Valley of Flowers Trek
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Picture this – a field of the most stunning flowers in every colour imaginable; mountains all around. And you in this field, enjoying the sound of silence.
Just that image is enough to get you relaxed, isn’t it?
Now imagine if you had a way to make this all real.
Come to Plan The Unplanned and we will take you to that place that lives in your imagination. As long as you are willing to invest about a week’s time, we can ensure you that we will take you to one of the most stunning places on earth – the Valley of Flowers National Park in the Himalayas. Legend has it that this is where Hanuman came looking for the elusive Sanjeevani to save the life of Lakshmana.
With the Valley of Flowers trek, you will see how gorgeous our country actually is. While only a lucky few might be able to spot the endangered wildlife that still exists in the region, you will most certainly see some spectacular sights of the lofty Himalayas and the Garhwal region.
If you have been looking for a way to reset, rejuvenate or refresh your mind, body and soul, then come to Plan The Unplanned and set out on a journey of a lifetime!
Trek Highlights
In the prettiest part of Uttarakhand, lies a meadow of nature’s very own bouquet – the Valley of Flowers is more than just a place where all kinds of wild flowers grow. You might also spot rare animals like snow leopards, musk deer, blue sheep and red foxes. While these are sights you might catch, here is the sure shot Valley of Flowers trek itinerary:
- On the first day, you will be brought from Dehradun station to Govindghat, the starting point of the trek
- The drive to Govindghat will take you through gorgeous regions and offer sights of the rivers Bhagirathi and Alaknanda
- Once at Govindghat, you get to gorge on local delicacies and then rest and relax at a charming homestay
- On day 2, you start your climb towards Pulna and this stretch could be slightly strenuous
- Walk by green rugged mountains and snow clad peaks and eventually get to your next homestay
- Day 3 is when you get to trek to the stunning Valley of Flowers, walking parallel to a river
- Spend some time in charming Ghangaria and marvel at the conifer covered mountains
- On day 4, we take you on a trek to Hemkund Sahib, the holy site for Sikhs
- While the climb to the Gurudwara might be steep, but the sights will make up for the hard work
- By day 5, we are getting ready to head back; first to Govindghat and then back to your home
Come join the tribe at Plan The Unplanned, because this is just one of the many treks and trips you can explore with us. Every time you travel with us, you get to leave the planning to us, so that you can make the memories you will cherish!
Highlights
Day 1:
‣ Begin your journey from Rishikesh to Joshimath/Pipalkoti
‣ Drive 253 km through scenic Himalayan roads (approx. 8 hours)
‣ Witness the confluence of rivers at Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag
‣ Reach Joshimath/Pipalkoti and rest for the night
Day 2
‣ Drive 22 km (1 hour) to Pulna – the trek starting point
‣ Begin your 9 km trek through forests and waterfalls to Ghangaria (approx. 5 hours)
‣ Experience serene trails alongside the Pushpawati River
‣ Overnight stay in the quaint village of Ghangaria
Day 3
‣ Trek 10 km round trip to the enchanting Valley of Flowers (approx. 7 hours)
‣ Explore a UNESCO World Heritage Site filled with vibrant alpine blooms
‣ Capture panoramic views and spot rare Himalayan flora
‣ Return to Ghangaria for an overnight stay
Day 4
‣ Undertake a 14 km round trip trek to Hemkund Sahib (approx. 9 hours)
‣ Climb steep ascents to reach the highest Gurudwara in the world at 4,329 m
‣ Visit the sacred glacial lake beside the shrine
‣ Descend back to Ghangaria and rest
Day 5
‣ Trek 9 km downhill to Pulna (approx. 5 hours)
‣ Drive back to Joshimath/Pipalkoti (22 km, 1 hour)
‣ Celebrate the successful trek with your group
‣ Overnight stay in Joshimath/Pipalkoti
Day 6
‣ Depart from Joshimath/Pipalkoti and drive 253 km back to Rishikesh (approx. 8 hours)
‣ Relive the memories of blooming valleys and spiritual peaks
‣ Trip ends with unforgettable mountain experiences
*All activities are subject to weather and group decisions. No refunds shall be provided for skipped activities. All timings are an estimate and subject to change
Day 1 - Rishikesh to Joshimath (253 Kilometers, 8 Hours Drive)
Your trip to Valley of flowers starts with an early morning pick up at 6 AM (Dehradun Railway Station). Dehradun, the gateway to this magical trek is quite well connected to Delhi through trains, buses and taxis as well.
It is a 10-hour drive along the banks of the river Ganges to the base camp of Govindghat trek through the town of Devprayag where the rivers Bhagirathi, Alaknanda meet holy river Ganga. With the road winding along raging rivers and green valleys it will take you to remote Himalayan areas, and each corner will not just amaze you by presenting the breathtaking scenery but will also leave a feeling of mountain solitude.
You will reach Govindghat in the evening, and will be checked in a comfortable homestay/guesthouse. Indulge in a hot dinner and have a trek briefing exercise which will equip you with what to expect in these adventures in the lap of the Himalayas.
Day 2 - Govindghat to Ghangaria
Start early with a good breakfast at Govindghat, then you are to make a trek along a proper pilgrim path to Pulna (that is a small village 4 km away). This first stretch is a bit challenging because the climb is steep but this determines the tone of the adventure awaiting.
Beginning at Pulna, the path then ascends up the vibrant Laxman Ganga River with green rocky hills on one side and the view of snows along Himalaya peaks seen across the valley at some points. The river sound, mountain fresh air and the constantly changing landscape makes the trip breath-taking.
On reaching Ghangaria (total 10-km), you can stay at your campsite/homestay. The first evening, spend around in this pint-sized village which is your stepping stone to the Valley of Flowers, and enjoy the tranquility of the mountains as you unwind and have a swift night of sleep.
Day 3 - Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers to Ghangaria
Get up early, shower and prepare to go on the trek. Your journey starts with a short taxi ride of about 4 km to Pulna village starting in Govindghat. It starts in Pulna, a 9 km Paved road that winds its way through the rich splendor of Himalayas towards Ghangaria.
The climb is mainly gentle, having some steep parts. Almost throughout the trail, one is parallel to the Laxman Ganga River which is a beautiful sight as you enjoy the views of valleys and waterfalls and huge mountains.
In the afternoon, reach Ghangaria, a charming village located at the elevation of 3,010 meters. The village is hugely popular due to the ability to feel isolated with conifer-covered mountains, small convenience shops and local snack bars.
Pass the remainder of the day in amusement and enjoy the surroundings. Overnight accommodations in a guesthouse or a hotel at Ghangaria.
Day 4 - Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib to Ghangaria
Early morning take your heavy breakfast and then commence your 12 kms steep climb to Hemkund Sahib- a holy shrine of Sikhs that is situated at a height of 4,329 m. Guru Gobind Singh Ji, in his writings in the Guru Granth Sahib, tells us that it is here he meditated in a former life at a peaceful glacial lake surrounded by seven snow capped mountains, a view that makes the arduous ascent well worth it.
The hike, however difficult, is full of amazing views from alpine landscape and unique high-altitude plants. After reaching Hemkund, it is worthwhile spending some time with the Gurudwara on reaching the top, sitting and enjoying the crystal clear lake and the very comfortable spiritual serene atmosphere.
Spend a bit of time at the top and start the trek down again by the late afternoon. Arrive at your camp or guesthouse in the evening. A well-spent day should be ended with a hot dinner and a rest.
Day 5 - Ghangaria to Govindghat
Replete with the good food, set off down Ghangaria back to Govindghat taking the same lovely way that you entered the valley. The downward hike is comparatively simpler and has more time to literally wind up the experiences in two adventurous days having absorbed the final glimpses of the pleasant environs, the tumbling waterfalls, and the always-there, Laxman Ganga River.
In the late afternoon or evening you arrive at Govindghat, the base camp. Relax, have a hot shower, and meet fellow trekkers, start making plans about the adventure, share the stories and laugh, as well as trade some contact details. New friendships formed in the mountains have been known to last a lifetime.
Dinner and overnight stay at a hotel/guesthouse in Govindghat.
Day 6 - Drive Back from Joshimath to Rishikesh (253 Kilometers, 08 Hours Drive)
Meet your host
Plan The Unplanned
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What’s life without adventure? Isn’t the real purpose of life to travel, to experience new places, and witness the sunrise from new mountaintops? This thought is what united Jatin and Tarun over a cup of chai, in spite of being from two unrelated backgrounds (CA and IT). They knew each other since the time Jatin was helping Tarun learn the ways of the wilderness through weekend treks and outings with another traveling group. Their love for traveling and trekking together motivated them to start something of their own. Thus was born “Plan The Unplanned”, where travel goals come true. Under the Companies Act, Plan The Unplanned is incorporated as Unplanned Journeys Private Limited They started their journey on unsteady ground, much like any other company, but they shared an infatuation for travel and adventure with their customers, which amplified their determination, and thus, Plan the Unplanned family keeps getting bigger every day! Just about any travel idea can come alive with Plan The Unplanned…treks, adventure activities like rock climbing, kayaking, rafting, backpacking trips across the country, cultural outings, photo walks; everything that fellow travelers need, to explore the great outdoors together. Well now that the wanderlust has kicked in and you can already see a vacation in your nearest future, here’s what we have to offer!
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Inclusions
- 2 nights in a hotel at Joshimath and 3 nights in a hotel at Ghangaria on a triple/quad-sharing basis.
- Surface transfer from Rishikesh to Govindghat and back in shared vehicles.
- All vegetarian meals from Dinner on Day 1 to Breakfast on Day 6.
- A qualified and experienced trek leader, supported by a trained crew.
- All vegetarian meals during the trek, including breakfast, lunch, evening snacks, and dinner.
- Carefully curated meal plans to ensure variety and nutritional balance across all days.
- A professional team of mountaineering-certified trek leaders, guides, and cooks.
- All essential first aid supplies, including oxygen cylinders and mountain medicines.
- All trekking permits and local permissions arranged in advance.
- The overall experience that you gain during the trek
Important information:
Our treks are conducted in collaboration with trusted local partners registered with ATOAI (Adventure Tour Operators Association of India). These teams bring 20+ years of collective experience and have been working closely with us for over a decade. All on-ground operations, safety measures, and logistics are handled by professional local guides and BMC-certified trek leaders from the base location.
When there are 8 or more bookings from Bangalore, a Plan The Unplanned (PTU) leader will accompany the group to enhance your experience.
Note: To optimise resources, PTU travel groups may be clubbed with fellow trekkers booked through our local partners. We ensure a PTU-exclusive batch when a majority of the seats are reserved by PTU guests.
Exclusions
- Any meals beyond those listed
- Any kind of personal expenses
- Accommodation in Rishikesh before or after the trek
- Meals en route (Rishikesh – Govindghat – Rishikesh)
- Backpack offloading charges
- Charges for carrying still/video cameras, if applicable
- Trekking equipment (trek bag, trekking pole, shoes, etc.)
- Travel insurance (trekkers are advised to arrange their own)
- Fees and permits applicable for foreign nationals.
- Any expenses arising from unforeseen contingencies such as landslides, curfew, government orders, or natural disasters
- Any expenses related to medical evacuation
- Flight cancellation charges due to delays or any other reason
- Anything not expressly mentioned in the inclusions
Things to carry
✅ Soft copy of your Aadhaar or Voter ID (mandatory for permits)
✅ A sturdy pair of trekking shoes with good grip and ankle support (no sneakers or sports shoes)
✅ 40–60 litre backpack with strong straps, frame support, and a rain cover
✅ 20-litre foldable daypack for summit day essentials
✅ Warm layers, thermals, and weather-appropriate clothing
✅ Lightweight trek pants, t-shirts, and undergarments as per your requirement
✅ Sunglasses, sun cap, and sunscreen for sun protection
✅ 2 pairs of socks + 1 pair of woollen socks and hand gloves
✅ Headlamp or LED torch for night visibility (mandatory)
✅ Trekking pole to support your hike
✅ Poncho or raincoat to stay dry during rain
✅ Spoon, lunch box, and coffee mug (mandatory cutlery)
✅ Personal medical kit with bandages, Dettol, and basic medicines
✅ Toiletries: moisturizer, towel, lip balm, toilet paper, toothbrush, toothpaste, hand sanitizer (no wet wipes)
✅ One 1-litre water bottle to stay hydrated
✅ Extra cash for any meals not covered in your itinerary
✅ Compact raincoat or backpack cover to stay dry
✅ Power bank and charging cable for your phone
✅ Portable chargers for other electronics
✅ Sandals or Floaters for lazing around the campsite
✅ Extra pairs of clothes to change into
✅ Poly bags to pack your wet clothes/travel laundry bag
Policy and more
Himalayan/ Backpacking Trip Refund/Cancellation Policy
| Intimation Period* | Cancellation Fee** |
| 30 days or more | 10% of the total invoice value |
| Between 15-29days | 50% of the total invoice value |
| Between 0-14 days | 90% of the total invoice value |
- *Intimation Period means the number of days before the tour is scheduled to start
- **Cancellation Fee is the amount of money that will be deducted from the total billing amount before offering a refund.
NOTE:
- Last-minute cancellations due to work, health issues, etc., any kind of emergencies will not be entertained and no refund or transfer shall be allowed for the same.
You can transfer your bookings to anyone who is willing to join the event to avoid loss of money!
The tickets once booked cannot be moved to any other dates.
In the rare event that we cancel your trek, this is the cancellation policy we follow:
In case we cancel a trek because of natural calamities (thunderstorms, floods, landslides, earthquakes) or unexpected political unrest, curfews, local riots, government orders, forest department orders, Plan The Unplanned shall issue a VOUCHER for the full amount of your ticket.
Note: The Voucher has a validity of 1 year and it can be redeemed at any point in time.
A prior intimation as regards which trek you wish to join can be communicated to us over mail or phone
In a case where we cancel your trek, due to a limited number of bookings for a particular batch or we do not have the minimum number of required people:
PLAN THE UNPLANNED shall offer a 100% refund of the trek fee ( No transactional/internet handling charges shall be deducted)
Frequently Asked Questionss
Q: I have booked the trek when will I get further updates regarding the trek?
A: Well, most of our treks are usually confirmed by Thursday and you would receive a BON VOYAGE mail that would contain details as regards Pickup Points ( Location and Timings ), Outdoor Leader ( Point of Contact ), Do’s and Don’ts. You’ll be added to Whatsapp Group for all the further updates.
Q: Would I be added to a WhatsApp Group once the trek is confirmed?
A: Yes, the Bon Voyage mail would contain a link for Whatsapp Group through which one can join and interact with fellow travellers and outdoor leaders.
Q: I'm a solo traveller, Can I join?
A: The interesting thing about travelling alone is that you get to meet new people from diverse backgrounds, and towards the end, you are no longer strangers. Hence solo travellers are always welcome to join us on our trips.
Read more about solo travelling here and get inspired! https://www.plantheunplanned.com/solo-yet-accompanied/
Q: Is it safe for Women/Girls?
A: Safety and security are our priority at all times. Hence it is safe for women/girls to join us on our treks and travels. Our trek leaders accompany the team at all times, and our campsites are secured and safe for accommodation. We also have female trek leaders who accompany us on most of our treks.
Q: Do I have to carry luggage all the way during trekking?
A: Not at all. You could keep all the extra luggage back at the campsite/homestay and carry only the necessary stuff for the trek (Raincoats, Torchlight, Waterbottle, lunchbox, and your valuable)
Q: Do you have Washrooms during the trek?
A: Well, you are in the mountains and none of our trails has a washroom facility during the trek.
Q: How do I avail discounts?
A: Details for availing discounts are mentioned in the following link, https://www.plantheunplanned.com/membership/
Q: Would I be able to postpone to the future in case I do not attend the trek/trip on the day of departure?
A: We are extremely sorry, you cannot postpone to any future date in case you fail to attend the trek on the mentioned date for any reasons whatsoever (family/health/work emergencies). You can write to us at [email protected] as regards and our team will get in touch with you on the same
Q: How difficult is the Valley of Flowers trek?
A: The Valley of Flowers trek ranges in difficulty from simple to strenuous (except Hemkund).
Q: What is the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers trek?
A: The valley is at its most beautiful in July and August. These are also the monsoon months, though.
Q: Can senior citizens take this trek to Valley of Flowers?
A: We'll respond by saying "it depends." We observed several elderly hiking more expertly than we did. It does wear down the legs, thus it can be taken based on fitness.
Q: What kind of flowers do we get to see in the Valley of flowers?
A: There are 520 species of high altitude plants, including angiosperms, gymnosperms, and pteridophytes, in the Valley of Flowers, 498 of which are blooming plants.
Q: How are the connection and network during the trek?
A: The Valley of Flowers trek is not connected to any networks; the only cell coverage is available up to Govind Ghat Base Camp. Internet access and network connectivity are available in Auli. In Ghangariya, the Valley of Flowers, or even Hemkund Sahib, there is no connectivity. 3G service is available in Auli, although BSNL phone service is spotty at Govind Ghat and Ghanghariya.
Q: How to reach the basecamp of Valley of Flowers?
A: Rishikesh serves as the meeting location for our walk to the Valley of Flowers, thus getting there by plane is the most practical option.
By Air:
Direct flights are available to Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport, which is around 21 kilometres from Rishikesh.
From Jolly Grant Airport, you may take one of the hourly airport shuttles that run between Dehradun and Rishikesh, or you can choose to drive yourself (takes roughly 2 hours to reach without traffic). The alternative is to hire a private, pre-paid taxi to take you to Rishikesh. As you leave the airport, several cabs are waiting for you. Taking a cab has the advantage of allowing you to get to our hotel quickly. To save money, you might split the cost of the cab fare with fellow trekkers.
By Train:
Train travel is an option if you are leaving from Delhi. There isn't a functioning train station in Rishikesh. Haridwar is the closest station. You may go to Haridwar by Nanda Devi Express chair car in the morning and arrive there before midday.
Getting to Rishikesh from the Haridwar Railway Station: From Haridwar, it will take you around 21 kilometres to go to Rishikesh. From the train station, you may either take a bus or a private cab.
It will save you time and effort to arrange and use several modes of transportation to go to Rishikesh if you book a direct flight there.
By Bus:
Taking a direct bus from Delhi is another way to get to Rishikesh, particularly for trekkers coming from Delhi. From Kashmere Gate ISBT, you can easily find a Volvo or even a non-AC bus for about INR 500–INR 800.
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