Valley Of Flowers - A Fairyland

Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers - A Fairyland


Valley Of Flowers:

Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers - Bhramakamal

Information about Valley Of Flowers:

Valley of Flowers is around 512 Km from Delhi and around 238 Km from Rishikesh. The valley is very popular among National and International tourists and thousands of tourists visit Valley of Flowers every year. Apart from trekkers and flower lovers, it is one of the most sought after destination amongst botanists, bird watchers and wild life photographers.The Valley ranges from heights 3352m to 3658 m. The Valley is conical in shape and stretches over 87.5 square Km. It is around 8 km long and 2 km wide. River Pushpavati flows through it. The best time to visit the valley is during monsoons in July and August, it is when the Valley is blooming with innumerable variety of flowers presenting a spectacular sight. Places to visit near Valley of Flowers are Hemkund Sahib, Badrinath, Mana Village (Last Indian Village), Vasudhara Falls etc.For more information on Badrinath, Mana and Hemkund Sahib please visit my blogs on Badrinath, Mana and Hemkund Sahib.

Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


Valley Of Flowers Trek:

After reaching Govindghat (on the Badrinath Highway) one has to Trek around 14 Km to reach Ghangharia. Once can avail Helicopter services from Govindghat to Ghangharia or can take ponies as well. One can also drive down or take shared taxis from Govindghat to Pulna and then Trek or take Ponies from Pulna. Distance of Pulna from Govindghat is around 4 Km.Trek difficulty level for the Trek from Govindghat/Pulna to Ghangharia is Easy to Moderate.
One has to cover a distance of 5 Km on foot or on Porter’s back from Ghangharia to reach the Valley of Flowers. Trek difficulty level for the Trek from Ghangharia to Valley of Flowers is Easy to Moderate.
Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


History of Valley Of Flowers:

The Valley was known to the locals for a very long time. They believed that fairies lived in this area and avoided entering it as they thought that fairies would take them away.
In 1931 while returning from their successful Kamet expedition Frank Smythe and Holdsworth stumbled into the valley. Smythe wrote about the valley and its flowers--- “their carpet is a celestial one, breathing innocence and joy to a world overburdened with sophistication and sorrow”. His writing invoked curiosity and interest among people across the globe.
Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


Legends/Mythology of Valley Of Flowers:

Folklore associates this valley area with “Gandhamadan”. It is believed to be the place from where Hanuman of Ramayana collected ‘Sanjeevani’ herb to revive Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama.
As per legends Hanuman visited far flung areas in search of the life saving herb, some of the places were named after him for example Hanuman Chatti near Yamunotri, Hanuman Tibba near Gangotri, Hanuman Peak near Nandadevi, Hanuman Chatti near Badrinath etc. He ultimately found the herb in Valley of Flowers or Nandankanan as it is known as.

Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


How to Reach Valley Of Flowers from Delhi:

Road Route– Delhi/Gurgaon--Rishikesh--Dev Prayag--Srinagar--Rudra Prayag--Joshimath--Govindghat--Valley of Flowers
Delhi/Gurgaon--Kotdwar--Dev Prayag --Srinagar--Rudra Prayag--Joshimath--Govindghat--Valley of Flowers

Train Route– Delhi--Rishikesh  then by road further.
                      Delhi--Kotdwar then by road further.
                      Delhi--Haridar/Dehradun  then by road to Rishikesh and further. No train route ahead of Rishikesh.
                      Nearest Railway station Rishikesh/Kotdwar.

Flight Route– Delhi--Dehradun (Jollygrant) then by road to Rishikesh and further. No flight route ahead of Dehradun.

There are regular Buses for Badrinath from Delhi, Haridwar and Rishikesh. You might get shared taxis and Jeeps for Badrinath from Haridwar and Rishikesh. One can board a bus/taxi/jeep going to Badrinath and get down at Govindghat.
Personal Cars and Bikes ply quite often.
Roads open between 8 am to 8 pm. Check post at Pandukeshwar (Near Joshimath) regulates and restricts traffic.


Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


Other Useful Information  about Valley of Flowers:
Valley Of Flowers Altitude/ Valley of Flowers Height:

Valley of Flower altitude/height ranges between 3352 and 3658 m.

Valley Of Flowers Opening and Closing Months:

June to October

Best time/Best season to visit Valley Of Flowers:

July and August

Valley Of Flowers Temperature/ Climate:

Average Temperate  in the months of May to October is between 17'C and 7'C. Valley of Flowers has moderate weather in the months of May to June. It witnesses rainfall in the months of July to September and is snow bound in the months of November to April.

Valley Of Flowers Entry/Registration Fee:
An Entry/Registration fee of Rs 150 (For Indian) and Rs 600(For Foreigners) is charged at the entrance of National Park. Details of the individual is collected and validated against a valid Photo Id (Voter Id, Passport,etc). An Entry pass is issued to the person. The Entry Pass is valid for 2-3 days.

Valley Of Flowers Daily Opening Timings:

The National Park Entry opens at around 7 am and Registration is done until 2 pm. All the visitors need to report back at the entrance gate and exit by 5 pm.

Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


Distances:

                    Delhi to Valley of Flowers: 512 km
                    Delhi to Rishikesh: 238 km
                    Rishikesh to Joshimath : 254 km
                    Rishikesh to Dev Prayag : 74 km
                    Dev Prayag  to Srinagar: 38 km
                    Srinagar to Rudra Prayag:33 km
                    Rudra Prayag to Joshimath: 114 km
                    Joshimath to Govindghat: 21 km
                    Govindghat to Ghangharia: 14 km Trek,  Can be covered On Foot or  On Ponies (Rate of ponies
                                                                   approx 1000INR) or by Helicopter( Rate 3000-3500 INR).
                    Govindghat to Pulna: 4 km motorable road, you can take taxis etc from Govindghat,
                                                       or park own vehicles at Pulna.
                    Pulna to Ghangharia: 10 km Trek, On Foot or On Ponies available at Pulna (Rate of ponies
                                                        approx 800-900 INR).
                    Ghangharia to Valley of Flowers: 5 km Trek, On Foot or on Porter’s back.
Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers

Fooding /Lodging/Hotels on Valley of Flowers route : Meals and Hotels available at Rishikesh, Dev Prayag,Srinagar,Rudra Prayag, Joshimath, Govindghat, Badrinath etc. Hotels need to be pre booked during peak season. GMVN Guest houses are also available. 
Food options at Govindghat and Ghangharia are limited, but you would easily get North Indian Food.

***Life Savers: In case you don’t get booking anywhere or for last minute plans one can stay and dine at Gurudwaras at Rishikesh, Pankhi  (“Gurudwara Sahib”,Garur ganga Distt. Joshimath), Joshimath, Govindghat (“Gurudwara Sri  Govindghat” ), Ghangharia (“Gurudwara Sri Govind Dham”) etc. The Food (Prasad) and Lodging is free of cost.

Clothing for Valley of Flowers: May to September: Light to Heavy Woolens, Rain cover in Months of July and August
                                                       October: Heavy Woolens
** Carry Vaseline and Sunscreens to save yourself from Sunburns and charred lips & cheeks. Also when you are travelling by road during rainy season in India carry heavy duty rain coat, rain paints, wind cheaters, rain resistant boots etc as there is heavy rain pour and only heavy duty rain resistance/cover will last. Carry clothes that dry soon so even if they get wet they dry quickly.

Petrol Pumps on Valley of Flowers route: Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, Joshimath etc.
Last Petrol Pump on Valley of Flowers route: Joshimath.
ATMs on Valley of Flowers route available at: Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, Joshimath etc,
Last ATM on Valley of Flowers route available at: Joshimath
Bike Repair Mechanics on Valley of Flowers route available at : Rishikesh, Dev Prayag , Srinagar, Rudra Prayag, Joshimath.
Car Repair Mechanics on Valley of Flowers route available at: Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath.

 Valley of Flower Trek Difficulty:

Easy to Moderate.
Pulna to Ghangharia 10 km Trek, Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.
Ghangharia to Valley of Flowers 5 km Trek, Difficulty: Easy to Moderate.

Phone Network Connectivity: Phone Network available till Joshimath.Limited network at Govindghat. One can get landline connectivity (if not hampered by weather) at Govindghat and Ghangharia.

Medical Care: Hospitals available at Rishikesh, Srinagar, Joshimath etc. Primary Health Care Center is available at Ghangharia. Small Health care center also available at the Gurudwara at Ghangharia (“Gurudwara Sri Govind Dham”).Elderly People/Kids might need oxygen due to mountain sickness.

Places to Visit near Valley of Flowers: Hemkund Sahib, Badrinath, Mana Village (Last Indian Village), Vasudhara Falls etc.For more information on Badrinath, Mana and Hemkund Sahib please visit my blogs on Badrinath, Mana and Hemkund Sahib.

Any Special Permission Needed to Visit Valley of Flowers: No

+ Disclaimer: Information provided above is based on self experience and collected from various other sources.
Valley of Flowers is an Indian National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is known across the world for its plush meadows of endemic alpine flowers. The Valley is home to rare alpine flowers including Bhramakamal, the blue poppy and the cobra lily. Rare and endangered animals including Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox and blue sheep are inhabitants of this alpine area. High Altitude birds including Himalayan Monal can be seen in this park.
Valley of Flowers


Location: Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand 246443, India

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Ankur Tandon
Hello World!!! I am Ankur Tandon. I am a Software Engineer with a passion to travel and explore new places. Working with industry majors like Google, PwC, TCS etc has given me the opportunity to roam around the world. I have visited around 12 countries, numerous cities and places. Here I share with you my travel experiences, and information about various places.Hopefully it will help you better plan your next trip. “Sayonara” “ Astalavista” “AU Revoir”.