- Day 1: Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath
Drive: 248 km | Duration: 7-8 hours | Start: Rishikesh bus stand, report by 8:00 AM | Stay: homestay (Joshimath) | Meals: dinner
Our representative meets you at the Rishikesh bus stand and we leave by 8:00 AM. The road follows the Ganga and Alaknanda past Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Dhari Devi temple, Karnaprayag and Nandprayag, and we reach Joshimath by evening. After dinner, your guide briefs you on the trek and the do's and don'ts.
- Day 2: Drive to Pulna, trek to Ghangaria
Drive: about 25 km (Joshimath - Govindghat - Pulna) | Trek: about 10 km, 5-6 hours | Altitude: about 6,300 ft to 10,000 ft | Stay: camp (Ghangaria) | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
After breakfast we drive to Govindghat and on to Pulna, where the walking trail begins. The stone path climbs gently along the Pushpawati (Lakshman Ganga) river, past waterfalls and tea stalls, to Ghangaria, the base for both the valley and Hemkund Sahib. Carry a water bottle; you can refill it at the streams along the way.
- Day 3: Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers and back
Trek: about 10 km in total | Duration: 7-8 hours | Altitude: 10,000 ft to about 12,000 ft and back | Stay: camp (Ghangaria) | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
The big day. We start early to pass the forest check post as soon as it opens at 7:00 AM. It is about 4 km from Ghangaria to the valley entrance, and then you walk as far into the meadows as time allows. Entry closes at 2:00 PM and everyone must be out by 5:00 PM, so we return to Ghangaria for the night; camping inside the valley is not allowed.
- Day 4: Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib and back
Trek: about 12 km (6 km each way) | Duration: 8-9 hours | Altitude: 10,000 ft to about 15,200 ft and back | Start: 5:00 AM | Stay: camp (Ghangaria) | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
A steep climb to Hemkund Sahib, the gurudwara beside the glacial Lokpal lake at about 4,632 m (15,200 ft). We start at 5:00 AM so that we are heading down by 2:00 PM, before the weather turns. Wear shoes with good grip and carry a raincoat and warm layers. Ponies are available locally if you prefer to ride.
- Day 5: Trek down to Pulna, drive to Joshimath
Trek: about 10 km, 4 hours downhill | Drive: about 25 km | Stay: homestay (Joshimath) | Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
An easy walk back down the same trail to Pulna, then a short drive to Joshimath for a hot shower and a comfortable night.
- Day 6: Drive back to Rishikesh
Drive: 248 km | Duration: 7-8 hours | Meals: breakfast
After breakfast we drive back to Rishikesh, reaching by evening. If you chose the Delhi pickup, you continue to Delhi by AC bus.
- Duration: 6 Days / 5 Nights, Rishikesh to Rishikesh
- Valley of Flowers altitude: about 3,658 m (12,000 ft)
- Hemkund Sahib altitude: about 4,632 m (15,200 ft)
- Total walking: about 40 km over 4 days
- Trail starts at: Pulna (4 km beyond Govindghat) · Base: Ghangaria
- Difficulty: easy to moderate (Hemkund Sahib climb is the hardest day)
- Best time: mid-July to mid-August for peak bloom; September for clear skies
- Season: 1 June to 31 October (2026 dates; 2027 dates announced in May)
- Valley timings: entry 7:00 AM to 2:00 PM, everyone out by 5:00 PM
- Day / night temperature: about 7°C to 17°C by day, -5°C to 3°C at night
- Location: Chamoli district, Uttarakhand
- Nearest railway station / airport: Rishikesh / Jolly Grant, Dehradun
- Mobile network: available up to Ghangaria
10 essentials for the Valley of Flowers trek
- Valid photo ID (Aadhaar or passport) and 2 passport photos
- Waterproof trekking shoes with good grip
- Rain jacket or poncho and a backpack rain cover
- Warm fleece or down jacket for Hemkund Sahib
- Thermal inner wear, woollen cap and gloves
- Quick-dry trek pants and t-shirts
- 2-3 pairs of woollen socks
- Water bottle, energy bars and dry fruits
- Personal medicines, sunscreen and a headlamp
- Trekking pole and a small daypack
Full list: Valley of Flowers trek packing list.


