Valley of Flowers Trek: Best Time and Things to do

What visuals come into your mind when you hear ‘valley of flowers’? A meadow or land full of flowers? Right? Well, you are not wrong! A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Valley of Flowers Trek is known for its variety of flowers available in multiple colors, sizes, and shapes. The valley has many unique flowers as far as your eyes go. The valley looks dazzling as gentle streams running from the mountain engulf the entire valley while also having a view of the snow peaks. 

It is one of the most meticulous biospheres located in the stunning district of Chamoli in Uttrakhand.
The Valley of Flowers trek also offers you an opportunity to see and learn more about endemic plants and birds and of course, is an interesting trekking paradise. Part of Nanda Devi National Park, a visit to this valley and its eccentric view is something you must cross off your bucket list. 

Quick Facts About Valley Of Flowers Trek

• Time to visit: June to October only.
• Timings: 7 am to 2 pm.
• Accessibility: Only via foot
• Permission required: Yes, from the State Forest Department.
• Difficulty level: Moderate

The best time to visit the trek

The Valley of Flowers Trek is open from June to October. However, the best time to visit the stunning UNESCO site is from July to September. The reason is that during these months, the flowers are starting to bloom, with mid-July being the peak season for flowering. The crowd is less in July, so it is an ideal time to visit the valley without chaos. August is the rainy season, so it's beautiful, with crowds increasing but still at a minimum. In September, flowers will start wilting, so come for the trek before the end of September to witness the valley and all the other places.

The general climate of Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon months of July-August. Also, the skies are full of low clouds and mist with moist soil. From April to June, the temperature remains moderately cool with October to March getting heavy snowfall.

Things to do at Valley of Flowers trek

Go for trekking

Trekking is one of the most sought-after things to do here. With numerous flowers and mountains engulfing the valley from all sides, this is one trek you cannot miss. During your trek, you will get to view the stunning Valley of Flowers National Park, known for its endemic alpine flowers. The Valley of Flower Trek is famous because, as per the myth, it is the place from which Lord Hanuman bought the herbs that saved Lord Lakshman. If you are planning a trek here, choose the monsoon season. 

Visit Nanda Devi National Park 

The Nanda Devi National Park, or biosphere reserve, gives you a glimpse of the wilderness of the Himalayan upper reaches. Along with a valley of flowers, it creates a transition zoo between the Himalayas and the UNESCO World Heritage List. The towing of Nanda Devi Peak keeps you company as you look at exotic animals like the snow leopard, Bharal, Himalayan tahr, Asian black bear, and other animals here. The park is open from May to October, but the best time to visit it is in September. 

Offers prayers at Hemkund Sahib 

One of the best things to do at the Valley of Flowers Trek is offer prayers at Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. It means ‘Lake of Snow’ and trekking here is a great way to visit the pilgrimage place surrounded by the beautiful views of snow-capped mountains and Hemkund Lake. Also, you can hire helicopters and porters to reach here as well. It is known as the meditation ground for Guru Govind Singh. June is the preferred month to visit the place, as during August, the rain might block the roads.  

Explore the Ghangaria village

On your way to the stunning valley of flowers, you will come across Ghangaria. It is the last habitable spot before you get to the valley. The merging of two rivers—Pushpawati and Hemganga—is the base camp for trekkers going to the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. One thing you should do is explore the beautiful village and enjoy the local cuisine here. 

See Bheem Phul

Want to witness a beautiful natural stone bridge? Then, the natural stone bridge at Bheem Phul in Mana village, 28 km from the valley, must be on your list. Situated on the Saraswati River, it offers scenic views. After witnessing the phul, head to Mana village to witness the Indo-Mongolian tribe and its culture, known as Bhotiyas. The village also has a mythological significance, as legend says Saint Vyas wrote the Mahabharata here.

Conclusion

Isn’t the Valley of Flowers trek a beautiful and exciting trek to be part of? It is moderately challenging and offers stunning and memorable views etched into your memories forever. Moreover, the trek is budget-friendly and not too disturbed by outside forces, so its beauty remains intact. With all the information available, isn't this the most wonderful trek you will undertake?

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Valley of Flowers trek?

It is a 38-kilometer-long trek, which you can cover in four days. The trek will start from Govindghat, an 11-hour distance from Rishikesh. Then, trek to Ghangria, and on the way, you will witness beautiful bridges, lakes, stone paths, and more. 

Is the accommodation good on the trek?

Yes, there is good accommodation on the trek, and you will find good lodges to stay here on a triple-sharing basis.

Is traveling here safe?

Yes, traveling to the Valley of Flowers trek is considerably safer. The only thing to remember is to be physically and mentally fit to undertake this trek.

Are there ATMs in the valley?

No, there are no ATMs in the valley, so it is advisable that the tourists get the cash from places like Joshinath and Govindghat. 

Are there any places nearby that you can visit?

Yes, you can go to Auli, and Badrinath and even visit the Hemkund Sahib on your Valley of Flowers trek.