THE CHARM OF VALLEY OF FLOWERS: TREKKING THROUGH BLOOMS & BLOSSOMS

Trek enthusiasts across the globe have been in love with Valley of Flowers for years now. Not only is the valley a trekkers delight offering a moderate yet thrilling trails, but it is also a visual treat that matches none other. A trek that rewards you with stunning landscape full of flowers that look like a riot of colors that explodes and makes everything seems happy and peaceful – that’s the charm of the Valley of Flower trek.

Famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the rich flora, Valley of Flowers is equally popular amongst adventure enthusiasts and nature researchers all over the world.

British traveller Frank Smith stumbled on this hidden treasure purely by chance in 1931, and the world has been enchanted by it ever since. Nestled amidst majestic Himalayan peaks, this magical and colourful valley sits at an altitude of 3,858m and is a World Heritage Site.

Trek enthusiasts across the globe have been in love with Valley of Flowers for years now. Not only is the valley a trekkers delight offering a moderate yet thrilling trails, but it is also a visual treat that matches none other. A trek that rewards you with stunning landscape full of flowers that look like a riot of colors that explodes and makes everything seems happy and peaceful – that’s the charm of the Valley of Flower trek.

Famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the rich flora, Valley of Flowers is equally popular amongst adventure enthusiasts and nature researchers all over the world.

British traveller Frank Smith stumbled on this hidden treasure purely by chance in 1931, and the world has been enchanted by it ever since. Nestled amidst majestic Himalayan peaks, this magical and colourful valley sits at an altitude of 3,858m and is a World Heritage Site.

The Flora & Fauna

Numerous species of wild flowers typical to the area, grow here, covering the entire valley like a colourful blanket. Some of the species you will find here are poppy, petunia, saxifrags, lilies, sediams, zinnia, calendular, daisies and geranium. Needless to mention, you will also find plenty of butterfly species here as well. There are also a few streams that run through the valley, adding to its ethereal beauty.

Valley of Flowers is also home to rare and endangered animals like the Snow Leopard, Musk Deer, Asiatic black bear, Brown Bear, Red Fox and many more, so be ready to spot some of them while you’re on this trek. For bird watchers, the valley can be a treat as well because many Himalayan bird flock here.

The Terrain

Valley of Flowers National Park is an Indian national park, located in West Himalaya, in the state of Uttarakhand. Spread over an area of 87.50 km2, the Valley of Flowers National Park boasts of a varied terrain as the trek trail goes through lush meadows, rugged mountain and the scenic wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Be ready to encounter enchanting waterfalls, surprising glaciers, quaint streams and hilly villages. In a way, the Valley of Flowers is an exotic transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalayas. It is about 8 km long and 2 km wide, and is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere.

Best Time to Visit

The best time for Valley Of Flowers Trek is July till August. The National Park is open till June, but to witness full blooms, August is the best.

Reaching Valley of Flowers

One can reach Valley of Flowers by various ways. You can either travel on road from Delhi to Govindghat via Rishikesh, or you can fly to Dehradun and then take the road till Govindghat. Ghangaria is the base camp for Valley of Flowers Trek.

The Trek

The Valley of Flowers Trek is a moderate one, and with a well planned itinerary you can be sure to explore the valley to the most. You will be walking through the meadows and flowering fields through the trek, witnessing the spectacular valley up close. If you decide to trek till the famous Hemkund Sahib, you can also explore higher areas of the Valley of Flowers and be spellbound by the rolling hills covered in flowers.

Duration

With GIO Adventures, the Valley of Flowers Trek can be done in a span of 6 days.

Top 3 Tips for Valley Of Flowers Trek:

1. Keep your camera charged/with extra batteries, and extra memory cards handy – you will want to capture every turn and every sight
2. Read up on the flower and bird varieties at the Valley of Flowers so that you can spot them easily when you’re actually there
3. Try and extend your trek till Hemkund Sahib for the experience and the famous lake
So don’t wait too long, book your Valley of Flowers Trek for the upcoming season soon and get ready to for the gorgeous and most colourful Himalayan experience.