Valley of Flowers
Valley of Flowers trek, the popular and legendary trekking destination every adventure-loving person wishes to go once in their lifetime in the Himalayas is one of the most surreal experiences you will ever experience. This Trek is the essence of the wonders that are perfectly decked by Mother Nature. It is located in the interiors of the Garhwal Himalayas in Uttarakhand. It is a perfect getaway from the daily hustle and bustle of city life, a Trek through the mountains with colorful flowers decked throughout the trail. It is located at an altitude of 14,100 above sea level.
This place is also declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. During the summer the whole place will be vibrant as the flowers start to bloom, So it is preferred to visit this beautiful and eye-catching valley from June to September. You will get to see flowers of different kinds and colours making your trekking experience a memorable one. It is not just the flowers that make this place or the trekking experience unique from all other places, you will get to see how amazing nature is, the streams that flow from the mountains, breathtaking sceneries, and animals of various kinds like red fox and blue sheep. A valley with flowers and green pastures with streams and animals, it is just the perfect place for a Trek especially if you are someone who loves being around flora and fauna.
This place is home to 300 rare species of flowers, some of the prominent ones being the primulas, orchids and poppies. The Himalayan blue poppies have deep blue petals with a golden stamen and the primroses which can be seen here come in the shades of purple , pink and white. This valley changes its colour throughout the year especially from the months May to October as various kinds of flowers bloom throughout this season. The valley of flowers is a paradise for flower enthusiasts for sure. Imagine trekking for hours and days and you get to see a breathtaking view, it is for sure worth all the time and effort that you take. Just like you say, obstacles in life are just like a Trekking experience, because overcoming all the hassles is worth the final destination and the valley of flowers is just a perfect example for that.
All About Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers
While trekking from Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers , you will come across a forest zone. Trekking through this area can be a bit challenging as the paths are usually muddy and slippery so it is advised to follow all the instructions that your guide gives you. The whole hike is approximately 37 km which usually takes around 6 to 7 days. This long journey might make the whole hike seem challenging because you might get exhausted by the end of the day. You have to prepare yourself mentally and physically for a hike like this. It is advised to go for small hikes before going to the valley of flowers to physically prepare yourself. Cycling, running and swimming will also help you build physical endurance to complete this hike. Hiking towards a high altitude region can be demanding on your body like you might experience headaches or dizziness. Hence carry necessary medicines before you start the hike and also trekking to other places will help you build the resistance. Apart from all the physical training you need to prepare yourself mentally before a long hike like this. Things can get a bit stressful starting from planning a trip like this to packing, the journey and the actual hike. Be mindful about what you are packing and with enough training you are good to go for a successful trekking experience to one of the heavens down on earth “ Valley of Flowers”. While packing remember to pack a raincoat, waterproof socks , trekking boots, waterproof cases for your electronic gadgets, water bottle , snacks, medicines etc.
How to reach the Valley of Flowers?
The easiest way to reach the valley of flowers is by road via Govindghat. Govindghat is located on NH58 so it is easy to reach here and it is one of the major cities in Uttarakhand. This is a 10 hour road trip from Dehradun to Joshimath along with one hour journey to Govindghat. From here the trekkers will have to hike to Ghangaria base camp which is 16 km away.
Another way to reach here is by train but the closest station is Rishikesh which is 272 km away from the city of Govindghat. From here the visitors will have to hire a cab or they can even use the bus service. There is frequent bus service from this place as well.
Anybody who is physically fit can go for a trek in the valley of flowers. There is no age restriction for the elderly. When it comes to children , those below 5 years should be avoided since the trek can be a bit lengthy and demanding. Valley of flowers is scheduled to open on the 1st of June 2024 and will close on 4th October 2024. It is recommended to reach the gate by around 6.45 am to get the tickets. The trekkers will have to reach the given point by 5 pm , so you will have to start your trek back to the camp around 1.30 pm or maximum
2.00 pm . This is advised inorder to avoid accidents or any kind of mishaps since everyone has their own pace. Regarding the entrance fees and tickets, the prices vary for Indian citizens and foreigners. For the Indian citizen the ticket costs up to 150 rupees and for foreigners it is 600. One ticket is valid for three days. There are additional charges for carrying a camera and other filming equipment.
Since the place opens up during the post summer season the climate is pretty favourable and enjoyable for the visitors. During the day it stays moderate ranging from 10 to 18 degree celsius and in the night it goes down till 5 degree celsius. The entire visiting period experiences different kinds of weather. If you visit the place during June end you can see the snow melting of the mountains and streams. In the month of July there will be light rain so the trekkers can enjoy the drizzle and hike their way up . By the end of August the rain will stop and you can enjoy the weather. Plan your trip according to what you really want to experience during the hike. Planning is the key to a wonderful trekking experience. You can consult with your tour guide or agency and they will help you and make the work so much easier for you.
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conclusion
Valley of flowers is a much sought destination for botanists, trekkers and photographers. The locals believe that this place was home to fairies and god. Even though we are not sure if that is a myth or a fact , we can confidently say that this trekking experience is going to be one of the most memorable ones you will have!