Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Trek with Badrinath

Your journey begins from Tapovan, Rishikesh, where we meet at 6:00 AM and start our scenic drive through the Garhwal mountains. This long yet mesmerizing journey takes you past Devprayag, Rudraprayag, and Karnaprayag—three of the five sacred confluences of the Alaknanda River. With the Ganges flowing alongside for much of the route and lush green hills framing the landscape, the drive itself feels like the beginning of the adventure. Upon reaching Joshimath, a quaint mountain town at around 6,150 ft, we check in to our guest house or homestay. After some rest, the evening is reserved for acclimatization and a briefing session about the upcoming trek, allowing everyone to adjust to the altitude and gear up for the trail for tomorrow.

After an early breakfast, we drive from Joshimath to Pulna, the starting point of the trek (a 1.5-hour drive). From here begins a 9 km uphill trek through a well-maintained trail that winds alongside the Pushpawati River and cuts through dense pine forests, wooden bridges, and small waterfalls. The path is gradual but constant, making it a good first day for trekkers of all levels. By afternoon, we reach Ghangariya, a peaceful village nestled in the hills and our base for the next few nights. At 10,520 ft, this tiny settlement offers simple lodges and hot meals—a comforting respite after a day’s hike. Spend the rest of the evening relaxing and soaking in the alpine air.

Today is the highlight of the trek, as we make our way to the Valley of Flowers National Park. After breakfast, we take the forest department checkpoint and begin trekking along a narrow path that gradually opens up into the valley. As you walk deeper into this high-altitude botanical wonderland, you’ll witness thousands of wildflowers in full bloom—blue poppies, cobra lilies, Himalayan orchids, and more—set against a dramatic backdrop of snow-covered peaks and gushing streams. The scent of wild blooms, the sound of silence, and the visual tapestry of colors make this a truly surreal experience. After spending quality time exploring the valley and clicking memories, we retrace our steps back to Ghangariya by late afternoon.

This is the toughest yet most spiritually rewarding day of the trek. We start early after breakfast and begin a steep 6 km ascent to Hemkund Sahib, the highest Gurudwara in the world. The trail is steep, stone-paved, and gains altitude quickly, so slow and steady wins the day. On reaching the top, the serene Hemkund Lake, flanked by misty mountains, leaves you speechless. Pilgrims take a holy dip in the freezing glacial waters while the melodious Gurbani chants echo in the thin mountain air. Just beside the Gurudwara stands the ancient Laxman Temple, adding to the spiritual energy of the place. After spending some time in reflection, prayer, or simply absorbing the grandeur, we descend back to Ghangariya before sunset

Post breakfast, we begin our descent with a lighter heart and legs. The 9 km trek down from Ghangariya to Pulna is relatively quicker and offers one last chance to walk through the same stunning route at a relaxed pace. Once we reach Pulna, our vehicles will be waiting to drive us 35 km to Badrinath, one of the most sacred Char Dham shrines of India. After a short visit and darshan at the Badrinath Temple, we begin our return journey and drive back to Joshimath by evening. The night is spent at the same homestay/guest house, reminiscing the journey over hot food and cheerful conversations.

After an early breakfast, we start our return drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh, retracing the same scenic route through the Garhwal Himalayas. We reach Tapovan, Rishikesh by around 5 PM, marking the end of a breathtaking journey filled with divine experiences, natural wonders, and unforgettable memories. Trip concludes here.