Valley of Flowers Hemkund Trek

📅
Duration
6 Day
🔼
Altitude:
4161m
🛑
Grade:
Moderate
👍
Best Time:
Aug Sep
🌞
Temperatures:
🚩
Starts From:
Joshimath
🛪
Airport:
Jolly Grant Airport, Dehraoon, Uttrakhand
🚉
Railway:
Rishikesh, Uttrakhand

Key Geographical Highlights

4 Popular Peaks:

Gauri Parbat ( 6708m ), Hathi Parbat ( 6727m ), Mandir Parbat ( 6559m ), Nilgiri Parbat ( 6474m )

1 Lakes:

Hemkund ( 4150m )

4 Rivers:

Alakananda, Bhyunder Ganga, Pushpawati River, Laxman Ganga

1 Villages:

Bhyunder

1 National Parks Or Forest Reserve:

Valley of Flowers National Park

Reach Joshimath find other treks

Daywise Itinerary For Valley of Flowers Hemkund Trek

(click to read detailed route briefing, elevation graph, altitude time info and photos from the day)

▼ Day 1Arrival DayJoshimath 1850m
Arrive In Joshimath
Overnight In: Joshimath (1850m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Cost Of Transport Included: NO
Where and How To Reach Joshimath
Journey from Haridwar to Joshimath is a long one, but definitely not a boring one. As you swirl up, yopu come accross the Prayags ( confluence of rivers) of Uttrakhand, coming down from the Himalayan Glaciers on the higher reaches of the Himalayan state. These rivers unite to form the mighty Ganga which flows down Haridwar to rest for India. Ganga is known as the lifeline of India, and Uttrakhand - The Dev Bhoomi ( God's Land)

The streets are colorful too !!

Travelling in mountain roads for 280 KMS can be really tiring. So take a good sleep in your hotel tonight.
Day 1
375 - Rishikesh
Day 1
1450 - Karn Prayag
Day 1
1400 - Chamoli
Day 1
1850 - Joshimath
260Km, 8hrs.
▼ Day 2Trekking DayGhangaria 3094m
From Joshimath (1850m ) To Ghangaria (3094m ), Via - Govind Ghat (1815m ), Bhyundar (2458m ) - 5 - 6 Hrs. 10 Kms
Overnight In: Ghangaria (3094m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Early morning post breakfast, we board our vehicles to drive to Ghangaria from where our trek starts. It's a straight walk into the valley after crossing the bridge on the Alakananda river and following the Laxman Ganga.
The trek is beautiful through the greens passing by the villages of Pulna and Bhyundar. Being a pilgrimage route, the trail is well maintained and it takes about 5 -6 hours to reach Ghangaria. Soon after crossing the village of Bhyunder, as we approach Ghangaria, we come to the meeting point of the Bhyunder Ganga which originates from Hathi Taal at the base of Kankul Pass and Hathi Parvat, and Pushpawati river. Both of them are tributaries of the Laxman Ganga which further is the tributary of Alakananda.
We follow the Pushpavati river which flows through the Valley Of Flowers and soon arrives at a level ground marked by few commercial settlements. This is Ghangaria and we rest for the day here, either in a hotel or in a tent.
Day 2
1850 - Joshimath
Day 2
1815 - Govind Ghat
Day 2
2460 - Bhyundar
Day 2
3095 - Ghangaria
10Km, 5 - 6hrs.
▼ Day 3Trekking DayGhangria 3094m
From Ghangria (3094m ) To Ghangria (3094m ), Via - Valley of flowers (3531m ) - 8 Hrs.
Overnight In: Ghangria (3094m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
We start the day early after breakfast to have some good time on hand for the Valley of Flowers - A Unesco World Heritage Site. Remember to carry pack lunch as the day will be long and with no food to buy on the way.
Soon after we start, within some 30 minutes we reach the entry gate to buy tickets to the National Park. The trek is an easy one with a well laiden trek path. Once you enter the valley, have your own time in it. Here it's all of the vivid colours of varied species of flowers, river Puspawati flowing through it and green walls of a mountain rising on both side.
It's better we head back by 2 - 3 PM for Ghangaria.
Day 3
3095 - Ghangria
Day 3
3535 - Valley of flowers
Day 3
3095 - Ghangria
8hrs.
▼ Day 4Trekking DayGhangria 3094m
From Ghangria (3094m ) To Ghangria (3094m ), Via - Hemkund Sahib (4161m ) - 6 Hrs.
Overnight In: Ghangria (3094m )
Accommodation: Camping
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today we are destined for Sri Hemkund Sahib and the pious lake of Hemkund. It's a pilgrim route but a tough one as compared to the previous day. It's steep and climbs up higher above 4000 meters to take us to one of the most pious places for the Hindus and especially the Sikhs.
The trail climbs up steep once you leave Ghangaria but the views around keep you motivated. The positive environment of the Gurudwara makes you feel good. Have lunch at the Gurudwara. Remember to leave back for Ghangaria soon post 2 PM.
Day 4
3095 - Ghangria
Day 4
4165 - Hemkund Sahib
Day 4
3095 - Ghangria
6hrs.
▼ Day 5Trekking DayJoshimath 1850m
From Ghangria (3094m ) To Joshimath (1850m ), Via - Bhyunder (2458m ), Govindghat (1815m ) - 5 Hrs.
Overnight In: Joshimath (1850m )
Accommodation: Hotel
Meals Included: Morning Tea, Breakfast, Lunch, Evening Tea Snacks, Soup, Dinner, Dessert, Hot Drinks
Today we finish out trek as we head back to Joshimath retracing our track. We trek back on the same route following the Laxman Ganga, crossing by Bhyunder village to reach Govind Ghat. From Govind Ghat, we then further drive back to Joshimath.

If we are not constrained, we may chose to visit the heritage shrine of Badrinath as well.
Day 5
3095 - Ghangria
Day 5
2460 - Bhyunder
Day 5
1815 - Govindghat
Day 5
1850 - Joshimath
5hrs.
▼ Day 6Trekking DayRishikesh 372m
From Joshimath (1850m ) To Rishikesh (372m ), Via - Chamoli (1400m ), Karn Prayag (1450m ) - 8 Hrs. 260 Kms
Overnight In: Rishikesh (372m )
Accommodation: None
Meals Included: None
We return to Rishikesh to day. We have to leave early morning today in order to reach Rishikesh or Dehradoon on time to make our journet to onward destination or back home
Day 6
1850 - Joshimath
Day 6
1400 - Chamoli
Day 6
1450 - Karn Prayag
Day 6
375 - Rishikesh
260Km, 8hrs.

Valley of Flowers Hemkund Trek introduction

Valley of Flowers Hemkund Trek - An Elaborate Description

... At first I could see nothing but rocks, then suddenly my wandering gaze was arrested by a little splash of blue, and beyond it were other splashes of blue, a blue so intense it seemed to light the hillside. As Holdsworth wrote: “All of a sudden I realised that I was simply surrounded by primulas. At once the day seemed to brighten perceptibly. Forgotten were all pains and cold and lost porters. And what a primula it was! Its leek-like habit proclaimed it a member of the nivalis section. All over the little shelves and terraces it grew, often with its roots in running water. At the most it stood six inches high, but its flowers were enormous for its stature, and ample in number—sometimes as many as thirty to the beautifully proportioned umbel, and in colour of the most heavenly French blue, sweetly scented.”

In all my mountain wanderings I had not seen a more beautiful flower than this primula; the fine rain-drops clung to its soft petals like galaxies of seed-pearls and frosted its leaves with silver.

Lower, where we camped near a moraine, were androsaces, saxifrages, sedums, yellow and red potentillas, geums, geraniums, asters, gentians, to mention but a few plants, and it was impossible to rake a step without crushing a flower.

Next day we descended to lush meadows. Here our camp was embowered amidst flowers: snow-white drifts of anemones, golden, lily-like nomockaris, mari-golds, globe flowers, delphiniums, violets, eritrwhiums, blue corydafa, wild roses, flowering shrubs and rhododen-drons, many of them flowers with homely sounding English names. The Bhyundar Valley was the most beautiful valley that any of us had seen. We camped in it for two days and we remembered it afterwards as the Valley of Flowers.

.. an extract from the book Valley Of Flowers, by Frank S. Smythe who had accidentally landed there on his return from Mt. Kamet Expedition via the Bhyunder Khal

Right from then it has attracted nature lovers and it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

This valley is easily accessible to trekkers in just couple of day's trek from the road head of Govind Ghat near Joshimath. The best time to visit the park is July till August end. This route is also common to the pilgrim route to Hemkund Sahib for the Sikhs. Owing to the altitude, its better to trek to Hemkund after visiting the Valley Of Flowers.

Valley Of Flowers - Best Time To Visit:

The Valley of Flowers National Park opens from Jun till Octtober. The trek to the valley can be enjoyed anytime within this range. However, the best time to visit the valley is from Mid July to Mid August as the flowers bloom to the full potential during this time. Before that, its less flowers and more snow. After that, its less snow and less flowers too !!

During the best time, its aso official monsoon in that region.l So be well prepared for that. Pack well. Rain also makes it colder.

Valley Of Flowers Permits:

Indians: Rs. 150/- for three days. Rs. 50/- thereafter.

Foreigners: Rs. 600/- for three days. Rs. 250/- thereafter.

Still Camera: Free ( professional or non-professional ).

Video camera ( non-professional ): Free.

Video camera ( professional ): Indians - Rs. 500/- ; Foreigners - Rs.1500/-

How We Grade Our Treks and Expeditions

Easy

Usual daily walks of 4 - 5 hours in altitude below 4000 meters. The sleeping altitude on these treks are below 4000 meter and the trails are gradual involving no steep ascent or descent. Sometimes, the trail may be longer, but on level trails. The duration of trek may be a week or lesser than it. The trek is not too remote and evacuation might be possible from almost any point of the trek

Moderate

The trek duration each day may span from 4 - 5 hours, but on some days, it may push up to 8 - 9 days. The trail might involve steep ascents or descents on occasions This kind of treks demand good fitness, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude are below 4000 meters or little above it, but the trail might go as high as 4500 - 5000 meters. The trek is bit remote and evacuation might be possible from almost all, but not all campsites

Moderate+

This type of treks are bit more demanding than the moderate ones. It might involve few days of very long walks at higher altitude, or serious gradients, exposures, more remote or involves sleeping at higher altitudes for more days.

Strenuous

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Good fitness are demand of these treks, and trekkers must involve themselves in cardio exercises regularly to do these treks comfortably. Sleeping altitude may go above 4000 meters or little above it on couple of days, but not more than that. The trail might go as high as 4500 - 5200 meters. These trek are remote and evacuation might not be possible from all the campsites

Challenging

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Crossing a glacier or a scree zone might be a feature of these treks. You might on some occasions, require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high or remote or both. The trek usually might be a week long.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Challenging+

The trek duration each day may span from 5 - 8 hours, and may go up to to 8 - 9 or even more than that on few days. The trail involves steep ascents and descents. Negotiating glacial moraines, scree zones, crossing them, camping on them etc are features of these treks. You might also require technical equipment like rope, ice axe and snow stacks etc to complete these treks. Good fitness are demand of any treks, but these treks demands strong character. Sleeping altitude may goes well above 5000 meters on some days. The trail might go as high as 5000 - 6000 meters. These trek are high and remote. A good technical support team and knowledgeable local guide is a must. Only experienced trekkers are advised to do these treks. The trek goes over 2 week and may be longer than that.

Sometimes irrespective of altitude and distance, a trek may ge graded Challenging if the route is treacherous, which might demand some footing skills or assistance of ropes and other equipment

Cost Terms For The Valley of Flowers Hemkund Trek

Cost Terms

The above-mentioned cost is in the range of minimum to maximum per-person cost for this trek as per 1 - 12 people team.PackageInclusions as per this cost can be read below.
5% GST (goods and service tax) is applicable for all our purchases.
We follow dynamic pricing as per the actual team size on the trek. Going by our standardized service, appropriate safety measures, quality equipment, and ecologically sustainable - small group commitment, a higher team size will lower the cost whereas a lower team size will significantly increase the cost.
Group segmented pricing if not provided here, please write to us using the contact page or text us on Whatsapp number +918017216725.
You may choose to keep the trek open or make it private depending upon your requirements or choice. The actual per-person cost of the trek is subject to the actual team size joining the trek. If you make any customizations that drastically change the itinerary and cost as mentioned here, then it will mandatorily have to be a private group only.
If we have dates listed on our website on Our Upcoming Treks and it is not marked as private, it means other people have booked this trek for that date and have opened it up for other members to join to lower the cost. If your dates and choices match, you may join these treks
You may join an existing open group listed on our website or create your own group as per your convenient dates and choose to either keep it private or open it up to lower the cost if other members join the trek.
At any point, the team size cannot be more than 12 members ( 10 for challenging treks) unless there is a unique exception requested or agreed upon by all the team members.

International Guests

Trek cost for foreigners is slightly higher than the cost for our Indian guests, mainly due to the higher permit fee applicable for admission to National Parks or protected forest areas. Sometimes, it may be higher due to higher local crew wages and other specific arrangements we make to ensure a safe, comfortable and enriching travel experience in India. However, we absolutely DO NOT 'hyper-charge' our International Guests ever and at the same time, ensure that we meet all the standards for highly qualified trek leaders and guides, safety, medical preparation, evacuation strategy, rescue arrangements, eco-sensitive travel, high-value knowledge sharing about the area and customs of the locals.

Extra Cost For International Trekkers Rs. 3000 per person.

Booking Process

Booking can only be done after multiple communication via email / Whatsapp / Calls. After connecting with us and discussing your needs, we finalize the trek and its requirements. After finalization, partial booking fees can be paid online or through direct bank transfers after which we trigger our preparations and arrangements for your trek. International Trekkers can pay the partial booking fees using PayPal, Wise, Western Union or Direct Wire Transfer.

Customized Private Group For Valley of Flowers Hemkund Trek

Trekking is a very personal activity and is perhaps one of the very few activities that give you enough time to indulge with yourself or your beloved people, a group of special friends, or close family members. It helps you transform personal bonds to the next level as it brings out everyone's best and truest self. Trekking is most enjoyed when it is done in a small private group, personalized to serve your specific needs. The Himalayas are best experienced when there is silence and solitude around and when you are surrounded only by your best people. Your trek is most enjoyable when all the pain of arranging a smooth trek is taken care of by us, and you focus just on your trek and yourself. Most importantly, a small private trekking group is very flexible, personalized, and more enjoyable, is the safest, and follows the principles of Sustainable and Responsible Tourism. Most trekkers book us for arranging personalized private treks catering to their specific and unique requirements - Customize This Trek

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