Valley of flowers trek - The national park

The alluring trek to the valley starts from Joshimath, a religious town near Haridwar. Valley of flowers is a paradise for botanists, nature lovers, and mountaineers. One can see the endemic rare species of flowers, lush meadows, and a huge variety of flora. The valley calls and homes not only some of the most precious and rare flowers, but Valley of Flowers National Park also has some rare endangered animal and bird species. Asiatic black bear, musk deer,  snow leopard are some to name a few. They are commonly seen animals and Himalayan monal, pheasant, are some high-altitude birds that can easily be seen in the valley. In the Valley of Flowers National Park, take in the magnificent sight of the riot of colours spread out before you - the blues, yellows, pinks, and reds glittering in the sunshine! As you step into the valley, the heady mix of fragrances emanating from the flowers will hit you in waves and make you feel intoxicated with its perfection!

Another interesting fact about the Valley comes under the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage sites. Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is closest to the Valley and offers a great to see the wonders of nature. The serene surroundings, lush beauty, and soothing weather with a backdrop of snow-clad mountains will make you fall in love with the place. 

Furthermore, you can also climb to Hemkund Sahib, around the lake, you will find the rare Brahma Kamal growing in abundance. Know that it only grows between the altitude of 10,000 ft and 15,000 ft! Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara is a spiritual spot perched at an elevation of  4,633m. Hemkund Sahib is surrounded by a glacial lake and seven mountain peaks. The holy pilgrimage is dedicated to the 10th Sikh Guru, Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The total trek to Hemkund Sahib from Ghanagria is 6 km. The star-shaped Gurudwara near the beautiful lake is visited by thousands of devotees every year. The major highlights of the trek are dense forests of oaks & pines, gushing waterfalls & streams, captivating views of the Himalayas, alpine flowers, and the crystal clear lake, with the holy shrine of Hemkund Sahib. Ponies and Palki services are available for pilgrims and travellers if you do not want to trek for any reason.

The best time to visit Hemkund Sahib is from June to September. The temperature remains a minimum of 12°C (53.6°F) to a maximum of 23°C (73.4°F). The weather remains pleasant and cold with clear blue skies. It is advisable to carry heavy woollen clothes and raincoats as the weather at Hemkund Sahib changes very rapidly. The place is inaccessible from October to April due to excessive snow.

The best season to visit the Valley of Flowers is the monsoons! Mid-July to Mid-August is considered as the best time to watch the blooming beauty of the valley. The National Park opens from June to October. The rest of the year, the valley gets covered with pristine white snow. 
A quick tip would be to always prepare for an extra day, as the weather in the mountains can be quite unpredictable and cause delays in the schedule! Use your vacation days wisely and plan!

For the duration of the journey, your stay will be in guesthouses and lodges for the 5 nights. The rooms will be on multiple sharing bases, and men and women will be given separate rooms. Please treat the hosts with love and respect as they will be treating you, especially as the area around Hemkund Sahib is considered Holy!

You can easily reach the Valley of Flowers from Delhi. For the journey, meet us at the Haridwar railway station. You can reach Haridwar by taking a direct train from most major cities like Delhi. You can also fly to the Jolly Grant Airport, the nearest one to Haridwar, from where you can take
a bus or a cab to Haridwar. You can also catch a direct bus from Delhi to Haridwar.