Valley of Flowers India Tourist Guide – An amazing UNESCO World Heritage Site

Valley of Flowers India Tourist Guide: Overview

Valley of Flowers is situated in Bhyundar Valley at an elevation of 3,658 mts above sea level. Valley of Flowers nestled in the west Himalayan region covers a vast expanse of 87.50 sq km. with myriad alpine flowers. You will encounter numerous cascading waterfalls on the route to Valley of Flowers. The region of Valley of Flowers is rich in varied flora and fauna. The valley of flowers was declared as the National Park of India in the year 1982 and it is now a World Heritage site.

 The Valley of Flowers stands on a transition zone between the Eastern and Western Himalayan flora. This national park is divided into parts by the River Pushpawati flowing through it. Being a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this biosphere reserve seeks attention of international travelers. The virgin beauty of this mystical valley has always lured botanists, nature lovers and adventure lovers.

Why you must visit Valley of Flowers India?

Valley of Flowers is extreme inclination towards photography and the landscape of this mesmerizing land is so breathtaking. This picture-perfect destination is dotted with so many varieties of known as well as unknown flowers. On the way to Valley of Flowers, you will get to see several cascading waterfalls, a glance of which will soak all your exhaustion. The famous mountain ranges of Zanskar and Great Himalayas surround the park from all sides.

This natural wonder gives enough reasons to explore because it looks like a painted canvas of an artist designed with strokes of colors. This valley brings an assortment of natural attractions like river, waterfalls, snow-bed, mountain cliffs and the most significant riots of colors. River Pushpavati flows through the valley and there are many waterfalls enhancing the beauty of the valley. The splendor and the dazzling beauty of the valley attract tourists from all the corners of the world.

What is unique in Valley of Flowers India?

The Valley of Flowers is India’s most breathtaking national park ever.  This National Park is the second core zone of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. It is a unique biosphere reserve in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. Nanda Devi, the second highest mountain peak in India, at an altitude of 7824m can be seen from Valley of Flowers National Park.

The region remains completely covered with thick blankets of snow during winters and with blooming flowers from June to October. The Valley of Flowers is the home of over 500 species of wild flowers of unique design and colors. Along with rich flora and fauna, the major attraction of this park is the grave of Miss Margarate Legge, who was a botanist.

The three most popular tourist attractions which are Ghangharia, Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib and Temple of Lord Lakshman located on the shores of the lake.  Gurudwara Hemkund Sahib is a magnificent star-shaped structure constructed of stone. On the other hand, the temple located within the destination is dedicated to Lord Rama. Ghangharia is the last human habitation centre on the way to Valley of Flower.

History of valley of flowers

The credit for the discovery of the Valley of Flowers goes to the British mountaineers Franks S. Smythe and R.L. Holds worth who incidentally reached this valley after a successful expedition of Mount Kamet in 1931.  The Valley of Flowers is hidden from the scrutinizing eyes of the civilization. It was only in 1982 that an area of 8,950 hectares of the valley was declared a National Park. In July 2005, it was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

 The Valley of Flowers is also associate with the legendary story, which says that this area from where Hanumanji of Ramayana collected ‘Sanjeevani’ herb to revive Lakshman. The Valley of Flowers National Park starts from Ghangharia but the main valley starts after crossing the gorge and the stream originating from Nar Parvat. In front of the Valley stands the snow capped peak of Ratban Parvat and at the background is the Kunt Khal. Towards the left is Nar Parvat, which bisects the Badrinath valley from this valley, and to the right is thick Birch forest on the hill sides.

Valley of Flower Climate

Summer (March - June): This is not exactly the most advisable time for a visit to the Valley. The snow starts melting, and the flowers don't even bloom at this time. However, being the off-season, you can go for a trek to the adjoining trekking hotspots.

Monsoon (July - September):  This is the best time for a visit to the Valley. The flowers are fully bloomed by now, and the snow has also completely melted away. The climate is also pleasant during these months.

Winter (October - February):  Beginning from October, the winter season is the least advisable time for a visit to the same. The snow starts falling, and the valley becomes unbearably cold.

Opening Time of Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers National park remains open for visitors from 1st June to 31st October.

Opening Time of Valley of Flowers is 8 AM–5 PM Friday hours

How to reach valley of Flowers

By Air: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest Airport to Valley of Flowers but the roads are only connected up to Govind Ghat from where you have to commence trek of 16kms to reach Valley of Flowers. Govindghat is situated at a distance of 292 km. from Jolly Grant Airport. Jolly Grant Airport is well connected to Delhi with daily flights. Govindghat is well connected by motorable roads with Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis are available from Jolly Grant Airport to Govindghat.

By Rail: 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 km. to reach Valley of Flowers. Rishikesh railway station is situated 273 km. before Govindghat on NH58. Rishikesh is well connected by railway networks with major destinations of India. Trains to Rishikesh are frequent. Govindghat is well connected by motorable roads with Rishikesh. Taxis and buses are available from Rishikesh, Srinagar, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Joshimath and many other destinations to Govindghat.

By Road: Valley of Flowers is connected up to Govind Ghat with motoralble roads and from here you have to commence trek of 16kms to reach Valley of Flowers. 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.

Local Food and Cuisine of Valley of Flowers

The area does not offer many choices in food and hence it is best to pack some food for your trip here or make personal arrangements. Some hotels and lodges nearby might serve typical Indian food. Aprt from that if we talk about foond near valley of flower then we go to the famous tehri food items which are available as the cusines of valley of flower like;

Alu ke Gutke: Alu ke gutke is a typical Kumaon snacks and is enjoyed by all. The most exciting thing of this dish is the way of serving. Red fried chilies, coriander leaves and some time with tomatoes garnish it also. It is very spicy.

Mandua ki Roti: It is a Chappati made of Mandua Flour, which is a local cereal and very high in fiber which makes it very nutritious.

Singori: Singori is another testy sweet which is a specialty of Kumaon and is prepared from Khoya (Condensed Milk) and coconut. A special feature of this sweet is that is requires a leaf named ‘Molu” which is found in the hills of Uttrakhand.

Singal: It is a high calorie sweet. It’s specially is that it is only prepared during festivals. It is local sweet snack. Banana is also used in this dish.

Lesu: This is a local preparation, which is served in Breakfast, Lunch or Dinner. This bread is eaten with a lot of Butter or Ghee. It can also be eaten with Curd and Mango Pickle or Mixed Pickle.

Kumaoni Raita: Raita in Kumaon is prepared in a very special way unlike Raita’ made in other parts. It is mainly served at lunchtime and highly enriched with cucumber, mustard seeds, green chilies, coriander etc.