Explore the Valley of Flowers, Uttarakand - On a trek

The Valley of Flowers located in West Himalayas, is known world-wide for itsvibrant and splendid beauty. Having gained fame for its delightful fields of mountainflowers, this valley has an expanse of 87.5 Sq. Kms. This valley is perched at analtitude of 3658 mts. above sea level. History discloses that this place remainedundiscovered until 1931, when three British Nationals came to this place on amountaineering expedition. Losing their way around this valley they happened bychance to see the beauty of this valley and the flowers that flourished here. Nuzzledin Uttarakand, the valley gifted with a wide range of pervasive and endemic flora.

OverviewThis place is the central zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Until 1931 the

Valley of Flowers remained well protected, unknown and hidden from the world, andonly the locals frequented the place. In 1931 Frank Smith, a botanist and explorerhappened to find this place by chance and he introduced the place to the world.

Frank Smith proposed the name for this valley - “Valley of Flowers” and it hasremained till date. He was so very charmed with the Valley of Flowers, that he wrotea book which further commercialised and propagated the place. It was in the year2005 that the UNESCO added the Valley of Flowers to the list of World Heritage sites.The valley is bounded by peaks on all sides, and an area of 8,950 hectares has beenacknowledged as a National Park in September 1982. Subsequently, in 1939, one MsJoan Margaret Legge, a botanist, was sent by the Royal Botanic Gardens to study theflowers. Ms Joan slipped from a rocky terrain around the valley and lost her Life. Hersister came here and built a memorial for her near the spot.

HighlightsThis region is also home to a few rare and endangered animals. They include red fox,

brown bear, blue sheep, snow leopard, Asiatic black deer and musk deer. This valley issituated in the lofty peaks of the Himalayas of the Garhwal region and Indian legendgoes that this is the valley from which Hanuman collected the Sanjeevani root whichwas used in curing Lakshmana the mythological brother of Lord Rama.

Here white clouds, green pastures and emerald green mountain ranges cometogether to provide a dreamlike valley. While exploring the valley you will findwaterfalls forming a cascade which provides a rich and abundant effect. Duringwinter the valley of flowers is covered by a rich blanket of snow and is seen to bloomin full measure during the months of July, August and September. This is the timemost suited to explore the magnificence of this natural beauty.

The romantic breeze, drops of dew seen on the flowers, the soothing and rhythmicsound of flowing water, the untouched and untarnished beauty along with themagical atmosphere and the fairy land like effect can be enjoyed to its fullest in thisseason. This place is a paradise for nature lovers, botanists and photographers alike.The Valley is also divided into two, by the waters of the Pushpawati River.

The base camp for the Valley of Flowers is located at Ghangaria, which also provideshotels and lodges for tourists. Since tourists cannot reside at the Valley of Flowers, thisbase camp at Ghangaria provides an ideal resting place for tourists, where they canrest, relax and rejuvenate after the trek. The Uttarakand State Forest Department andEnvironment and Forest Ministry manages this tourist location and one should notmiss seeing the beauty of this valley.

FactsLocation of Valley of FlowersThis valley is located in Chamoli Garhwal, close to Nandi Devi National Park, whichis in the state of Uttaranchal.

Altitude of Valley of FlowersLocated at a distance of approximately 595 kilometers from Delhi, this valley’s altitudevaries from 3200m to 6675m.

GuidelinesThe Appropriate Time to Visit Valley of Flowers UttaranchalAs mentioned earlier the months of July August and September and best suited to visitthis place as the snow would have just melted and the weather is pleasing andenjoyable while the flowers are seen in full bloom.

How to Reach Valley of Flowers UttarakandThe Valley of Flowers is remotely located and it takes 3 days to reach the place. Thetrek to the valley of flowers begins at a place called Govindghat. To reach this placeyou need to Travel to Rishikesh, a place which is 225 Kms. From Delhi, which is wellconnected by rail, road and air. From here you need to travel by road for 11 hours toreach the place Joshimath and another 1 hour journey will take you to Govindghatfrom where you being your trek.

Important Dates to bear in mind regarding this attraction:Opening and Closing Dates: Valley of flowers opens on 1st June and closes on 4th ofOctober every year.

Opening and Closing timing of the ValleyThe Valley is open to visitors from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm. The place closes at 5pm andyou need to ensure that you are out of the place by that time. It is advisable that youreach the entry gates at 6.45 am so that you may collect the entry tickets and be onyour way. To reach back to the entrance at 5.00 pm you need to start back atapproximately 1.30 pm.

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