The Valley of Flowers trek, also known as the “Abode of God,” is a place in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli District of the Garhwal region that is famous for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers. Walking to this impressive UNESCO World Heritage Site is a great way to experience the eponymous Himalayan valley, which is teeming with rich biodiversity and breathtaking surroundings, whether you’re a nature lover, mountaineer, or botanist.
You will experience a once-in-a-lifetime trek through an off-the-beat path, remote hamlets, deserted areas, and a variety of flora and fauna as you make your way to this sublime beauty. At a height of 4,389 meters, the valley is home to several species of animals that are in danger of extinction, including the blue sheep, brown bear, Asiatic black bear, and snow leopard.
All about the Valley of Flowers Trek region.
The Valley of Flowers trek is renowned for inspiring an unfathomable elation in trekkers’ minds because it is one of those uncommon natural botanical gardens in the nation.
You can take the Dehradun route to get to the Valley of Flowers trek. Travel to Haridwar, which serves as the starting point for the Valley of Flowers treks, from Dehradun.
The Valley of Flowers trek starts in Govindghat, near Haridwar. Devprayag, Srinagar, Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, and Karanprayag are all routes that lead to Govindghat. However, one can also get there by way of Lord Badrinath and Joshimath’s winter residence. Don’t miss the chance to see the holy confluence of the Bhagirathi and Alaknanda Rivers, which together form the River Ganges, along the way.
Despite the distance, the route is interesting once one sees the stunning convergence of these two rivers. You’re probably going to get tired, so it’s a good idea to take a short break and unwind in a lovely apple orchard along the way.
From Govindghat to Ghangaria, the first day of the Valley of Flowers trek starts with a 14 km gradual ascent. You will be hypnotized by the beauty of the many waterfalls and the lush surroundings. Additionally, the “Hemkund Sahib,” the highest Gurudwara in the entire world and the most revered of all Sikh Shrines, is located close by at a height of 4,329 meters.
A mule can be rented or a helicopter can be used in Ghangaria, which serves as the campsite for the Valley of Flowers trek. The Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, which is regarded as the best place to stay in Ghangaria, accepts reservations.
About the beauty of the Valley of Flowers Trek,
You will hike through Ghangaria to the Valley of Flowers on your second day. The hardest part of the trek is dealing with the strong winds. You will see thousands of flowers in full bloom as you climb 3,858 meters to reach the Valley of Flowers. Your eyes will water at the amazing and stunning sight.
You may encounter Balsam flowers, which are bright light pink, blue, and orange, Meadow Rue, Himalayan Slender Tape Vine, Dwarf Globe Flower, Marsh Marigold, clusters of white and black Daisy flowers, and Brahma Kamal at the entrance to this national park (Saussure obvallata).
The flowers are spread out over an area of 87.50 km, and it takes about four hours to admire their rare and exotic beauty. Your trek through the Valley of Flowers will be a surreal adventure thanks to a special fusion of snow-capped mountains, lush green meadows, and white clouds.
About the discovery of the Valley of Flowers trek.
The valley was first explored by two Britons, botanist Joan Margaret Legge, and mountaineer Frank Smith, in the 1930s, and they are credited with discovering it.
Botanist Prakash Chandra Kala of the Wildlife Institute of India, on the other hand, spent ten years in the valley. He wrote two books that contain a list of all the flowers that bloom here, along with their common and scientific names, during that time.
More about the Valley of Flowers Trek region.
The floral site provides a one-of-a-kind experience and is a visual feast. The trail will get steeper, but you’ll still be inspired and mesmerized by nature’s most beautiful works. When the long-awaited destination is in view, it appears that every bit of energy expended on the trail was not in vain.
Most people go through a range of emotions, combining excitement and relief as they rejoice in their accomplishment of a goal. Spend some quiet time in the midst of nature, and keep in mind some beautiful scenes. It is noteworthy that this is a tea house trek because there are many tea houses that offer the best varieties of fragrant teas.
About the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers Trek.
The valley is at its most beautiful between July and September when flowers are in full bloom. It is the monsoon season, after all, and it continues to rain here, so be sure to bring your rain gear. Importantly, footwear has a significant impact on a trek, so choosing wet shoes over water-resistant footwear is advised.
About the available accommodation options in the Valley of Flowers trek region.
Outside of the VOF, there are hardly any lodging options. In Ghangaria, there are guest houses, lodges, and camps available. As of now, GMVN, Ghangaria by Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam, is the best lodging option
Some people favor staying in Govindghat, Auli, or Joshimath because those cities have hotels with better amenities. Keep in mind that you will need to travel for about 30 minutes to get to Ghangaria, the base camp if you choose to stay in a hotel or set up camp in any of these three locations.
About the Helicopter and Pony Facilities in the Valley of Flowers trek region.
Helicopters and pony facilities are offered to tourists. Compared to a pony ride, a helicopter ride is quite short and relaxed. However, its operation entirely depends on the weather conditions. During bad weather, a helicopter facility is not provided. Travelers who are planning to trek can also buy wooden sticks or trekking poles to ease their 6–8-hour journey.
About the mobile network and Internet Services available in the Valley of Flowers trek region.
Before you leave for VOF, be aware that Ghangaria offers electricity but that there isn’t much in the way of traveler-friendly mobile network infrastructure. At the VOF entry gate, other travelers may be receiving signals of Idea. Notably, Ghangaria has satellite phone booths where you can place calls.
About the timings for the Valley of Flowers trek.
You cannot hike the 17 km from Govindghat to Ghangaria after 2 p.m. You must get to the base camp by 3 p.m. if you want to return to Govindghat from Ghangaria on the same day. Only after that, at 3 pm, can you begin the 4 to 5-hour trek down to Govindghat. After 4 o’clock, horseback riding is not permitted due to a fear of landslides and wild animals.
Conclusion
The Valley of Flowers trek is a fantastic trekking adventure filled with breathtaking scenery and incredible flora and fauna. Your holiday trek will be made memorable by the Valley of Flowers trek region’s breathtaking scenery.