Since Rishikesh is the nearest railway station, most trekkers prefer to plan a visit from Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers. Set at a height of 3,658 metres, Valley of Flowers is surrounded by snowy mountains, which keep the valley cut off during winter season due to a thick blanket of snow. The backdrop of white, snow clad glaciers makes the brightly coloured flowers look even more scenic. An amazing sight with a contrasting backdrop takes your breath away instantly.
It won’t be wrong to say that Valley of Flowers is a surreal paradise, or probably a fairyland, completely covered by bright alpine flowers throughout the summer season. Hundreds of trekkers visit this beautiful destination every year. The 18 km trek starts from Govindghat, which is well-connected to Haridwar, Dehradun and Rishikesh via road.
Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers
Govindghat, the place from where the 18 km Valley of Flowers trek starts is about 255 km from Rishikesh. Being the nearest railway station at 273 km from the valley, Rishikesh is well-connected to Govindghat via motorable roads. From Govindghat, you can also plan to reach Joshimath (depending on your itinerary) via road. Joshimath is a one-hour drive from Govindghat.
A not-so-moderate trek, it takes about 9-10 hours to reach Govindghat from Rishikesh. The route from Rishikesh to Valley of Flowers is scenic and mesmerizing. The best time to visit this region is from mid-July to August last week. During this period, the flowers are in full bloom, and you’re able to witness the valley’s beauty at its peak.
If you’re looking to plan to your trek soon, why don’t you checkout this detailed map to get an idea of the route. Just click here to view the map.