Introduction
The Valley of Flowers Trek is situated in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district, around 300 kilometers north of Rishikesh (and close to Badrinath). The Valley of Flowers, with its untamed wildflowers surrounded by white peaks, is a World Heritage Site. Every year, it is open from June until September.
The valley of flowers, found by mountaineer Frank S. Smith in 1931, at the meeting point of the Himalayan ranges, Zanskar, and the Western and Eastern Himalayas, has been designated a world heritage site for its wild, untamed blooms surrounded by white peaks. It is also said that Sanjivani was delivered to the sick Lakshmana by Hanuman from the valley of flowers, which is known for its diverse types of medicinal herbs. A wonderful setting for taking it easy while taking in the many streams, waterfalls, and paddocks found in the Himalayas.
Things to Do
- Nanda Devi National Park-The Nanda Devi National Park is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand next to Nanda Devi, the second-highest peak in India. This park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the most biodiverse areas on earth and is home to some of the rarest and most distinctive high-altitude plants and animals. This national park stands out among the others in the nation due to its stunning views and diverse biosphere. In order to preserve the region’s unique flora and fauna and prevent future environmental damage, the area was designated as a national park in 1982.
Being one of the most significant biological hotspots in the world today, the Nanda Devi National Park is home to a wide range of animals, including birds, mammals, plants, trees, and butterflies. An adventure lover’s dream comes true, the Nanda Devi National Park offers wonderful options for trekking and mountaineering. In fact, it’s thought to be one of the most difficult treks to get to base camp. In the course of the full year, from 1 May to 31 October, the Nanda Devi National Park is only accessible to tourists for six months. There are also endless opportunities to discover the magnificence and majesty of nature here.
- Flora and Fauna-Many rare and threatened species, including the snow leopard, Asiatic black bear, musk deer, flying squirrel, tahr, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep, can be found in this region. Nevertheless, there are very few animals there. In this National Park, you can see Himalayan Monal Pheasants and other high-altitude birds. Orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, daisies, and anemones are among the most common flowers. In this region, there are more than 500 species of higher plants. Some plants also have therapeutic properties in some cases.
How to Reach?
There are no motorable roads that connect Valley of Flowers. Govindghat (near Joshimath), which is a distance of around 17 kilometers from Valley of Flowers, is the closest location that is connected to the rest of the globe. Trekking is an option for covering this distance. The fragrance of the blossoms begins to fill the air as one approaches Gangaria, which is about 3 km from the valley, and the experience mesmerizes the onlookers. A permit from Gangaria is required for visitors to enter the Valley of Flowers. The permit is valid for three days, and you may only hike during the day.Although Joshimath is connected to the rest of Uttarakhand and New Delhi, getting there is not a difficult endeavor.
Best Time to Visit
Every year on June 1 the valley opens and closes. While the Valley of Flowers is in full bloom with flowers, July to September is the finest time to come. The greatest time to observe the flowers bloom is in August, but travel there may be challenging owing to landslides and heavy rain. Heavy snow keeps it passable for the remainder of the year. Remember that access to the Valley is only permitted during the daylight; you may enter the Valley only between the hours of 7:00 AM and 2:00 PM, and you must exit the Valley by 5:00 PM. Camping overnight is not permitted.
The mystical plant that Hanuman used to revive Lakshman in the Hindu epic Ramayan is thought to have been obtained from the Valley of Flowers. As soon as you step into the valley, the heavenly combination of flower scents transports you to a paradise. Many types of wildflowers, including saxifrages, sedums, lilies, poppies, calendulas, daisies, geranium, zinnia, and petunia, have a hidden home in the 14,400-foot-high hidden lake.