When to visit›Uttarakhand›Valley of Flowers›December
Valley of Flowers in December: mostly shut — here's what's open
Closed in December.
Valley of Flowers is shut in December; this page is for planning the trip around when it reopens. In December nights usually drop below freezing and snow can shut roads. Stays run about 30% below the usual rate this month.
The next season opens in July, 7 months away. It reopens in June, 6 months away. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The next mild, dry spell usually starts in March, 3 months away.
Valley of Flowers is closed in December
The Valley of Flowers is open 1 June to 31 October (entry 7 am to 2 pm, out by 5 pm) and Hemkund Sahib from late May to about 10 October; Ghangaria, the only place to stay, closes with them. The way in is on foot: about 10 km from Pulna, 4 km past Govindghat, up to Ghangaria.
December weather & what it actually feels like
Dec: Deep winter — heavy snowfall, sub-zero nights, and high passes under snow.
What a day in Valley of Flowers looks like
The things most people actually do here, by time of day.
Morning
- Pulna to Ghangaria trek (about 10 km)6h · strenuous
- Valley of Flowers walk from Ghangaria (4 km each way)7h · strenuous
About 13h of activity in total — the planner spreads this across your days and fits travel time around it.
What a December trip costs · 3 days, total for two
Budget
₹8,251 for two
- Stay · 2n₹2,499
- Food₹3,120
- Local + entry₹2,050
- Buffer₹582
Mid-range
₹17,799 for two
- Stay · 2n₹4,410
- Food₹7,200
- Local + entry₹4,900
- Buffer₹1,289
December multiplier already applied (0.70× on stays). Covers stay with GST, food, local transport, entry & activities, 8% buffer for two people sharing one room — the same figures the planner opens on. Excludes travel to Valley of Flowers. How we price this
Getting to Valley of Flowers
Usually the biggest line in the budget — and the one the estimate above leaves out.
Rishikesh → Govindghat
cab · 10h
₹5,900
1 way / person
Rishikesh → Joshimath
bus · 10h
₹350
1 way / person
Cheapest listed route is Rishikesh → Joshimath by bus. Return for two works out to about ₹1,400 — so a whole trip lands near ₹9,651 for two, travel included.
Fares are typical one-way estimates per person from Valley of Flowers's common gateways, not live prices — book early and expect festival months to run higher.
Every month, scored
What you’ll actually do in Valley of Flowers
Worth knowing for when you do go — several of these are unavailable in December.
- Valley of Flowers walk (4 km from Ghangaria)
- Hemkund Sahib gurdwara and glacial lake (6 km climb)
- Pulna–Ghangaria trail (about 10 km)
- Ghangaria, the base village
- Govindghat gurdwara on the Alaknanda
- Badrinath and Mana up the road from Govindghat
- UNESCO World Heritage Site with Nanda Devi
Not in December: Monsoon alpine blooms, peak July–August.
Within reach: Ghangaria · Hemkund Sahib · Govindghat · Badrinath · Joshimath.
Packing for December
- Thermals, a down jacket, gloves and a cap — nights drop below freezing.
- Sunglasses and strong sunscreen: the sun is harsh at altitude even when it is cold.
- Walking shoes with grip and a power bank — charging points and signal are patchy on hill roads.
December questions, answered
Is December a good time to visit Valley of Flowers?
No — Valley of Flowers is closed in December. The Valley of Flowers is open 1 June to 31 October (entry 7 am to 2 pm, out by 5 pm) and Hemkund Sahib from late May to about 10 October; Ghangaria, the only place to stay, closes with them. The way in is on foot: about 10 km from Pulna, 4 km past Govindghat, up to Ghangaria.
How much does a trip to Valley of Flowers cost in December?
A typical 3-day trip for two costs from ₹8,251 (budget) to ₹17,799 (mid-range), excluding travel to Valley of Flowers. Seasonally adjusted for December.
When is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers?
The best months are July, August, June. From December: The next season opens in July, 7 months away. It reopens in June, 6 months away. The rains usually arrive in July, 7 months away. The next mild, dry spell usually starts in March, 3 months away.
What is there to do in Valley of Flowers?
Valley of Flowers walk (4 km from Ghangaria). Hemkund Sahib gurdwara and glacial lake (6 km climb). Pulna–Ghangaria trail (about 10 km). Ghangaria, the base village. Govindghat gurdwara on the Alaknanda. Badrinath and Mana up the road from Govindghat. Rishikesh is the nearest railhead, 275 km away.
Is Valley of Flowers open in December?
The Valley of Flowers is open 1 June to 31 October (entry 7 am to 2 pm, out by 5 pm) and Hemkund Sahib from late May to about 10 October; Ghangaria, the only place to stay, closes with them. The way in is on foot: about 10 km from Pulna, 4 km past Govindghat, up to Ghangaria.
Part of a longer route
Most people visit Valley of Flowers as one stop of several.
Nearby, same trip
Elsewhere in India in December
Instead in season this month, from Tourisma's ranking of all 238 destinations for December.
- North Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹16,618 for two, 4 days
- Rann of Kutch · Gujarat · from ₹5,335 for two, 2 days
- Konark Sun Temple · Odisha · from ₹4,708 for two, 2 days
- Kohima · Nagaland · from ₹5,530 for two, 2 days
- South Goa Beaches · Goa · from ₹11,734 for two, 4 days
- Pelling · Sikkim · from ₹4,514 for two, 2 days
- Gangtok · Sikkim · from ₹9,916 for two, 3 days
- Kisama (Hornbill Festival) · Nagaland · from ₹7,593 for two, 2 days
Want this as a real plan?
Valley of Flowers in December, priced for your group, dawn-starts built in — about 40 seconds.