The Valley of Flowers located in West Himalayas, is known world-wide for its vibrant and splendid beauty. Having gained fame for its delightful fields of mountain flowers, this valley has an expanse of 87.5 Sq. Kms. This valley is perched at an altitude of 3658 mts. above sea level. History discloses that this place remained undiscovered until 1931, when three British Nationals came to this place on a mountaineering expedition. Losing their way around this valley they happened by chance to see the beauty of this valley and the flowers that flourished here. Nuzzled in Uttarakand, the valley gifted with a wide range of pervasive and endemic flora.
Overview
This 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, and only the locals frequented the place. In 1931 Frank Smith, a botanist and explorer happened 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 has remained till date. He was so very charmed with the Valley of Flowers, that he wrote a book which further Commercialised and propagated the place. It was in the year 2005 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 been acknowledged as a National Park in September 1982. Subsequently, in 1939, one Ms Joan Margaret Legge, a botanist, was sent by the Royal Botanic Gardens to study the flowers. Ms Joan slipped from a rocky terrain around the valley and lost her Life. Her sister came here and built a memorial for her near the spot.
Highlights
This 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 is situated in the lofty peaks of the Himalayas of the Garhwal region and Indian legend goes that this is the valley from which Hanuman collected the Sanjeevani root which was used in curing Lakshmana the mythological brother of Lord Rama.
Here white clouds, green pastures and emerald green mountain ranges come together to provide a dreamlike valley. While exploring the valley you will find waterfalls forming a cascade which provides a rich and abundant effect. During winter the valley of flowers is covered by a rich blanket of snow and is seen to bloom in full measure during the months of July, August and September. This is the time most suited to explore the magnificence of this natural beauty. The romantic breeze, drops of dew seen on the flowers, the soothing and rhythmic sound of flowing water, the untouched and untarnished beauty along with the magical atmosphere and the fairy land like effect can be enjoyed to its fullest in this season. 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 provides hotels and lodges for tourists. Since tourists cannot reside at the Valley of Flowers, this base camp at Ghangaria provides an ideal resting place for tourists, where they can rest, relax and rejuvenate after the trek. The Uttarakand State Forest Department and Environment and Forest Ministry manages this tourist location and one should not miss seeing the beauty of this valley.
Facts:
Location of Valley of Flowers
This valley is located in Chamoli Garhwal, close to Nandi Devi National Park, which is in the state of Uttaranchal.
Altitude of Valley of Flowers
Located at a distance of approximately 595 kilometers from Delhi, this valley’s altitude varies from 3200m to 6675m.
Guidelines
The Appropriate Time to Visit Valley of Flowers Uttaranchal
As mentioned earlier the months of July August and September and best suited to visit this place as the snow would have just melted and the weather is pleasing and enjoyable while the flowers are seen in full bloom.
How to Reach Valley of Flowers Uttarakand
The Valley of Flowers is remotely located and it takes 3 days to reach the place. The trek to the valley of flowers begins at a place called Govindghat. To reach this place you need to travel to rishikesh, a place which is 225 Kms. From Delhi, which is well connected by rail, road and air. From here you need to travel by road for 11 hours to reach the place Joshimath and another 1 hour journey will take you to Govindghat from 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 of October every year.
Opening and Closing timing of the Valley
The Valley is open to visitors from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm. The place closes at 5pm and you need to ensure that you are out of the place by that time. It is advisable that you reach the entry gates at 6.45 am so that you may collect the entry tickets and be on your way. To reach back to the entrance at 5.00 pm you need to start back at approximately 1.30 pm.
