In the north of India, tucked between the towering peaks of the inner Himalayas, is a lush valley that would rival the Garden of Eden for beauty and nature. With 600 different flower species and some of Asia’s rarest fauna, the Valley of Flowers is surely one of the most spectacular on Earth. As a result, it became a National Park in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 , encompassing 33 square miles of snow-capped peaks and lush grasslands.
Due to its remoteness, as well as some strict rules in place to protect the nature, the only way to experience the valley is via a hike. Once you get to the gateway of the valley, a small village called Ghangaria, the trek itself is just 2.8 semi-challenging miles, but they will be the most stunning 2.8 miles you’ve ever experienced. Though there are some steep ascents, there are no technical sections, which leaves you able to marvel at the blue Himalayan poppies, cobra lilies, and slipper orchids, or try to spot flying squirrels, common langurs, or the elusive Himalayan brown bear. Just a few short hours in these surroundings will make you understand why India is travel expert Rick Steves’ favorite country in the world.
How to get to the Valley of Flowers
Getting to the Valley of Flowers isn’t the easiest journey, but it is certainly worth it. You can fly directly into New Delhi from multiple U.S. cities, from where you will transfer closer to the Himalayas in Dehradun, Haridwar, or, one of the best destinations in the world for a stress-free wellness vacation, Rishikesh. You can do this via train, plane, bus, or private car in each case. Many guided tours will start from one of these cities and organize the next steps for you. At the time of writing, a guided tour from Rishikesh starts at $140 and will usually include a neighbouring trek, Hemkund Sahib.
If you are not on a guided tour, the next step is to get from one of these cities to Govindghat or Joshimath and from there to Pulna, where you can sign in to the National Park. For the first leg of this journey, you can either drive, hire a driver, or take a public bus. Your journey to Pulna will have to be done by private vehicle.
Though these stretches are reported to be absolutely beautiful, it is at Pulna where the fun really begins. To get to the start of the Valley of Flowers hike, you must first climb up to the village of Ghangaria, a tiny settlement with a few accommodations, shops, and restaurants that is well equipped to host hikers. The walk is a relatively manageable 5.5 miles but could take the whole day, depending on your hiking speed, due to its steep ascents. It is at Ghangaria where you will buy your ticket to enter the Valley of Flowers ($7 for foreigners at the time of writing).
Experience the beauty of the Valley of Flowers
