Name: Valley of Flowers
Rating: 3.6

Valley of Flowers National Park, Valley of Flowers Overview

Resting in the Western Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers in Uttarakhand is a lively and beautiful national park famous for its meadows of alpine flowers. Combined with Nanda Devi National Park, the two of them together constitute the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. It was also included in the list of the World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 2005. Initially known as Bhyundar Valley, its name was changed to Valley of Flowers by the British mountaineer Frank S Smythe in the year 1931. Gifted with a diverse range of flora and fauna, this picturesque beauty is one of its kind. Situated high in the lofty Himalayas of the Garhwal region, this enchanting valley is also considered as the place from where Hanuman collected Sanjeevani Buti to cure Lakshmana.

The verdant pastures, beautiful mountains, and running streams attract millions of tourists every year from all over the world. No human settlements are present inside the park and grazing is completely banned. Since it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, many international travellers visit the biosphere reserve. Situated in the transition zone between Eastern and Western Himalayan flora, seven restricted-range bird species are prevalent in this part of the Himalayas. The trek to the valley of flowers is indeed a one to remember for it is lined up with wild rose bushes, perfumed wildflowers and wild strawberries. It is a must-visit place for all those who love serenity combined with nature's beauty.

Flora and Fauna at Valley Of Flowers National Park

The entire valley is covered with flowers of every colour and type which gives a magical quality to the place. It has more than 650 species of flowers present including Blue Poppy, Cobra Lily, and Brahmakamal. The area is also home to several rare and engendered animals. A diverse population of fauna can be found in the valley including Asiatic black bear, blue sheep, brown bear, blue sheep, black and brown bears, and yellow-throated marten. A variety of birds too can be found here including the Himalayan golden eagle, Himalayan snow cock, sparrow, snow pigeon, and Himalayan monal.

The park also contains a high diversity as well as a density of flora and fauna of the west biographic zone with threatened species including Himalayan musk deer, snow leopard and other plant species. Spread over an area of 71,210 hectares, the park has a buffer zone surrounding it measuring 514,857 hectares. Populations of Galliformes and mountain ungulates which are prey to snow leopard and other carnivores are supported in this entire area located in the Western Himalayas Endemic Bird Area.

Trek To Valley Of Flowers National Park

The trek of Valley of Flowers is bound to give you one of the most beautiful trekking experiences. The trek begins at the Pulna Village or Govindghat after crossing the Alaknanda River across the hanging bridge. You can view the snow-clad peaks between the green and the Rocky Mountains after passing the Pulna village. The 7 km track between Pulna and Bhyundar Village comprises of cold water springs and waterfalls. The area appears pink and dark red due to the presence of Rhododendrons in the region.

After resting for some time, the trek continues on the right bank of the Laxman Ganga till a log bridge is encountered. After crossing over to the left bank, the trail becomes steeper. You will reach Ghangharia which is the base camp of treks to Valley of Flowers 2 km from here.

History of Valley Of Flowers National Park

There were three British mountaineers named Frank S. Smythe, R.L. Holdsworth and Eric Shipton who went off track while they were coming down from Mt. Kamet in 1931. They accidentally reached this valley which was covered with alpine flowers and was very exotic. The beauty of the place left them in admiration, and they ended up naming it 'The valley of flowers'. Later on, one of the three climbers Frank S. Smythe wrote a book on it too and named it Valley of Flowers. The locals also always knew that this beautiful valley existed and believed that fairies and Gods resided here.

Best Time To Visit Valley of Flowers National Park

Since the valley of flowers is covered by the Himalayan Mountains, it remains covered with snow most of the year. Heavy rainfall and dense fog can be witnessed at the place during the late summer months as well. The ideal time to visit the place is from mid-July to mid-August as colourful flowers start growing in this season with the settling snow. The climate is pleasant with warm days and cold nights.

Tips For Visiting Valley of Flowers National Park

1. The hike is a little exhausting so make sure to take small breaks on the way.
2. Ensure that you carry lots of spare clothes in case you get rained on.
3. Also, carry some food along with you for the hike.
4. Since the accommodations start getting crowded, it is advisable to book a place to stay in advance.
5. To make the trek more comfortable, you can also hire a porter at Govind Ghat.
6. There are no toilets on the trekking route or in the valley, so you will have to relieve yourself in nature.