Valley of Flowers National Park in West Himalaya - Uttarakhand - India
Valley of flowers UNESCO World Heritage Site is a fairy-land situated high in the Himalayas of the Uttaranchal. This virtual paradise on earth has been unknown to the outside world till the great Mountaineer Frank S Smith discovered it in the year 1931 is Also known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora.
State: Uttarakhand
District: Chamoli
Famous for : Wildlife, Trekking
Languages: Hindi, English
Best Season: Mar - Oct
Weather: Summer 13 to 27°C and Winter 7 to 20°C
Altitude: 3250-6750 m
A world heritage site,the valley is situated at a very remarkable area, which is the conversion point of Himalayan ranges, Zanskar and Western and Eastern Himalayas. This fairyland located in the high altitudes of Himalayas is protected by snowy mountains.Legends associate this valley of Garhwal Himalayas with the area from where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected "Sanjeevani" herbs to revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Ramaji. Hanumanji had to visit far-flung areas in his search for the "Sanjeevani" life - saving herbs. The Valley of Flowers is a high-altitude Himalayan valley that has long been acknowledged by renowned mountaineers, botanists, and in literature.The park is administered by the Uttarakhand State Forestry Department, the national Ministry of Environment and Forests, India. A scenic place where the nature blooms with its entire vista can be accessible by a tedious but lovely stroll. Eye catching spectacles like the cascading waterfalls, small streams and above all the flowery meadows awaits the visitors all through the way.Valley of Flowers remains covered with a thick blanket of snow during the winter season. It is in full bloom during July, August and September. This is the best time to explore the splendor of this magnificent place. The aqua waters of Pushpawati River bifurcates the valley into two parts.The bloom starts immediately after the melting of snow but the peak blooming period is from mid July to mid August. Almost 300 species of wild flowers bloom here unhindered by mankind.The myriad shades of the valley have attracted lots of travellers through the years.
It was in 1931 that Frank Smythe and Holdsworth stumbled on the valley while returning from their successful Kamet expedition. They were "at once transported from a region of solemn austerity to a fairyland of dainty flowers, most of them dwarf, but brilliant in colour". Bustling with beautiful, lively and vibrant colours, this park spread over an area of 87.5 sq. kms.
Entry fee for most of other tourist places in India the entry fee is separate for Indian nationals and foreigners. Entry fee for Valley of Flowers is Rs. 150 for Indian Nationals and Rs. 600 (US$ 10 Approx) for foreigners. This entry ticket is valid for 3 days for any extra day Indians need to pay Rs. 50 whereas foreigners need to pay Rs. 250. To take a professional video camera inside the valley Indians need to pay Rs. 500 and for foreigners it is Rs. 1500 for a day.
Rare Flora and Fauna at Valley of Flowers National Park
You will see Rare flora at Valley of Flowers Ranunculus, Pedicularis, MarshMarigold, Rhododendrons, Brahmakamal, Corydalis, Bistorta, Epilobium, Nomocharis, Oxypetala, Daisy, Sibbaldia, Anaphalis, Cypripedium Strawberry, Arisaema Costatum, Himalayan blue Poppy, Dianthus, Calendula, Yellow Anemones, Lilium,Black bear,Brown bear,Snow Pigeon,Snow leopard,Sparrow Hawk,Bharal (Himalayan blue sheep),Snow Partridge,Red Fox,Himalayan Snow cock,Common langur,monkeys native to India),Tahr (an animal related to the wild goat),Mouse hare,Serow,Himalayan Golden Eagle,Himalayan Monal,Griffon Vulture.
Vallay of Flower National Park Seasons
Valley of flowers opens at 7.00 am every day and last entry is allowed till 2.00 pm. You need to get out of the valley by 5 pm. You should be at the entry gate at 6.45 so as to take your entry ticket sooner and enter by 7.00 am. You should start back by 1.30pm so as to reach back by 5.00 pm.
The best time to visit valley of flowers depends upon what you like to see and how rough and tough you are. You will find maximum number of flowers in July and August.
May : In last week of May snow starts melting.
June : In this motnt lots of piligrims goes to Shri Hemkund Sahib so many extra facility available there and also no rain in this month.
July and August : Many new plants starts germinating and grow up also will seen new flowers.
September : This is the last month for visiting this site in next month the snow starting falling and the whole valley in inaccessible.
Tourist Attractions Near Valley of Flowers National Park
There are two main Tourist Attaractions From Valley of flowers.
Hemkund Sahib - The tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Govind Singhji mediated at Hemkund Sahib for years.Most of the flowers at the Valley of Flowers are flowering ones. Hemkund Sahib is nearby, if you visit it again, do make it a point to visit the valley as well.
Ghangaria - It is the last human habitation centre on the way to Hemkund Sahib and the Valley of Flowers.
Shopping Near The Valley of Flowers National Park
There are many shopping places near The Valley of Flowers National Park.you can buy a CD from the check-post.In That CD are really interested in various species of flowers.There are some shops from which you buy some things.
Bagwari Traders
New Market Agastyamuni, Rudraprayag (11 km away)
Shah electric and cosmetic store
pipalkoti chamoli u k, Pipalkoti (11 km away)
Restaurants Near The Valley of Flowers National Park
Saket Restaurant is the nearest food Restaurant from Valley of Flowers National Park.It is situated at Temple Road Near Temple Bridge 10.7 km from Valley of Flowers National Park.
Hotels Near The Valley of Flowers National Park
Tourists are not allowed to stay overnight in the Valley of Flowers and therefore there is no accommodation in the Park. You can stay at private lodges and hotels at Ghangaria, the base camp for your trek to the Valley of Flowers.List of some Hotels from The Valley of flowers National Park (Ghangaria).
Hotel Divine Resort
Tapovan, Rishikesh
Hotel Welcome
Tapovan, Rishikesh
Cliff Top Club
Chamoli, Auli
Homestay
near Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand
Hotel Bhagat
Govindghat, Dist Chamoli
Hotel Malari Inn
Badrinath Road, Near Police Station
Himalayan Abode Homestay
Near J P Company, GREF Camp Marwari Village
How to Reach The Valley Of Flowers National Park
It is important to know before starting the trip that how to reach valley of flowers.
By Air :
Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Valley of Flowers Govindghat is situated at a distance of 292kms from Jolly Grant Airport. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights.
By Train :
The nearest railway station to Valley of flowers is Rishikesh but the roads are only connected upto Govind Ghat from where you have to commence trek of 16 kms to reach Valley of Flowers.
By Road :
Govindghat is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Govindghat.Buses to Haridwar, Rishikesh and Srinagar are available from ISBT Kashmiri Gate. Buses and Taxis to Govindghat are easily available from major destinations of Uttarakhand state like Rishikesh, Pauri, Rudraprayag, Karnaprayag, Ukhimath, Srinagar, Chamoli etc. Govindghat is situated on National Highway 58 making it easy to reach but the roads are only connected upto Govind Ghat from where you have to commence trek of 16kms to reach Valley of Flowers. The disatance of main cities of india like Chandigarh to Valley of Flowers 422 km,Delhi to Valley of Flowers 441 km,Nagpur to Valley of Flowers 1344 km,Mumbai to Valley of Flowers 1824 km, Pune to Valley of Flowers 1859 km.
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