Situated in the upper expansions of Bhyundar Ganga in the far interior of Garhwal Himalayas is the world famous Valley of Flowers. It covers an area of 87.5 Sq. Kms. and is 3,250 mt to 6,750 mt above the sea level. The main attraction of this colorful and eye catching Valley, are found in the animals of Indian History and literature like that of Ramayana and Mahabharat. The place had disappeared from the tourist map due to its inaccessible approach but in 1931 when Franksmith a British mountaineer lost his way while returning from a successful expedition to mt.kamat and he reached this valley which was full of flowers. He was so attracted towards the beauty of the place he named it as “ Valley of Flowers”.
The valley of flowers actually starts from Ghangharia but he mail valley starts after crossing the gorge. 3 km from nar Parvat the stream statrts. In front of the valley away from Ghangharia stands Ratban Parvat covered with ice crystal. At the block lies Kunt Khal on the left is Nar Parvat which is the separator between the Badrinath valley and valley of flowers and towards its right lies the dense Birch forest. Below this forest lies meadows where flows river pushpavati and many waterfalls are also there to add on to the beauty of the valley. The pleasing beauty of the valley attracts the tourists here from all over the world.
When the snow melts the it is the blooming peiord in the valley from mid of July to mid of August. Around 300 type of different wild flowers bloom naturally some of which are Anemone, Geranium, Marsh marigold, Prinula, Potentilla, Geum, Asters, Lilium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Braham kamal, Campanula, Pedicularis, Arisaema, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis, Saxifrages, Sibbaldia, Thermo- psis, Trollius, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Str- awberry, Epilobium, Rhododendrons and numerous others. Many of these flowers have good medicinal values.
The great Asmanda fern in this valley can be seen rarely than in other Himalayan valleys. For three months continuously the valley remains in bloom where as the other greenery changes after every few days. Then for another 5 months the valley being covered with snow the entire vegetation remains dormant and the time comes to say goodbye to flowers in september.
In addition to the flowers one can also find some different types of Butterfly, Musk deer, Blue sheep ( Bharal ), Himalayan bear, Himalayan mouse hare and some Himalayan birds & Snow leopard. It always draw the attention of nature lovers due to all these specialities. To maintain the natural balance of the valley it was declared as a national park in 1982.
One can approach the valley from Govindghat. To reach Govindghat one can take way from Rishikesh to Srinagar to Karnprayag to Joshimath to Govindghat total diatnace is approximately 270 kms on Haridwar-Badrinath Highway. Another way from Haldwani to Ranikhet to Karnprayag to Joshimath to Govindghat total distance is approximately 332 kms. Once we cross Alaknanda river at Govingghat an ascending path along Bhyunder Ganga leads to Ghangharia which is 13 kms. From Govindghat the valley is only 3 kms.
Maximum temperature goes to 170 Celcius Minimum Temperature is 70 Celcius.
Nearest Railway station is Rishikesh, Distt. Dehradun Nearest Air Port is Jolly grant, Dehradun (17 Kms from Rishikesh). Other facilities like petrol pump, hospital, Market, bank, Post & Telegraph office, Phone are located at Joshimath 22 kms before Govindghat. The best time to visit the place if mid July to mid of August.
There are only Forest rest houses available in Ghangharia 10800 ft above MSL where there are 2 suits available with no electricity. Fooding arrangements have to be made personally. On the wayside restaurants are available where one can find medium quality meals.
