Trip planning

How Many Days Do You Need for the Valley of Flowers?

2 min read · By Devkant Sangwan

How Many Days Do You Need for the Valley of Flowers?

Watch · Devkant on the trail, July 2025

पुष्पावती रिवर बेड तक ज़रूर जाएँ
Go all the way to the Pushpawati

“I've just reached the Pushpawati river bed. Look — this is why it's called Pushpawati: flowers everywhere. This pink flower is Epilobium latifolium. The 2013 floods almost wiped it out here and I'm so happy that in huge numbers…”

2:01 · Hindi with English captions · full screen

All 22 reels
On this page
  1. What happens when you enter the valley for the first time
  2. Keep an extra day for the valley
  3. How deep can you go?
  4. Travel with us

A Valley of Flowers trip usually also covers Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath. It takes a minimum of 6 days from Haridwar, and for people coming from farther away, 8–12 days in all. Yet most people doing the trip spend only one day in the valley itself.

It is an irony: people spend so much time reaching the Valley of Flowers, and then spend only one day in it. There is no way to see its real beauty in a single day — especially in July and August, when the valley has the most flowers, in both quantity and variety.

The Pushpawati river deep inside the Valley of Flowers
The Pushpawati river, deep inside the valley — 7 km from Ghangaria.

What happens when you enter the valley for the first time

As soon as you pass the entry gate you are welcomed by colonies of flowers and dense forest. Most of us have never been to such a majestic place, so we spend a lot of time taking pictures and move slowly. By the time we realise how slow we are, we are already 3–4 hours behind. And because you must be out of the entry gate by 5 pm and back in Ghangaria by evening, there is only limited time to cover the valley.

This is how everyone falls behind — stopping to photograph the flowers.

Keep an extra day for the valley

I recommend an extra day in the Valley of Flowers:

  • Day one: cover the first 4–5 kilometres. Take your macro photographs of flowers and bees, and your landscape pictures. It is the macro photography that makes you late — so do it today.
  • Day two: enter the valley at 7 am, move fast without stopping for many photographs, and go as deep as you can.

The thumb rule: start back by 2 pm.

How deep can you go?

One of our groups, on an extended trip that started on 29 July 2012, went 11 kilometres deep into the Valley of Flowers. We saw many beautiful waterfalls, flowers and untouched natural beauty that most visitors never see.

A trekking group on the way into the Valley of Flowers
The group that started on 29 July 2012, on the way into the valley. That day we went 11 kilometres inside.

See our gallery of the deeper parts of the valley to see what you miss if you do not go deep.

Travel with us

We organise Valley of Flowers treks with two days inside the valley, and I personally accompany our groups on the trekking part of the trip whenever I can. See our itinerary and tour packages.

Questions travellers asked us

Real questions from readers of this page over the years, answered by Devkant Sangwan. Each one shows its date. Roads, rules and arrangements may have changed since, so please ask us about your own dates.

  • Akanksha ·

    I am planning to visit valley of flowers in1st week of september. I will not be covering further i.e. hemkund sahib. So kindly tell can we cover the valley of flowers trip in 3-4 days?

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    We need to customize your trip you need at-least 5 days for Valley of flowers trek. You can call us on +91 99912 42759.

  • Mukund ·

    Hello,
    We are group of 7. of which one is a heart patient and she cant climb. another is 2 year old baby. can we still do the valley of flowers. also can you send the detailed iternary. we plan to reach aug 5th to deradun and can reach rishikesh by evening.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    not recommended to come along with 2 year old baby its difficult to manage. The person who is not able to trek can stay back in Joshimath we will send you the itinerary kindly go through it or please give us your contact number. or you may contact us on +91 99912 42759.

  • Sagar ·

    Is it a good time to visit the valley of flowers in May. I am planning to visit the same in May 2018.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    The Valley of Flowers will be closed in May.This is to inform you that ‘Valley of Flowers’ gets open in June only. You can take a visit to the place in June.

  • Tushar ·

    Hello
    We are 4-5 people planning to visit valley of flowers on 28th June 2017. Will it be a bit early to witness the different variety of flowers?
    Also how much distance can we cover into the valley, starting from gangharia? We intend to give 2 complete days to the valley.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Sir,
    Flowering begins in the last week of July. You will be finding comparatively less number of flowers than July or August. But certainly there will be flowers along with the glaciers in view.
    Valley gate is 400-500 m away from Ghangharia. Then you will be trekking 5-6 km deep into Valley on DAY 1 and 8-9 km on DAY 2. There is no need for the second day in Valley in June.
    The itinerary for June and July are being sent to you via mail. Kindly go through.
    Thanks !

  • Prakash J. ·

    Namaste DevkantJi.
    We are in the age group of 60 + and I am curious to know if we can make this hiking OR is it only for the young.
    We wish to participate in the 24th September team & i would appreciate your reply.
    Thanks.
    Prakash Joshi

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Sir,
    Glad to see your enthusiasm for the trip. You can surely take up the trek if you are fit enough and doesn't hold any major disease.
    The other necessary details have been sent to you. Kindly check with your mail. Meanwhile read the following link to have more information:
    Can Senior Citizens Visit the Valley of Flowers?
    Thanks !

  • Ankit P. ·

    Hi , planning to do 2/3 days trek to valley of flowers in feb,2017, Is it possible? Please share contact number if you can.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Ankit,
    Valley of Flower gets open in end week of May only. A trip in Feb is not possible as it remain snow clad during this time.
    The detailed itinerary for our first departure has been sent you. Contact number provided to you via mail.
    Thanks

Show 5 more questions
  • Jyoti T. ·

    Hi,
    I am planing on 1st week on september.. Is that good time to go?

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Flowers will be less in number but the weather will be very nice

  • Saurabh S. ·

    Planning to visit valley of flowers in end of July or first week of August 2016 for the first time. Can we find brahmakomal during this time? What different kinds of flowers can we find at that time?
    Also guide me regarding accommodation (preferably homestays and tents) throughout our journey. Kindly give us the contact details, if possible and the procedure of booking.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Sir,
    Thanks for showing your interest, we would certainly answer your query. You will find Brahamkamal and lots of other flowers during this time. For more information about the other flowers during this time please visit the following link:
    Also we sent you a detailed itinerary along with booking procedure and all other information.

  • Gourav L. ·

    please send the package details and approx cost of entire trip from delhi.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello Sir,
    A detailed itnerary has been sent to you from Haridwar to Valley of Flowers and back to Haridwar. From delhi You can reach Haridwar very easily by bus or by train or a taxi. Janshtabadi Express is the train timing is around 3:30pm or you can take a bus directly from ISBT kasmiri gate. 

  • Piyush S. ·

    Is it possible to visit Valley of flowers in July 2015 (16-19)?? 

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Yes definitely you can visit Valley of Flowers in between this time.

  • Pallavi ·

    Me and my siblings are planning to go to valley of flowers in June end this year. will it be beneficial because we are gonna be traveling from Mumbai. Also, it took me a lot of efforts to convince them for this trip. Please advise.

    Devkant Sangwan ·

    Hello,
    By end of June you will find good number of flowers but flowering at Hemkund Sahib will be less. You will see lot of big glaciers. Monsoon will not be there so it will be good. If you want to ask more please talk to me on my phone.

What travellers say about trekking with us

  • ★★★★★

    Blue Poppy Holidays – Where Passionate Ownership Meets Professionalism Blue Poppy Holidays is where passionate ownership truly meets professionalism. Our experience was simply unimaginable and far beyond our expectations. The hospitality extended by the entire team, led personally by Mrs. Seema Sangwan, the owner herself, sets an exceptionally high standard. The property at…

    Read the full review

    Blue Poppy Holidays – Where Passionate Ownership Meets Professionalism

    Blue Poppy Holidays is where passionate ownership truly meets professionalism.

    Our experience was simply unimaginable and far beyond our expectations. The hospitality extended by the entire team, led personally by Mrs. Seema Sangwan, the owner herself, sets an exceptionally high standard.

    The property at Joshimath is an absolute pristine beauty. The variety of plants and flowers nurtured there is so incredible that it almost feels like having a little Valley of Flowers within the property itself. Mr. Devkant Sangwan, the owner, takes genuine pride in his garden and personally showed us each and every plant during our visit. His passion and knowledge make the experience even more special.

    And then comes the organic food — freshly prepared, delicious, and served with a smile every single time. The cooking is excellent, and the warmth with which everything is served makes you feel less like a guest and more like family. Special mention to Mr. Anuj - Manager & Ajay leading the team.

    The staff behaviour is simply beyond excellent — courteous, caring, attentive and always ready to help.

    Our experience at Ghangharia was equally wonderful. The tent accommodation was arguably the best one could expect at such an altitude, complemented by excellent service lead by Mr. Shankar and a wonderful team.

    A special mention for our guide, Mr. Pramod, who was extremely caring and supportive throughout the trek. He took complete care of our 7-year-old throughout the journey, giving us immense confidence and peace of mind.

    We had visited Blue Poppy Holidays almost 10 years ago, in 2016, and returning after such a long gap was an equally memorable experience. It is rare to find a place where the hospitality, people, property, food and attention to detail come together so beautifully.

    We will definitely be visiting again — and if you are planning a trip to the Valley of Flowers with your family, we would blindly recommend Blue Poppy Holidays.

    Your family deserves nothing less. ❤️

    Thank you, Team Blue Poppy, for making our journey so beautiful, comfortable and memorable.

    Vishal, Keshani & Arjun 🫶

    Vishal V. · August 2026
    Google review of Blue Poppy Premier, Jyotirmath (Joshimath)

  • ★★★★★

    I stayed in Blue Poppy Resort Auli Branch for about 8 days after trekking to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. I was travelling solo since a couple and a friend who were supposed to travel with me backed out at the last moment. I am 63 and a retired Wg Cdr from Indian Air Force. I had some apprehension of being a bit lonely during my trek and travel and was unaware of my…

    Read the full review

    I stayed in Blue Poppy Resort Auli Branch for about 8 days after trekking to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. I was travelling solo since a couple and a friend who were supposed to travel with me backed out at the last moment.

    I am 63 and a retired Wg Cdr from Indian Air Force. I had some apprehension of being a bit lonely during my trek and travel and was unaware of my fitness level etc. All these turned out to be absolutely unfounded. I immediately made really great friends and the smiles and politeness shown by the youngsters who looked after the guests made the experience very pleasant. Devkant and Seema look after the guests like family. Devkant is huge in his knowledge of the flora and fauna… he is enthusiastic and protective about all environment….. he is an ideal guide who connects with all the participants and educates them. I learnt a lot from him and Seema.. I think they provide excellent hands on service in a clean and natural environment.

    The accommodation and food were top class while requiring participants to refrain from wastage and leaving the area cleaner then before they came.

    I did a few treks around Auli to Gordon Bugyal and could not go for the 3 day camping trip. Maybe next time when I bring my children and their families.

    I had an extremely spiritual experience far away from the hustle and bustle of Mumbai.

    There’s excellent mobile coverage and one can keep in touch with family at all times.

    There’s excellent views of the majestic Himalayas all around and Nanda Devi is visible quite often.

    Thanks Devkant and Seema. I learnt a lot and relaxed at the same time. Will see you again with family in the next few years when my granddaughter is a little older.

    Keep up the good work!

    Uday K. · August 2021
    Google review of Blue Poppy Resort, Auli

  • ★★★★★

    We were picked up from Haridwar by Mr Mukesh and taken by Tempo traveller. Due to landslides we were delayed by two days initially at Kodiyala and then near Chamoli, hence we went direct from Chamoli to Pulna via Gobindhghat. Mr Mukesh is an expert driver and helped us to reach Gobindhghat safely. From here we were transferred to a local transport to climb up to Pulna. Inspire…

    Read the full review

    We were picked up from Haridwar by Mr Mukesh and taken by Tempo traveller. Due to landslides we were delayed by two days initially at Kodiyala and then near Chamoli, hence we went direct from Chamoli to Pulna via Gobindhghat. Mr Mukesh is an expert driver and helped us to reach Gobindhghat safely. From here we were transferred to a local transport to climb up to Pulna. Inspire of these delays we forged great friendships on the way and I was entertained by the spirit of my companions especially the group from Surat. We had to trek or travel by pony to Ghangria. abhishek our guide joined us at Joshimath and helped us through our trip to Ghangria. Especially the odd straggler.

    Rooms at the Swiss cottage Gangaria were good and bathrooms were hygienic and food was excellent .we really had diff foods in each meal. The staff of 4 Ashok Anuj and others were ever smiling and helpful.

    Our tour guide Mr Abhishek helped us a lot ,took care of every member in the group .He is really helpful . He really helped anyone feeling unwell or tired.

    Last but not the least hot water facility and leg massages after the trek was awesome. Subsequently I extended my stay and spent some great days trekking around Auli branch of Blue Poppy resorts. I will cover this in more detail in a separate review. Mr Devkant and Seema were especially friendly and treated us like guests in his own home.

    Uday K. · August 2021
    Google review of Blue Poppy Swiss Cottage Camps, Ghangaria

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