Valley of flowers trek best time to visit
Discover the valley of flowers trek Best Time to Visit for blooming beauty and ideal weather. Learn when to go, what to expect, and how to plan your perfect Himalayan adventure.
The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, in India and this UNESCO world heritage site was established as a national park in 1982. Spanning in an area of about 40km², it is known for its unique biodiversity and is considered as one the best dreamy spots for photography.
To reach the valley of flowers trek base camp you first need to get to Haridwar. From there it’s a 270 km drive to Govindghat, which takes around 9 hours depending on traffic and road conditions. If you are travelling from a distant location it is advisable to stay overnight in Haridwar and enjoy the beauty of the city, and in the early morning, you can leave from there for Govindghat and if according to your trekking agencies timing your treks starts in the morning you can leave from Haridwar at night and will reach Govindghat early in the morning before the trek starts.
Choosing the Valley of flowers trek best time to visit is important, as the unique and variety of flowers don’t bloom throughout the year. They have a special blooming season. So let’s understand the Valley of flowers trek, the best time to visit without missing anything, and what we can expect throughout the trek.
Extra tip: There is no water source available near the valley of flower national park so make sure that you carry your own drinking water bottles while going there. Although if you are booking your Valley of flowers trek with Trekyaari you don't need to worry about anything.
Valley of flowers trek best time to visit
According to Trekyaari’s expert trek leaders with years of experience, Valley of flowers trek's best time is between July to October.These are the months when the monsoon season begins, and monsoon is known as the best time when flowers bloom in maximum numbers throughout the year. During monsoon almost 500 species of flowers bloom at the valley of flowers including Brahma Kamal, Blue poppies, marigolds, orchids, primulas, daisies, and rhododendrons. But some people want to see all the 500 species of flowers at the same time, which is impossible because each species blooms at different times. July to October is the time when you can witness the maximum number of species. The peak months for blooming flowers are August and September, making this the valley of flowers trek best time for photography, good weather, a higher chance of seeing more blooming flowers and best for early morning walks before sunrise.
By the time September-October arrives, new flowers stop blooming and the existing ones begin to fade. However, during this time, the skies are very clear and in blue-white color and the views are perfect with greenery all around and with fewer crowds.
Overview of Valley of flowers trek
The valley of flowers trek difficulty is considered as moderate. With basic fitness and mental preparation we can proceed to this trek. Valley of Flowers trek starts from Govindghat, a small village that sits on the bank of Alaknanda river. From Govindghat we have to reach our base village which is Ghangaria, located at a distance of 13km. The trail from Govindghat to Ghangaria is filled with the sounds of waterfalls and the chirping of birds. Along the way, we came across several dhabas and tea stalls. During our trail to Govindghat to Ghangaria, we also cross a bridge over Alaknanda river which adds a sense of adventure to the trail. The path is surrounded by lush forests and includes steep, stair-like sections.
Eventually we reached Ghangaria, which is the base village for both Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers. Ghangaria is surrounded by pine forests and this is where the adventure truly begins. Electricity here is non-existence, there is no mobile network, no ATM- just you and nature. You spend the night here enjoying, singing, dancing, and resting before the next day’s trek.
The next morning we will start out at the Valley of flowers National Park. The valley of flowers trek distance from Ghangaria is only 4km.The trail is filled with activities like crossing wooden bridges, slippery patches, and narrow edges before reaching the Valley of Flowers. After exploring the valley, we will return to Ghangaria.
The next day our trek takes us on a spiritual journey to Hemkund Sahib, which is surrounded by 7 snow-capped mountains. About 1.5km before reaching Hemkund Sahib, we cross a glacier. And that’s how we complete our adventurous, spiritual, and stunning trek. With proper preparation and respectful pace Valley of flowers trek is the best trek of the monsoon season.