GIO BLOG

Monsoons, the best time for valley of flowers trek

Published 23 Oct 2019

( Some of the prettiest flowers that you get to spot along the trail )

There are very few places in the world as enchanting as the valley of flowers in Uttarakhand. Its surreal landscapes have since time immemorial, been mesmerizing travelers. Just the sheer number of legends associated with it is enough to give you an idea of how beautiful it is. While some say, gods showered flowers on Lord Lakshman which later formed a colourful carpet, others say, it was the garden of Lord Indra himself. No matter which one holds true, if there was ever a place where gods indeed roamed, then it is the valley of flowers.

Most travelers combine the valley of flowers trek with a hike to Hemkund Sahib, a gurudwara at 14,000 feet. Surrounded by a shiny green lake, it is a place of extraordinary beauty by itself. The icing on the cake is, both Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib can together be done in 6-7 days.

The trek starts from Govind Ghat, a temple town wrapped around by mountains. You can get there from Auli/Joshimath. On the way to Auli, you will cross the holy towns of Rishikesh, Dev Prayag & Rudra Prayag.

( Fed by lashing rains, the valley of flowers glows in its resplendent green avatar )

The next day, you can drive to Govind Ghat and start the trek from there. It is a gradual ascent of 14 kms along a well-laid route. There are plenty of dhabas on the way for a quick bite. So you don’t need to carry any food with you. The trek till Ghangaria, the stop for the day takes around 5-6 hours at a leisurely pace.

( The riot of colours that envelops the valley of flowers during monsoon )

The next day morning, leave from Ghangaria as early as possible so that you get to spend enough time at the valley of flowers. It’s hardly a few hours trek to the national park. As you enter the valley, lush green mountains suddenly block the horizon, a palette of colours beckon you, with the scent of flowers just intoxicating!

( Legends say, absolutely nothing is as intoxicating as the aroma of flowers that bloom in these mountains )

The scene resembles a sketch we all did in our childhood, a wide expanse of green, a gentle stream running between them, flowers blooming all around you. You can see flowers of all colours, shapes, sizes growing all around you. If you travel between July-August, the best time to go, you can spot prominent ones like Snake Foil, Himalayan Rose, River Anemone, White Leaf Hog Foot and the ubiquitous Blue Poppy.

It is a feast for the eyes. No words can do justice to its splendor, no camera can capture it. It has to be experienced.

( A place where peace and calm are always within touching distance )

Unfortunately, you cannot camp in the valley. So spend as much time as you can at the valley, exploring its nooks and corners.
A trail back the same way brings you back to Ghangaria.

If you have an additional day in your hand, hike to Hemkund Sahib and return back the same day. Unlike the rest of the hike until now, this one is a bit strenuous, but worth every ounce of effort.

A 6km uphill trek takes you from a mere 9,600 feet to a dizzying 14,107 feet. As you go higher, the sky opens up under you to reveal the carpet of green below. A melting glacier lies along the way.

The delirious climb ends at Hemkund Sahib, with a chorus of soothing chants welcoming you. Warm yourself in the Gurudwara and have generous helpings of hot tea and Khichdi.

A stunning lake lies behind the gurudwara, its glistening waters reflecting the mighty peaks standing in front of it. Make sure you walk around the lake, basking in the aura of peace and serenity that the place exudes.

The trail back can be hard on the knees. It’s better to have a trekking pole with you for additional support. From Ghangaria, you can return back to Govind Ghat, from where you can head back to Joshimath/Auli.

If you are one of those looking for the perfect Himalayan monsoon trek, there are few which fit the bill. The valley of flowers not only overwhelms your senses, but also grants this privilege for little to no effort, not to mention the double whammy, that is Hemkund Sahib.

I guess, we all know where you are going this monsoon!

Recognition & Association

Recognised by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India as an Approved Adventure Tour Operator