Valley of Flowers Trek
Rishikesh
5 Night 6 Days
About
Why is the Valley of Flowers a Must-Do Trek?
- As the name suggests, the highlight of the trek is a stunning valley adorned with vibrant flowers that stretch endlessly across the landscape.
- The trek is renowned for its blooming alpine flora, with over 500 species of rare and colorful flowers, including the iconic Brahma Kamal and Himalayan Blue Poppy.
- One of the key highlights of the journey is a visit to Hemkund Sahib, one of the highest gurudwaras in the world. It is not only a sacred site but also a stunningly scenic location.
- The Valley of Flowers is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its exceptional natural beauty and surreal environment.
- On the way, you pass through Pulna with small local shops and flowing rivers along the trail before reaching Ghangaria, the base camp for both the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib treks.
- The trail has waterfalls, clear streams, green meadows, and mountain scenery. The rich colors of the valley, diverse wildlife, and beautiful landscapes provide endless opportunities for photography.
- You’ll witness a dreamlike landscape, standing amidst a natural floral carpet with misty peaks rising all around.
- The valley is accessible only for a short window each year, making it a rare and memorable experience, truly a once-a-year opportunity.
A Look at the Valley of Flowers
We were sitting around the map table in our office last week, prepping our lead guides for the upcoming season of the Valley of Flowers trek, when someone asked a great question: “How do we explain what makes this place different from every other Himalayan trek?”
Our head guide, who has spent over a decade leading teams up these trails, leaned back and said: “You have to tell them that they aren’t just entering a valley. They are entering directly into the core of the Nanda Devi National Park ecosystem. It is the most intensely protected, biologically untamed sanctuary left in the Western Himalayas.”
He was exactly right. Most people think of the Valley of Flowers as just a beautiful place for photos. But when you are out there on the trail with us, you will realize it is entirely different. It is a highly restricted, high-altitude world where nature rules with absolute authority and we are just temporary guests.
Tour Plan
Altitude
Rishikesh: 372 m / 1,220 ft.
Pipalkoti: 1,340 m / 4,400 ft.
Altitude Gain: 968 m / 3,180 ft.
Drive Distance: 200 km
Driving Time: 9-10 hrs
ltitude
Pipalkoti: 1,340 m / 4,400 ft.
Govindghat: 1,828 m / 6,000 ft.
Pulna: 2,100 m / 6,900 ft.
Ghangharia: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft.
Altitude Gain: 1,660 m / 5,400 ft.
Drive Distance (Pipalkoti to Govindghat): 52 km | 2 hrs.
Drive Distance (Govindghat to Pulna): 4 km | 15–20 min.
Trek Distance (Pulna to Ghangharia): 9 km | 3–4 hrs.
Altitude
Ghangharia: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft.
Valley of Flowers: 3,500 m / 11,500 ft.
Altitude Gain: 500 m / 1,700 ft.
Trek Distance: 4 km each way | 7 hrs.
Prominent flowers: Blue Poppy, Snake Foil, White Leaf Hog Foot, Himalayan Rose, Meadow Geranium, Dog Flower, Hooked Stick Seed, and River Anemone.
Altitude
Ghangharia: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft.
Hemkund Sahib: 4,300 m / 14,100 ft.
Altitude Gain: 1,300 m / 4,300 ft.
Trek Distance: 6 km each way | 8–9 hrs.
Ghangharia: 3,000 m / 9,800 ft.
Govindghat: 1,828 m / 6,000 ft.
Pipalkoti: 1,340 m / 4,400 ft.
Badrinath: 3,133 m / 10,279 ft.
Altitude Gain (Govindghat–Badrinath): 1,305 m / 4,279 ft.
Altitude Loss (Ghangharia–Pipalkoti): 1,660 m / 5,400 ft.
Trek Distance (Ghangharia–Pulna): 9 km | 4–5 hrs.
Drive Distance (Pulna–Govindghat): 4 km | 15 min.
Drive Distance (Govindghat–Badrinath): 25 km | 1 hr.
Drive Distance (Badrinath–Pipalkoti): 75 km | 3–4 hrs.
No charges for Badrinath visit (complementary).
Altitude
Pipalkoti: 1,340 m / 4,400 ft.
Rishikesh: 372 m / 1,220 ft.
Altitude Loss: 968 m / 3,180 ft.
Drive Distance: 200 km | 9–10 hrs.
Note:
Keep a buffer day in your travel plan.
If buffer day is not used in the travel then it can be used to Explore Rishikesh.
Read the article Things to do in Rishikesh.
Distance, Altitude, and Trekking hours are approximate and rounded off.
Keep the original and copy of ID proof handy.
Come one day early if planning to come by plane.
Included
- 1. Accommodation (as per the itinerary):
- Guest house in Pipalkoti(Day 1 and Day 5 as per the itinerary).
- Ghangharia on Day 2, Day 3, and Day 4.
- Triple/quad sharing (separate for males and females throughout the trek)
- 2. Meals (Veg + Egg):
- All meals (including tea, soup, snacks, etc.) from Day 1 Dinner to Day 5 Dinner. Morning and evening tea, accompanied by light snacks, are included in the Valley of Flowers trekking package.
- 3. Support:
- 1 Versatile base camp manager handles communication and deploys extra manpower in emergencies.
- 1 Mountaineering & First aid qualified professional trek Leader.
- 1 Experienced high-altitude chef.
- Local experienced guides (Number of guides depending on the group size).
- Enough support staff.
- 4. Trek equipment:
- Sleeping bag, Sleeping liners (if required), mattresses, and Utensils.
- 3 men all season trekker tent (twin sharing), Kitchen & Dining tent, Toilet tent.
- Camping stool, Walkie talkie.
- Ropes, Helmet, Ice axe, Harness, Gaiters & crampons (if required).
- 5. First aid:
- Medical kit,Stretcher,Oxygen cylinder,Blood pressure monitor,Oximeter,Stethoscope.
- 6. Transportation (as per the itinerary):
- Transport from Rishikesh to Pipalkoti and return ( If opted from bharat travels).
- Transport Pipalkoti to Govindghat, Pulna & Badrinath and return as per the itinerary ( If opted from bharat travels).
- 7. Mules/porters to carry the central luggage.
- 8. Cloakroom facility available at the base camp for additional luggage
- 9. All necessary permits and entry fees, Upto the amount charged for Indian
- 10. Trek Completion Certificate.
Exclude
- Insurance (For non-Indian Nationals, NRI or OCI card holders).
- Food during the transit.
- Any kind of personal expenses.
- Mule or porter to carry personal luggage.
- Emergency evacuation, hospitalization charge, etc.
- Any extra costs incurred due to extension/change of the itinerary due to natural calamities roadblocks, vehicle breakdown, etc. factors beyond our control
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head Inclusion.
- Things can be provided on demand and availability (participant has to pay extra for these things).
- 1- Satellite phone/set phone - is a type of mobile phone that connects via radio links via satellites orbiting the Earth instead of terrestrial cell sites like cellphones. Therefore, they can operate in most geographic locations on the Earth's surface.
- 2- Gamow/PAC HAPO Bag(Portable Hyperbaric Bag) - is a unique, portable hyperbaric chamber for the treatment of acute mountain sickness (AMS), also known as altitude sickness.
- 3- AEDs (Automated External Defibrillators) are portable life-saving devices designed to treat people experiencing sudden cardiac arrest, a medical condition in which the heart stops beating suddenly and unexpectedly.
Cancellation Policy
To request a cancellation, please email us using your registered email ID.
Cancellations prior to 25 days from the start of the Trip
Refund Options
5% deduction of trek fee 100% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Transfer your trek (any trek, any date) to your friend Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip
Refund Options
30% deduction of trek fee 100% trek fee cash voucher for same trip till one year 85% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Transfer your trek (same trek, any date) to your friend Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip
Refund Options
50% deduction of trek fee 80% trek fee cash voucher for same trip till one year 70% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Book the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch Transfer your trek (same trek, any date) to your friend Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek.
Refund Options
No cash refund 20% trek fee cash voucher for the same trip till one year 10% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Transfer your trek (same trek, same date) to your friend To reschedule a trek (same trek only), a 30 % rescheduling fee of the trek cost will apply. Cancellation Policy (Emergency Cases):
In case of a death in the immediate family (parents, siblings, spouse, children) or if the trekker is hospitalized (min. 48 hours) or suffers a fracture (leg/arm) within a week before the trek, even if canceled a day before:
90% trek fee refund in cash & 10% as a voucher (valid for 1 year, for any India trek).
Valid documents required. We’re here to support you during tough times.
Note:
Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by bharat travels bharat travels holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice Booking and Payments
The Participant is responsible for verifying the accuracy of all details, including Trip dates and personal documentation, at the time of booking. Payments must be made in accordance with the timelines and instructions provided by bharat travels. Late payments may result in cancellation of booking without refund. In the event of a cash refund, only the portion of the payment made in cash shall be eligible for refund in cash. Any booking made using voucher, discounts, promotional codes, or through any non-cash mode of payment shall not be eligible for a cash refund under any circumstances. Refunds, if applicable, shall be processed within 15–30 working days of confirmation. All add-on bookings are subject to the respective add-on cancellation policy, and refunds will be processed accordingly.
Voucher Terms
This is a non-transferable voucher The voucher cannot be merged with any other offer of Trek The Himalayas The voucher is valid for Trek booked directly with Trek The Himalayas in India To avail the voucher please use your register phone number or e-mail id All the other Terms of booking a trek with Trek The Himalayas are applicable to the voucher Itinerary and Modifications
bharat travels reserves the right to modify, shorten, or cancel any part of the Trip due to transportation delays, weather, health emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances including Force Majeure. Cancellations and Refunds
No refunds or vouchers, partial or otherwise, shall be provided for voluntary withdrawal, non-utilisation of services, or removal from the Trip. If bharat travels cancels the Trip before arrival at the designated pick-up point due to unforeseen circumstances or Force Majeure, the Participant may choose from: An alternate Trip/date. A credit voucher valid for one (1) year. Transfer to another Trip, with cost differences payable by the Participant. If the Trip is abandoned post-arrival at the designated pick-up point, no cash refund or voucher shall be issued. The Trek Again Policy may apply at bharat travels’s discretion. bharat travels shall not be liable for any associated travel costs such as flights, accommodation, or visa fees. Force Majeure
Events beyond its control including but not limited to earthquakes, landslides, strikes, curfews, war, pandemic, government restrictions, heavy rainfall or snowfall, windstorms, road blockages, trail disruption, or withdrawal of permits, bharat travels shall not be held liable for any cancellation, delay, or service modification caused by Force Majeure. Government Employees Government employees can avail the benefit of Special Casual Leave (SCL) when they join us for a trekking expedition. As per Pay Commission guidelines, up to 30 days of Special Casual Leave can be availed in a calendar year for trekking or mountaineering expeditions conducted through a registered organisation.
Refund Options
5% deduction of trek fee 100% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Transfer your trek (any trek, any date) to your friend Cancellation between 24 days and 15 days to the start of the Trip
Refund Options
30% deduction of trek fee 100% trek fee cash voucher for same trip till one year 85% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Transfer your trek (same trek, any date) to your friend Cancellation between 14 days and 10 days to the start of the Trip
Refund Options
50% deduction of trek fee 80% trek fee cash voucher for same trip till one year 70% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Book the same trek, in the same season, with any other batch Transfer your trek (same trek, any date) to your friend Cancellation less than 9 days to the start of the trek.
Refund Options
No cash refund 20% trek fee cash voucher for the same trip till one year 10% trek fee cash voucher for any trip till one year Transfer your trek (same trek, same date) to your friend To reschedule a trek (same trek only), a 30 % rescheduling fee of the trek cost will apply. Cancellation Policy (Emergency Cases):
In case of a death in the immediate family (parents, siblings, spouse, children) or if the trekker is hospitalized (min. 48 hours) or suffers a fracture (leg/arm) within a week before the trek, even if canceled a day before:
90% trek fee refund in cash & 10% as a voucher (valid for 1 year, for any India trek).
Valid documents required. We’re here to support you during tough times.
Note:
Change of trek batch is dependent on the availability of seats in the batch In case of transferring a trek to a friend, he/she should satisfy all the mandatory requirements put forward by bharat travels bharat travels holds the right to change/cancel the policies, without prior notice Booking and Payments
The Participant is responsible for verifying the accuracy of all details, including Trip dates and personal documentation, at the time of booking. Payments must be made in accordance with the timelines and instructions provided by bharat travels. Late payments may result in cancellation of booking without refund. In the event of a cash refund, only the portion of the payment made in cash shall be eligible for refund in cash. Any booking made using voucher, discounts, promotional codes, or through any non-cash mode of payment shall not be eligible for a cash refund under any circumstances. Refunds, if applicable, shall be processed within 15–30 working days of confirmation. All add-on bookings are subject to the respective add-on cancellation policy, and refunds will be processed accordingly.
Voucher Terms
This is a non-transferable voucher The voucher cannot be merged with any other offer of Trek The Himalayas The voucher is valid for Trek booked directly with Trek The Himalayas in India To avail the voucher please use your register phone number or e-mail id All the other Terms of booking a trek with Trek The Himalayas are applicable to the voucher Itinerary and Modifications
bharat travels reserves the right to modify, shorten, or cancel any part of the Trip due to transportation delays, weather, health emergencies, or other unforeseen circumstances including Force Majeure. Cancellations and Refunds
No refunds or vouchers, partial or otherwise, shall be provided for voluntary withdrawal, non-utilisation of services, or removal from the Trip. If bharat travels cancels the Trip before arrival at the designated pick-up point due to unforeseen circumstances or Force Majeure, the Participant may choose from: An alternate Trip/date. A credit voucher valid for one (1) year. Transfer to another Trip, with cost differences payable by the Participant. If the Trip is abandoned post-arrival at the designated pick-up point, no cash refund or voucher shall be issued. The Trek Again Policy may apply at bharat travels’s discretion. bharat travels shall not be liable for any associated travel costs such as flights, accommodation, or visa fees. Force Majeure
Events beyond its control including but not limited to earthquakes, landslides, strikes, curfews, war, pandemic, government restrictions, heavy rainfall or snowfall, windstorms, road blockages, trail disruption, or withdrawal of permits, bharat travels shall not be held liable for any cancellation, delay, or service modification caused by Force Majeure. Government Employees Government employees can avail the benefit of Special Casual Leave (SCL) when they join us for a trekking expedition. As per Pay Commission guidelines, up to 30 days of Special Casual Leave can be availed in a calendar year for trekking or mountaineering expeditions conducted through a registered organisation.
Terms & Conditions
Eligiblity for Valley of Flowers Trek
Age Requirement:
Minimum 9 years
First-timers are welcome, though prior trekking experience is preferred. Good fitness is a must.
Fitness Criteria: The Trekker should have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance by jogging in 45 minutes without stress. If the trekker prefers cycling he/ she should be able to cycle 10 km of distance in 30 minutes. Preparation Chart View Download
If the trekker wants to carry a backpack then he/she should be able to carry a 10-12 kg backpack. If opt Off-load option then the trekker should be able to carry a 3-5 kg backpack.
If a trekker's BMI is more or less than the normal range (18-29), please consult our Trek Coordinator before booking.
Fitness Criteria: The Trekker should have sufficient stamina to cover 5 km of distance by jogging in 45 minutes without stress. If the trekker prefers cycling he/ she should be able to cycle 10 km of distance in 30 minutes. Preparation Chart View Download
If the trekker wants to carry a backpack then he/she should be able to carry a 10-12 kg backpack. If opt Off-load option then the trekker should be able to carry a 3-5 kg backpack.
If a trekker's BMI is more or less than the normal range (18-29), please consult our Trek Coordinator before booking.