I am taking my kids and wife to the Valley Of Flowers which is in Uttarakhand, and we will be traveling from Delhi. I am a night time driver and need to know how I would reach the destination. Some aspects to take into consideration are: The route to be taken from Delhi to Valley of Flowers? The road condition (remember I would be traveling at night) How safe is it driving on this route from Delhi? Would you suggest taking any other mode of transport instead driving there?
I was there on 23 Aug 2016. Almost rare spices, except some general flowers, were dead. Even there were more flowers towards Hemkund trek instead of VOF.
Hi there, welcome to the forum! There are two routes that you can take to reach the Valley of Flowers from Delhi. Both of these routes only reach up to Govind Ghat. From Govind Ghat, you need to reach the Valley of Flowers by foot, on a 17 kilometres trek. Route No. 1 via Haridwar - Delhi > Meerut > Haridwar > Rishikesh > Devaprayag > Srinagar > Rudrapayag > Joshimath > Govind Ghat. This route is about 517 kilometers long. It is recommended that you take a night halt in Rishikesh since vehicles are not allowed on the roads after 8:00 pm, during off-season and only up to 12:00 pm during peak season. From Delhi to Meerut, road conditions are good. There's a small stretch of roads between Ghaziabad to Meerut where the roads are a bit problematic but it's not bad. You can reach Meerut in about 3 hours or less for this stretch. From Meerut to Haridwar, road conditions are okay. However, from Muzaffarnagar to Haridwar, the single lane highway can be an issue. You would need to change lanes most of the time as well due to the trucks obstructing the way. Just be careful with this stretch and make sure there's no vehicle approaching before you overtake. You can reach Haridwar in about three hours or less. From Haridwar to Rishikesh, roads are in good condition. You can reach Rishikesh from Haridwar in about 40 minutes. As mentioned, do consider staying the night at Rishikesh. If not, just be careful on continuing on with your journey as most shops close by 8:00 pm during off-peak season. From Rishikesh to Devaprayag, roads are in okay condition. But the same cannot be said if you're travelling during the monsoon season, as the roads can get blocked due to landslides. The distance is about 72 kilometres which can take 2 hours or more to cover. From Devaprayag to Govind Ghat, again, road conditions depend on the weather. If it's raining, landslides are common which can lead to road blocks. This is about 270 kilometres long so it can take around 7 to 8 hours to cover. Route No. 2 via Haldwani - Delhi > Ghaziabad > Moradabad > Rudrapur > Haldwani > Raniket > Karnaprayag > Joshimath > Govind Ghat. This route is about 600 kilometres long. From Delhi to Moradabad, road conditions are good. There are some diversions but you can easily pass through them. This is about 166 kilometres long and can take around 3 hours or more to cover. From Moradabad to Rudrapur, road conditions are not that good. You'd encounter some bad patches along with craters. Be careful on this stretch. The route also has many trucks so that slows the journey as well. This is about 72 kilometres and can take around 2 hours to cover. From Rudrapur to Haldwani, roads are good but teeming with traffic. This is just 52 kilometres long but the traffic can slow you down. So expect journey time to be around an hour or two. From Haldwani to Joshimath, road conditions are good. This route also experiences less landslide and less traffic as compared to the first route. This is about 299 kilometres long and can take you 10 hours to cover that distance. Joshimath to Govind Ghat is just 20.7 kilometres away and the roads are in an okay condition. I would suggest taking the second route as it has safer road conditions. Aside from that, since you're driving at night time, you cannot take the first route which has some roads closed after a set time. This route is safer than the first route although it is also longer. But since your safety is the number one concern, then just choose this route. It doesn't have as much landslides unlike the first route even on monsoon season. Traffic is also considerably less in this route. I would suggest just bring your own car. If you're not an experienced driver for these terrains, then you can just hire a driver. However, I still believe that it's safer to bring your own car and drive these terrains yourself. The route itself isn't that bad but you might get a bit tired towards the end of the journey. That's why it's recommended to have a stopover in between the journey. Bus and train journey are doable for this route but the frequency of jeeps from Rishikesh to Joshimath can be low. I hope this helps!
Tar Road is available now from Govind Ghat to Pulna (length 3+ kms). Trek length from Pulna to Ghangria is 14 kms.
Traveling to the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand from Delhi can be an adventurous and scenic road trip. Here's a guide to help you plan your journey: 1. Route from Delhi to Valley of Flowers: The most common route from Delhi to the Valley of Flowers involves driving to Joshimath, which is the base camp for the trek to the Valley of Flowers. Here's the route: Delhi → Haridwar → Rishikesh → Devprayag → Srinagar → Rudraprayag → Karnaprayag → Chamoli → Joshimath 2. Road Condition: The road conditions can vary, especially in hilly regions. The roads from Delhi to Joshimath are well-maintained for the most part, but there may be some stretches with narrow and winding roads, especially after reaching the Chamoli district. Driving at night in hilly areas can be challenging due to reduced visibility and the presence of sharp turns. It's recommended to drive during daylight hours when visibility is better. 3. Safety: Safety is a top priority. While driving in Uttarakhand, it's essential to: Ensure your vehicle is in good condition and well-maintained for a long journey. Drive cautiously, especially on hilly roads, and follow all traffic rules. Be prepared for sudden weather changes, as mountainous areas can experience rain or fog. Avoid driving during the night in the hilly regions, as visibility may be limited, and road conditions can be challenging. 4. Alternative Modes of Transport: If you prefer not to drive or are concerned about night driving in hilly areas, there are alternative modes of transport: Train: You can take a train from Delhi to Haridwar or Rishikesh and then hire a taxi or take a bus to Joshimath. Bus: Overnight buses are available from Delhi to Rishikesh, from where you can continue your journey to Joshimath. Flights: You can book a flight to the nearest airport, Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, and then travel by road to Joshimath. Keep in mind that the Valley of Flowers is accessible only during certain months of the year, typically from June to September, when the weather is favorable, and the valley is in full bloom. Before embarking on your trip, check the current road conditions, weather forecasts, and any travel advisories for the region. Ultimately, the choice between driving and alternative modes of transport depends on your comfort level with night driving, road conditions, and personal preferences. Prioritize safety and plan your journey accordingly to make the most of your trip to the Valley of Flowers with your family.
