The Valley of Flowers

Are you a keen walker with a sense of adventure? Would you like to explore the area of the high Himalayas around the Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand? Come with us on this exciting trip.

We will see some dramatic geology and visit the headwaters of one of the Ganges’ main tributaries at Badrinath as well as trekking from Govindghat to the Valley of Flowers, famous from mountaineer Frank Smythe’s book of the same name. The only way to access the Valley of Flowers is on foot so you need to be comfortable walking distance of up to 14 km per day for four days, whilst carrying your own clothing and personal effects, at attitudes of 3000 to 3500m.

The Itinerary

DELHI - RISHIKESH - RUDRAPRAYAG - GOVINDGHAT - BADRINATH - GOVINDGHAT - GHANGHARIA - VALLEY OF FLOWERS - GHANGHARIA - RUDRAPRAYAG - RISHIKESH - DELHI

Meal Code: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner

Red Fort, Old Delhi

DAY 1: FLY TO DELHI

Depart London Heathrow by direct British Airways flight for Delhi.

DAY 2: ARRIVE DELHI

On arrival transfer to Shangri La hotel. Afternoon sightseeing of Old and New Delhi.

  • Overnight in Hotel Shangri La, New Delhi
  • BD

DAY 3: DELHI TO RISHIKESH (330M)

By train to Haridwar then transfer to Rishikesh, on the River Ganges.

  • Overnight in Hotel Ganga Kinare
  • D

Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

DAY 4: RISHIKESH TO RUDRAPRAYAG (900M)

Enjoy an early morning walk along the Ganges and/or a yoga session at the hotel. Drive along the Alaknanda river to the confluence with the Mandakini (source of the Ganges).

DAY 5: RUDRAPRAYAG TO GOVINDGHAT

Carry on along the Alaknanda river amidst increasingly spectacular mountain scenery, crossing from rocks of the Indian continent (i.e. Lesser Himalayas) into the High Himalayas.

  • Overnight in Hotel Bagat, Govindghat
  • D

DAY 6: GOVINDGHAT TO BADRINATH (3150M)

Carry on along the Alaknanda river towards its source.

Badrinath, Uttarakhand

DAY 7: BADRINATH (3150M)

Visit Badrinath Temple and the hot springs at Tapt Kund. Also visit Mana Village, the last village on Indian territory before Tibet.

DAY 8: BADRINATH TO GOVINDGHAT

A chance to have a closer look at the rocks and plants around Badrinath before returning to Ghovindghat, our jumping off point for the Valley of Flowers. Stay at Hotel Bagat.

  • Overnight in Hotel Bagat, Govindghat

DAY 9: GOVINDGHAT TO GHANGHARIA (3000M)

Take a jeep 3km up the Pushpawati river to Pulna, then walk 11 km to a tented camp, where we will stay for three nights. Look at diverse metamorphic rocks en route.

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

DAY 10: GHANGHARIA TO VALLEY OF FLOWERS (3600M)

A strenuous 5 km walk to the start of the Valley of Flowers, then a chance to explore the valley at a comfortable pace. Return to Ghangharia by 5 pm.

DAY 11: Ghangharia

Option of another day in the Valley of Flowers (with a guide) or a day looking at plants and rocks around the village.

DAY 11: GHANGHARIA TO RUDRAPRAYAG

Walk 11km down to Pulna, then take jeep to Govindghat, before driving to Rudraprayag.

Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand

DAY 12: RUDRAPRYAG TO RISHIKESH

Free time late afternoon in Rishikesh.

  • Overnight in Hotel Ganga Kinare, Rishikesh
  • D

DAY 13: RISHIKESH TO DELHI

Return from Rishikesh to Delhi by train, after some free time in Rishikesh. Stay at Hotel Ibis near the International airport.

  • Overnight in Hotel Ibis, New Delhi
  • D

DAY 14: INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURE

Fly back home on a direct British Airways flight.