valley of flowers trek trekking In india

Valley of Flowers Trek

Home to a variety of exquisite flora and fauna, the Valley of Flowers national park in Chamoli, Uttarakhand is a repository of nature’s resplendence in the Himalayas. Countless species of endemic alpine flowers bloom in this region with the coming of spring, and in the autumn, after the rains wash away the flowers, the area becomes a visual treat with multivariate gradients of green, brown, and ochre grass. Rare and endangered fauna are found in the vicinity-- an absolute delight for naturists. Asiatic black bear, the elusive snow leopard of the Himalayas, musk deer, red fox, blue sheep or bharal and a very diverse birdlife are found in the heart of the valley. The valley is like an oasis of blossoming life in the summer, contrasting splendidly with the rugged mountains of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. The trek is often coupled with another day’s hike in a different route to Hemkund Sahib- a place of worship of Sikhs, perched at a height of 15,200 feet.

What is Valley of Flowers Trek

A trail handpicked for beginners, the way to Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand Chamoli district is profusely beautiful, as it is deliciously adrenalin pumping. A hidden wonder, the valley is tucked away in the midst of rugged mountainsides, home to a large variety of birds, beasts, and exotic flowers! The path uphill starting from the village to Govindghat to Ghangaria and to a long way beyond is conveniently staired. One can also find many shops and men offering mule transport for goods carriage, palanquins for old people etc. This is mainly because the way to the Valley to some extent shares the route to Hemkund Sahib-- a popular pilgrimage of the Sikhs. Travelers of naturist interest must come to the valley to acquaint with millions of species of pretty flowers which are also known to hold medicinal properties. Coupling VoF with Hemkund Sahib, it makes one of the most enriching journeys in the dreamy Himalayas of Uttarakhand.

Why Should You Go For Valley Of Flowers Trek?

• Endemic flowers that bloom in the summer, especially the exquisite Himalayan blue poppy.
• Brahma Kamal-- a rare and beautiful large flower is found in these slopes. Brahma Kamal is the state flower of Uttarakhand.
• Serene visions of the Nanda Devi mountain massif shimmering beyond the valley and clouds.
• The memorial stone of Joan Margaret Legge, a botanist who had fallen to death here, erected somewhere set deep inside the valley.
• Experiencing the interesting micro-climate of the inner Himalayan valley, with heavy occasional rainfall from June to early-September, making beautiful rain walks in the mountainside.
• A number of lovely streams of Sweet Mountain water cutting through the lush trek route to the valley.
• Memorable stays at the pit stops of Govindghat and Ghangaria. In these villages, one could find the temple councils of Hemkund Sahib that perches higher up the mountains. At these gurudwaras, meaning Sikh temples, one could find heartwarming food, shelter, and spiritual company.
• Encountering the charming river Pushpawati, meaning ‘her, who is embraced with flowers’.
• Being part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, the valley is home to exotic fauna like snow leopard, etc.
• Collectible multimedia tokens from Ghangaria bookstore-- DVDs, books, and pamphlets on the Valley, the history of its discovery, and ecological value. Gangharia also has a center where documentary films on the valley are shown for the information of the travelers.
• Hemkund Sahib- a Sikh temple perched at 15,200 ft. shares the same trekking trail till Ghangaria with VoF. Trekking to the Valley can thus be conveniently clubbed with the trek to Hemkund. The vicinity of Hemkund is known to be breeding ground for the exquisite Brahma Kamal flower in plenty.

How High Is the Valley of Flowers Trek?

The valley lushly nestles at a height of 12,001 ft up high. Hemkund Sahib- which is often made to on the day next to the trek to VoF, is higher, at 15, 200 ft. The two major stops on the way, Govind Ghat is located at 6,300 ft, and Ghangaria at 9, 600 ft.

When to Visit?

Valley of Flowers is good to visit from June to October. Here is how the valley transforms over this duration--

June: Glacial melt flows through the Valley, little plants bob their heads up, and at the end of the month flowers start to bloom aplenty. You can see glaciers in the park during this time.
July: Lush green and flowers engulf the earth during this time in the valley. Colony of golden lilies in the deeper parts of the valley and the very pink Epilobium Latifolium are found on the river banks.
August: Catch the ‘Ladies Slipper Orchid’ in the valley during this time.
September-October: The rainwashed valley post-monsoon during this time is almost wiped clean of flowers but the green, ochre, and brown gradients of grass is something to enjoy.

How to Reach?

By Air: The airport closest is Delhi, from where you can travel to Haridwar and further, or access the region by reaching Dehradun Jolly Grant Airport.
By Train: Haridwar is the railway station closest to the base camp of the trek, alternatively, it could be Dehradun railway station.
By Road: You can find buses from Delhi to Haridwar and Dehradun, from where connecting vehicles could be found to the base camp of the tre

Are There Any Shops Available On the Valley of Flowers Trek?
You can find shops till Gangharia- the second night’s top on the trek, no shops in the Valley, and stores for memorabilia purchases at Hemkund Sahib.

How Long Does It Take to Complete Valley of Flowers Trek?
It takes 8 days to make the journey and the trek from Haridwar to the Valley and back to Haridwar.

What to Pack for the Valley of Flowers Trek?

• Large or medium size backpack, and a duffle side bag for extras
• Water bottle
• Sun hat
• Warm cap
• Base layers
• Fleece jacket
• Outer jacket
• Rain jacket (essential for the monsoon months)
• Sturdy trekking shoes and a pair of floaters
• Flashlight
• Trekking pants, several pairs
• UV-protection glasses
• Thermal socks

Is There Any Possibility Of Altitude Sickness?

Altitude Sickness is not common on this trek, though the organic acclimatization ground rules strictly apply for trekkers.

How Busy is the Valley of Flowers Trek?

June, July, August and September happen to be the seasons for Valley of Flowers trek. This is the best time to witness the valley in full bloom. As a result, plenty of trekkers from different parts of the country and the world over can be seen accessing the valley during these three months. From 1^st of October, the valley is closed by the authorities since the valley is engulfed by snow from October onwards.