The high-altitude meadows of tall wildflowers are a glorious sight on a sunny day, rippling in the breeze and framed by mighty mountains and snow-decorating peaks! Sounds like a wonderland fantasy to you? Then dream not, just visit the Valley of Flowers National Park (in Uttarakhand, bordered by Nepal and Tibet), as it comes alive in all its glory during the monsoon season.
Check out why this UNESCO World Heritage site is not to be missed this monsoon
• Explore India’s most beautiful National Park
Located at an elevation of around 3, 858 metres above the sea level, the Valley of Flowers is a UNESCO World Heritage site. This enchanting landscape blooms into a youthful beauty as the snow melts with the onset of monsoon in India. The Valley of Flowers stands in a transition zone between the Eastern and Western Himalayan flora. A part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, the trek from Ghangria towards Valley of Flowers is lined with perfumed wild flowers, wild rose bushes and wild strawberries.
• Discover an abundance of bio-diversity
With over 300 species of flora and numerous species of endangered flowers and medicinal plants, the valley is a myriad patch of vivid colours under the eyes of might snow-capped Himalayas. A couple of endangered animals such as Asiatic black bear, red fox and blue sheep can be seen around the trails.
• Walk along a picturesque Himalayan trek
The experience of getting to the valley is mildly strenuous but the sight of the valley guarantees a major adrenaline rush. A trek of 4-5 days is required to explore this route. Starting from Haridwar/ Rishikesh, its base camp is located at Govindghat, from where there is a trek to Valley of Flowers via Ghangaria, which is its main camping ground.
• Where nature is at its best!
A step inside in this reserve is enough to bewitch you. Sights of cobbled paths, boulders, pebbles, small streams, cascading waterfalls and Great Himalayan and Zanskar ranges that stand might and tall as if guarding the valley against both sides, will leave you awe-struck.
• A paradise for shutterbugs
This picture-perfect destination is dotted with so many colours that any time spent here will not be enough for you to frame pictures.
• Soak into the divinity of Hemkund Sahib –
The Trek route to Valley of Flowers is also the route for Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara. Just spare a day and visit this divine place that remains closed for 6 months in a year. Valley of Flowers trek is said to be incomplete if you leave without visiting this Hemkund Sahib and experience the divinity in the surroundings.
It was in 1931 that British mountaineers lost their way and saw the gorgeous valley brimming with incredible varieties of flora. Three years after the flash floods ravaged Uttarakhand, the route for this beautiful place has yet again been opened. The valley will be in all its blooms and glory from July onwards, so just don-t give it a miss!
Travel Tips:
1. The monsoon season, i.e. July to September is the best time to visit Valley of Flowers.
2. Base Camp: Govindghat on Badrinath highway, Nearest Airport: Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun,
Nearest Railway Station: Haridwar Junction Railway Station
3. Getting to the Base Camp – Distance: 294 km, Route: Haridwar – Rishikesh – Devprayag – Rudraprayag – Karnprayag – Chamoli – Joshimath – Govindghat
4. To Valley of Flowers – From Govindghat onwards, there is a trek of 23 km to Valley of Flowers via Ghangaria, which will be a camping ground for your trek.
