Valley of Flower | Phulo Ki Ghati

About Valley of Flower

The Valley of Flowers is a high-altitude Himalayan valley that is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora that bloom in the area. The valley is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, and bharal (blue sheep). The valley is open to visitors from June to October, when the flowers are in bloom. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Valley of Flowers Trekking

The Valley of Flowers trek is a popular hike in the Indian Himalayas that takes visitors through a beautiful alpine valley filled with colorful wildflowers. The trek typically starts from the town of Govindghat, which is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River, and ends at the Valley of Flowers National Park. This trek is considered moderate to challenging, with steep inclines and rocky terrain. The trek can take anywhere from 3-7 days, depending on the route chosen and the pace of the trekkers.

The best time to trek to the Valley of Flowers is from late June to early October, when the flowers are in full bloom. howevDuring this period, the valley is open for visitors, but the trek should be planned in advance as the number of visitors is restricted to minimize human impact. therefore the valley is closed during the rest of the year due to heavy snowfall.

Trekkers should be properly equipped with good quality walking shoes, warm clothing, waterproof gear, and a good quality backpack. It is also important to carry enough food and water as supplies can be limited along the trail. and It’s also recommended to have a good level of physical fitness and acclimatization before attempting the trek.

Valley of flower Route

The Valley of Flowers trek route typically starts from the town of Govindghat, which is located on the banks of the Alaknanda River in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. From Govindghat, trekkers take a 14 km long trek along the Lakshman Ganga River to the village of Ghangaria. Ghangaria serves as the base camp for the trek to the Valley of Flowers and is the last point where vehicles are allowed.

From Ghangaria, trekkers then take a 3 km trek to the Valley of Flowers. The trek is considered moderate to challenging and takes about 3-4 hours to complete. The trail is well-defined and passes through beautiful landscapes, including dense forests and small streams. Along the way, visitors can also see the Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh pilgrimage site located on the banks of the Hemkund Lake.

The return trek from the Valley of Flowers to Ghangaria typically takes the same route and takes about 3-4 hours. From Ghangaria, trekkers then return to Govindghat via the same 14 km trail along the Lakshman Ganga River. Some trekkers also choose to combine the Valley of Flowers trek with other treks in the region, such as the Kuari Pass Trek or the Nanda Devi East Base Camp Trek.

Important facts about Valley of flowers national park.

Location : Near Badrinath, in Garhwal Region of Uttarakhand.
National Park : It was declared as National park in 1982.
World Heritage Site : Declared as World Heritage Site on July 14, 2005 by UNESCO.
Best time to visit : July and August
Hotels : Blue Poppy Swiss Cottage camps and Blue Poppy Resorts in Auli.
Entry Fee: Rs. 150 for Indians and Rs. 650 For non-Indians
Entry Timings : 7 am to 5 pm
Opening Date : 1st June
Closing Date : 4th October
Time needed for Valley of flowers trek : 7 days Ex Haridwar.

Valley of Flowers Opening & Closing Dates

Valley of flowers Opening dates 2022: 1 June

The Valley of Flowers opening is 1-June Which means visitors hike up to the heavenly Valley from 1st June.

Valley of flowers Closing dates 2022: 31 October

Generally, the Valley of flowers closes around the first or second week of October. So the valley of Flower closing dates is around 31 October.

Valley of flower how to reach

The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, in the Chamoli district, and can be reached by several means of transportation:

By Air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which is about 298 km from the Valley of Flowers. From there, one can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Govindghat, which is the starting point of the trek to the Valley of Flowers.
By Train: The nearest railway station is Rishikesh railway station, which is about 277 km from the Valley of Flowers. From there, one can take a bus or hire a taxi to reach Govindghat.
By Bus: There are several bus services that operate between Rishikesh and Govindghat. Once you reach Govindghat, you need to start your trek on foot to reach the Valley of Flowers.

It’s important to note that the Valley of Flowers is only accessible on foot during the trekking season which typically starts from June to October, after that it is closed due to heavy snowfall. It’s recommendable to plan the trek in advance, as the number of visitors is restricted to minimize human impact.