HEMKUND TREK (VALLEY OF FLOWERS)

Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Trek

LOCATION: CHAMOLI DISTRICT, UTTARAKHAND, INDIA

Valley of Flowers Trek- A trek amidst a riot of colours and scents

Many tales are spun around the Valley of Flowers – usually about trekkers falling unconscious from the heavy scent of flowers on the valley floor. Whatever the stories, they do have a grain of truth in them, in a good way! It is rare to find a valley so full of flowers. Flowers bloom everywhere in a riot of colours – purple, yellow, white, pink… They blanket the valley in such a way that sometimes, you can’t see the valley floor at all!

Trek Itinerary

Day 1: Getting to base camp of Valley of Flowers- Govind Ghat

• Arrive at Haridwar the previous night or by 6:00 am (on your own)
• Indiahikes will organise pick-up vehicles from Haridwar railway station at 6:30 am.
• The transportation cos will have to be borne by the trekkers.
• The pickup can be arranged in a Tata Sumo (5-6 seater) or Tempo traveller (12 seater)
• The total cost of transportation one way is Rs. 6000 for an SUV and 10,000 for the Tempo traveller (to be shared among the trekkers)
• It takes 10-12 hours from Haridwar to Govind Ghat. 
• Stay at a local hotel in Govind Ghat (included in the trek fee)

Day 2: Govind Ghat to Ghangria 

• Start trekking out of the village early in the day, and cross the bridge over Alakananda.
• The trail is usually crowded with pilgrims from the Sikh community.
• The 13 km trek from Govind Ghat to Ghangria goes all the way along the river.
• It takes about 7 hours to reach Ghangria, which is a one-street village, lined with food joints and a Gurudwara.
• Stay overnight at Ghangria in a hotel/home stay.

Day 3: Ghangria to Valley of Flowers and back

• Today’s trek is an easy flat walk in the valley covering a distance of 10 km.
• Start trekking by 6 am so that you have ample time at the valley of flowers.
• The day’s trek involves an ascent of 3000 metres and a descent of 3500 metres.
• The entire valley is generally a carpet of colours – green, yellow, red, blue.
• It is surrounded by mountains with trees at lower levels, brown and grey soil in the middle and bright snow at the top.
• Spend some time amidst colourful flowers and soak your feet in the stream that passes through the valley.
• Camping in the valley is not permitted, so we will be trekking back to Ghangria.
• Start your trek back to Ghangria by afternoon retracing the same route.
• Stay overnight at Ghangria in a hotel/home stay.

Day 4: Ghangria to Hemkund Sahib and back

• Start your day by 5 am because the weather can be impulsive in the afternoon. Sudden cloud cover and rain can get you stranded if you do not descend in time.
• It is a stiff climb on rocky terrain. A trekking pole will come in handy for this day’s trek.
• It takes about 4 hours to reach the Hemkund Sahib Gurdwara and lake.
• The Hemkund Sahib lake remains frozen for six months.
• Warm yourself in the Gurudwara and have generous helpings of hot tea andkhichdi.
• Spend some time in the peaceful and pristine environment before descending down to Ghangria.
• The descent is steep. Carry a knee cap to avoid too much strain on the knee (optional).
• Stay overnight at Ghangria in a hotel/home stay.

Day 5: Ghangria to Govind Ghat 

• Start your trek by 6 am
• It is an easy 13 km walk from Ghangria to Govind Ghat.
• You will reach Govind Ghat by 11 am.
• You may choose to leave to Haridwar immediately or stay overnight at Govind Ghat and depart to Haridwar the following morning.
• In case you choose to stay overnight at Govind Ghat, the accommodation and food facilities are easily available locally.

Day 6: Departure day

• Depart from Govind Ghat to Haridwar in the morning.
• Indiahikes will arrange vehicles to drop you back to Haridwar railway station.
• The cost of transit from Govind Ghat to Haridwar will have to be borne by the trekkers, and paid directly to the driver.
• It will cost you Rs. 6000 for an SUV and Rs. 10,00 for a tempo traveller (to be shared among the trekkers)

Other Important Information:

Remember to see the flowers, you need to time your trek correctly. In July and August, during monsoon, is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers . There might be a day or two of rain on the trek but the sight of flowers in full bloom makes up for any discomfort.To know what other trekkers think about this trek take a look atPallavi and Prakash Chitnis.