The Valley of Flowers is a high altitude Himalayan valley located in Uttarakhand, India. It contains unique alpine vegetation and was undiscovered until 1931. In July-September, when snow melts, the valley is filled with hundreds of species of endemic alpine flowers. It is a popular tourist destination, though visitors are only permitted for part of the day to avoid disturbing the fragile ecosystem. The trek to reach the valley takes 3 days from the town of Govindghat.

1. Explore the Valley of Flowers, Uttarakand - On a trek
The Valley of Flowers located in West Himalayas, is known world-wide for its
vibrant and splendid beauty. Having gained fame for its delightful fields of mountain
flowers, this valley has an expanse of 87.5 Sq. Kms. This valley is perched at an
altitude of 3658 mts. above sea level. History discloses that this place remained
undiscovered until 1931, when three British Nationals came to this place on a
mountaineering expedition. Losing their way around this valley they happened by
chance to see the beauty of this valley and the flowers that flourished here. Nuzzled
in Uttarakand, the valley gifted with a wide range of pervasive and endemic flora.
Overview
This place is the central zone of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. Until 1931 the
Valley of Flowers remained well protected, unknown and hidden from the world, and
only the locals frequented the place. In 1931 Frank Smith, a botanist and explorer
happened to find this place by chance and he introduced the place to the world.

2. Frank Smith proposed the name for this valley - “Valley of Flowers” and it has
remained till date. He was so very charmed with the Valley of Flowers, that he wrote
a book which further commercialised and propagated the place. It was in the year
2005 that the UNESCO added the Valley of Flowers to the list of World Heritage sites.
The valley is bounded by peaks on all sides, and an area of 8,950 hectares has been
acknowledged as a National Park in September 1982. Subsequently, in 1939, one Ms
Joan Margaret Legge, a botanist, was sent by the Royal Botanic Gardens to study the
flowers. Ms Joan slipped from a rocky terrain around the valley and lost her Life. Her
sister came here and built a memorial for her near the spot.
Highlights
This region is also home to a few rare and endangered animals. They include red fox,
brown bear, blue sheep, snow leopard, Asiatic black deer and musk deer. This valley is
situated in the lofty peaks of the Himalayas of the Garhwal region and Indian legend
goes that this is the valley from which Hanuman collected the Sanjeevani root which
was used in curing Lakshmana the mythological brother of Lord Rama.
Here white clouds, green pastures and emerald green mountain ranges come
together to provide a dreamlike valley. While exploring the valley you will find
waterfalls forming a cascade which provides a rich and abundant effect. During
winter the valley of flowers is covered by a rich blanket of snow and is seen to bloom
in full measure during the months of July, August and September. This is the time
most suited to explore the magnificence of this natural beauty.

3. The romantic breeze, drops of dew seen on the flowers, the soothing and rhythmic
sound of flowing water, the untouched and untarnished beauty along with the
magical atmosphere and the fairy land like effect can be enjoyed to its fullest in this
season. This place is a paradise for nature lovers, botanists and photographers alike.
The Valley is also divided into two, by the waters of the Pushpawati River.
The base camp for the Valley of Flowers is located at Ghangaria, which also provides
hotels and lodges for tourists. Since tourists cannot reside at the Valley of Flowers, this
base camp at Ghangaria provides an ideal resting place for tourists, where they can
rest, relax and rejuvenate after the trek. The Uttarakand State Forest Department and
Environment and Forest Ministry manages this tourist location and one should not
miss seeing the beauty of this valley.
Facts
Location of Valley of Flowers
This valley is located in Chamoli Garhwal, close to Nandi Devi National Park, which
is in the state of Uttaranchal.
Altitude of Valley of Flowers
Located at a distance of approximately 595 kilometers from Delhi, this valley’s altitude
varies from 3200m to 6675m.
Guidelines
The Appropriate Time to Visit Valley of Flowers Uttaranchal
As mentioned earlier the months of July August and September and best suited to visit
this place as the snow would have just melted and the weather is pleasing and
enjoyable while the flowers are seen in full bloom.
How to Reach Valley of Flowers Uttarakand
The Valley of Flowers is remotely located and it takes 3 days to reach the place. The
trek to the valley of flowers begins at a place called Govindghat. To reach this place
you need to Travel to Rishikesh, a place which is 225 Kms. From Delhi, which is well
connected by rail, road and air. From here you need to travel by road for 11 hours to
reach the place Joshimath and another 1 hour journey will take you to Govindghat
from where you being your trek.

4. Important Dates to bear in mind regarding this attraction:
Opening and Closing Dates: Valley of flowers opens on 1st June and closes on 4th
of
October every year.
Opening and Closing timing of the Valley
The Valley is open to visitors from 7.00 am to 2.00 pm. The place closes at 5pm and
you need to ensure that you are out of the place by that time. It is advisable that you
reach the entry gates at 6.45 am so that you may collect the entry tickets and be on
your way. To reach back to the entrance at 5.00 pm you need to start back at
approximately 1.30 pm.
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