Valley of Flowers and Hem Kund

14 days in India, 4 days trekking; level: moderate

Highest Point: 4,329 m

Dates: June, July, August, September, October

Route Highlights: Delhi – Rishikesh – Joshimath – Govindghat – Ghangriya – Hemkund – Valley of Flowers – Govindghat – Badrinath – Srinagar – Musoorie – Delhi

or Delhi - Almora - Joshimath - Govindghat – Ghangriya – Valley of Flowers - Hemkund –  Govindghat – Badrinath - Joshimath - Almora - Delhi

We leave Joshimath to drive to Govind Ghat (1,830m), the starting point for the trek. From Govind Ghat we trek 14km up a forested valley along a well-maintained pilgrim trail to the hamlet of Ghangriya (3,048m) set amidst giant deodars, the base for day walks into the Valley of Flowers, five kilometers further on. The valley is now a national park and no overnight camping is allowed. The Valley of Flowers is about six kilometers long, abounding in wildflowers and waterfalls. Although much of the summer rainy season, June to September, the wildflowers can be seen, mid-August to mid-September is the best period for seeing the widest assortment. After exploring the Valley of Flowers we set out along the Laxma Ganga to the lake at Hemkund (4,329 m). The lake is an important Sikh as well as Hindu pilgrimage site and you can see many pilgrims bathe in its icy waters. The scenery of the trek to the Valley of Flowers and Hem Kund is never without the skyline of the high peaks, Nilgiri Parbat (6474m), Rataban (6,166m), Ghori Parbat (6,708m) and Hathi Parbat (6,700m) being the most prominent.

For the adventurous, in shape and acclimatized, an optional high altitude trek to the Kagbhusundi Lake can be arranged. Starting from Joshimath, via Ritumukhi to Kagbhusundi Tal and back, add four days of trekking to the above itinerary (inquire about extra costs).