The valley of flowers as the name suggests is famous for the diverse variety of flora that you will come across while visiting this place. It is situated in the chamoli district of Uttarakhand at an altitude of 4500 metres. The temperature here varies between 6°C to 20°C. Considering the diversity of flora you will spot here and the serenity that this place offers to the visitors, it was declared as a national park and a world heritage site by UNESCO.
In the valley of flowers trek, you will come across more than 600 species of flowers with beautiful colours and fragrance.
Floral diversity
It is very obvious from the name itself, that the huge diversity of flora here is the main attracting force for the tourists, nature lovers and photographers. Euphorbia pilosa, rhododendrons, Iris kaemaonensis and aconites are some of the many species of flowers that you will spot here. But you need to keep one thing in mind and that is the fact that you will not find all the flowers here blooming at the same time. Every flower has its own period of flowering which is the reason the valley changes its colour every 15 days.
Climatic fluctuations
One of the many facts that draw the attention of people here is the fluctuations in the climatic conditions. During summers, you can experience the scorching heat of the sun here, although the temperature rarely goes beyond 20°C. And as soon as the monsoon strikes, this place converts into the beautiful heaven that it is famous for. The temperature cools and you can also get a chance to witness the thick mist because of the high altitudes of this place. Not just this, when winters strike, you can see thick sheets of snow covering the land with a white blanket.
The fauna
Apart from the diverse flora, you will also come across creatures that rule this area. The snow leopard or the king of this valley tops the list followed by blue mountain sheep, a few species of deer including the sambar and the musk deer, the Himalayan tahr and many more such animals that find their habitat in the cold climate of the valley of flowers. Although you need to be really lucky to spot a snow leopard here as it mostly dwells with the surroundings making it almost impossible to spot it. Not only this but you can also come across birds of prey like griffon vultures and lammergeier, feasting on dead animals.
Cleanliness is important
If you visit this place, keep one thing in mind… You can’t just go around littering here and there. Also, you dare not try to harm the flora or fauna here in any way because the locals are very much concerned and are proud of the rich flora and fauna of this place, considering the fact that this place holds economic as well as religious importance to them. Also, the valley of flowers is a protected territory and if you try to hamper its beauty or diversity in any way, the government can take direct actions on you.
Since it’s a world heritage site you need to register your name, pay the specified entry fees and tell the number of water bottles that you are carrying with you inside.
Places near the valley of flowers
- Joshimath
- Badrinath
- Pandukeshwar
- Govind ghat
- Mana village
- Auli
- Nanda devi national park
- Hemkund sahib
For customized trekking and camping, visit banbanjara
When to visit?
Sheets of snow cover the valley of flowers through most part of the year. The only time snow wears off is from May end till September end. You can visit it during these times. If you plan to visit anytime different from these, you won’t be able to make the most out of your trip. Also, you can not camp around the place as the authorities have banned any human interference.
Why to visit?
If you are a nature lover, a photographer or someone who loves exploring the floral diversity, then you definitely need to explore this place. Not only will you get a chance to take a closer look at the beauty of nature, but also get a chance to visit other nearby places. So what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and get going.
