4-Day Valley of Flowers Itinerary in August 2023

1. Day 1: Valley of Flowers National Park
   3-hour drive from Haridwar
   Estimated time and distance from last location: 3 hours (122 km)

   Start your Valley of Flowers tour with a visit to the National Park. The park is open from June to October. The park is a natural wonder full of numerous species of wildflowers such as Himalayan Bellflower, Himalayan Blue Poppy, and Himalayan Cobra Lily. There are also several animal species like Himalayan black bear, snow leopard, and musk deer. You can take a guided trek to reach the valley and enjoy the views of the surrounding mountains.

2. Day 2: Hemkund Sahib
   2-hour drive from Valley of Flowers National Park
   Estimated time and distance from last location: 2 hours (20 km)

   Visit the Hemkund Sahib, a Sikh shrine situated near the Hemkund lake. The lake is surrounded by seven snow-capped mountains and is considered a sacred place for both Sikhs and Hindus. The best time to visit is in the morning when the atmosphere is peaceful and serene. You can take a dip in the cold water of the lake and explore the Gurudwara and the adjoining Lakshman temple.

3. Day 3: Badrinath Temple
   3-hour drive from Hemkund Sahib
   Estimated time and distance from last location: 3 hours (157 km)

   Badrinath Temple is one of the four sacred shrines in India and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. The temple is surrounded by snow-capped mountains and the Alaknanda river flows beside it. The temple is open from April to November. You can take a dip in the Tapt Kund, a natural hot spring, before visiting the temple. The temple also offers a mesmerizing view of the Neelkanth mountain peak.

4. Day 4: Auli
   1-hour drive from Badrinath Temple
   Estimated time and distance from last location: 1 hour (53.2 km)

   End your trip with a visit to Auli. Auli is a popular skiing destination in India and is surrounded by coniferous and oak forests. The best time to visit is from November to March when the snowfall is at its peak. You can take a cable car ride to reach the top and enjoy the panoramic view of the Himalayas. You can also indulge in skiing, trekking, and camping.

Recommendations

If you have extra time, you can also consider visiting the Mana village, the last village of India on the Indo-China border. You can take a guided trek to the Vasudhara Falls or the Satopanth Lake. You can also visit the Kedarnath Temple, one of the twelve Jyotirlings of Lord Shiva.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Valley of Flowers National Park (4-5 hours, INR 1500 per person)
• Hemkund Sahib (3-4 hours, INR 500 per person)
• Badrinath Temple (3-4 hours, INR 200 per person)
• Auli (6-7 hours, INR 500 per person)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 2700 per person