Discover Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers Distance, Route & Time to visit

Discover the natural beauty of the Valley of Flowers from Rishikesh. Explore the vibrant alpine flowers, rare Himalayan birds, and stunning views on the moderately challenging trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria. Don’t miss this unforgettable experience in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which is home to a diverse range of alpine flowers, rare Himalayan birds, and other fauna.

Who discovered Valley of Flowers?

The Valley of Flowers was first discovered by Colonel Edmund Smythe of the Indian Army in 1862. In 1931, British mountaineers Frank S. Smythe and P.L. Holdsworth accidentally found the valley while returning from their successful expedition of Mt. Kamet.

Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers Distance

Rishikesh to valley of flowers distance is approx. 273 km up to  Govindghat).

Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers By Road

How to Reach Valley of Flowers

• Route:  Rishikesh → Rudraprayag → Joshimath → Govindghat → Pulna Village (4 km from Govindghat).
• Trek: 14 km trek from Pulna Village to the Valley of Flowers.
• Accessibility: Govindghat is well-connected by motorable roads with major destinations in Uttarakhand like Rishikesh, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Ukhimath, Srinagar, and Chamoli.

Bus Services:

• Buses and taxis to Govindghat are easily available from key Uttarakhand locations like Rishikesh Haridwar.

Alternative Route via Haldwani (Kumaon Region):

• • Route: Haldwani → Ranikhet → Karnaprayag → Joshimath → Govindghat (approx. 332 km).

Where is Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers is located in Chamoli district, Uttarakhand, at an elevation of 3,658 meters above sea level, near Joshimath. The lower part of Bhyundar Ganga near Govindghat is known as Bhyundar Valley.

How to Reach the Valley of Flowers

Total Distance from Delhi: 508 km by road + 14 km trek from Pulna Village.

By Air:

• Nearest airport: Jolly Grant Airport (292 km from Govindghat).
• Daily flights connect Delhi to Jolly Grant Airport.
• Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers : Taxis available from the airport to Govindghat.

By Train:

• Nearest railway station: Rishikesh (273 km from Govindghat).
• Rishikesh is well-connected by train to major cities.
• Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers  Buses and taxis are available up to Govindghat.

By Road:

• Govindghat is well-connected by motorable roads.
• From Govindghat, a 4 km road leads to Pulna Village.
• Trek 14 km from Pulna to reach the Valley of Flowers.
• Ghangaria, the basecamp, is 10 km from Pulna.

Helicopter Services:

• Helicopter service from Govindghat to Ghangaria.
• Note: Weather conditions can affect the service from Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers
• From Ghangaria, a trek is necessary to reach the Valley of Flowers.

Suggested Read: Valley of Flowers India : 5 Days from Rishikesh

Govindghat to Ghangaria

• The trek from Govindghat to Ghangaria is a moderately difficult one and takes around 6-7 hours to complete. The trail follows and passes through picturesque villages, lush forests, and gushing waterfalls.
• The last 3 km of the trek to Ghangaria is a steep climb and can be challenging for some. However, the stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys make the effort worth it.

Ghangaria Village

• Once you reach Ghangaria, you can explore the village, which has a few small restaurants and shops selling basic essentials.
• You can also hire a guide from the village for the Valley of Flowers trek, as the trail can be tricky to navigate for first-timers. The entry fee for the Valley of Flowers National Park is also payable at Ghangaria.

Suggested Read: Govindghat to Badrinath: Tips and Travel Insights

Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers

• The trek from Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers is a 3 km uphill climb and takes around 2-3 hours to complete.
• The trail passes through dense forests of birch and rhododendron and opens up to a vast meadow filled with a colorful carpet of alpine flowers such as Himalayan blue poppies, Himalayan bellflowers, and Himalayan cobra lilies.
• The valley is also home to rare Himalayan birds such as the Himalayan monal and the Himalayan snowcock.

Suggested Read: Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib: A Spiritual Trek

The Valley of Flowers trek

• It  is a day trek, and visitors are not allowed to stay overnight in the valley. However, you can spend a few hours exploring the valley, admiring the stunning views, and clicking pictures.
• After exploring the valley, you can trek back to Ghangaria and spend the night in one of the small guesthouses or campsites in the village.

FAQ

• Haridwar to valley of flowers distance
• How to reach valley of flowers from Rishikesh
• How to reach valley of flowers from Dehradun
• How difficult is valley of flowers trek