The Amazing Valley Of Flowers

A Shangri-La In The Himalayas

The Valley Of Flowers is a paradise for trekkers with a trail full of scenic splendours including cascading waterfalls and cold water springs. Shrubs and wild roses grow abundantly and Rhododendrons colour the area with pink and dark red.

The valley was discovered by Frank Smith, a mountaineer, explorer and botanist who camped here for several weeks in the monsoon of 1937. The Pushpawati River, cuts through the valley, flanked on either side by majestic peaks, many capped with snow.

The journey starts from Delhi with a train ride to Haridwar, on the Ganges River. The Valley Of Flowers is reachable by a spectacular road journey from Rishikesh to Govindghat and the start of the valley trail to Ghangaria, which requires the hire of mules and porters. A short trek leads to the valley which comes alive during July and August with a vast expanse of wild flowers. It is also possible to visit the pilgrimages at Hemkund Lake (Sikh) as well as the major Hindu temple at Badrinath from Ghangaria.

Day 01

Depart UK

Depart UK – Overnight flight.

Day 02

Delhi

Hotel Vikram

Relax On Arrival At Delhi
Relax on arrival at your hotel at Delhi.

If you wish to sample the history of India’s capital city you may take an optiional Private Delhi Tour that takes in a Cycle Rickshaw Ride through the famous Chandni Chowk, The Red Fort and the huge Jama Masjid mosque (1656). You can then drive around the tree lined avenues of New Delhi, visit Rajghat where Mahatma Gandhi was cremated and visit the sights of South Delhi such as Humayuns Tomb and the Qutub Minar.

Day 03

Rishikesh

Hotel Great Ganga

BY EXPRESS TRAIN FROM DELHI TO HARIDWAR 2017 SHATABDI EXPRESS - 0650- 1510 HRS

Pick Up From Haridwar Station
Haridwar has a series of sacred bathing ghats on the Ganges and is only 14 miles from Rishikesh.

Rishikesh
Rishikesh is a holy city and famous centre of Hindu pilgrimage.The sacred River Ganges flows through Rishikesh. In fact, it is here that the river leaves the Himalayas and flows out into the plains of northern India. The city attracts thousands of pilgrims and tourists each year. It is the starting point for traveling to the sites that form the Char Dham holy pilgrimage — Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri, that all deep in the Himalayas and accesssible for only part of the year.

Rishikesh has numerous yoga and meditation centres. In 1968 The Beatles and other artists such as Mike Love of the Beach Boys famously visited the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi's Ashram in Rishikesh. Several Beatles songs on the White Album were actually written during their stay here.

The Ganges River near Rishikesh is also becoming a popular spot for white water rafting enthusiasts, as it offers medium to rough rapids through beautiful scenery.

Day 04

Joshimath

The Chardham Camp

Private Jeep To Joshimath
You travel to The Valley of Flowers by leaving early morning from Rishikesh (elevation 1168ft) to Joshimath (elevation 6200ft) a journey of 155 miles that takes around 8 Hours. You travel through precipitous mountain roads with sheer drops following the valley of the River Alaknanda all the way.

Joshimath
The base for trekking to the famous Valley Of Flowers. Buy supplies and eat plenty of energy foods at Joshimath for the trek that begins next day!

Day 05

Ghangaria

GMVN Guest House

Private Jeep To Govindghat
Leave Joshimath very early morning and journey by road for another 21 miles (1 Hour) until Govind Ghat is reached. The road is narrow, sometimes just a makeshift track after landslides, with the River Alaknanda thundering along down below.

At Govind Ghat, plastic sheet raincoats are essential purchases at the local market. Here the services of mule-waalas and porters (called Pitthoo) are required to carry luggage further up the trail.

Trek From Govindghat To Ghangaria
8 Miles

From Govind Ghat it’s an 8 mile trek along a steep, narrow, but well defined mountain trail to base camp at Ghangaria. This will take between 4 to 8 hours, depending on your fitness! The path moves along the Lakshman River which flows down below. There are tea and snack stalls along the way, which serve tea, "maggie" noodles, chips etc.

Ghangaria is a small village by the side of the Lakshman River which acts as a base camp for people going to The Valley of Flowers and Sikh pilgrims travelling to the holy lake at Hemkund.

Day 06

Ghangaria

GMVN Guest House

Trek From Ghangaria To Hemkund Lake
4 Miles

Hemkund, with a spectacular setting of a glacial lake surrounded by seven peaks, is a popular pilgrimage site for Sikhs. It is located at an elevation of over 15,000 ft. It is a fairly steep trek but you can ride mules right up to Hemkund.

Day 07

Ghangaria

GMVN Guest House

Trek To The Beautiful Valley Of Flowers
2 Miles

Next morning you trek further to the start of the main valley, where all the flowers are, a further 2 miles from Ghangaria.

The Valley Of Flowers
The vast expanse of the valley is beautiful, and there are meadows of flowers with big stretches of Himalayan Balsam,which is the most predominant flower of the valley. The sheer number of certain flowers is so large that sometimes one has to wade in knee-deep flowers to reach an area which could have flowers of a different kind.

Another alluring plant, which is touted as the most beautiful one in the valley is the Himalayan Whorlflower. It adds charm to The Valley of Flowers, and grows in abundance. Further on, you are greeted with a captivating sight - low on the ground, masses of woolly white Edelweiss flowers, which are also seen in the Alps.

Day 08

Joshimath

The Chardham Camp

Trek From Govindghat To Ghangaria
8 Miles

Private Jeep To Joshimath
A Jeep will be waikting at Govindghat to take you back to Joshimath.

Day 09

Rishikesh

Hotel Great Ganga

Private Jeep To Rishikesh
Return to Rishikesh by Jeep for a stopover night prior to your return to Delhi.

Day 10

Delhi

Hotel Vikram

Drop Off At Haridwar Station
Haridwar is the nearest station for trains to Delhi

BY EXPRESS TRAIN FROM
HARIDWAR TO DELHI
2056 SHATABDI EXPRESS - 0623- 1115 HRS

Day 11

Depart Delhi

* We will send you a detailed quote with flight options, descriptions of hotels used and daily schedules.

Valley of Flowers Travel Tips

• Mules and porters are hired at Govind Ghat for the trek to Ghangaria.

• Cheap plastic raincoats are essential.

• The Valley of Flowers requires a strenuous hike but you'll feel on top of the world in this magical and enchanting place. Exotic flowers and foliage can be found all along the route from Ghangaria to the main valley.