India is blessed with some of the most unique and valuable natural heritage, including vast stretches of seasonal wildflowers that bloom only on rare occasions. These wildflowers are predominantly found in protected areas and national parks. One such famous national park is the Valley of Flowers National Park, situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
The Valley of Flowers was declared a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 2005. One of the two core zones of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, it was discovered by three British mountaineers in 1931. The valley is known for its breathtaking beauty, re-opened to visitors on June 1, 2025, and is perfect for a summer holiday immersed in nature.
The journey to this beautiful place is a long one. The trek covers a distance of 38 km and takes four days. You have to hike up from a point called Govindghat. After many hours, you reach Ghangharia, which is the overnight halt for the valley. As of now, visitors must travel about 12 km from Ghangharia, the trek's starting point, to reach the Valley of Flowers.
Embark on your trek in the morning from Govindghat to Ghangaria, covering a distance of approximately 14 km. The journey usually takes six to seven hours to complete. During your hike, take in the breathtaking landscapes and enjoy the captivating confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhyundar rivers. By evening, you should arrive in Ghangaria, which is also known as "Gobind Dham." It is a picturesque village nestled at an altitude of approximately 3,050 m. Upon your arrival, settle into your accommodation for a well-deserved rest.
To reach the starting point, you can drive down from Rishikesh. The nearest airport is Dehradun, which is currently operational. You can easily book a flight from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Ahmedabad. Note that the airport is only open from June to October as it remains covered in snow during other months.
Govindghat, which is the designated base camp for the Valley of Flowers trek, is located in the Chamoli district where the Alaknanda and Lakshman Ganga rivers meet. It is highly recommended that you take some time to rest and acclimatise to the altitude after checking into your accommodation.
You can explore the beautiful surroundings of Govindghat by taking a gentle walk, which will prepare you for the upcoming trekking adventure.
The notified area of 87.5 sq km lies above 10,500 ft and is covered in snow from November to April. The Valley of Flowers has a range of altitudes and vegetation, but only 19 sq kms are accessible to tourists. This area is a fertile meadowland that visitors can explore and enjoy. When in bloom, it is like a radiant canvas.
Over 600 flower species exist in the Valley of Flowers, such as orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, and daisies. Sub-alpine birch forests and rhododendrons cover some parts of the park's area. In May, large parts of the valley are full of blue primulas. In June, the purple-red geraniums dominate. The valley is also home to several endangered animals, such as the Himalayan snow leopard, musk deer and other exotic plant species.
In 1931, mountaineer Frank S Smythe and his colleagues, including the legendary mountaineer Eric Shipton, stumbled upon a valley while returning from a successful expedition to climb Kamet. They were mesmerised by the vibrant carpet of colours that covered the valley floor. The valley was so rich in flowers that it was impossible to take a step without crushing one.
Six years later, Smythe returned to the valley with the intention of climbing, exploring, and collecting flowers and seeds. His reminiscences were later published as "The Valley of Flowers," and the name has stuck ever since.
Until 1982, the Bhyundar Valley was home to people who populated its hills, rivers, and forests with stories about deities and fairies. They used its meadows as summer grazing grounds for their animals. Later, the valley was declared a national park. Today, it is part of the larger Nanda Devi National Park and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Valley of Flowers trek, which reopened to public on June 1, is considered moderate. It involves walking for about 10-12 km per day. The altitude of the trek ranges from 3,858 m to 4,572 m, which can cause altitude sickness for some people. Start prepping your body for the trek at least two months before you go. You can do this by beginning a moderate exercise regime that includes fast walking or jogging, and cardio exercises in a gym. According to experts, this trek requires several weeks of preparation. Eat nutritious food with plenty of protein. And avoid all processed, fried, and fast foods.
The main activity is trekking through the vibrant alpine meadows, especially between July and September when over 300 species of Himalayan flowers are in full bloom. Beyond the floral spectacle, visitors can also trek to Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh pilgrimage site situated beside a glacial lake. The base camp for these treks is Ghangaria.
For those interested in wildlife, the Valley of Flowers National Park, alongside the adjacent Nanda Devi National Park, offers opportunities for bird watching and potentially spotting rare Himalayan fauna. Photography is, of course, an essential activity.
While the Valley of Flowers itself is a must-visit destination in Uttarakhand, the surrounding Himalayan region is also noteworthy. Most prominently, the Sikh pilgrimage site of Hemkund Sahib, with its star-shaped Gurudwara beside a glacial lake, is a popular spot nearby.
The motorable gateway to Govindghat, bustling with pilgrims and tourists, is also frequented by tourists. Joshimath, the winter seat of Hindu deity Badrinath is a significant sacred hub. From Joshimath, one can venture to the Badrinath Temple, one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites dedicated to deity Vishnu; and the nearby Mana Village, often referred to as "India's last village" before the Tibetan border.
For nature enthusiasts, the Nanda Devi National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site adjacent to the Valley of Flowers, presents stunning landscapes, though access to its core zone is restricted. Finally, Pandukeshwar, en route to Badrinath, is home to the ancient Yogadhyan Badri Temple and Vasudev Temple, holding significance in Hindu mythology.
Although the Valley of Flowers opened to the public on June 1, the best time to visit is from mid-July to mid-August. During this time, the valley is in full bloom.
Indians have to pay INR 150, while foreigners have to pay INR 600. All trekkers have to carry a photo ID for entry at forest check posts through the trek route. Trek permits are valid for three days.
While photography is free, videography is chargeable at INR 500 (for Indians) and INR 1,500 (for foreigners).
7 am to 3 pm
The nearest major town is Joshimath in Garhwal, which has convenient road connections from Haridwar and Dehradun, both about 270 km south of Joshimath.
Reaching the Valley of Flowers is a multi-stage journey, as it's not directly accessible by road and requires a significant trek. The primary gateway for all visitors is Govindghat, which is the last motorable point. Travellers typically begin their journey by reaching major transport hubs like Haridwar or Rishikesh, which are well-connected by train and road to other parts of India. From these cities, one takes 10-12 hour bus or taxi to Govindghat.
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, from where taxis can be hired to Govindghat.
Once at Govindghat, the adventure begins with a trek or pony ride to Ghangaria, a village serving as the base camp for both the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib, approximately 13-14 km away. From Ghangaria, the Valley of Flowers is a further five km trek, involving an uphill walk.
Helicopter services are also available between Govindghat and Ghangaria for those seeking a quicker or less strenuous ascent to the base camp, though the final stretch to the Valley still requires walking.
This story was first published on April 10, 2024; and it has since been updated.
