Home

Main navigation

  • Home
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Testimonials
    • Our Team
    • Vision
    • Conservation
    • Partnerships
    • Our Transport Team
    • Asian Adventures Webinars
  • Travel Themes
    • Birdwatching Tours
    • Wildlife Tours
    • Cultural & Wildlife Tours
    • Spiritual Tours
    • Wellness Tours
    • Conservation Travel
    • Wildlife Holidays
    • Wildlife Himalayan Lodges
  • Media
    • Blogs
    • Case Studies
    • Trip Reports
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Twitter
    • Youtube
  • Contact Us
+91 8010450000

Round the clock support

+91 8010450000
0
Favorites
  • Login
  • Registration
  • Forgot password?
Home / Tours / The Magic Of Valley Of Flowers Uttarakhand

Delhi, Haridwar, Pipalkoti, Govindghat, Valley of Flowers, Hemkund Sahib, Joshimath

The Magic Of Valley Of Flowers Uttarakhand

07 Days | #211 |
4
0 reviews

Overview

In 1931, Frank S. Smythe, who was part of a team of six British mountaineers that climbed Kamet, came across a valley beyond Bhyundar Pass that had “Lush meadows, embowered amidst flowers. The Bhyundar Valley was the most beautiful valley that any of us had seen.”

 

Smythe in his book recalls that his camp was surrounded by a variety of flowers – primulas, white anemones, golden nomocharis, marigolds, globe flowers, delphiniums, violets, eritrichiums, blue corydalis, white roses and rhododendrons. Higher up, near the moraine, were saxifrage, yellow and red potentilla, geranium, asters and gentians, so many that “it was impossible to take a step without crushing a flower.” Today this Bhyundar Valley is not very different from how Frank Smythe first found it to be. Through strict environmental control and tight Government of India regulations, the sanctity of Frank Smythe’s discovery, ‘The Valley of Flowers’, has been carefully preserved. If you stand at the foot of the valley, grassy meadows run down to the cleft of the stream, which, even in August, is still fringed by ice. On both sides, green slopes turn to dark rock as they vault into deep blue skies.

 

Rising gently, the valley ends as a notch on the horizon, crested by the snows of the Rataban (6,166m) and Nilgiri (6474m) peaks. And underfoot, the flowers that give the valley its name. The Valley Of Flowers is accessible from a remote village in the Indian Himalaya called Gangharia. Getting to Gangharia is a small adventure in itself. We start at Delhi and make our way to Haridwar from where we will be driven to Pipalkoti (8 hours). A scenic drive through villages, towns and mountains.

The journey to Govindghat is a 3½ hr drive along the River Alaknanda from where our trek starts. The entire trek is breath-takingly beautiful through snow clad mountains as backdrop and a gushing river to keep you company along with greenery around you and the blue skies overhead.

On any given day there are hundreds of Sikh pilgrims headed for the Shrine at Hemkund and alighting from our jeeps we join this joyous group heading up to Ghangaria. The ascending mule track climbs past terraced fields and vegetation to the hamlet of Pulna (3 km). From here the trail is a little wilder and more forested, with occasional glimpses of snow peaks. The 7 kms from Pulna to Bhyundar Village are a steady ascent and the altitude is moderate. Shortly after Bhyundar, the trail crosses the Laxman Ganga, over a bridge elevated by giant boulders. The trail is steeper now but Ghangaria is only 3 km. away. We have to stay overnight in a small hotel / fully serviced camp.

 

The third day is when we visit the surreal Valley of Flowers. The trail is well chalked out and is a delightful ramble as it climbs gently through a coniferous forest before descending to a bridge. A check-post marks the official entry to the Valley of Flowers. Climbing up a rocky trail, with the forest behind us, the first flowers begin to appear. Walking through evergrean oaks, birches, maple trees, as you tiptoe over a small galcier, you reach Bamini Dhar where the tree line ends and the valley becomes a ‘bugyal'( high altitude grassy meadow in Garhwal).

The Valley of Flowers engulfs you with its splash of colour. Flowers occupy what seems like every inch of ground and rocky facades. Every month has a different variety that proliferates more. It’s a virtual rainbow of colours around with monsoon being the time most flowers bloom.

 

Current Government regulations do not permit any camping within the notified area of the valley and entry to the valley is restricted to permit holders only. So, in the morning after breakfast, trekkers are escorted into this Garden of Eden to explore different cross sections of the Bhyundar Valley. Packed lunches, flasks full of hot beverages as well as assorted refreshments are arranged. By evening the group is escorted back to our base camp at Gangharia where dinner would be served after a round of refreshments.

 

One visit is never enough to assimilate the unbelievable beauty of the vista. So the next day you can visit the Valley of Flowers again or visit Hemkund Sahib a Sikh Gurdwara, the holy shrine of Sikhs.

 

Hemkund is a special place and a ‘must see’. Situated at a height of 4329m, the place has a lake on whose banks are a Lakshman Temple and a Gurudwara of Guru Govind Singh. Sikhs, Hindus and people of most secular faiths revere Guru Govind Singh. Over the years Hemkund has acquired international acclaim.

 

The next day we trek back 13 km to Govindghat from where we drive back to Joshimath. However for those who wish to visit the famous Hindu shrine of Badrinath, special arrangements can be made and the trip extended by a day with overnight stay in a hotel at Badrinath.

 

The following day entails a 6-hour drive to Rishikesh from Joshimath. In the evening witness the fascinating prayer and floating candles on the holy banks of the Ganges River. Explore the spiritual holy town, temples, famous suspension bridges, yoga ashrams and various shops and eateries in the bazaar. Enjoy the overnight stay and dinner at a hotel along the banks of Ganges River The last day we drive back from Rishikesh to Delhi, arriving in the afternoon. The tour ends as we reach Delhi.

Day 01
Delhi to Haridwar to Pipalkoti

Meals: Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:

 

Board the morning train to Haridwar at 0630 hours from Delhi, arriving at 1130. You will be met and driven to Pipalkoti (6-7 hours), a complete mountain drive. Overnight stay in a hotel

Day 02
Pipalkoti to Govindghat to Ghangaria (trek)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:

 

Drive from Pipalkoti to Govindghat (4 hr.)
The drive along the Alaknanda river brings us to Govindghat
From here our trek starts to Ghangariya (13 km - 6 hours)
Overnight stay in a small hotel / fully serviced camp

Day 03
Day visit to Valley of Flowers (trek)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation: in a hotel at Ghangaria

 

The trail is well chalked out (5 km each way). A check-post marks the official entry to the Valley of Flowers.
In the morning after breakfast, trekkers will be escorted into this garden of Eden to explore different cross sections of the Bhyundar Valley. Packed lunches, flasks full of hot beverages as well as assorted refreshments would also be arranged.
By evening, the group returns to the hotel at Gangharia
Dinner and overnight stay

The government regulations do not permit any camping within the valley and entry to the valley is restricted to permit holders only.

Day 04
Day visit to Valley of Flowers or Hemkund Sahib (trek)

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:

 

Another day visit to the Valley of Flowers or the holy shrine of Sikhs - Hemkund Sahib (5 km each way)

Day 05
Gangharia to Govindghat (trek) to Joshimath

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:

 

We trek back to Govindghat (13 km), from where we drive back to Joshimath. However for those who wish to visit the famous Hindu shrine of Badrinath, special arrangements can be made and the trip extended by a day with overnight stay in a hotel at Badrinath.

Day 06
Joshimath to Rishikesh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
Accommodation:

 

Drive to Haridwar (9-10 hours). In the evening witness the fascinating prayer and floating candles on the holy banks of the Ganges River. Overnight in a hotel along the banks of Ganges River

Day 07
Rishikesh to Delhi

Meals: Breakfast
Accommodation: on own

 

Morning at leisure, take a dip in Har-ki-Pauri
Drive back to Delhi (6 hours), arriving in the afternoon
Tour ends with happy notes

Included

  • Accommodation on twin sharing basis in the hotels and fully serviced camps Meals as per the itinerary
  • Trekking with a guide Permits and entry fee
  • All surface transfers by a private vehicle (air-conditioning will not work while going uphill) Train ticket

Location

Stories

All Stories

Ladakh

The Black-necked Crane is one of the many sought-after species for birders visiting Ladakh. The grace of cranes has inspired stories, songs, and even artwork throughout the ages.

Bandhavgarh

Somewhere or the other, we've all heard that we need to get in touch with our inner child. With such a playful nature, it seems these subadult tigers in Bandhavgarh have beaten us to it.

Andamans

The Andaman Teal, previously considered a subspecies of the Sunda Teal, is one of the many sought-after endemics that the islands have to offer.

Uttarakhand

A myriad of beautiful flowers are in bloom at Jungle Lore Birding Lodge, not only enhancing the beauty of the lodge, but attracting many nectar- and insect-feeding birds

4
Reviews
0
  • Photographs
  • Overview
  • Included
  • Location
  • Stories
  • Reviews
Book now
Add to favourites
Travel list
  • Search Page
  • Top Destinations
  • Most Popular Tours
  • Tiger Tours
  • Jhalana Leopard Safari Park
  • Ladakh Birding Tour
  • Sasan Gir Safari
  • Wildlife Tour Rajasthan Package
  • Corbett Tour Packages
  • Snow Leopard Tour Ladakh
  • Tiger Tour Ranthambore
  • Booking Procedure And Cancellation Policy
Page
  • About Us
  • Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary
  • Birding In Corbett
  • Birding Leh Ladakh
  • Birding Tour Dehradun
  • Chopta Birding Tour
  • Conservation
  • Contact Us
  • Eaglenest Birding Tour
  • Gallery
  • Goa Birding Tours
  • Lrk Birding Tours
  • Join Our Facebook Community
Blog
  • Blogs
  • Trip Reports
  • Asian Adventures Tours
  • Andaman Birding Tour
  • Birding In Chopta
  • Birding In Gujarat
  • Birding In Rajasthan
  • Birding In Tal Chappar
  • Birding In Uttarakhand
  • Birding Tour Munsiyari
  • Gujarat Birding Tour
  • Certificate & Association
  • Our Transport Team
Contacts
098111 24222 | 08010450000
[email protected]
B-9, B Block, Pocket B, Sector 27, Noida, Uttar Pradesh 201301

 

Privacy Policy

Powered By: Openlogic Systems

Sign In
Sign Up
Use the e-mail and password that you specified when registering on the site
  • Create new account
  • Reset your password
Sign Up
Sign In
Fill in the registration form and save your favorite tours, synchronize them on all devices
A valid email address. All emails from the system will be sent to this address. The email address is not made public and will only be used if you wish to receive a new password or wish to receive certain news or notifications by email.
Several special characters are allowed, including space, period (.), hyphen (-), apostrophe ('), underscore (_), and the @ sign.
Contact settings
Allow other users to contact you via a personal contact form which keeps your email address hidden. Note that some privileged users such as site administrators are still able to contact you even if you choose to disable this feature.
Forgot password?
Use the e-mail and password that you specified when registering on the site

Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address.

Book Now
The Magic Of Valley Of Flowers Uttarakhand
The Magic Of Valley Of Flowers Uttarakhand
Success
Your message was successfully sent. We will contact you shortly