Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek Guide: Difficulty, Best Time, Cost & How to Prepare
Everything you need to know before the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek in Uttarakhand: how hard it is, when to go, how to train, what to pack and what it costs — from the team that runs it.
Why do the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
- A UNESCO World Heritage valley with hundreds of wildflower species
- Hemkund Sahib, a glacial lake and gurudwara at about 4,300 m
- Guesthouse stays throughout — no camping
- A naturalist-guide in the valley who knows what's blooming
- Season: June to early October (peak bloom mid-July to mid-August)
How difficult is the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
The Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek is graded moderate, covering about 38 km on foot and reaching about 3,650 m. Expect long, steep days and real altitude — it's best for trekkers with some experience and solid fitness.
Best time for the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek
The trek is at its best from June to September. See what each month is like on our treks in June page.
How to prepare for the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek
Start training 6–8 weeks before the trek. By departure you should be able to jog 5 km in under 30 minutes comfortably.
- Jog 5–7 km, four or five days a week
- Stair climbs or hill walks with an 8 kg backpack, twice a week
- Leg and core strength — squats, lunges, step-ups, planks — three days a week
- Two weekend hikes of 5–6 hours with a loaded backpack
- Break in your trekking shoes on at least three long walks before the trip
Altitude: above 3,000 m the air has noticeably less oxygen. Walk slowly, drink 3–4 litres of water a day, avoid alcohol, and tell your trek leader early about a headache, nausea or breathlessness. Read our altitude sickness guide.
Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek itinerary, day by day
- Day 1Rishikesh to Govindghat — About 270 km and 10–11 hours up the Alaknanda valley via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Joshimath.
- Day 2Govindghat to Ghangaria — About 4 km to the start of the trail.
- Day 3Valley of Flowers — Entry at the forest checkpost (the park opens around 7 am; last entry is around midday), then about 4 km into the valley.
- Day 4Hemkund Sahib — About 6 km and 4–5 hours up a steep stone path to Hemkund Sahib (about 4,300 m), a glacial lake with a Sikh gurudwara and a Lakshman temple on its shore.
- Day 5Ghangaria to Joshimath — About 10 km down to Pulna, then a jeep to Govindghat.
- Day 6Joshimath to Rishikesh — Reach Rishikesh between 6 and 8 pm.
Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek packing list
- ✓Trekking shoes with ankle support and a deep grip, broken in before the trip
- ✓40–60 L backpack with a rain cover, plus a small daypack if you offload
- ✓Three warm layers (fleece + padded/down jacket) — nights drop near or below 0 °C
- ✓Waterproof jacket or poncho and quick-dry trek pants (no jeans)
- ✓Thermal inner wear for the nights
- ✓Woollen cap, fleece gloves and 3 pairs of socks (1 woollen)
- ✓UV sunglasses, SPF 50 sunscreen and lip balm
- ✓Two 1 L water bottles (no single-use plastic on the trail)
- ✓Headlamp with spare batteries
- ✓Trekking pole (recommended; can be hired)
- ✓Personal medicines, plus Diamox only if your doctor advises it
- ✓Government photo ID — original and one photocopy (needed for forest permits)
- ✓Medical fitness certificate signed by a doctor (we send the format)
The full checklist: Himalayan trek packing list.
How to reach the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek
Our trip starts and ends at Dehradun Railway Station or Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun station has direct trains from Delhi (about 4.5 to 5 hrs on the fast services); Jolly Grant Airport is roughly 35 km away with flights from Delhi and other metros; Delhi is about 5 to 6 hrs by road.
Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek cost
Our 6-day Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek costs ₹8,909 per person (usually ₹12,900).
Included
- Shared tempo traveller from Rishikesh or Dehradun to Govindghat and back (pickup around 6 am on day 1)
- 5 nights in guesthouses: 1 in Govindghat, 3 in Ghangaria, 1 in Joshimath (shared rooms)
- All meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6
- Certified trek leader and a naturalist-guide in the valley
- Shared jeeps between Govindghat and Pulna both ways
- Valley of Flowers national-park entry permit
- First-aid kit, oxygen cylinder and pulse oximeter with the leader
Not included
- Travel to the pickup point and back home
- Backpack offloading (available as an add-on)
- Personal trekking gear — shoes, jackets, poles (can be hired as an add-on)
- Meals on the drive days before and after the trek, unless listed
- Travel insurance
- Anything personal: tips, snacks, bottled drinks, phone charging at tea shops
- Costs from weather, landslides or road closures that force a change of plan
- Ponies or palkis to Ghangaria or Hemkund Sahib (can be arranged on the spot)
Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek: questions trekkers ask
How difficult is the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
It's graded moderate, with about 38 km on foot over 6 days and a highest point of about 3,650 m. It needs good fitness, and some earlier trekking experience helps.
What is the best time for the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
June to September.
How much does the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek cost?
Our 6-day trip starts at ₹8,909 per person, including shared tempo traveller from rishikesh or dehradun to govindghat and back; 5 nights in guesthouses: 1 in govindghat, 3 in ghangaria, 1 in joshimath; all meals from dinner on day 1 to breakfast on day 6.
What is the maximum altitude of the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
About 3,650 m above sea level. Acclimatise slowly, drink plenty of water and tell your trek leader about any headache or nausea.
Can beginners do the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
It's not ideal as a first trek. Train for 6–8 weeks (aim to jog 5 km in under 30 minutes) and ideally do an easier trek first.
Where does the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek start?
Our trip starts and ends at Dehradun Railway Station or Jolly Grant Airport. Dehradun station has direct trains from Delhi (about 4.5 to 5 hrs on the fast services); Jolly Grant Airport is roughly 35 km away with flights from Delhi and other metros; Delhi is about 5 to 6 hrs by road.
Ready for the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahil Glacier Lake Trek?
Trek leader, permits, camps and meals handled — one enquiry, no payment until you confirm.