Uttarakhand Trail Trek & Camp 6N 7D

What does this trek and camp route cover?

This trip covers two nights at a riverside camp near Rishikesh for rafting and camp craft, followed by a move into the Garhwal hills for the Valley of Flowers trek. A buffer day is built in for weather and road delays.

• Rishikesh river rafting on the Ganga, with Class III and IV rapids on named stretches such as The Wall and Golf Course
• Valley of Flowers trek, a seasonal high-altitude walk in the Garhwal region
• Riverside tented camp near Rishikesh for the first two nights
• Standard 3-4 star hill hotels or trekker lodges on the road legs
• Certified trek leader, camp crew and support vehicle through the itinerary

Travellers comparing departures and durations can look through the wider Uttarakhand tour packages listing before choosing a date.

Trail days and camps

Trail days on this route are two full walking days on the Valley of Flowers section, plus a short acclimatisation walk of 4-5 km near Rishikesh. Daily distance and total ascent for the Valley of Flowers days are to be confirmed at booking, because they depend on where the night halt is set.

• Riverside camp (Days 1-2): twin-share tents on a flat site near the Ganga, with a dining tent, shared washrooms and drinking water arranged by the camp crew.
• Trailhead lodge (Day 3): a standard hill hotel or trekker lodge, twin sharing, with attached or shared bathrooms depending on the lodge. Confirm at booking.
• Night halt on the trek (Day 4): a trekker lodge or tented camp depending on the halt point. Toilet facilities on the trail sections are basic.
• Road legs (Days 5-6): standard 3-4 star hotels in the hills and in Rishikesh.

Water on trek days comes from bottled or boiled supplies carried or arranged by the crew. Carry a 1-litre reusable bottle and purification tablets as backup.

Who this trip is for

This trip suits adults in reasonable health who can walk 8-12 km in a day at moderate altitude with a light daypack. Previous trekking experience helps but is not mandatory; regular brisk walking or stair practice for four to six weeks before departure is the minimum preparation.

• Choose this route if you want a first Himalayan trek with guides, tents and meals handled for you.
• Minimum age, upper age limit and any health declaration are confirmed at booking.
• If you have heart, lung or knee problems, or have never walked more than a few kilometres at a stretch, pick an easier route or speak to us first.
• Families with young children should check the age rules before booking.

What you will do on this trip

Six activities make up the core of this itinerary, mixing river and mountain work across seven days.

• Raft the Ganga near Rishikesh on stretches with Class III and IV rapids, with safety gear and a trained guide
• Sleep in a riverside tented camp and learn the camp routine on Days 1 and 2
• Walk a 4-5 km acclimatisation trail through forest near Rishikesh
• Trek the Valley of Flowers route over two full walking days
• Walk through the high-meadow section inside the national park area, with a packed lunch on the trail
• Eat local vegetarian dishes such as Phaanu, Chainsoo and Kafuli at dhabas and village eateries on the road legs

How hard is this trek? Difficulty and fitness at a glance

The rafting is moderate and the Valley of Flowers days are the hardest part of the trip, so train for walking rather than for rafting. Verified figures are limited; anything marked confirm at booking depends on the final halt points.

Altitude, weather and safety

Safety on this route rests on gradual height gain, a certified trek leader and a weather-led plan. The trek builds up from Rishikesh to the Garhwal hills, with the Day 2 acclimatisation walk and an easier Day 3 before the long trail days.

• Acclimatisation: drink water through the day, climb at the pace the leader sets and report headaches, nausea or breathlessness early.
• Guides and kit: the trek leader carries a first-aid kit and oxygen cylinder, and can stop or turn the group back if anyone shows altitude symptoms.
• Weather cut-offs: rain and landslides can close mountain roads, especially in July and August, and snow can close higher roads from November onward. The Day 6 buffer is used when roads or trails are not safe.
• When plans change: if a section is closed, the leader reworks the route or timing. Evacuation by road or helicopter depends on location and is charged as actuals.

Gear and packing checklist

Bring your own personal trekking gear; the camp equipment is provided. Pack for cold nights even in summer, and carry rain protection from June to September.

Permits, entry rules and fees

The Valley of Flowers trek needs a national park permit and entry charge, which the authorities set and revise by season. We do not quote a figure here because it changes; the exact current fee and process are confirmed at booking.

Carry a government photo ID for every traveller, as permit checks at the park gate and trailhead rely on it. Age or health rules, if any, are shared at the time of booking, and a medical declaration is usually required.

Where you will sleep: riverside camp and hill lodges in Uttarakhand

Stays on this trip run from a tented camp near Rishikesh to standard 3-4 star hill hotels and trekker lodges on the road legs. Hotel names are shared with your confirmation, and we do not name properties until they are verified for your dates.

• Days 1-2: riverside tented camp, twin sharing, shared washrooms
• Day 3: standard hill hotel or trekker lodge near the trailhead
• Day 4: trekker lodge or tented camp at the night halt
• Days 5-6: standard 3-4 star hotels, twin sharing

The package price covers twin sharing. A single-room supplement, if you want one, is confirmed at booking.

Getting to Uttarakhand: road, rail and air access

Rishikesh is the start point, reached by air via Dehradun Airport (Jolly Grant, about 21 km away), by rail through the Haridwar-Rishikesh corridor, or by road. Haridwar is roughly 35 km from the airport, and UTC and private Volvo or sleeper buses run overnight to Dehradun, Rishikesh and Haridwar.

Most hill destinations need onward road travel from an airport or railhead. Shared jeeps run to many mountain towns, with typical seats at Rs.100-300 for most stretches as of July 2026. Mobile connectivity thins out on trek sections, so download offline maps and share your plan with family. Road conditions on the hill legs depend on the season: landslides in July to September and snow from November onward can change timings, so confirm movement with the coordinator at booking.

Best time to visit Uttarakhand for this trip

October and November are the most reliable months for this route, with clear conditions and temperatures around 10-25 C. March to June is warmer and busier, with May and June at peak prices and crowds. Monsoon months bring heavy rain and road closures.

Check the exact opening dates for the Valley of Flowers section before you fix your tickets, since the trail is seasonal. We confirm these at booking.

What drives the Uttarakhand trip cost

The Rs.17,500 per person rate covers land arrangements on twin sharing and excludes flights. The main cost drivers are the number of trek days, camp versus hotel nights, group size, permits and park entry, and transport between Rishikesh and the trailhead.

• Rafting is priced separately by many operators; river rafting in Rishikesh typically runs Rs.1,000-2,500 as of August 2026, and it is part of this package.
• Personal porters, ponies and palki are not included and are paid locally.
• Monsoon departures can cost less, but expect itinerary changes.

Confirm permit and entry charges at booking, since the authorities revise them.

Uttarakhand travel tips for first-timers

• Reach Rishikesh a day early if your flight lands late at Dehradun Airport.
• Carry cash for small hill towns, since card acceptance is uneven away from the main road.
• Pack warm layers even in summer; higher areas drop sharply after sunset.
• Vegetarian food is easy to find on this route. Jain and halal availability is not confirmed, so raise it at booking.
• Keep a day's buffer after the trek before any onward flight, in case roads close. Travellers also looking at a gentler plan can see the Mussoorie and Auli itinerary for a hill-station option.

Send your dates and any health notes and we will match you to the safest version of this route.