The four dhams, the alpine Valley of Flowers and the lake shrine of Hemkund Sahib, linked by road and three nights at Ghangaria. A journey for pilgrims who also love mountains in bloom.
High in the Bhyundar valley, a short walk from the village of Ghangaria, lies a glacial basin that bursts into colour every monsoon: the Valley of Flowers National Park, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site together with Nanda Devi. Hundreds of species of alpine flowers bloom here between July and September, with blue poppies, primulas, cobra lilies and countless others spreading across the meadows beside the Pushpawati stream.
Ghangaria is reached from Govindghat, just short of Badrinath, so the valley fits neatly onto the end of the Char Dham Yatra. The same base serves Hemkund Sahib, so this package includes both, with three nights at Ghangaria: one day for the valley, one for Hemkund. If flowers are not your priority and you only want Hemkund, the Char Dham with Hemkund Sahib plan is a day shorter.
Duration12 nights / 13 days
Start & endHaridwar or Rishikesh
ExtrasValley of Flowers + Hemkund Sahib
Ghangaria nights3
Peak bloomMid-July to August
Park seasonUsually June – October
Image space images/valley-of-flowers.jpg 800 × 600 pxValley of FlowersImage space images/hemkund-sahib.jpg 800 × 600 pxHemkund SahibImage space images/badrinath.jpg 800 × 600 pxBadrinathImage space images/gangotri.jpg 800 × 600 pxGangotri
Timing: the honest trade-off
Here is the difficulty every planner faces. The valley's flowers peak in July and August, exactly when the monsoon brings landslides to the Char Dham highways. The safest months for the dhams, May–June and mid-September to October, are either before the main bloom or as it fades. You need to pick a balance that suits you.
Travel window
Flowers
Char Dham roads
Our view
Early – mid June
Valley just opening, early blooms, snow patches
Good
Safe, but fewer flowers
Late June – early July
Bloom building up
Pre-monsoon, mostly fine
A good compromise
Mid-July – August
Peak bloom
Frequent landslides, delays
Only with spare days
September
Late flowers, golden grass
Improving after rains
Pleasant, quieter
If you are set on peak bloom, add two buffer days and consider doing the Char Dham earlier in the year, then returning just for the valley. Our best time to visit guide explains the seasons in more detail.
Price
Package
Duration
From, per person
Char Dham + Valley of Flowers + Hemkund
12N / 13D
₹28,500
Char Dham + Hemkund Sahib
11N / 12D
₹26,500
Char Dham only from Haridwar
9N / 10D
₹21,500
2027 estimates per person for four travellers sharing a vehicle, budget hotels. Valley of Flowers entry fees, ponies, porters, the Govindghat helicopter and all trek support are extra. Final price depends on dates, hotels and group size.
The Govindghat–Ghangaria helicopter costs about ₹4,500 one way (estimate, weather dependent). Inside the national park itself, there are no ponies; everyone walks.
Day-wise itinerary: 12 nights / 13 days
Day 1
Haridwar to Barkot
210 km7–8 hoursNight: Barkot
Leave Haridwar after breakfast and drive via Dehradun and Mussoorie into the Yamuna valley. Look out for terraced fields and small villages after Nainbagh. Overnight at Barkot.
Day 2
Yamunotri
45 km + 6 km trek each wayFull dayNight: Barkot
Walk, ride or take a palki 6 km from Janki Chatti to the temple. Prepare prasad in the Surya Kund and pray at the Divya Shila. Return to Barkot in the evening.
Day 3
Barkot to Uttarkashi
100 km4–5 hoursNight: Uttarkashi
An easy morning drive to the Bhagirathi. Visit the Kashi Vishwanath temple. Rest in the afternoon.
Day 4
Gangotri
100 km each wayFull dayNight: Uttarkashi
Drive past the Gangnani hot spring and Harsil to Gangotri. Take darshan and see Bhagirath Shila. Back to Uttarkashi for the night.
Day 5
Uttarkashi to Guptkashi
220 km8–9 hoursNight: Guptkashi
Cross via Tehri lake to the Mandakini valley. Arrive in the evening. Pack a small bag for Kedarnath.
Day 6
Kedarnath
30 km + 16 km trek7–9 hoursNight: Kedarnath
Sonprayag, the shared jeep to Gaurikund and the climb to the temple. IRCTC shuttle ticket holders fly from Phata, Sersi or Guptkashi. Evening aarti.
Day 7
Kedarnath to Guptkashi
16 km + 30 kmFull dayNight: Guptkashi
Early darshan and a walk to the Bhairavnath temple. Descend and drive to Guptkashi. Rest your legs for the treks ahead.
Day 8
Guptkashi to Badrinath
200 km8–9 hoursNight: Badrinath
Cross via Ukhimath and Chopta to the Alaknanda valley and up past Joshimath and Govindghat. Bathe in the Tapt Kund. Evening aarti at Badri Narayan.
Day 9
Badrinath darshan, trek to Ghangaria
28 km drive + about 10 km trekFull dayNight: Ghangaria
Take early-morning darshan, then drive down to Govindghat. A local vehicle covers the first stretch towards Pulna, and the trail climbs about 10 km beside the Lakshman Ganga to Ghangaria. Ponies, porters and, in good weather, the helicopter are options.
Day 10
Valley of Flowers
About 4 km to the valley, more inside6–8 hoursNight: Ghangaria
Enter the national park after paying the entry fee at the forest checkpost and climb to the valley floor. Walk as far as energy allows along the Pushpawati, stopping often for flowers and photographs. Carry lunch and water, as there are no shops inside, and be back by the park's closing time.
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Day 11
Hemkund Sahib
About 6 km each way6–8 hoursNight: Ghangaria
Start early on the steep path to Hemkund Sahib. Pay respects at the gurdwara and the Lakshman temple beside the lake. Descend to Ghangaria by afternoon.
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Day 12
Ghangaria to Joshimath
About 10 km trek + 25 km drive5–6 hoursNight: Joshimath
Walk down to Govindghat and meet your vehicle. Drive to Joshimath for a hot shower and rest. Visit the Narsingh temple if you have time.
Day 13
Joshimath to Haridwar
275 km9–10 hoursNight: Tour ends
An early start down the Alaknanda past the Prayag confluences and Rishikesh. Arrive in Haridwar in the evening. The tour ends here.
Inclusions
Included
12 nights' stay on twin or triple sharing, including 3 nights at Ghangaria
Breakfast and dinner daily
Private vehicle with hill driver, Haridwar to Haridwar
Fuel, tolls, parking and permits
Help with Char Dham and Hemkund registration
Phone and WhatsApp support
Not included
Valley of Flowers entry fee
Pony, palki, porter or helicopter at any trek
Sonprayag – Gaurikund jeep and Govindghat local vehicle
Lunch, puja and VIP darshan
Extra nights due to rain or landslides
Insurance and personal expenses
Tips for the valley
Wear waterproof trekking shoes; the valley trail has streams and mud in the monsoon.
A light rain poncho and a dry bag for your phone and camera are essential.
Do not pick flowers or leave the trail; it is a protected national park.
Overnight camping inside the valley is not allowed; everyone returns to Ghangaria.
Keep spare days for landslides between Joshimath and Haridwar.
Ask about the Hemkund Sahib helicopter if anyone in your group cannot manage the Govindghat–Ghangaria walk. The valley and Hemkund climbs still need walking or ponies.
For the rooms at Badrinath before the trek, read our Badrinath hotel guide. Travellers with less time can do just the Uttarakhand pilgrimage on the Char Dham from Delhi plan and return for the valley in a later monsoon, perhaps with an Auli tour.
How to book
Call or WhatsApp +91-99111 77951 with your dates and group.
Choose your window: early season, compromise or peak bloom with buffer days.
Get the plan and estimate, including Ghangaria rooms.
Pay the advance to confirm.
Register and travel with our support.
Char Dham with Valley of Flowers: FAQ
When is the best time to combine Char Dham and the Valley of Flowers?
Late June to early July is the best compromise: the valley is coming into bloom and the main monsoon has not yet hit the roads. Peak bloom is mid-July to August, but road delays are common then.
What is the cost?
From about ₹28,500 per person for four travellers on budget hotels, from Haridwar. Entry fees, ponies and helicopters are extra. This is a 2027 estimate.
Is Hemkund Sahib included?
Yes. The package has three nights at Ghangaria, with one day for the valley and one for Hemkund Sahib.
How hard is the Valley of Flowers walk?
Moderate. It is about 4 km from Ghangaria to the valley entrance area with a steady climb, and then gentle walking inside. Everyone walks; there are no ponies in the park.
Can we stay inside the Valley of Flowers?
No. Overnight stays are not permitted in the park. All visitors return to Ghangaria the same day.
Is the valley open in May?
Usually not. It typically opens in June and closes in October, with dates set by the forest department each year.
Do you book Kedarnath helicopter tickets?
No. Shuttle tickets are sold only on IRCTC HeliYatra after registration. We help you through the process and plan the days around your ticket.
