Nature · Valley of Flowers & Hemkund, Garhwal
A day in the Valley of Flowers
From Ghangaria, walk past the forest checkpost, cross the Pushpawati and climb into a hanging valley of alpine flowers. Go as far as the stream crossings or Joan Legge's grave, and walk out before closing time.
Photo: Original: Rohit Sharma Derivative work: Unpeti… · CC BY-SA 4.0 · CommonsThe walk starts at the forest checkpost just above Ghangaria, where you buy or show the three-day permit. The trail crosses the Pushpawati on a bridge and climbs through birch and rhododendron, with a few steep stony stretches, before easing into the valley floor about 3–4 km from Ghangaria. From there it runs gently up the valley between flower meadows, streams and scree.
In late July and August you walk through tall stands of balsam, geraniums, potentilla, campanula, primulas and anemones, with blue poppies on rocky slopes and fritillaries in damp corners. Flowering changes week by week, so no two visits are the same. About 5 km in, a small stone memorial marks the grave of Joan Margaret Legge, the Kew botanist who died here in 1939. Most visitors turn round there.
Entry is usually from 7 am to early afternoon, and everyone must leave by about 5 pm; camping is not allowed. Carry lunch, water and rain gear, as there are no stalls inside. Stay on the trail: the meadows are fragile, and picking plants is an offence. Rangers sometimes close the trail after heavy rain; check current status before you travel.
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Photo: Satbir 4 · Public domain · Commons
Climb to Hemkund Sahib and its glacial lake
A steep 6 km climb of about 1,100 m from Ghangaria to the star-shaped Gurdwara Hemkund Sahib and Lokpal Lakshman temple…
Photo: Vinayaraj · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Commons
The trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria
A busy stone path of about 9–10 km up the Lakshman Ganga from Pulna to Ghangaria, shared with Sikh pilgrims, pony train…
Trips through Valley of Flowers & Hemkund
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Photo: McKay Savage from London, UK · CC BY 2.0 · Commons
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Valley of Flowers and Hemkund by bus
UTC and GMOU buses, shared jeeps and walking
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Stays in Valley of Flowers & Hemkund
Questions
Before you book
What is the best time to see flowers in the Valley of Flowers?
Mid-July to late August, when the monsoon brings the widest variety in bloom. June has early flowers with snow patches; September has fewer flowers but clearer skies and golden grass. The park is open from 1 June to 31 October.
Can I stay overnight in the Valley of Flowers?
No. Camping and overnight stays inside the national park are not allowed. Everyone sleeps at Ghangaria, about 3–4 km below the valley, and walks in for the day. Visitors must leave the park by about 5 pm.
How long is the Valley of Flowers permit valid?
The permit, bought at the forest checkpost near Ghangaria or online, is valid for three days, so you can enter more than once. Fees are roughly ₹150–200 for Indians and ₹600–800 for foreigners. Check current status before you travel.