Latest Video of Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers is snow covered for much of the year and becomes accessible in the month of June and remains accessible till October first week. In the month of June when snow melts the seeds put down last year by the plants starts germinating. Earlier plant include Primula, Blue Corydalis and Iris. Valley of Flowers comes into full bloom by 15th July and you will see maximum number of flowers from 15th July to 15th August. By maximum number in terms of quantity and variety. Valley of Flowers changes its shades almost everyday. For much of the year it is snow clad and remains grayish and white color.
In the month of July the valley becomes lush green in color and every week its shade changes according to the flowers. Main flowers which blooms in the month of July includes Blue Poppy, Geranium, Campanula, Phlomis Bracteosa, Polemonium Caeruleum, Anemones, Aster Albescens, Potentillas, Thymus Linearis, Dactylorhiza Hathageri, Epilobium Latifolium and Bistorta.
In the month of August some early flowers start maturing and the Valley of Flowers changes its shade to yellowish green and the number of flowers start reducing and you will find plants with flowers as well as seeds.
By September end you will find very less number of flowers and the valley is full of different kind of berries. Some of them are edible and some are poisonous. So do not try to eat any of them, they may be tempting and very beautiful.
In September generally the weather is clear and during late September you will find fresh snow fall on the peaks. Although this is not the peak time to visit valley of flowers as far as seeing flowers is concerned but as a nature lover you can visit Valley of Flowers any time.
History/How discovered
According to Hindu mythology this valley is known as Nandankanan it is believed to be created when gods showered flowers on earth.
In the year 1931 a British mountaineer Frank S. Smythe along with six other mountaineer climbed Kamet. Kamet is a mountain 25447 feet and situated in Uttrakhand. After successful climbing they descended towards Bhundar Pass on that day it was wet and very cold. Below 600 feet it was raining and above that it was sleet or snow they lost the route due to dense mist around them. Suddenly R. L. Holdsworth and botanist and a climbing member of the expedition exclaimed “Look !”, as Frank S. Smythe followed the direction he saw a little splash of blue and beyond it were other splashes of blue a blue so intense that it seemed to light the hill side.
All of a sudden they were surrounded by Primulas they forgot all the pains, cold and loss porters they camped there and there were Sexifrages, Sedums, Potentillas, Geraniums, Asters, Caltha Palustris, Rosa Macrophylla and many more. It was called as Bhuandar Valley at that time and the most beautiful valley any of them have seen (Even now it is the most beautiful valley any person have seen). Because of its beauty UNESCO declared it as a world heritage under nature category. Later it was known to the world as “THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS”.
Frank S Smythe wrote a book called the “VALLEY OF FLOWERS”. You can buy this book at tourist information centre, Eco Development Committee at Ghangaria village or you can download its pdf format at this link.
Location :
Valley of Flowers is located in Garhwal Himalayas in the state of Uttrakhand Himalayas. Geographically it is only 6 kilometers from Badrinath (although practically reaching from Badrinath to Valley of Flowers takes almost one full day). Last point where a vehicle is Govindghat. Govindghat is situated at NH-58. Which ends at village Mana. Village Mana is 3 kilometers from Badrinath and Badrinath is 25 kilometers ahead of Govindghat. Govindghat is 25 kilometers ahead of Joshimath and the trek to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib starts from here.
How to Reach :
To reach Valley of Flowers one need to reach Govindghat. From Haridwar to Govindghat it takes one full day (10-12 hours) by road. There are some basic hotels available at Govindghat to stay overnight. Next day early morning latest by 7.00 a.m. you should start your trek towards Ghangaria. Ghangaria is the base camp for Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib trek. While trekking from Govindghat to Ghangaria you gain approximately 4700 feet or 1400 meters from 5500 feet (Govindghat) to 10200 feet (Ghangaria) (Source google earth). This day if you are not athletic and used to trekking it is recommended that you hire a pony or use Helicopter. Flying of Helicopter is dependent on whether conditions. Therefore you can not pre plan your itinerary considering it.
On day 2 after reaching Ghangaria if u have some stamina and strength left you may trek further 500 meters to a beautiful waterfall. This waterfall you will otherwise see on day 3 when going towards Valley of Flowers but that time you will be in a hurry to go towards Valley of Flowers. This waterfall is really beautiful and in the evening you can see some really beautiful birds near it.
Next day you need to get up early in the morning so as to reach Valley of Flowers entry gate by 6.45 a.m. as entry to the valley starts at 7.00 a.m. and you should not waste a single minute to be in the fairyland. You need to be back by 5.00 p.m. The entry tickets taken are valid for 3 days.
We recommend you to have atleast 2 days for Valley of Flowers so that you have enough time to explore floral beauty and landscape beauty at the deeper parts especially during the peak time for Valley of Flowers. Peak time for seeing maximum number of flowers in terms of quantity and variety is between 15th July and 15th of August. Unfortunately most of the people visiting Valley of Flowers spare only a day for Valley of Flowers and they could penetrate only upto four to five kilometers inside the valley.
After visiting Valley of Flowers next day you should go to Hemkund Sahib most of the people coming to Valley of Flowers generally feel that Hemkund Sahib is a religious place and need not be visited by a nature lover. But the truth is that every nature lover should also visit Hemkund Sahib because there are many flowers which are available at Hemkund Sahib and not in Valley of Flowers. Hemkund Sahib is a high altitude lake which very beautiful scene to watch. From Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib trek is very steep and one need to gain an altitude of 3300 feet (1000 meters) as Ghangaria is a height of 10200 feet and Hemkund Sahib is at 13500 feet. We recommend you to take a pony at least for going uphill.
Opening and closing dates
Valley of Flowers officially opens on 1st June and closes on 4th October every year. The entry is managed by Forest Department under Government of India. These dates are basically the accessible period of Valley of Flowers apart from these days Valley of Flowers is snow clad.
Opening and Closing times
Entry to the Valley of Flowers starts at 7.00 a.m. and you should get out of the park by 5.00 p.m. practically entry gate is 300 meters from Ghangaria so you should start from your Hotel room by 6.30 a.m. so as to reach the entry gate by 6.45 a.m. You should not waste a single minute as you will have only this day to see true wonder of nature “The Valley of Flowers”.
The last entry is allowed by 2.00 p.m. It is advised that you start your trek back to Ghangaria by 2.00 p.m. so as to reach well in time.
Valley of Flowers entry fee
Entry fee depends upon whether you are an Indian or a foreigner. For an Indian its Rs. 150 and for a foreigner Rs. 600 (approx. $12) for a three day pass to the valley. Charges for an additional day for and Indian is Rs. 50 and for a foreigner it is 250. Carrying a still camera is free it respective of its quality as professional or non professional. Taking a non professional video camera is also free. To take professional video camera Indian needs to pay Rs. 500 and foreigners Rs. 1500. To make a feature film Indian need to pay Rs. 1,00,000 and foreigners Rs. 2,00,000 per day. Other charges are also explained below :
| Sr. No. | Desciption | Indian (in Rupees) | Foreigner (in Rupees) |
| 1. | Entrance Fee (in Rs.) Per Head for first Three Days | 150 | 600 |
| For additional each day | 50 | 250 | |
| 2. | Camera Fee | ||
| Still Camera (Non-Professional) | Free | Free | |
| Still Camera (Professional) | Free | Free | |
| Movie-Video (Non-Professional) | Free | Free | |
| Movie-Video (Professional) | 500 | 1,500 | |
| 3. | Filming Charges | ||
| Feature Film Per Day | 100,000 | 200,000 | |
| Documentry Film Per Day | 10,000 | 30,000 | |
| 4. | Securit for above | ||
| Feature Film Per Day | 100,000 | 200,000 | |
| Documentry Film Per Day | 50,000 | 100,000 |
Other places can/should be covered along with Valley of Flowers
Since it takes lot of time, effort and money for Valley of Flowers trip it is recommended that you also visit some of the other places. We recommend you to go to Hemkund Sahib as there are some beautiful flowers which are available at Hemkund Sahib and not even in Valley of Flowers such as Saussurea Obvallata, Saussurea Gossypiphora, Saussurea Simpsoniana, Aconitum Violaceum, Blue Poppy, Gentiana Phyllocalyx, Pleurospermum Candollii.
We also recommend you to visit Badrinath. Actually you do not need any extra day to visit Badrinath. The day you will come down from Ghangaria to Govindghat you can reach Badrinath in the evening. Badrinath is only 25 kilometers by road from Govindghat and it takes almost 1 hour. You should also visit village Mana which is only 3 kilometers from Badrinath but there are some important points to be visited like Saraswati River starting point, Bhim Pul, Vyas Gufa and Ganesha Gufa.
 Valley of Flowers is one of the magical wonderlands on earth. It is situated in western Himalayas at a height of 10500 to 12000 feet, in the state of Uttrakhand, India. Discovered by Frank S. Smyth the Valley of Flowers is snow covered for much of the year and hence remains inaccessible. It is accessible for about four months in a year. (From June to September). |
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 This page explains you how to reach valley of flowers from New Delhi. What are the different ways of transport available on the way, what are the different ways available to skip trekking. On which day the ponies and porters available and when the helicopter will be available between Govindghat and Ghangaria. |
 Detailed list of things to carry on your trek to valley of flowers, if you miss even one important thing on your trip you life may become hell. You are going on a trekking trip and in a very remote area so a must read for every one willing to go to the valley of flowers. |
 You can book a hotel in Ghangaria from us for your trip to valley of flowers. Prices of the hotel rooms are available here. Pictures of the hotel have also been given. You may find this page helpful if you are not taking a package and going of your own. |
 Here is the blog of the author of this website. You can browse through is posts written on various dates. These posts have helpful content for planning your trip to the Valley of Flowers. |
 There are many questions asked by visitors on our site, some of the common and important are answered here. There are some important questions which are important but you may not even think of them are also given here. For eg can you bring your kids to the valley ? Read through this page to know the answers of all of them. |
 Valley of flowers is our passion and we started this site as a hobby and we have started organizing tours to the valley 5 years back. The author of this website Mr Devkant Sangwan accompanies you to the valley personally so that you do not miss out anything. Read our upcoming tours to the valley and if interested to join us please contact us. |
