Valley Of Flowers – Uttarakhand

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Haven’t yet added Uttarakhand to your travel bucket list? Now is the right time to book your tickets to this picturesque location where the Himalayas stand tall, you meet your spiritual self, witness the holiest rivers, and lose yourself to the stunning landscape.

When in Uttarakhand don’t forget to add the “Valley of Flowers” to your itinerary. Get to know its history before planning a visit to the valley.
Looking back into history, way back in 1931, three British mountaineers led by Frank S Smythe lost their way and landed at this valley. Smitten by the beauty of the valley, they went on to name it the “Valley of Flowers” also known as the “Valley of Flowers National Park”.

The Valley of Flowers is home to natural beauty, endangered animals, endemic alpine flowers, and a variety of other flora and fauna.
In 2005, this place was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Right from trekking, bird watching to visiting this valley for its spiritual significance, there is a lot to do at the Valley of Flowers.
Let us now look into the best time to visit this location and the different activities worth engaging in therein

Best time to visit Valley of Flowers:

If you have questions about the Valley of Flowers, the best time to visit, then let us quickly answer them.You can ideally visit the Valley of Flowers between June and October. Apart from these months, the valley is snow-clad during the rest of the year. However, the period between July to September makes the perfect Valley of Flowers season. This is because it is a period of full bloom. The Valley of Flowers houses around 520 plant species, out of which you can witness 498 flower blooms.
In the month of June, you are likely to bump into flowers like wild roses, marsh marigold, viola pilosa, thymus linearis, and gagea lutea. On the other hand, you can witness widespread Epilobium flowers in July.
During your visit to the Valley of Flowers National Park, apart from the wide collection of flowers, you can also spot countless butterflies, a scenic landscape, and a plethora of breath-taking views.

The Valley of Flowers houses around 520 plant species, out of which you can witness 498 flower blooms.
In the month of June, you are likely to bump into flowers like wild roses, marsh marigold, viola pilosa, thymus linearis, and gagea lutea. On the other hand, you can witness widespread Epilobium flowers in July.
During your visit to the Valley of Flowers National Park, apart from the wide collection of flowers, you can also spot countless butterflies, a scenic landscape, and a plethora of breath-taking views.

Best Things to Do – Valley of Flowers:

Once you come to know about the time to visit the valley, the next thing to explore are the activities worth engaging in.

1. A walk through the Exotic Flowers
2. Valley of Flowers Trek
3. Bird Watching & Rendezvous with the Wildlife
4. Pilgrimage

1. A walk through the Exotic Flowers

When the valley of flowers opens to tourists, the first thing to do is to witness the enormous plant diversity that this destination offers. On your visit to this valley, a collection of exotic flowers such as orchids, primulas, poppies, marigolds, daisies, and anemones will greet you.
This hidden paradise in Uttarakhand makes a colorful and picture-perfect backdrop.

2. Valley of Flowers Trek

If you wish to trek to the valley, you have to cover a distance of about 8km, to and fro from Ghangaria. An additional 12km return trek will take you to Hemkund Sahib. These treks promise a mesmerizing view of the valley with gushing waterfalls and subtle streams, making an entry here and there.
The Hemkund Sahib trek is an easy to moderate trekking expedition in the Garhwal Himalayan Region, about 15201 ft. above sea level. This trek is accessible between May and October. During the monsoon season, it is easy to sight the blue poppy on the slope of Hemkund Sahib.
If you wish to participate in the treks to reach the Valley of Flowers, you need to be fit and in good shape. Even if you are trekking for the very first time in your life, you can complete this trek. The only condition is that you need to have good stamina.

3. Bird Watching & Rendezvous with the Wildlife

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, which is a part of the Valley of Flowers, is home to an array of endangered mammals. The mammals found here are snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, musk deer, and bharal/blue sheep. On your visit to this location, you will have an opportunity to spot these never seen before animals.
If you enjoy bird watching, the Valley of Flowers will turn out to be heaven for you. Don’t be surprised to come across Indian Himalayan birds and other exotic bird species. Some commonly found birds include the Himalayan snowcock, Himalayan golden eagle, snow pigeon, Himalayan monal pheasant, and other high altitude birds.

4. Pilgrimage

One of the treks to Valley of Flowers starts from Govindghat. To get to Govindghat, you need to reach Rishikesh, which is popularly known as the pilgrimage town and is one of the holiest places for the Hindus. Its spiritual importance also comes from the fact that it is the starting point of the Char Dham Yatra.
The spiritual significance of the Valley of Flowers also comes from its close proximity to the Sri Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. The Sikh community highly values this spiritual site. Here, you will come across one of India’s most sacred lakes, the Hemkund Lake, also known as the Lake of Snow

FAQs:

Q. Does it snow in the Valley of Flowers?

A: The Valley of Flowers receives a good amount of snowfall. Because of this, the valley remains closed for visitors between November to May end.

Q. What is the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers?

A: The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is between June and October.

Q. Where is the Valley of Flowers located?

A: The Valley of Flowers is situated in the Chamoli district.

Q. How long is the trek to the Valley of Flowers?

A: The trek to Valley of Flowers from Ghangaria is 8km both ways. Add up another 12km as a return trek from Hemkund Sahib.

Q. How challenging is the trek to the Valley of Flowers?

A: The difficulty level of the trek to the Valley of Flowers is moderate. Even if you are a first-timer with good stamina, you can sign up for this trek.

Q. Are there accommodation facilities in the Valley of Flowers?

A: The night stay facility is not available at the Valley of Flowers. Thus, you will have to trek back to Ghangaria or Govindghat to find accommodation.