of Flowers. Try to visit the place from mid-July to mid-August for the best views.
Is the Valley Of Flowers Worth Visiting?
Yes, indeed. The Valley of Flowers definitely makes for a visit as it is a unique UNESCO World Heritage Site in India. The views here are unmatched, and the bloom of thousands of flowers is nothing short of spectacular!
Can We Stay In The Valley Of Flowers?
No, you cannot stay in the Valley of Flowers. As the region is a protected area, no one is permitted to stay here.
