Best Time To Visit Valley of Flowers In Uttarakhand

Monsoon is the time of the year when the Himalayas receive heavy spells of rain. As a result, most destinations are closed. But the Valley Of Flowers is among those rare destinations open in monsoon. 

During the monsoon, the whole valley comes alive with its lush green meadows, vibrant flowers, and gushing water streams, which spread throughout the valley. Trekking to this picturesque valley offers you the thrill of walking among abundant blooming flowers. 

However, you might be wondering what is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers. 

To answer this question, I have thoroughly researched and interviewed numerous trekkers who have trekked to the Valley of Flowers. They shared their experiences, which I have discussed in the blog below, while answering the question. 

But before discussing best time to visit Valley Of Flowers, let’s first discuss why Valley Of Flowers is the best monsoon destination.

1. It is Unesco World Heritage Site

The Valley of Flowers was discovered in 1931 by Frank S. Smythe, Eric Shipton, and R.L. Holdsworth, all British mountaineers who were returning from a mountaineering expedition to Mt. Kamet. As soon as they reached the valley, they were stunned by the beautiful flowers spread throughout valley. They named it “Valley Of Flowers. 

Later 1982, the government made the Valley of Flowers a national park. Then, after various research in 2002, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Due to this, tourism accelerated in the valley and attracted tourists from around the globe.

The valley stretches over an area of 87.50 Km2 and is home to a variety of endemic alpine flowers and flora. As per government data, there are about 520 species of plants, of which 498 are flowering plants. 

Flowers like orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, daisies, etc., cover the whole valley in varied colours. The famous Brahma kamal, known for its medicinal properties, is also found in abundance in the valley. 

As the monsoon arrives, these flowering plants bloom in various shades, covering the length and breadth of the valley. Standing amidst such a valley, surrounded by scenic mountains, is a sight to behold and a lifetime experience for you. In addition it is also the best time to visit Valley of flowers. 

Apart from the plants and flowers, this rich valley is also home to rare and endangered animal species. Asian black bears, snow leopards, musk deer, brown bears, red foxes, and blue sheep are a few among them. 

The valley is also a hub for various endemic birds, including the Himalayan monal pheasant, Himalayan vulture, Blue-throated barbets, and Snow pigeons.

2. You can Visit to Hemkund Sahib and Badrinath

Visiting the picturesque valley is not the only reason you trek to the Valley of Flowers national park. This trek also offers you a splendid opportunity to see the sacred Hemkud Sahib Lake.

A beautiful and strenuous 6 km trek from Ghangaria take you to the pristine Hemkund Sahib Lake. Ghangaria is where the final trek begins. 

On reaching Hemkund Sahib, the calm lake and surrounding mountains amaze you with their beauty. Standing beside a crystal clear lake reflecting its surroundings makes you feel rejuvenated and full of gratitude. After a mystical experience, you can enjoy delicious food beside the lake at Gurudwara.

While returning from the trek, you can also visit the holy shrine of Badrinath. It is 25 km from Govindghat, which is the starting point of the trek. 

3. Offers Scenic Drive Through Panch Prayag

The journey from Haridwar to Joshimath is full of scenic views and thrill. This thrilling drive passes through the beautiful hills of the Gharwal Himalayas. Throughout the drive, you travel along sacred rivers, including the holy Ganga and Alaknanda. 

The drive also pass through the famous Panch Prayag- Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karnaparyag, Nandprayag and Vishnuprayag. Stop your vehicle at these prayags to see the magical confluence of the rivers. In addition, you come across various bustling hill towns in Uttarakhand.

4. It is Easy-Moderate-Grade Trek

The Valley of Flowers is not only known for its beauty but also for the easy-moderate level of the trek. This is the reason numerous trekkers do Valley of Flowers trek in moonson which is the best time to visit Valley Of Flowers.

The trail throughout the trek is well laid out and wide enough for two persons to cross easily. Hence, trekkers of all ages can do the trek.

Though this trail is easy to walk, there are a few steep sections. The trek from Ghangaria (9,600 ft) to Hemkund Sahib (14,107 ft) is a steep climb, but the view of Ghangaria below is worth the effort. It takes four days and 38 km to complete this trek.

The only thing you must worry about on the trek is the risk of Acute Mountain Sickness. During the trek, you gain significant height daily. So, to avoid the risk, prepare yourself well before the trek and follow the instructions of your guide.

5. Valley Of Flowers has Close Proximity to Delhi

Another reason why the Valley of Flowers is one of the best monsoon destinations is its easy accessibility. The base of the Valley of Flowers trek, Joshimath, is just 274 km from Haridwar and 490 Km from Delhi. 

Joshimath is well connected by road. You can easily find buses or share a taxi from Haridwar, Rishikesh, or Dehradun to Joshimath. 

If you travel from Delhi, you can take the train to Haridwar first. You can also take a flight to Dehradun. From here, you can travel by bus or shared taxis. The drive from Haridwar to Joshimath take approximately 9.5 hours.

6. Valley Of Flowers Trek Offers Thrilling Experience

Trekking in the monsoon or travelling to any destination in the Himalayas is rarely possible. But a destination like the Valley of Flowers offers a perfect opportunity to trek in the monsoon. In fact, it is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. 

Generally, as you start the trek, a drizzle with scenic lush green surroundings welcomes you into the valley. As you move deeper into the park, the gushing water streams, towering waterfalls, ancient bridges, and melting snow blocks thrill you.

After a thrilling adventure, you find yourself amidst hundreds of flower species blooming in various colours. These colourful flowers in the lush green valley with bright clouds floating make you feel like you are in heaven. This experience is truly magical.

With so much beauty and thrill, the Valley of Flowers is the best monsoon destination. You must visit this place once in a lifetime.

What is Best Time To Visit Valley Of Flowers?

After interviewing numerous trekkers and analyzing their feedback, I can conclude that the best time to visit Valley Of Flowers is from the last week of July to the second week of August. 

There are numerous reasons for this: 

• Flowers Blooming at Peak: During the last 10 days of July, the monsoon in the Himalayas picks up and goes on till the last week of August. Due to this, you get to see maximum flowers blooming in the valley between 20 July and 15 August. After 15 August, as the intensity of the rain gets lighter, the flowers in the valley also vanish. So, if you want to see flowers throughout the valley, time your trek around the last week of July or the first two weeks of August. It is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers National Park. 
• Less Crowd On Trail: As July and August are the starting months, there is far less crowd on the trail. You get heavy crowds only on weekends and after 15 August. 
• Badrinath Temple is empty: Due to the monsoon months, you hardly get to see the crowd at Badrinath Temple. This gives you the perfect opportunity to spend more time in the main temple and attend aarti without disturbance, which is not possible at other times.

Considering all three facts, you should plan your visit to Valley of Flowers between 20 July and 15 August. To be more precise, plan for the first two weeks of August as it is the best time to visit Valley Of Flowers Uttarakhand. 

But now you must be wondering what about the early July and September months. Isn’t it worth visiting Valley of Flowers during this time? Isn’t it the best time to visit Valley of Flowers? 

Let’s discuss this in detail. 

Valley Of Flowers in July

The first week of July marks the onset of the monsoon in north India. Hence, during the first two weeks of July, the valley of flowers is lush green with few flowers blooming. 

Although there are fewer flowers during this time, the greenery in Valley Of Flowers is at its peak. You won’t miss the flowers. It is a picturesque sight. In addition, there is very little crowd on the trail, which helps you enjoy the trek even more. 

The crowd is less in the first two weeks of July, as these are the opening months of Valley Of Flowers. 

Furthermore, as it is the start of the monsoon season, the rain spells are also less, which makes it much easier to go on the Valley Of Flowers trek. 

So, if you are someone who likes fewer crowds on the trail and doesn’t bother much about flowers, the first week of July is the best time to visit Valley Of Flowers. 

Valley Of Flowers in September

During September, the flowers in the valley vanish almost completely due to the receding monsoon. However, the Valley of Flowers is still lush green, attracting numerous trekkers. 

Besides, the crowd on the trek increases significantly as more people visit the holy shrine of Hemkund Sahib. The large crowd and fading flowers are the two reasons September is not the best time to visit the Valley Of Flowers.

So, what is the best thing about September? Low rain. As weather in Valley Of Flowers changes during September due to receding monsoon, the valley receives few spells of rain. Hence, it’s a bonus to visit Valley Of Flowers in September. 

FAQ related to Best Time to Visit Valley of Flowers 

Final Words

Visiting the Valley Of Flowers is one thing, and witnessing the valley full of blooming flowers is another. Hence, it’s important you perfectly time your visit to the Valley of Flowers National Park. 

The best time to visit Valley of Flowers is between 20 July and 15 August. At this time, flowers in the valley bloom in abundance, and the crowd are far less. 

So, now that you know the best time to visit Valley of Flowers, plan your trek and enjoy the thrill of visiting the Valley of Flowers this monsoon. 

If you have anything to share about Valley of Flowers, do comment.