Introduction
Valley of Flowers Trek, one of India's most breathtaking trekking destinations, is nestled in the Garhwal Himalayas of Uttarakhand. It is widely known for its stunning natural wonders, including rare flora and fauna, and attracts nature lovers, photographers, and adventure enthusiasts from across the world. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its endemic alpine meadows and majestic Himalayan backdrop.
If you're planning a trip and wondering how to reach the Valley of Flowers, don’t worry. As an experienced trekker, I will walk you through every step, covering the trek route, travel by air, train, or road, helping you plan your trip smoothly and hassle-free.
To reach Valley of Flowers National Park, travel by road to Govindghat, drive to Pulna village, and then trek via Ghangaria. The journey involves road travel followed by the 13–17 km Himalayan trek.
Where is the Valley of Flowers located?
The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, situated in the Garhwal region of the western Himalayas.
- Location: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, within the Garhwal Himalayas.
- Altitude: approx. 3,685 meters (12,000 feet) above sea level.
- Proximity To: This valley lies very close to some other nearby travel destinations, like Joshimath, Badrinath, and Hemkund Sahib.
Valley Of Flowers Route Overview
Here is a step-by-step flow of valley of Flowers trek:
Step 1: Travel by road to Govindghat via Haridwar/Rishikesh
Step 2: A short drive from Govindghat to Pulna, about 15 minutes.
Step 3: Pulna to Ghagariya, a 9 km moderate and uphill trek
Step 4: Final stretch from Ghagariya to the Valley of Flowers.
Note: This journey route remains the same regardless of where you start, like Delhi, Haridwar, or Rishikesh.
Reaching Valley Of Flowers By Air
Reaching the Valley of Flowers is the fastest way to travel. You will need a combination of flight, road travel, and trekking. There is no airport to valley of Flowers itself.
Nearest Airport: The Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun city is the nearest airport to the Valley of Flowers, which is approximately 293 km from Govindghat (the base camp).
Onward Journey: From the airport, you can hire a taxi or bus to Govindghat. Which typically takes 11-12 hours. From Govindghat, take a shared jeep to Pulna. From there, embark on a trek to the valley.
Reaching Valley Of Flowers By Train
Travelling by train is the most economical option to reach the Valley of Flowers, but there is no direct railway station at the Valley of Flowers itself. Firstly, you must travel to the nearest railheads and then continue your remaining journey by road and then embark on a trek.
Nearest railheads: Rishikesh railway station is closest to the Valley of Flowers, about 273 km from Govindghat. Haridwar Railway Station is another major hub, with more frequent long-distance train connections.
Onward Journey: From either of these railway stations, you can easily find a taxi or take a bus to Govindghat and then proceed on a short drive of about 4 km via shared taxi. From Pulna, head on a strenuous trek.
Valley Of Flowers By Road Route
Reaching the Valley of Flowers by road, you must travel to Govindghat or Pulna, which are the last motorable points. From there, you must continue on foot or via alternative options like ponies or the Palki service.
Road Route
The most common gateways are Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun.
The standard route follows via–
Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Rudraprayag → Joshimath → Govindghat
Distance: About 273 km-300 km from Rishikesh and Haridwar.
Duration: It takes almost 10-12 hours to complete.
Transport Options
- Public Bus: A direct bus to Joshimath or Badrinath, which passes through Govindghat, is available from Haridwar and Rishikesh.
- Shared Jeep: A popular option, shared taxis and jeeps are available from Dehradun and Rishikesh.
- Private Taxi: A most convenient and comfortable way to travel by road.
Pro Tip: it is highly recommended to start your journey early morning by 5: 30 to 6:00 a.m. to reach Govindghat by dark.
Govindghat To Valley Of Flowers Trek Route
After heading to Govindghat, you need to proceed on a short drive to Pulna, about 4 km from there, and embark on a 13 km trek to reach the valley.
Here is a step-by-step breakdown from Govindghat to valley of Flowers:
| Stage | Distance | Mode |
| Govindghat → Pulna | 4 km | Shared Taxi |
| Pulna → Ghangaria | 9 km | Trek |
| Ghangaria → Valley | 4 km | Trek |
First Stage: Govindghat to Pulna (4 km drive)
A new motorable road now extends to Pulna. You can take a local shared taxi to reach the new starting point of the trek.
Second Stage: Trek to Ghagariya
From Pulna, you must trek around 9 km to reach Ghagariya, serving as the base of the trek.
- Pulna to Ghangaria trek distance: 9 km
- Trek duration: 6-7 hours
- Trail conditions: Steep, wet, and slippery, especially during the monsoon. Offering the stunning views of the Pushwati River and the Himalayan peaks.
- Alternative travel options: Mules and ponies are available for this section as an alternative for those who wish to skip trekking or are unable to trek.
Final Stage: Trek to Valley of Flowers
- Ghangaria to Valley trek distance: 4 km
- Timing: 3-4 hours
- Description: A moderate to steep ascent from Ghagariya, which leads to the entrance of the valley.
- Trail Conditions: Paths are well-maintained, involving some steeper sections.
Note: Travellers who are unable to trek or want to skip the trek can opt for a helicopter service upto Ghanghariya from there trek 4 km for the Valley of Flowers.
Essential Information
- Best time to start: Start early morning to avoid trekkers rush and for a peaceful exploration.
- Time Restrictions: Entry hours to the valley are from 7:00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m.
- Forest Rules: Every visitor must abide by the rules, such as no food in the valley, and no mules or palkis are allowed inside the valley.
- Permit: A permit from the Forest Department of Uttarakhand is required to get an entry in the national park.
How To Reach Valley Of Flowers From Major Places
The Valley of Flowers trek is easily accessible by trekking from Govindghat or Pulna. No matters from where you start your journey, like Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Badrinath.
How To Reach Valley Of Flowers From Delhi
Reaching the Valley of Flowers from Delhi requires travel to Govindghat via road, air, train, or a combination of those, as there is no airport or railway station at the Valley of Flowers itself. You must complete a distance of around 519 km. Here is a short overview of how to reach valley of flowers from Delhi.
- Distance: 519 km by road
- Travel Time: 12-14 hours
- Best route for road travel: Delhi → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Joshimath → Govindghat → Ghagariya → valley of flowers
How To Reach Valley Of Flowers From Haridwar
You can easily hire a private taxi or bus to reach Govindghat. From there, take a shared taxi to Pulna and then embark on a trekking journey.
- Distance: 286 km by road (till Govindghat)
- Travel Time: 8-9 hours
- Best route: The journey follows the NH-7 route passing via: Haridwar → Rishikesh → Joshimath → Govindghat → Ghagariya → valley of flowers
- Travel Options: Public bus, private taxi or shared taxi
How To Reach Valley Of Flowers From Rishikesh
Rishikesh, often called the Yoga capital of India, is mainly preferred by budget travelers or backpackers. Provide good travel options for this route.
- Distance: 262 km by road (till Govindghat)
- Travel Time: 7-8 hours
- Best route: The journey follows the NH-7 route passing via → Rishikesh → Joshimath → Govindghat → Ghagariya → valley of flowers
- Travel Options: Public bus, private taxi or shared taxi
How To Reach Valley Of Flowers From Badrinath
To reach valley of Flowers from Badrinath, firstly, you must travel by road for around 25 km to Govindghat. From there, covering a multi-stage trek journey.
Here is a breif overview of how to reach valley of Flowers from Badrinath:
Stage 1: Govindghat to Badrinath
- Distance: Around 25 km
- Travel Time: About 1 hour
- Transport Options: Shared jeep or taxi
Stage 2: Govindghat to Ghagariya (base camp)
- Distance: 13 km
- Travel Time: 4-6 hours
Final Trek: Ghagariya to valley of Flowers
- Distance: 4 km one-way trek
- Time Taken: 2-3 hours
Best Way To Reach Valley Of Flowers (Traveller-Wise)
The best way to reach valley of flowers is depends on an individual’s travel style, budget, age group, and experience. Below is a traveller-wise overview of the best way to reach valley of Flowers.
For Budget Travellers: Train + bus + shared taxi and trek is ideal for budget travellers. Train to Haridwar or Rishikesh. Public bus from Rishikesh to Govindghat, shared taxi to Pulna and finally trek to the valley.
For Senior Citizens: For elders, the best options are train + private taxi + Pony/palki service, offering comfort and flexible experience and less physical strain.
For first-time trekkers: Planning with a reputable tour operator, who provide guided tour package. Provide safe and hassle-free experience.
Travel Tips For Reaching Valley Of Flowers
- Choose the right time to travel: Choose the right time to visit valley of Flowers, which is from June to October. Always check the weather and road conditions before starting your journey.
- Start the trip early: Travelling during the daylight hours is highly recommended on mountain roads. So start your trip early to reach the base camp before dark.
- Plan your journey in advance: The road journey to Govindghat takes several hours, so plan your trip wisely and keep one day extra for any sudden change.
- Avoid Night Drives: Avoid driving after sunset, as it’s not safe on hilly mountain roads.
- Follow entry rules & time restrictions: Follow the guidelines by the Forest Department of Uttarakhand. Check the entry timings before visiting.
- Carry enough cash: ATMs are limited beyond Joshimath, so carry enough cash before reaching Govindghat.
FAQs
1. How do I go to the Valley of Flowers?
You can reach valley of Flowers by road travel to Govindghat, which serves as the nearest accessible point, connecting via NH-7. From Govindghat, take a shuttle jeep to Pulna village (new accessible road) and then embark on a trekking journey, which you can complete on foot or via pony and mule service.
2. Which is the nearest train station to the Valley of Flowers?
The Rishikesh railway station is the nearest railway station to the Valley of Flowers, about 273 km away. Haridwar Railway Station is another major hub, having great connectivity to all the major cities of India.
3. Can I visit the Valley of Flowers without trekking?
No, trekking is mandatory to visit the Valley of Flowers. While ponies and mules are available up to Ghangaria, the final 4 km walk inside the valley must be done on foot as per forest rules.
4. Can we go to Valley of Flowers by car?
You can travel by car upto the last motorable point, Pulna Village 4 km from Govindghat, from there you need to trek 13 km to reach the valley.
5. How many kilometres to trek to the Valley of Flowers?
The Valley of Flowers trek covers a distance of around 17 km one-way, depending on the starting point and how far into the valley you explore.
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