NATIONAL PARK OF UTTARAKHAND

VALLEY OF FLOWERS

The valley of flowers was declared a national park in 1982 and a UNESCO world heritage site. The people who have not visited the place may wonder about the reason behind this ‘world heritage’. But mountaineers, botanist and even writers from all over the world agreed that they were really captivated by its beauty.

It has gained significant cultural importance due to its wide range of flora and a representative of Himalayan meadows and alpine shrubs.

WHEN TO VISIT VALLEY OF FLOWERS?

One must visit this national park in monsoon as the flower bed blossoms in the monsoon. A fun fact is that the place was unknown to humans until Frank Smith, an explorer, found the place in 1931.

A number of tourists went to the park in the past decade due to a reason. When the new age media discovered the national park, its news spread all around like fire and photographers, travel enthusiasts, tourists got in line to visit here. It was a wonderful discovery everyone wanted to get a glimpse of.

A few developments that have made this destination popular in the past decade are opening of few medium budget hotels in Govindghat, few shops which provide trekking accessories and prescription medicines (for nausea), and of course, the airport at Dehradun. After the Kedarnath tragedy, Valley of flowers was shut for a few days because the authorities wanted to protect its vulnerability. But no one harm was done to the meadows.

STORY BEHIND THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS

Joane Margret Legge was a botanist who was sent for an expedition to The Valley Flowers. She was studying the different varieties of flowers, treading on a rocky path when she slipped her leg and fell off a cliff. She died in that incident. Her sister erected a memorial at the place of her death in the Valley.

When people cross through the valley, most of them noticed the steep cliff that they pass through, also the majestic mountains that seem to be floating in front of the valley. The trekkers also cross through several glimmering streams of water. They pause to listen the sweet rustling sounds of water passing through rocks. The best season to visit the valley is the monsoon. At this time, the flower beds present here spring up to life and the green foliage looks stunningly beautiful.

Its impact on one’s state of mind is also incredible. People who seem down throughout the trek, hop back to jubilation when they witness such a beauty.

If there is one thing that people feel missing from their lives when they come here is the stress that they feel in their chaotic city lives. People feel free, they feel like they have achieved Nirvana.

And the fun doesn’t just stop here. If you are keen enough, you can witness some rare animals and plants here.

Some Important Facts One Must Know Before Visiting Valley of Flowers

• Location: – Chamoli District of Uttarakhand (Garhwal Region)
• Postal Code: – 246443
• Accessibility: – Not accessible through-out the year (Opens for only 5 months- June to October)
• Best time to visit: – July to September
• Standard Tour Duration: 3 Days- Govindghat to Govindghat, 5 Days – Haridwar/Dehradun to Haridwar/Dehradun,
        7 Days- Delhi to Delhi
• Accommodation Options: – Basic Hotels/Guesthouses & Camps on the trek
• Food Type: – Veg & Non-Veg Indian Food
• Max Altitude: – 4500 MT/14763 FT above the sea level
• Total Trekking: – 35 Kms
• Category of Trek: – Moderate
• Temperature Range: – 4 °C to 20 °C
• Nearest Major Railway Station: – Haridwar (291 Kms/09-11 Hrs drive by road + 17 Kms trek to reach Valley of Flowers)
• Nearest Airport: – Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (284 Kms/09-11 Hrs drive + 17 Kms trek to reach Valley of Flowers)
• Nearest Major Bus Stand: – Joshimath (22 Kms/1 Hr drive by road + 17 Kms trek to reach Valley of Flowers)
• Mobile Network/Internet: Only BSNL Network available during the trek (Vodafone, Jio & Airtel Network covers
       till Joshimath only)
• Last ATM Point: – Joshimath

VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK HIGHLIGHTS

• One of the World's beautiful & loveliest Valleys
• Easy Trek for Beginners
• 500 + Flower and plant species (many of which are present only in this valley)
• Every 15 days, during the season, the valley changes its colour.
• Good collection of Butterflies and birds.
• Mountains and glaciers covered with snow visible from the valley.
• Numerous cascades, streams, lush green meadows during this valley trek

VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK ACTIVITIES

Trekking

Adventurers and Nature lovers visit beautiful Valley of Flowers offering travelers abundant natural beauty in the form of waterfalls, verdant hills covered with pine and oak trees, gushing rivulets and streams and, of course, myriad flowers. There is great opportunity for the trekkers in the Valley to explore different parts of area and get the glimpse of beautiful flowers and natural hills. Trek to Valley of Flower beautiful meadow one can not miss it.

Pilgrimage

Hemkund Sahib is one of Uttarakhand's most revered Sikh shrines and each year thousands of pilgrims take part in arduous pilgrimage. Throughout winter the shrine is sleeping under a dense blanket of snow. So there is great opportunity for the devotee to get the blessings of Guru ji. Also you can visit Badrinath Temple which is at the altitude of 3133 m from sea level. This is one of lords Vishu Temple has great Value in Hindu Religions.

Rural Tourism

Ghangaria is the last inhabited village one finds on the Flowers Valley trek. One can visit the charming village at the confluence and learn about their rustic way of life, their traditions and their beliefs. One can also visit Byundar Village enroute Ghangaria from Govindghat. People of this village are very enterprising. Many villagers en-route you can find and they are always happy to help and eager to welcome visitors.

FOODINGS AND LODGINGS IN VALLEY OF FLOWER

Food and accommodation Services are not available in Valley of Flowers. Because Valley of Flowers is located in the hilly area, it is difficult to find these facilities, but you can find the accommodation and good food in Ghangaria which is 3.2 km away from Valley of Flowers. This is the place where trekkers and traveler start walking and camping to Valley of Flowers. Here one can find numerous types of private lodges and hotels that serves you better food with all the possible facilities. In these hotels & lodges veg and non-veg food served. So, one can enjoy the variety of foods at reasonable price at Ghangaria and relax.

VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK TRAVEL TIPS

---

• Each year, Valley of Flowers is open to the public on June 1st. The park is still open from June through October.
• Start early from Ghangharia to get more time in the Valley of Flowers. It is a world heritage site and therefore you must enter your names in the register, pay the entry fees and report the plastic bottles that you bring along with you.
• Entry to Valley of Flowers opens daily at 7.00 am and last entry is allowed until 2.00 pm. You will start at approximately 1 p.m. to get back to 5 p.m.
• Carry extra pair of Socks, Gloves, Poncho / Raincoats, Extra Batteries for your CameraWhile the Valley is breathtaking in May, June and September.
• But the most preferred months are for the maximum number of flowers in July and August.
• Before planning their trip to Valley of Flowers, tourists should inquire about the weather and road conditions, particularly during the monsoons.