Valley of Flowers Trek
The Valley of Flowers trek has been classified as a national park since 1982 and is truly vast, with boundless meadows. It is a World Heritage Site today. The elevation is -12140 ft. If you didn’t know, rare creatures and threatened species are located there. High-altitude birds such as the Himalayan Monal Pheasant inhabit there, as well as animals such as red foxes, blue sheep, brown bears, musk bears, snow leopards, and Asiatic black bears.
The valley is believed to have been discovered in 1931 when three British climbers, led by Frank S. Smythe, lost their way and stumbled upon this stunning valley. They named this place “Valley of Flowers” due to its beauty. It is the most popular monsoon trek in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. Let’s discuss all that you need to know about Valley of Flowers.
Valley of Flowers Trek Best Time
Valley of Flowers offers different shades of beauty in different months.
The Valley of Flowers in June: In June, when the snow melts and the plants start to sprout, the Valley of Flowers tour becomes available for activity. Several small buds and sprouts that are on the verge of becoming gorgeous flowers can be witnessed if you travel to the valley during this period. Climbing woodsorrel, wild thyme, wild rose, yellow flax, marsh marigold, smooth-leaf white violet, Indian Burberry, Himalayan strawberry, and yellow star of Bethlehems are some of the flower species that flower in June.
Temperature: Throughout this month, temperature ranges from 17 up to a high of 29 degrees Celsius.
Rain in June: Since it never rains during June, the trails will still be dry, but there will be fewer flowers in bloom. Nevertheless, the aroma of blooming and new buds will pervade the valley.
Valley of Flowers in July
The Valley of Flowers area receives the beginning of the monsoon in July when flowers begin to bloom and remain open until the end of August. There are plenty of flowers and greenery during this time. Colossal colonies of anemones, golden lilies, geraniums, and some orchid varieties may be observed during this time. You will notice a pink colour on the riverbanks when the monsoon season arrives. Dwarf firewood, or Epilobium latifolium, is what this is. The Valley of Flowers has plenty of this flower.
Temperature: The temperature in July goes as low as 6 degrees Celsius and as high as 11 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall in July: There is no rain or scanty rain during the first part of July but a lot in the latter part. So, while travelling to the Valley of Flowers, get prepared for rain.
Valley of Flowers in August
In the first 15 days of August, flowers are in full bloom, and the monsoon season is at its peak. The valley is open and has the maximum number of blooms during the duration. However, flowers can sometimes wilt their petals as a result of strong monsoons. With so many blooms, August is one of the best times to visit the Valley of Flowers.
Temperature: The temperature varies between 6 and 12 degrees Celsius in August.
Rainfall during August: Even though there will probably be a decent amount of rain during this time, rain trekking is always fun. You can get a feel of what the monsoon weather in the mountains is like, even though most of the Himalayas are shut during this period. Another advantage of trekking during August is that the Badrinath Temple remains nearly empty due to the rains, so you can go for your darshan without encountering a crowd of people.
Valley of Flowers in September
By the beginning of September, the monsoon is over, the flowers are mostly fully bloomed, and more types of berries are in season. The region around Hemkund Sahib continues to have plenty of flowers. Trekking during this period is great as the sky begins to clear, and you get to see more beautiful mountain scenery. With the onset of autumn, the green colour of the valley also takes on a hint of yellow.
Temperature: It is very uncommon for it to go above 4 degrees Celsius or over 11 degrees.
Rainfall in September: There is hardly any rainfall during this entire month, only occasional drizzles. At the end of September, the rain completely ceases.
So, if you are thinking of exploring the Valley of Flowers, these months will be suitable. And among these 4 months, August will be the best month to visit the Valley of Flowers.
Valley of Flowers trek distance
The trek distance of the Valley of Flowers is 38 kilometres. Depending on your fitness level, this distance can be covered in 3 or 4 days. On average you need to trek for 6 to 8 hours per day. It depends on how much distance you want to cover per day and your fitness.
Valley of Flowers National Park
The Valley of Flowers National Park provides visitors with a spell-bounding view and experience that they will cherish forever, all against the stunning backdrop of the Himalayan mountains. The Valley of Flowers National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 87 square kilometres in the Chamoli district. It, along with Nanda Devi National Park, forms one of the two primary zones within the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
It is believed that three British climbers, led by Frank S. Smythe, got lost and stumbled upon this stunning valley in 1931. They named this place “Valley of Flowers” due to its loveliness.
As the name goes, the Valley of Flowers is a place where nature is in its most amazing form, bringing about a marvellous sight. It has more than 600 different species of beautiful flowers, namely orchids, poppies, primulas, marigolds, daisies, and anemones, which look spectacular. The park consists of sections clothed in rhododendrons and birch, belonging to subalpine forests. The trek to the valley offers spectacular scenery of waterfalls and wild streams. The valley contains rare and majestic wildlife species such as the grey langur, the flying squirrel, the Himalayan weasel, the black bear, the red fox, the lime butterfly, and the snow leopard. It is located about 3,600 meters above sea level.
Valley of Flowers Trek Package
Situated at a high level in the Uttarakhand Himalayas, Valley of Flowers trek packages are nature enthusiasts’ all-time dream. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is an acknowledgement that it is among the most stunning natural gardens across the globe. Nothing else can be compared with visiting Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers if you love seeing and discovering various species of flowers. The valley is scattered with hundreds of various kinds of flowers that bloom at various times. It is a fascinating experience for visitors from around the globe. Let’s have a look at some of the trending Valley of Flowers trek packages:
- Valley of Flowers trek from Govindghat: Package duration includes 4 nights and 5 days.
- Valley of Flowers trek with Auli and Chopta: Package duration includes 6 nights and 7 days.
- Valley of Flowers trek from Delhi: Package duration includes 7 nights and 8 days.
- Valley of Flowers by Helicopter: Package duration includes 3 nights and 4 days.
There are many more packages available. You can choose the one at your convenience.
Conclusion
Scenic views, diverse flora, and rare fauna are all present in the Valley of Flowers. June to September is the best time to visit, with August being the peak flowering time. This World Heritage Site by UNESCO is a nature enthusiast’s paradise, whether they prefer trekking or a helicopter ride. Plan your travel sensibly and enjoy the beauty of this magical valley!
FAQs:
#Q1. Which month is best to visit the Valley of Flowers?
The best time of the year to visit Uttarakhand’s Valley of Flowers is mid-July to mid-August. After the initial monsoon rains, the flowers are at their blooming best around this time.
#Q2. What is the total cost of the Valley of Flowers Trek?
The price of the Valley of Flowers trek depends on the trek operator, trek duration, and inclusions. The average price of a Valley of Flowers trekking package is INR 7,000 to INR 15,000 per person.
#Q3. How many days are required for the Valley of Flowers trek?
Generally, the Valley of Flowers trek is 6-7 days long to complete, including travel time to reach the base camp and return.
#Q4. What is the ticket price of Valley of Flowers?
Aside from the park entrance fee and the mandatory hiking permits, the present ticket cost to Valley of Flowers National Park is around ₹150 for Indians and ₹600 for foreigners. Remember that seasonal fluctuations and up-to-date changes may bring about price alterations; always verify with local officials for the latest details.
#Q5. Can we reach the Valley of Flowers without trekking?
No, it is not possible to reach without trekking.
The nearest motorable road is at Govindghat, and from there, it is approximately 13 kilometres of trekking to the Valley of Flowers.
#Q6. Which railway station is near to the Valley of Flowers?
There is no direct train connectivity to the Valley of Flowers. The nearest railway station to the Valley of Flowers is Rishikesh, which is 272 km away.
#Q7. How much is the helicopter ride in Valley of Flowers National Park?
In Valley of Flowers National Park, a one-way helicopter ride from Govindghat to Ghangaria costs approximately ₹3,500 per head. The flight takes around four to five minutes.
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