Exploring the Valley of Flowers

1. Day 1: Arrive in Joshimath
   From Jolly Grant Airport to Joshimath: 9 hours (290 km)

   Upon arrival at Jolly Grant Airport, hire a taxi and head towards Joshimath. En route, you can visit Devprayag, Rudraprayag, Karanprayag, and Nandprayag, which are the five sacred confluences of the Alaknanda River. Upon arrival at Joshimath, check-in at the hotel, and relax for the rest of the day.

2. Day 2: Govindghat and Ghangaria
   From Joshimath to Govindghat: 1 hour (20 km)
   From Govindghat to Ghangaria: 4-6 hours (13 km trek)

   Start early in the morning and head towards Govindghat. From there, start your trek to Ghangaria, which is a small village located at the base camp of the Valley of Flowers. The trek is around 13 km and passes through the scenic beauty of the Himalayas. Upon arrival, check-in at the hotel, and relax.

3. Day 3: Valley of Flowers
   From Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers: 3-4 hours (5 km trek)

   Get up early in the morning, have breakfast, and start your trek towards the Valley of Flowers. The trek passes through the beautiful Himalayan flora, including rare flowers, herbs, and shrubs. Spend the day exploring the valley and capturing the beauty of nature in your camera. Return to Ghangaria in the evening and relax.

4. Day 4: Hemkund Sahib
   From Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib: 6-8 hours (6 km trek)

   Start early in the morning and trek towards Hemkund Sahib, which is a Sikh shrine located at the height of 4,632 meters above sea level. The trek is steep and passes through the scenic beauty of the Himalayas. Upon arrival, take a dip in the holy lake and seek blessings at the shrine. Return to Ghangaria in the evening and relax.

Recommendations

If you have an extra day, you can visit Auli, which is a famous skiing destination located at a distance of 16 km from Joshimath. You can also visit Badrinath, which is a famous Hindu pilgrimage site located at a distance of 43 km from Joshimath.

To maximize your fun, make sure to carry warm clothes, comfortable shoes, and a good camera. Don't forget to try local cuisine, including Garhwali dishes and tea. Also, carry a water bottle, sunscreen, and first aid kit during the trek.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Jolly Grant Airport to Joshimath (9 hours, INR 5,000)
• Govindghat to Ghangaria trek (4-6 hours, INR 600)
• Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers trek (3-4 hours, INR 600)
• Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib trek (6-8 hours, INR 600)
• Hotel stay for 3 nights (INR 6,000)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 12,800

Check here for hotel and flight prices.