Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers is a vibrant and splendid national park situated in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. This alluring place is famous for its endemic alpine flowers and fauna found in the transitional zone of the splendid Zanskar ranges and the eastern and western Himalayas.

Until 1931, this blooming terrain’s presence was unknown to the world.  Three British mountaineers, Frank S. Smythe, Eric Shipton, and R.L. Holdsworth, discovered this beautiful valley when they lost their way, and returning to the camp, they stumbled upon this exotic valley carpeted with blooming flowers. They wonder about the beauty of the place and term this place the ‘Valley of Flowers’.

Geography

Tucked away in the Garhwal region near Joshimath, the Valley of Flowers is a stunning hanging valley situated in the upper reaches of the Pushpawati River valley. Spanning roughly 15 km in length and 6 km in width, it sits approximately 20 km northwest of Nanda Devi National Park, separated by the expanse of the Bhyundar Ganga.

Valley of Flowers National Park

Established in 1982 within the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, Valley of Flowers National Park is world-renowned for its vibrant alpine meadows and exceptional floral diversity. Beyond its botanical wonders, this protected landscape serves as a vital sanctuary for rare wildlife, including the snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, and musk deer. The park’s high-altitude ecosystem also supports a variety of avian species, most notably the striking Himalayan monal.

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More than 650 species of flowers are found here, including orchids, blue poppies, lilies, geraniums, marigolds, Himalayan rose daisies, river anemone, primulas, etc. A varied species of plants growing in the valley are believed to have medicinal properties. Ancestors believe it to be the place from where Hanuman had collected the Sanjeevani Buti for curing Lakshmana.

UNESCO World Heritage site

This place has floral pastures, running streams, and the beautiful backdrop of the mountains. In 1982, the valley was declared a national park by the government and became a primary zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.  In 2004, it became a part of the UNESCO World Heritage site.

On one side of the flower valley, tall cliffs climb to the sky, and on the other side is guarded by snow-clad high mountain peaks. A serene water stream is a glitter through the middle of the valley. In the spring and monsoon season, the entire valley is covered with flowers, and sometimes the mist and clouds over it. This makes the valley perfect for a picturesque location.

Valley of Flowers trek

A 17 km trek to the Valley of Flowers starts from a hamlet, Govindghat. From Govindghat, the steep trek offers great views of the waterfalls and lush forest.  Ghangharia, which is around 14km from Govindghat, requires a permit from the forest department to enter the Valley of Flowers. The visitors are allowed only during the daytime, as no accommodation is available inside the valley. The same trek route is followed for the pilgrims to reach the Sikh temple at Hemkund.

At an altitude of 4,329 meters above sea level in the Himalayan ranges, Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, meaning ‘lake of snow’, is a sacred temple of the Sikh religion. The scenic holy place attracts thousands of Sikhs and Hindus from all over the world on the steep trek to reach it. Valley of flower located 300 km north of Rishikesh, near Badrinath, and the best time to visit the Valley is between July and August when the flowers are in full blossom.

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How to reach the Valley of Flowers

Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Valley of Flowers, but the roads are only connected up to Govind Ghat, from where you have to commence the trek of 16 km to reach Valley of Flowers. It is situated at a distance of 292 km from Jolly Grant Airport and is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Govindghat is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are easily available from Jolly Grant Airport to Govindghat. The nearest railway station to the Valley of Flowers is Rishikesh.

Source– Thomas Cook, Himalayas adventure