Valley of Flowers & Hemkund Sahib Trek: Best Season and Permit Guide

The Valley of Flowers National Park and the Hemkund Sahib gurudwara are usually done together as a single trip from Govindghat, and timing this one right matters more than almost any other Himalayan trek.

Trek difficulty and duration The trek to Ghangaria (the base for both) is around 9–10 km from Govindghat, doable in a day at a moderate pace. From there, the Valley of Flowers is a further 3–4 km each way (a day trip, since overnight stays inside the park aren't permitted), and Hemkund Sahib is a steeper 6 km climb to over 4,300 metres.

Best months — the bloom season The park is open only from roughly June to early October, and the flowers are at their fullest through late July and August, right in the monsoon window — which also means trails can be slippery and leeches are common, so pack accordingly.

Permits and forest entry Entry to the Valley of Flowers National Park requires a forest permit and fee, arranged at the Ghangaria entry point, along with a valid photo ID. Group sizes and daily entry can be regulated by the forest department, so it's worth checking current rules close to your travel date.

Combining both treks Most travellers base themselves in Ghangaria for two nights — one day for the Valley of Flowers, one for Hemkund Sahib — since attempting both in a single day is a long, tiring push at this altitude.

We don't currently run a fixed Valley of Flowers itinerary, but if a moderate Himalayan trek with small-group support is what you're after, browse our trekking tours or ask us about a custom Govindghat departure.