Sakshi
Writer
Updated On - Feb 03, 2026
10 min
Published On - Jun 21, 2025
Valley of Flowers Trek 2026– A Colorful Himalayan Paradise
The Valley of Flowers. In 1980 the Indian government declared it the National Park and later in 1982 it was renamed Nanda Devi National Park and it came under the core part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Now it is famous for both Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National park. The Valley of Flowers opening dates 2026 is 1-June That means visitors hike up to the heavenly Valley from 1-June-2026.
There are many scenic places in the world where you can see, nature blooms, waterfalls, small streams, etc but no other majestic place in the world like the Valley of Flowers. Thanks to Mr. Frank S. Smythe who discovered this place and bring it in front of the World. If you are planning to visit Valley of must read this complete Valley of Flowers Trek blog before touring -
Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand is a vibrant and splendid national park that the world knows very well today. This beautiful place is famous for the charming meadows of alpine flowers, the richness of flora and fauna, and the wonderful view of snow-clad peaks. More than 300 species of flowers like anemones, geraniums, marsh marigolds, primulas, asters, blue poppy, cobra Lily, bluebell, Brahma Kamal, etc can be seen in Valley of Flowers. When the flowers bloom in the valley, the whole valley turns into a flower bed that seems like someone painted the valley with delightful colors. There is also a river stream named Pushpavati that makes the scenery masterpiece which is beyond comparison with any other place in this world. Apart from flowers, you can also see the butterflies and birds and if you are lucky, you may even spot the blue sheep, musk deer, black/brown bear, snow leopards, and many other species of animals birds.
The Valley of Flowers National Park, a renowned natural reserve, welcomes visitors during the months of May and June, with its closing season extending until October. In the year 2023, the park's opening date is set for the 1st of June, while its closure is scheduled for the 4th of October. This seasonal schedule allows visitors to explore and appreciate the park's remarkable floral beauty and diverse ecosystem within the specified timeframe.
History of Valley of Flowers Himalayas
Before 1931 nobody was friendly about the word “Valley of Flowers” but yes this place exists in the pages of the Hindu epic Ramayana. It is believed that Lord Hanuman brought Sanjivani from this valley to revive the Lord Lakshmana. And of course, the local people know about the valley, but they rarely venture into it because of some kind of superstition. They usually called this place Nandan Kanan which literally means - the garden of Lord Indra. But Smythe makes it popular by giving a new identity, which you all know - The Valley of Flowers. In 1980 the Indian government declared it the National Park and later in 1982 it was renamed Nanda Devi National Park and it came under the core part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Now it is famous for both Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National park. In 2004 UNESCO also took a major step and designated it as a World Heritage Site.
How to Plan Valley of flowers Trek Uttarakhand
The Valley of Flowers is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, at an altitude of 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level. Govindghat is the pilgrimage hamlet beyond Joshimath which is 285 km far away from the nearest Jolly Grant Airport. Govindghat is the last motorable road and it is the place from where the trek starts for both Hemkund Sahib & Valley of Flower. To reach the Govindghat there are two options one is public transport and the second is - to book the cab direct to Govindghat. Here are the steps which you can follow to reach Valley of Flowers National Park -
Step 1 :To reach Valley of Flower, the nearby railway station is Rishikesh Railway station and the nearby Airport is Dehradun JollyGrant Airport.
Step 2 : Once you reach Haridwar/Rishikesh/Dehradun you can book a direct cab to Govindghat by any Transport Operator. This option is for those who don't like to travel on public transport. If you want to travel by public transport then you can take a direct GMOU bus or any shared taxi to Govidghat, which mostly runs early morning. If you didn't get the direct bus to Govindghat, then you can also take the bus to Joshimath. Once you reach Joshimath, you'll easily get the local transport for Govindghat.
Step 3 :Govindghat is the place from where the treks start. On this day you have to trek approx 14 km, to reach the Ghanghriya. It would take approx 4-5 hours to reach Ghanghriya, depending on your trekking speed & skills. Till Bhundyar, the trek is easy, but the last 3-4 km is a bit steeper. So plan accordingly and take the break at a regular interval.
Trek Route: Govindghat- 4Km - Pulna - 4Km - Bhyudar - 6km - Ghanghriya(basecamp)
Step 4 : After reaching Ghanghirya book your accommodation and stay for that night. Ghangariya is the base camp for all the tourists and Sikh devotees. This is the place where you can stay in basic budget hotels, with limited facilities. In winter this region is prone to heavy snowfall that’s why this place is closed from November to April. Here you can find a few budgeted hotels and guest houses with basic facilities, a gurdwara, a helipad, and a couple of dhabas and small restaurants, where you can enjoy the food.
Step 5 :After spending the night in Ghanghriya wake up early, take breakfast if you want, and start your trek till 7-8 am. A few hundred meters from the Ghanghriya, the trek is divided into two trails one for Hemkund Sahib Trek and the other for Valley of Flower. After following the Valley of Flowers trail, there is an entry gate to Valley, where you have to pay the nominal entry charges and after filling information and paying charges, you can continue your trek( for so don't forget to carry your wallet and any identity card). From the entry gate to Valley the distance would be around 3-4 km.
The Valley opens for the trekkers in the morning from 7 to 12:00 pm. After 12 no one's entry is allowed to the Valley. And it is advised to come back from the valley before 4:00 Pm. After 4, roaming in the valley is not safe.
In the Valley, you can see high mountains, the chirping of birds, the humming of bees, butterflies, and greenery all around. You can feel the peace of the place and when the cold breeze hits you it makes you delighted and fill you with energy. After a few kilometers, you can see another small bridge after crossing it, a beautiful colorful valley welcoming you with its flowers and strong scent which is flowing in the air. The clear sky, snow-capped mountains, and mighty glaciers add extra charm and turn this beautiful portrait into a masterpiece. Camping is not allowed in the valley so it is mandatory to walk back to Ghangaria and reach it before 5 pm.
Valley of Flowers Trek Best time
The Valley of Flowers season or the best time to see the bloomed valley is mid-June to Mid-August. The Valley is open for tourists for only three months from June/July to September/October. In June snow starts melting and flowers start appearing. Some species of flowers bloom only for a fixed duration of time. But you can see flowers in Valley from July to August and maximum September first week. In September you cannot see the flower bedded valley but you can see the lush green meadows. Even without the flower the valley still has its own charm and beauty. The Valley of Flowers in winter received heavy snowfall that’s why this place gets closed for the next 8 to 9 months.
| Valley of Flowers Trek Months | Min Temp | Max Temp | Weather | Valley View | Trek Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley of Flowers Trek in May | 0°C | 5°C | Clear & Pleasent | Snow capped Mountains & Glaciers | Easy |
| Valley of Flowers Trek in June | 2°C | 11°C | Clear & Pleasent | Lush Green View | Easy |
| Valley of Flowers Trek in July | 5°C | 16°C | Cloudy & Rainy | Valley loads with colourful flower | Easy |
| Valley of Flowers Trek in August | 8°C | 25°C | Heavy Rain | Valley Turns into Flower bed | Easy |
| Valley of Flowers Trek in September | 3°C | 20°C | Cloudy & Rainy | Bloom with post monsoon Flowers | Easy |
| Valley of Flowers Trek in October | -2°C | 8°C | Clear & Pleasent | Valley turns Green to brown | Easy |
Valley of Flower view at different time of a year
Hotels/Accommodation at Valley of Flowers
Ghangaria is the base camp for all the pilgrims and tourists. It offers a basic and good budget staying option where you can take a break and refuel your body. All the hotels or guest houses are equipped with basic facilities and you cannot expect luxury facilities at the height of ten thousand feet. Click to see the best-staying option in Ghangaria Hotels in Ghangaria Uttarakhand.
| Day Covered | Places Covered |
|---|---|
| Day 01 | Haridwar – Govindghat (10 hrs drive) |
| Day 02 | Govindghat - Ghangaria Trek (14 km/07 Hrs) |
| Day 03 | Ghangaria – Valley of flowers - Ghangaria (Trek- 5 km /4 hrs -one way) |
| Day 04 | Ghangharia – Govindghat (Trek 14 Km/ hrs) Govindghat - Joshimath (Drive 22 Kms) |
| Day 05 | Joshimath to Haridwar/Rishikesh |
Valley of Flowers Itinerary
Frequently Asked Question (FAQ's)
What is Valley of Flowers famous for?
Valley of Flower is famous for scenic beauty, more than 300 different species of flowers and many other lovely species of birds and animals.
Is Valley of Flowers open now?
Yes, Valley of Flowers opens for visitors for a very limited time. Usually, the Valley of Flower open for tourists on 1 June and will close around mid-October.
Best time to visit Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand?
After the first shower of monsoon, flowers start blooming here. So, from 21st July to 10th August is the best time when you’ll find the maximum number of flowers in the Valley.
Valley of Flowers Trek Difficulty.?
Valley of Flowers is an easy to moderate level trek. The total distance of the trek is approx 17-18 km which can easily be dobale. For this trek you have to be menta,ly and physically fit. So, to maintain the fitness level you can go for running & jogging before the 30 days of the departure.
Valley of flowers in which state?
Valley of Flower is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand.
Can we stay in the Valley of Flowers?
No one is allowed to stay in the valley of flowers. In the evening the valley gets closed and after that, no one can enter the park. Ghaghriya is the base camp where you can find both shelter & food.
When should I go to the Valley of Flowers?
The valley is open for the visitors only for 4-5 months and the rest of the time the valley gets covered with snow. So you can visit the Valley of flower from June to September.
Is it safe to visit the Valley of Flowers in August?
In Uttarakhand, July & August are the monsoon season, and during this time the weather is very humid and wet which is quite unsafe to travel. So try to avoid travel if possible. But if you are travelling then it is advised to check the weather forecast earlier and must carry a raincoat (poncho).
How long is the Valley of Flowers Trek?
The total distance of Valley of flower trek from Govidhat is 18 km (approx). Govindghat to Ghangaria (base camp) - 14 km & Ghaghriya to Valley of flowers - 3-4 km.
Is the Valley of Flowers safe?
Yes, the Valley of flowers is completely safe for both solo & female travelers.
How do you get to the Valley of Flowers from Auli?
Valley of flower trek starts from the Govindghat which is just 30 km from Auli. You have to first come to Joshimath and from there you can hire a private taxi or shared taxi till Govindghat. From Govindghat you can start your trek to Ghaghariya, which would take approx 4-6 hours (depending on your speed). Next early morning you can start your trek to Valley of flower (after paying the nominal entry fee).
How do you get to the Valley of Flowers in a helicopter?
You have to first come to Govindghat which is on the way to Badrinath. From Govindghat you can take the Helicopter flight which drops you to the Ghaghariya helipad (base camp) and from there you have to trek approx 3-4 km to reach Valley of Flower.
Is Valley of Flowers open in October?
No, every year the valley of flowers remains open from June to September and gets shut in October.
How far is Govindhgat from Badrinath?
Govindghat is 25 km from the Badrinath.
How can Hemkund Sahib & Valley of Flowers be covered in a single trip?
Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib shares 70% of the same route till Ghaghriya. The next day after reaching Ghaghariya, you can trek to Valley of flower & return back on the same day. Later on the next day you can start your trek for Hemkund Sahib, which would take approx 2-3 hours to cover 7 km. And after darshan you can trek back to Ghaghriya on the same day.
How many days are sufficient to explore the Valley of Flowers?
3-4 days are enough to explore the Valley of Flower.
What are nearby places one can go from the Valley of Flowers?
Badrinath Dham, Hemkund Sahib, Auli etc are some nearby places to the Valley of Flower.
What are the opening and closing timing of the Valley of flowers?
The entry starts from 6:45 to 12:00 noon, after 12:00 pm no one is allowed to enter the Valley of Flower. And it is advised to return back before 5:00 pm. For entry pass - you must have any valid identity card - aadhar card, voter id card, pan card, passport etc.
What are the opening and closing dates of the Valley of flowers?
Every year Valley of Flower opens on 1 June and closes till 1-8 October. Because of the high snowfall region, the valley opens for a very short span of time and rest of the time covered with snow. In 2022, the Valley of Flowers National park is open for visitors on 1 June and will close on 31-October.