How to Reach Valley Of Flowers From Delhi
Tucked away at an elevation of nearly 14,146 ft in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand lies a UNESCO World Heritage Site that transforms into a living canvas every monsoon. The Valley of Flowers National Park is home to over 500 species of wild alpine flowers, including the elusive Himalayan Blue Poppy, Brahma Kamal, and Cobra Lilies. If you are looking to escape the hustle bustle of Delhi and step directly into a vibrant mountain paradise, this blog details everything you need to know, from customized routes starting right out of Delhi, transport options like trains and buses, plan your seamless adventure from the national capital to this bucket-list mountain paradise
How to Reach Dehradun/Rishikesh From Delhi
Traveling from Delhi is incredibly convenient. Being the national capital, it is well-connected through all major transportation networks. Since the Valley of Flowers Trek officially begins from Dehradun/Rishikesh your first objective is to reach there from Delhi.
To reach Dehradun or Rishikesh the best way is to take a train or a bus. While the treks commence just outside of the busiest transit nodes, your entry point to the Valley of Flowers is either Dehradun or Rishikesh. Both the cities are very well connected with Delhi but it depends upon the mode of transport you plan to take to choose the starting point.
By Bus: An overnight Volvo Bus from Delhi is the most convenient mode to reach Dehradun. The price of an Overnight Volvo Bus from Delhi is approximately ₹500 to ₹1000, whereas ordinary Bus rate is slightly lower, that is from ₹300 to ₹700. Road trip is approximately 4:50-6:50 hours, depending on traffic and weather. Also not to forget the game-changer! I mean, Delhi and Dehradun Expressway which was just inaugurated, and it has cut down the travel time of the previous 5–6 hours to about 2.5 hours. With the fast travelling times you can now travel to Dehradun by bus easily, quicker and less cost as compared to the earlier times. You can directly book your bus tickets from: https://www.redbus.in/bus-tickets/delhi-to-dehradun
https://www.makemytrip.com/bus/search/Delhi/Dehradun/
By Train: Other than bus, there are regular trains too for both Dehradun and Rishikesh which travel overnight to New Delhi. Train Tickets are readily available for booking in IRCTC Official Booking Portal: https://www.irctc.co.in/nget/train-search
By Air: If you are flying to Dehradun from Delhi than you will land at Jolly Grant Airport which is nearer to Rishikesh than the central area of Dehradun so coordinate with the TSS team to pick you up from Rishikesh.
Journey After Reaching Dehradun/Rishikesh
Day 1: Dehradun/Rishikesh to Govindghat/Joshimath | Drive Distance: 255 km | Drive Duration: 11-12 hours
Once you reach Dehradun or Rishikesh, the actual mountain journey begin. The TSS (The Searching Soul) team will pick you up early in the morning, exactly at 7:00 AM from Dehradun or 8:15 AM from Rishikesh This is a long but highly scenic mountain road trip. As you ascend, your vehicle will trace the path of the sacred Alaknanda River and by evening, you will reach Joshimath or Govindghat.
Day 2: Govindghat/Joshimath to Ghangaria Via Poolna | Trek: 10 km | Trek Duration: 5-6 hours | Altitude gain: 1,312 m
After a hearty breakfast on Day 2 , a short 4 km drive takes you to Poolna, which is the official trailhead where the motorized road ends. From Poolna, your 10 km trek officially begins. The trail is well-maintained and steadily ascends. Moving at a steady pace, you will reach Ghangaria by late afternoon. This peaceful village will serve as your base camp for the next three nights
Day 3: Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers and back |Trek Distance: 4 km to 8 km (One way) | Trek Duration: 10 hours| Altitude Gain: 609 m
Today is the most magical day of the adventure. The gates to the Valley of Flowers National Park open precisely at 9:00 AM, so you should aim to reach the Forest Department checkpoint by 8:45 AM. After getting your entry permits and crossing the stone signpost, the paved path disappears, and the valley opens up before you. Overnight camping is strictly prohibited inside the national park to protect its delicate ecosystem. You must pack your lunch, spend your time exploring, and start heading back to Ghangaria base camp by 5 PM
Day 4: Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib |Trek Distance: 6 km each way |Trek Duration: 10 hours| Altitude Gain: 3049 m
The trail from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib, the highest Gurudwara in the world, is a steep, physically challenging pilgrimage trail.. Due to the rapid altitude gain, the air becomes considerably thinner, so remember to pace yourself and use your trekking poles.
Day 5: Ghangaria to Joshimath via Govindghat |Trek Distance: 10 km |Trek Duration: 4 hours| Altitude Loss: 1,312 m
It is time to say goodbye to Ghangaria. As you will steps back down the valley toward Poolna. While the downhill walk is much easier on your lungs, it can place a continuous strain on your knees, so take short, careful steps.
Day 6: Joshimath to Dehradun/Rishikesh| Drive Distance: 255 km| Drive Duration: 9–10 hours
After an early breakfast, you will board your vehicle to head back down highways toward the plains. You can expect to arrive back in Rishikesh by 8:00 PM and Dehradun by 9:30 PM.
Planning Your Return to Delhi: Once you are dropped off in Dehradun or Rishikesh, catching your connection back to the Delhi is very easy.
