the journey
How to Reach Valley of Flowers
The route at a glance
Delhi → Haridwar / Rishikesh → Joshimath → Govindghat (road head) → Pulna (by shared jeep) → Ghangaria (trek, base camp) → Valley of Flowers (day trek). Nobody drives beyond Govindghat, so every visitor finishes the journey on foot, by mule or by helicopter.
| Leg | Distance | Mode | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi – Rishikesh | ~240 km | Train / bus / car | 6–7 hrs |
| Rishikesh – Govindghat | ~272 km | Bus / shared taxi | 10–12 hrs |
| Govindghat – Pulna | 5 km | Shared jeep | 15 min |
| Pulna – Ghangaria | ~9 km | Trek / mule / helicopter | 5–7 hrs |
| Ghangaria – Valley meadows | ~5 km one way | Trek | 2–3 hrs |
Distances along the trail come from the route data behind our interactive trek map, where you can trace each leg.
By air
The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (~290 km from Govindghat). Taxis and buses connect it to Rishikesh and onward. Seasonal helicopter services also run from Govindghat to Ghangaria, weather permitting.
By train
The nearest railheads are Rishikesh (Yog Nagari) and Haridwar. Overnight trains from Delhi reach Haridwar early morning, ideal for catching a bus towards Joshimath.
By road
Uttarakhand Transport and private buses leave Rishikesh early (4–6 am) for Joshimath and Govindghat along NH7 via Devprayag, Rudraprayag and Chamoli. Driving yourself? Park at Govindghat, as vehicles are not allowed further.
| Stop on the road | From Rishikesh | What is there |
|---|---|---|
| Devprayag | 73 km | Where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda become the Ganga |
| Srinagar | 106 km | Largest town on the route |
| Rudraprayag | 141 km | Confluence of the Alaknanda and Mandakini |
| Karnaprayag | 174 km | Confluence of the Alaknanda and Pindar |
| Chamoli | 204 km | District headquarters |
| Joshimath | 254 km | Last big town: ATMs, shops and hotels |
| Govindghat | 272 km | End of the road; the trek starts here |
The drive takes about 10 hours with stops. In the monsoon, landslides on this road, not the trail, are what delay most trips, which is why a spare day matters. Our best time to visit guide covers the road risk month by month.
On foot from Govindghat
A shared jeep covers the first 5 km from Govindghat to Pulna. From Pulna a stone-paved footpath climbs through Bhyundar to Ghangaria, about 9 km and 5 to 7 hours at an easy pace. Ghangaria is where everyone stays on the trek: camping and overnight stays inside the park are not allowed, so visitors walk up to the valley from Ghangaria and back the same day. The climb gains roughly 1,300 m from Govindghat, so read how high the Valley of Flowers is before you set off.
Helicopter option
Seasonal helicopter services operate between Govindghat and Ghangaria, weather permitting. They skip the 9 km climb from Pulna but not the final walk to the valley. Fares and the mule alternative are priced in the trek cost breakdown.
Tips
- Start early from Rishikesh; landslides can delay the road during the monsoon.
- Keep a buffer day for weather and road closures. Plan at least 5–6 days from Rishikesh in total.
- Last ATMs and reliable mobile networks are at Joshimath and Govindghat.
- Get your entry permit sorted before you reach the check-post. The permit guide explains the online and counter options.
Once you know how you are getting there, the trek guide turns the route into a day-by-day plan.
Frequently asked questions
Can you drive to Valley of Flowers?
Only up to Govindghat, the road head, and Pulna by shared jeep. The rest is on foot, by mule or by helicopter to Ghangaria.
How far is Govindghat from Rishikesh?
About 272 km by road, roughly 10 hours by bus or shared taxi. Joshimath, the last big town, is about 18 km before Govindghat.
What is the nearest railway station?
Rishikesh, followed by Haridwar.
What is the nearest airport?
Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, about 290 km from Govindghat.
How far is the walk from Govindghat to Ghangaria?
About 14 km in total. A shared jeep covers the first 5 km to Pulna, and the remaining 9 km to Ghangaria is a steady climb that takes most people 5 to 7 hours.
How many days do I need?
Plan at least 5 to 6 days from Rishikesh, including a buffer day for landslides and weather.
Where are the last ATMs?
At Joshimath and Govindghat. Carry enough cash for Ghangaria, where options are limited.
Is there a helicopter to Ghangaria?
Seasonal helicopter services run between Govindghat and Ghangaria, weather permitting. They skip the 9 km climb from Pulna but not the walk to the valley.