This glaring piece of nature is an\u00a0Indian National Park<\/strong>\u00a0and a\u00a0UNESCO World Heritage Site<\/strong>\u00a0exhibiting plush meadows blossomed with endemic alpine flowers and diverse fauna in this valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Valley of Flowers trek is one of India\u2019s most popular treks in the Himalayas. People who haven\u2019t even stepped in the Himalayas, have heard about the Valley of Flowers trek. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But there is a solid reason behind Valley Of Flower\u2019s legendary popularity \u2013 it is one of India\u2019s oldest known treks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In 1980, Indian government created the Valley of Flowers National Park,<\/strong> and later in 2002, it was recognized as a UNESCO<\/strong> World Heritage Site<\/strong>. This pushed Valley of Flowers on the bucket list of trekkers from around the world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Having said that, you must note that Valley Of Flowers trek is not easy. It is a moderate<\/strong> level trek, with slightly longer trekking days and a steep ascent to Hemkund Sahib that will challenge your endurance. So, prepare well for this trek. We have talked in detail about this in the \u2018difficulty\u2019 section of this trek guide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This extensive trek guide contains all details you need to know to do this trek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And, it also contains an interesting insight, a story of how one can fall in love with Himalayan treks after trekking to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. Yes, that can happen. We know, because it happened with Sandhya U C, Co-Founder and COO of Indiahikes. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Use these pointers to navigate through this extensive trek guide:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Sandhya UC<\/strong>Co-Founder & COOValley Of Flowers was my first Himalayan trek. I not only loved the trek but also fell in love with trekking<\/strong> in the Himalayas because of it. After Valley Of Flowers, I went on to do a lot more Himalayan treks, but the Valley of Flowers stays very close to my heart! A lot of people tend to discredit the trek thinking there is not much to it. That would be a mistake. There is a lot going for the trek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.<\/strong> The Valley of Flowers A narrow path in between the flowers beckons you to go deeper. You now start seeing a variety of flowers. Not only in colours but in shapes, sizes, textures and smell. A few tens of steps bring you to a totally new variety of flowers. You wonder who got them here. What made the variety change? It was also interesting to see the big<\/strong> fauna change along with the changing flora<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I stood by the flowers, sat down beside them, lay down on the small exposed trail trying to immerse myself and feel a part of the multitude of flowers in the valley. The cool mountain breeze coming from the glacial end of the valley brought with it scents that I had never known before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.<\/strong> The climb and Hemkund Sahib I loved the entry into the alpine zone while climbing up to Hemkund. You almost get a drone or helicopter view of Ghangaia and Valley of flowers while on the way up. You can see where you came from and where you went the previous day. A bird\u2019s-eye view<\/strong> puts in so much perspective even to landscape scenery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As you climb up steeply you go through varied experiences. Leaving the tree line, entering alpine meadows, feeling the thin air and looking up to the pure alpine cliffs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Once at Hemkund Sahib, the quietness of the lake<\/strong> and the surrounding mountains stun you. The majestic lake reflecting its surroundings \u2013 the mountains and the Gurudwara makes you reflect in gratitude about your entire journey. For many, it is a moment of quiet reflection of their entire lives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3.<\/strong> The cultural experience It was heartwarming to see volunteers sweeping every section of the trail to keep it clean and working at Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara in freezing temperatures. It was a wonderful feeling to wake up in Ghangria at dawn to the parade calls of the Sikh Gurudwara. The trek shows you a world you would hardly see otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 1.<\/strong> The fact that I cannot camp The Valley of Flowers is a very ecologically sensitive<\/strong> area. Nobody is allowed to stay in the valley at night. No animals are allowed to enter the valley either. Given these restrictions, it is not practical to camp<\/strong> anywhere on the trek.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2.<\/strong> The innumerable shops selling packaged goods Packaged goods freely available everywhere only means prolific litter everywhere<\/strong>. Perhaps time to question how we solve our needs of food and drink on a high traffic trail like this. Would you have any suggestions?<\/p>\n\n\n\n The gates to Valley Of Flowers open at the beginning of June. But the best time to visit is between July and September<\/strong>. You can extend it to the end of September.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even in the best months between July and September, the trek is not the same<\/strong> every month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In July <\/strong>expect a lot of greenery<\/strong>. You will also find a bit of snow<\/strong> till rains begin in full swing. But there won\u2019t be many flowers until mid-July. Since the trek climbs to such a high altitude (~14,000 ft), it retains snow even in July. Only later in July, the rain washes off the snow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Monsoon also starts setting in in July. But it doesn\u2019t rain much in the first half. Monsoon gains momentum in the second half of July. Snow too starts getting washed off by then.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Valley Of Flowers starts blooming \u2013 in the true sense \u2013 from mid-July onwards. And if there is a favourite time<\/strong> to do this trek, it has to be from mid-July to mid-August<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In August, monsoon clouds hang low and wash over the entire valley. Maximum flowers in the valley bloom during this period. While you get a good amount of rain at Govindghat during this time, at the higher altitudes it turns into a drizzle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n | Tip<\/strong>: Watch out for the precious Brahmakamal as you climb to Hemkund Sahib. This beautiful flower only grows around the altitude of 14,000 feet so is a rare sighting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Even the crowds aren\u2019t heavy during the initial days of August. This makes it a perfect time to explore the valley blooming with flowers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Flowers begin wilting by the second half of August and by September very few flowers are left<\/strong>. But there\u2019s a different kind of beauty to this month of retreating monsoon. Skies start clearing up and you witness some clear mountain views.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Complete Guide To Valley Of Flowers Trek<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
A Legendary Trail The World Wants To Trek In<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat I Like And Don\u2019t Like About Valley Of Flowers<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat I like about Valley Of Flowers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>The biggest reason for me to love and remember the trek is the beautiful valley itself. When you stand at the entry of the valley you see ahead of you a colourful carpet laid out. The valley is at least a couple of kilometres wide and more than 10 kilometres long. In front of me was the carpet with waves of pinks, blues and yellows<\/strong> flowing along with the breadth and width.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Valley](\"https:\/\/indiahikes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/ValleyOfFlowers-Pavan-Jain-Blooming-flowers-of-the-valley-1.jpg\")
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<\/strong>Valley Of Flowers is a moderate trek but the climb to Hemkund challenges you on the next level. In 6 km you gain almost 4,000 ft<\/strong>. This not only introduces a new challenge, it also takes you to a scenic zone that you did not expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a><\/a>
<\/strong>Valley Of Flowers is not just a trek. Along with a trek to the beautiful valley, it shows you an incredible journey of faith<\/strong> undertaken by humans. You see youngsters, middle-aged, elderly, children, toddlers on this incredible climb to the lake at 14,000 ft. Many take the support of ponies or even porters but quite a few of them climb on their own might.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nWhat I don\u2019t like about Valley Of Flowers Trek<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>Camping is an intrinsic part of a great trekking experience for me. Unfortunately, the Vally Of Flowers trek does not offer that experience. Ghangaria being on the pilgrim trail to Hemkund needs to house hundreds of people and thereby modern infrastructure of lodging is indispensable. Camping is not allowed by the authorities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/strong>All along the trail to Hemkund Sahib we see innumerable dhabas<\/em> and shops selling food and packaged goods. While we may say that the huge footfall necessitates the supply, I wish the shops were more regulated. I also wish there was better regulation on what could be sold in an eco-sensitive zone like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nBest Time To Visit Valley Of Flowers<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Valley Of Flowers Trek In July-August-September:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
July<\/strong><\/td> It is lush green. The flowers are just beginning to bloom. Peak flowering season starts after mid-July. There are a few old snow bridges and some melting snow patches. Expect a riot of colours. Rains pick up after mid-July. The valley is least crowded in July.<\/td><\/tr> August<\/strong><\/td> The first 15 days of August see a huge number of flowers Though there\u2019s a good amount of rain at Govindghat. But at higher altitudes, it\u2019s not always heavy. It\u2019s crowded around weekends. But on weekdays you don\u2019t have to worry about crowds.<\/td><\/tr> September<\/strong><\/td> Flowers have wilted by now and valley is swelling with a crowd of pilgrims.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n \u2022 Valley Of Flowers In July:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>\u2022 Valley Of Flowers In August:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
\u2022 Valley Of Flowers In September:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n\n\n
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