Planning the Valley of Flowers trek? Discover a detailed day-by-day breakdown, difficulty level, route info, and FAQs to help you prepare for this stunning Himalayan adventure.

Valley of Flowers Trek Difficulty: Don’t Let the Myth Scars You!

Anyone who has done the Valley of Flowers trek knows just how beautiful it is - how it comes alive during the monsoon and how it’s filled with a deep sense of spirituality. But still, some people let this beauty slip away just because of a constant fear in their mind: “ Is this trek really that difficult?”

So today, let’s clear your doubts, so you can finally get your backpack done. 

The Valley of Flowers trek is a moderately difficult trek, with easy trails and manageable daily distances. Moderate treks aren’t technically challenging, but since we have to gain a lot of altitude as we go on, it feels a bit tiring which is why good stamina is important. As we gain the altitude the trek starts to feel a bit tough. You just need to start preparing your body physically and mentally before the trek starts.

Here’s a short Table summary for Valley of Flowers trek to ease your stress. 

To ease you more lets breakdown Valley of Flowers trek Difficulty level by day breakdown:

Joshimath to Poolna:

Our trek begins from Joshimath, from where Trekyaari takes you to a drive to Poolna which will be the last motorable point of the route. Beyond Poolna it's all on foot. 

The drive from Joshimath to Poolna takes around 1.5hour to 2 hours for 20km of drive. The road is narrow and bumpy with sweeping views of Pushpawati river. From Joshimath to Poolna you just have to sit and enjoy the view. No physical effort is needed. 

For those who tend to feel nauseous or uneasy in the mountains especially during hilly drives, it is recommended to take your medicine beforehand. 

Poolna to Ghangaria:

Our trek on foot starts from Poolna To Ghangaria which is at the distance of 9km uphill from Poolna, well marked trails but also there are steepy sections along the way. By keeping the safety and time breaks, most people comfortably reach Ghangaria in about 6 to 7 hours. 

According to our trek leaders, even first time trekkers can also complete this trek with proper stamina. There is another option also in which you can opt for ponies from Poolna to Ghangaria and also you can book a helicopter from Govindghat to Ghangaria.  But if you need the proper trekking experience with nature and views and want that rewarding vibe- you’ll only get it when you will do it on foot. 

Ghangaria to Valley of flowers:

On the trek to Valley of Flowers to Ghangaria is an easy to moderate difficulty trek. Now what does “Easy to Moderate” actually mean? It means the trail itself is quite simple- there’s nothing dangerous or technically challenging about it as we gain an altitude of almost 1,300 ft. in 4km, it can feel a bit tiring because of thin air and elevation.  

As it is monsoon season the trails are a bit slippery, but since we wear proper trekking shoes. It doesn’t really become a problem. But, honestly, the moment you step into the Valley of Flowers National Park, all your tiredness will fade away. Surrounded by a burst of colors and the fragrance of blooming flowers all around. I have never seen so many colors at a time in a single place. 

The return trek back to Ghangaria is much easier since it’s downhill - making it a relaxed and enjoyable trek.

Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib:

The trek to Hemkund Sahib can be a bit challenging because it takes you up to 14,000ft - the highest point of the entire trek and this is the one of the highest Gurudwaras in the world. The trail is quite steep, as you gain about 3,800 ft of elevation in just 6km and as you go higher, the air gets thinner, which means you’ll need to take regular breaks to let your body adjust and catch your breath.

Our trek leaders said, even beginners can complete this trek successfully. You need to listen to your body, walk slowly and have rest in between - and all of this is already well planned in Trekyaari’s Valley of Flowers itinerary. 

And there this is our Valley of Flowers trek. No physical activity- just stamina and will to walk. No doubt, the paths are completely safe. Just remember, this is a trek, so it’s a bit different from your casual walk. That’s why it’s a good idea to prepare your body before heading out for trek.