Should I visit Hemkund Sahib before Valley of Flowers?

Yes, doing Hemkund Sahib first is often recommended. It’s a tougher trek, and completing it first allows you to enjoy the easier Valley of Flowers trail more fully the next day. We personally felt stronger and more focused starting with Hemkund.

Is Hemkund Sahib trek difficult for first-time trekkers?

Hemkund Sahib is a steep high-altitude trek. If you’re a first-time trekker, it’s doable but challenging. We took frequent breaks and hydrated well. It helped that we mentally prepared for altitude gain. A walking stick is a lifesaver!

What is the entry fee for Valley of Flowers in 2025?

As of 2025, the entry fee to Valley of Flowers is ₹200 for Indian nationals. Entry is allowed from 7 AM to 12 noon, so plan to start early from Ghangaria. We paid this fee at the forest gate directly before entering the trail.

Can I do Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers without a guide?

Absolutely. We did the entire trek DIY-style without a guide. Routes are well-marked and there are fellow trekkers along the way. That said, planning the right order (like we explain in the blog) can make your experience smoother.

How to reach Hemkund Sahib from Rishikesh?

From Rishikesh, take a local bus or shared taxi to Govind Ghat. From there, go to Pulna and begin the trek to Ghangaria. Hemkund Sahib is a steep 6 km trek from Ghangaria. We reached via local bus and started early to avoid rush.

What should I carry for Hemkund Sahib trek?

Carry a rain poncho, thermal layers, good trekking shoes, basic medical kit, and lots of water. Oxygen drops helped us during the Hemkund climb. We also carried dry fruits, energy bars, and reusable bottles to avoid plastic waste.

What is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers and Hemkund?

Mid-July to mid-August is peak bloom season for Valley of Flowers. We went in early August and saw the best of nature and manageable crowds. Hemkund Sahib is open mid-June to October, but it’s best to go when the weather is clear.

Valley of Flowers or Hemkund First? What We Did & Why It Mattered

Himalayan Inc
Jun 4
3 min read

The morning we were supposed to start the trek, my partner asked me a question that I didn’t have an answer to:“Should we do Hemkund Sahib first or Valley of Flowers?”

I froze. The clouds were heavy, the tea was too hot, and the Ghangaria trails were beginning to fill with footsteps and quiet prayers. That decision—one that seems so small in theory—shaped our entire journey.

This wasn’t a group tour, there was no guide to tell us “best practices.” Just the two of us, our rucksacks, and a feeling that we were about to walk into something much bigger than a checklist.

In this article, you’ll learn:

The real difference between Hemkund Sahib and Valley of Flowers
Why your order of visiting matters more than you think
DIY route tips to avoid crowd, stress, and burnout
Practical budget-saving moves no one told us
Personal insights from a mid-August trek during peak bloom

Trek Valley of Flowers: Breathtaking Blooms & Hidden Trails Await

Why We Chose Hemkund First—and Why You Might Too

Let me get this out of the way: Hemkund is not an easy trek. It's a 6 km one-way stretch that gains over 1,300 meters in elevation. We’re talking about steep, continuous climbs. No chill zones. The air thins out, your breath shortens, and your legs question every life choice you’ve made.

But here’s what most people won’t tell you: doing Hemkund Sahib first prepares you mentally and physically. It’s the harder of the two trails, and if you attempt it second—after already doing Valley of Flowers—you might run low on energy, motivation, or even time.

And then there's the emotional weight.

Hemkund Sahib isn’t just a trek. It’s a pilgrimage. The stillness of the lake, the sound of Granthi Sahib’s recitation, and the way cold wind brushes your face like it’s trying to wake your soul—that moment did something to us. I still can’t fully explain it.

📖 “In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.” – Albert Einstein

Then Came the Valley of Flowers… And Wow

We did Valley of Flowers the next day. It felt like the universe was rewarding us.

Imagine walking into a wide-open valley where over 600 species of flowers bloom as far as your eyes can see. Some taller than you. Some brushing against your calves as if whispering secrets. We crossed Pushpawati River early morning, entered before the crowd, and for the first 40 minutes, it was just us and the dew.

Entry to the valley costs ₹200 now (earlier ₹150). It's open from 7AM to 12PM only, so timing is everything. We started around 6:30 from Ghangaria, reached the gate by 7, and by 10, we were deep inside, surrounded by blues, pinks, and the faint roar of the Gauri Parvat glaciers.

We didn’t rush. No Instagram Live. No drone shots. Just a small prayer, lots of laughter, and a moment of silence near the riverbed.

Our Actual Route (That You Can Follow Too)

Here’s how we managed the trip DIY-style, without a guide, and still made it under ₹10,000 per person:

🚌 Delhi to Rishikesh – ₹500 (Volvo)
🚍 Rishikesh to Govind Ghat – ₹550 (local bus)
🚖 Shared taxi to Pulna – ₹50 (8-seater)
🥾 Trek to Ghangaria – 9 km
🛌 Stay at Ghangaria – ₹2,500 total (2N for 2 pax)
🙏 Day 1 – Hemkund Sahib (6 km up, 6 km down)
🌸 Day 2 – Valley of Flowers (4 km in, 4 km out)
🐎 Exit on pony – ₹500 (Ghangaria to Pulna)

FYI: Helicopter rides are available between Govind Ghat and Ghangaria (₹6,000 round trip) if you're short on time or can’t do the trek.

Sources for this route and price confirmation:

Uttarakhand Tourism Official Website
Real-time updates from fellow trekkers on IndiaHikes, Tripoto, and Reddit forums

What This Trek Taught Us (Beyond Trekking)

This wasn’t just a mountain walk. This was a conversation—between me, my partner, and nature. We had more real conversations here than in months of living together. We also learned that:

Hemkund isn't just about altitude, it’s about attitude.
Valley of Flowers teaches you to pause, not pose.
You don’t need luxury to find peace—just a solid pair of shoes and time.

If you’re reading this wondering, "Should I do Hemkund or Valley of Flowers first?"—ask yourself:Do you want to earn the flowers, or end your journey with ease?

Both choices are valid. Ours just happened to change something inside us.