Uttarakhand Valley of Flowers & Rishikesh

From the ghats of Rishikesh to the Valley of Flowers — a UNESCO World Heritage trek that's only accessible for three months a year (July-September). The valley sits at 3,658m in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand: a glacial valley where over 600 species of wildflower bloom simultaneously during the monsoon — Himalayan blue poppies, cobra lilies, and primulas in colours that look artificially saturated but aren't. The trek starts from Govindghat (which you reach via Rishikesh and Joshimath) and is moderate in difficulty but high in reward. The Rishikesh portion adds the spiritual dimension: morning aarti at the ghats, the Ram Jhula bridge at sunset, and the particular energy of a town that's been a spiritual centre for thousands of years.