Dreamz Valley of Flowers

5 (550 Reviews)

06D/05N

Uttrakhand

highlights

Location and Accessibility: Located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, the Valley of Flowers is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas. The nearest town is Joshimath, and the park is accessible by a trek from Govindghat, which serves as the base camp. The trek to the Valley of Flowers begins from Govindghat, followed by a trek through picturesque landscapes and dense forests.
Floral Splendor: The Valley of Flowers is famous for its breathtaking floral displays, especially during the monsoon season (July to September). The valley comes alive with a riot of colors as numerous species of wildflowers, including orchids, poppies, primulas, daisies, and rhododendrons, bloom across the landscape, creating a mesmerizing sight.
Biodiversity: Apart from its floral diversity, the Valley of Flowers is also home to a wide variety of fauna, including rare and endangered species. Visitors may encounter Himalayan blue sheep, musk deer, snow leopards, and numerous bird species amidst the alpine meadows and rugged terrain.
Scenic Landscapes: The valley is surrounded by majestic snow-capped peaks and offers stunning views of the surrounding Himalayan mountains. Visitors are treated to panoramic vistas of lush green meadows, cascading waterfalls, and meandering streams as they trek through the valley.
Trekking Experience: Trekking through the Valley of Flowers is an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and adventure seekers. The trek offers a moderate level of difficulty and takes travelers through diverse landscapes, including forests, meadows, and riverbeds. Along the way, trekkers can enjoy the serene ambiance of the Himalayan wilderness and soak in the tranquility of the surroundings.
Spiritual Significance: The Valley of Flowers holds spiritual significance for the locals, who believe it to be the abode of gods and goddesses. The valley is also associated with the epic Ramayana and is believed to be the place where Lord Hanuman found the mythical herb Sanjeevani to revive Lakshmana.

Overview

What to know

With a stunning backdrop of the mighty Himalayan ranges, the Valley of Flowers National Park presents an ethereal view and an unforgettable experience for visitors. Spread over an area of 87 sq km in the Chamoli district, the Valley of Flowers National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms one of the two core zones (the other being the Nanda Devi National Park) of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.

The valley is believed to have been discovered in 1931, when three British mountaineers – led by Frank S Smythe – lost their way and chanced upon this spectacular valley. Attracted by the beauty of this place they named it the “Valley of Flowers”.

As the name suggests, Valley of Flowers is a destination where nature blooms in full glory offering a breathtaking experience. Exotic flowers (over 600 species) like orchids, poppies, primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones are an eye-catching spectacle. Sub-alpine forests birch and rhododendron cover parts of the park's area. The trek to the valley offers eye-catching spectacles like cascading waterfalls and wild streams. Situated at an altitude of around 3,600 m above the sea level, the valley is also home to such rare and amazing wildlife species like the gray langur, the flying squirrel, the Himalayan weasel, and black bear, the red fox, the lime butterfly, the snow leopard and Himalayan monal, to name a few.

When to visit

The flowers here can be best viewed between the months of May and October, a time when the area turns into a botanical wonderland although maximum abundance of flowers is during July to September.

How to reach:

By Air:

The nearest airport to the Valley of Flowers is the Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
From New Delhi, you can take a flight to Dehradun. Several airlines operate daily flights between these two cities, and the flight duration is approximately 1 hour.
Upon reaching Dehradun, you can proceed to the next step.

By Road:

From Dehradun, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to reach Rishikesh, which is approximately 20 kilometers away. The journey takes around 45 minutes to 1 hour.
From Rishikesh, you can continue your journey to Joshimath, which serves as the base camp for the Valley of Flowers trek. Joshimath is about 251 kilometers away from Rishikesh, and the drive takes around 8-9 hours.
You can hire a private taxi or take a bus from Rishikesh to Joshimath. Buses are available from the Rishikesh bus stand, and the journey offers scenic views of the Himalayan landscape.
Upon reaching Joshimath, you can stay overnight and prepare for the trek to the Valley of Flowers the next day.

By Trek:

The trek to the Valley of Flowers starts from Govindghat, which is approximately 22 kilometers away from Joshimath. You can hire a taxi or take a shared jeep from Joshimath to Govindghat.
The trek from Govindghat to the Valley of Flowers is around 14 kilometers long and takes approximately 4-6 hours, depending on your pace and stops along the way.
It's advisable to start the trek early in the morning to avoid walking during the hottest part of the day and to allow enough time to explore the valley.
Once you reach the Valley of Flowers, you can spend a day exploring its beauty and return to Govindghat by evening.

Return Journey:

After exploring the Valley of Flowers, you can retrace your steps back to New Delhi following the same route in reverse order: trekking back to Govindghat, driving to Rishikesh, and then taking a flight back to New Delhi from Dehradun.

NEARBY DESTINATIONS

Hemkund Sahib: Located near the Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib is a Sikh pilgrimage site situated at an altitude of about 4,329 meters. The journey to Hemkund Sahib involves a trek from Govindghat and offers mesmerizing views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers.
Joshimath: Joshimath, also known as Jyotirmath, is a quaint town situated at an elevation of 1,890 meters. It serves as the base camp for the Valley of Flowers trek and is also a starting point for pilgrimages to Badrinath and Auli.
Badrinath: One of the four sacred Char Dham pilgrimage sites in India, Badrinath is located approximately 45 kilometers from Joshimath. It is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is nestled amidst the Garhwal Himalayas, offering spiritual solace and breathtaking vistas.
Auli: Auli is a popular hill station and ski resort situated at an altitude of 2,505 to 3,050 meters. It is known for its panoramic views of the Himalayas, pristine ski slopes, and the Auli Artificial Lake. Auli is accessible from Joshimath via a scenic cable car ride.
Ghangaria: Ghangaria is a picturesque hamlet situated en route to Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers. It serves as a base camp for trekkers and pilgrims and offers accommodation facilities amidst the serene surroundings of the Himalayas.
Rishikesh: Rishikesh is a spiritual and adventure hub located approximately 270 kilometers from the Valley of Flowers. It is famous for its yoga ashrams, temples, the Ganges River, and adventure activities like white-water rafting, bungee jumping, and camping.
Dehradun and Mussoorie: Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand, and Mussoorie, the "Queen of Hills," are popular tourist destinations known for their pleasant climate, colonial architecture, waterfalls, and panoramic views of the Himalayas.

Start your journey early in the morning from New Delhi to Rishikesh, which is approximately 240 kilometers away and takes around 6-7 hours by road.

Upon reaching Rishikesh, check into your accommodation and relax for a bit.

In the evening, you can explore the town, visit the famous Ganga Ghats, attend the Ganga Aarti ceremony, or indulge in some adventure activities like river rafting or bungee jumping, depending on your preference.

Overnight stay in Rishikesh.

After breakfast, proceed to Joshimath, which is about 250 kilometers away from Rishikesh and takes around 8-9 hours to reach by road.

The drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath offers scenic views of the Himalayas, lush green valleys, and winding roads.

Upon reaching Joshimath, check into your accommodation and rest for the day.

Overnight stay in Joshimath.

After an early breakfast, drive to Govindghat, which is about 20 kilometers from Joshimath.

From Govindghat, start your trek to Ghangaria, the base camp for the Valley of Flowers trek. The trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria is approximately 14 kilometers and takes around 4-6 hours, depending on your pace.

Enjoy the picturesque views of the Himalayas, dense forests, and gushing rivers along the trekking route.

Upon reaching Ghangaria, check into your accommodation and relax for the evening.

Overnight stay in Ghangaria.

Today, embark on a day trip to the Valley of Flowers National Park.

Start early in the morning to make the most of your time in the valley. The trek from Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers is around 5 kilometers and takes about 3-4 hours one way.

Spend the day exploring the breathtaking landscapes, colorful flowers, and diverse flora and fauna of the valley.

After exploring the valley to your heart's content, trek back to Ghangaria by late afternoon.

Overnight stay in Ghangaria.

After breakfast, trek back to Govindghat from Ghangaria.

From Govindghat, drive back to Rishikesh.

Upon reaching Rishikesh, check into your accommodation and unwind after the trek.

Overnight stay in Rishikesh.

After breakfast, bid farewell to Rishikesh and start your journey back to New Delhi.

The drive from Rishikesh to New Delhi takes around 6-7 hours.

Arrive in New Delhi by late afternoon or evening, concluding your memorable trip to the Valley of Flowers National Park.