The Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage site in India, boasts a wide variety of wildflowers found in the Himalayas. The site, discovered in 1932 by three British mountaineers named Frank Smythe, R.L Holdsworth and Eric Shipton, is now a global tourist destination in India. Tourists visit this site with friends and family and can witness the various species of flowers found in this corner of the region. Travelers can reach the Valley of Flowers from Govindghat in Uttarakhand. The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is from June to October.
How to reach the Valley of Flowers?
- Adventurers can reach the Valley of Flowers from Govindghat in Uttarakhand by trekking through the enchanting Himalayan mountains. The trekking distance is around 16 kms with a night halt at Ghangaria lodges or tents.
- Tourists can also reach the Valley of Flowers from Govindghat by availing of horse rides. Horse rides are economical, and adventurers can easily reach Ghangaria in a short time.
- Travelers can also reach the Valley of Flowers by helicopter, which takes only 5-10 minutes to reach the halting point at Ghangaria.
The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is during the summer and the monsoon season.
Travelers consider early June to late August to visit the Valley of Flowers because of the diverse floral species that bloom during this time of the year. However, travelers can also spot these species during September and October if they are fortunate. With good weather, travelers get a better view of the region’s natural landscape, thanks to lower rainfall. Depending on their preference, they visit the site with friends and dear ones and catch the enigma in their lenses.
What are the different species of flowers found in the Valley of Flowers?
There are more than 500 species of flowers that can be found in the Valley of Flowers. The common ones include the following.
- Orchids
- Blue Poppies
- Marigolds
- Daisies
- Geranium
- Petunia
- Anemones
How is the view from the Valley of Flowers?
- View of the mighty Himalayas.
The magnificent Himalayan views are rewarding from the Valley of Flowers. Travelers can get the best mountain views at 12,000 ft above sea level and capture the magic with their cameras. - The Pushpawati River.
The Pushpawati River is a sight to behold from the valley, and travellers need to cross it to reach the wonderful valley. The river is 1 kms from Ghangharia, and tourists can cross the bridge and make their way into the valley. - The flowers bloom in the valley.
Botanists and nature lovers can reach the Valley of Flowers to witness the flowers blooming there between June and August.
Tourists can find small temples and shops in Ghangaria.
Besides serving as a halting point, Ghangharia also offers tourists a place to relax after the climb, along with small temples and local shops to visit. Ghangaria also serves as the entry point to Hemkund Sahib, a famous gurudwara that travelers visit during the trip to the valley. The route to Hemkund Sahib is to the right, with the Valley of Flowers to the left. Tourists generally spend a day or two in this place and return to their origin.
CONCLUSION
The Valley of Flowers is a popular tourist destination for travelers in India. They crowd in huge numbers from June to October and pay a tribute to this wonderful valley. Although the route to reach the Valley of Flowers remains challenging, tourists still find a way to get to the magical destination. The valley offers botanists and nature enthusiasts the opportunity to witness unique species of flowers not found elsewhere and a rewarding view of the mighty Himalayas.