Travel Day
Rishikesh Local
Rishikesh
✨ 6 trips
About this circuit
The highlight of the trip — a full day in the UNESCO World Heritage Valley of Flowers (3,600m). The 5 km walk from Ghangaria enters a valley carpeted in over 600 species of wildflowers: brahma kamal, blue poppy, cobra lily, and dozens of medicinal plants. The valley was discovered by British mountaineer Frank Smythe in 1931, who couldn't believe what he was seeing. In peak bloom (late July-August), the colours are psychedelic. Glacial streams wind between flower beds as snow peaks tower above.
Top sightseeing on this day
- Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram With Its Psychedelic Street Art)
- UNESCO World Heritage Valley
- Joshimath
- Devprayag
Photos
More ways to spend this day (6 variations)
Real day content drawn from past HimachalWale trips. We pick the variation that fits your theme — family, honeymoon, adventure, leisure or corporate.
Arrival in Rishikesh — Ganga Aarti
Arrive at Dehradun airport and transfer to Rishikesh (45 min). Settle into your riverside ashram or hotel in Tapovan. Afternoon walk across Laxman Jhula suspension bridge, explore the Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram with its psychedelic street art), and browse the yoga supply shops. Evening attend the Ganga Aarti at Triveni Ghat — hundreds of oil lamps floating on the Ganges as priests chant ancient hymns. The spiritual energy is palpable.
Sightseeing: Beatles Ashram (Maharishi Mahesh Yogi Ashram With Its Psychedelic Street Art)
White Water Rafting & Drive to Joshimath
Morning white-water rafting on the Ganges — 16 km of Grade III-IV rapids through forested gorges. The rapids have dramatic names: Roller Coaster, Golf Course, Club House. After lunch, begin the drive to Joshimath (250 km, 8 hours). The road follows the Alaknanda River through deep valleys, past the confluence at Devprayag where the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda merge to form the Ganges. Overnight in Joshimath, the winter seat of Badrinath.
Joshimath to Ghangaria
Drive to Govindghat (25 km) and begin the 13 km trek to Ghangaria (3,049m). The trail follows the roaring Pushpawati River through birch and rhododendron forests. The path is well-maintained but gains 1,000 metres of elevation. Ghangaria is a tiny settlement that serves as base camp for both the Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. Hot dinner and early night in preparation for tomorrow's flower walk.
Departure from Rishikesh
Trips that include Rishikesh Local
Curated multi-day packages where this circuit appears as one of the days.
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