Deep in the heart of the Himalayas, is the spectacular 'Valley of Flowers'- a beautiful meadow located at an altitude of about eleven thousand feet. Discovered in 1931 by Frank Smythe, the 'Valley of Flowers' turns into a riot of color in the month of August/September with over a thousand varieties of flowers, shrubs, orchids and plants carpeting the valley in myriad hues, differing textures and colors. With its diverse flora and fauna and dazzling snow peak mountains, the 'Valley of Flowers' is a naturalist haven and a trekker's delight.

  

Location : Garhwal Himalayas (Uttaranchal)

Area : 87.5 sq. Kms.

Altitude : Between 3,658m to 3,962 m

Best Season : Mid April - Mid August

ITINERARY ONE

Destination : Delhi - Rishikesh - Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Hemkund Saheb - Ghangaria - Govindghat - Badrinath - Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi

Duration : (8 Days / 7 Nights)

Day 01: Delhi - Rishikesh (240 kms, 5 - 6 hrs drive)

Leave Delhi for Rishikesh. Visit Lakshmanjhula, Ramjhula and attend Ganga Aarti at one of the Ashram. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Rishikesh - Joshimath (255 kms, 7 - 8 hrs drive)

Leave for Joshimath. Enroute stop in Devprayag to witness the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi to form holy river Ganges. Reach Joshimath by evening and check in camp / hotel.

Day 03: Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria (20 kms drive, 13 km trek)

Leave for Govindghat by road. From Govindghat, trek down to Ghangaria - the base camp for the Valley of Flowers. Reach Ghangaria late in the afternoon and stay overnight.

Day 04: Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangaria (06 kms trek)

Leave Ghangaria after breakfast for valley of flowers (3 kms one side trek).Enjoy and explore the beauty of rare Himalayan flora and fauna. Afternoon trek back to Ghangaria. Night stay at hotel/camp

Day 05: Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria (10 kms trek)

After breakfast trek to Hemkund Sahib-a revered Sikh shrine on the banks of Hemkund Lake- a bluish green lake flanked by snow covered peaks at a height of 4320 mts. .The 5 km trek to Hemkund is a steep climb along the Laxman Ganga which emanates from Hemkund. Return to Ghangaria by evening. Overnight stay

Day 06: Ghangaria - Govindghat - Badrinath (13 kms trek, 25 kms drive)

Trek down to Govindghat and thence proceed by car to Badrinath. After lunch visit the main temple of Lord Vishnu, Mana Village, last village on Indian side to Tibet border. Overnight at hotel.

Day 07: Badrinath - Rishikesh. (300 kms / 9 - 10 hrs)

Early morning leave for Rishikesh. Reach Rishikesh by evening. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Rishikesh - Haridwar - Delhi

Leave Rishikesh in early morning for Haridwar. At Haridwar visit Chandi Devi temple, Mercury Shivlinga, Daksh temple and watch the 'Aarti' (holy ceremony) performance at the river 'Ghat' at sunset. Stay overnight or leave for Delhi.

ITINERARY TWO

Destination : Delhi- Rishikesh- Joshimath- Govindghat- Ghangaria- Govindnath- Badrinath- Auli- Joshimath- Rishikesh-Haridwar- Delhi

Duration : (11 days)

Day 01: Delhi - Rishikesh (240 kms, 5 - 6 hrs drive)

Leave Delhi for Rishikesh. Visit Lakshmanjhula, Ramjhula and attend Ganga Aarti at Swarg Ashram. Overnight at hotel.

Day 02: Rishikesh - Joshimath (255 kms, 7 - 8 hrs drive)

Leave for Joshimath. Enroute stop in Devprayag to witness the confluence of river Alaknanda and Bhagirathi to form holy river Ganges. Reach Joshimath by evening and check in camp / hotel.

Day 03: Joshimath - Govindghat - Ghangaria (20 kms drive, 13 km trek)

Leave for Govindghat by road. From Govindghat, trek down to Ghangaria - the base camp for the Valley of Flowers. Reach Ghangaria late in the afternoon and stay overnight.

Day 04: Ghangaria - Valley of Flowers - Ghangaria (06 kms trek)

Leave Ghangaria after breakfast for valley of flowers (3 kms one side trek).Enjoy and explore the beauty of rare Himalayan flora and fauna. Afternoon trek back to Ghangaria. Night stay at hotel/camp

Day 05: Ghangaria - Hemkund Sahib - Ghangaria (10 kms trek)

After breakfast trek to Hemkund Sahib-a revered Sikh shrine on the banks of Hemkund Lake- a bluish green lake flanked by snow covered peaks at a height of 4320 mts. .The 5 km trek to Hemkund is a steep climb along the Laxman Ganga which emanates from Hemkund. Return to Ghangaria by evening. Overnight stay

Day 06: Ghangaria - Govindghat - Badrinath (13 kms trek, 25 kms drive)

Trek down to Govindghat and thence proceed by car to Badrinath. Rest and overnight stay at hotel.

Day 07: Badrinath

Explore one of the most revered pilgrimage town of Hindus .Visit the temples and the Mana Village, last village on Indian side to Tibet border. Overnight at hotel.

Day 08: Badrinath- Auli-Joshimath

Drive to Auli and witness Mt. Nanda Devi and other peaks. Explore the area and drive down to Joshimath for meals and overnight stay.

Day 9: Joshimath- Rishikesh

After breakfast, drive down to Rishikesh. Arrive Rishikesh and stay at hotel.

Day 10: Rishikesh - Haridwar-Delhi

Leave Rishikesh in early morning for Haridwar. At Haridwar visit Chandi Devi temple, Mercury Shivlinga, Daksh temple and watch the 'Aarti' (holy ceremony) performance at the river 'Ghat' at sunset. Stay overnight.

Day 11: Haridwar-Delhi

Leave for Delhi. Afternoon, half day combined city tour of old & new Delhi.