Trek To Valley Of Flowers
Trekking in the Indian Himalayas has become a lifetime event to remember for all adventure enthusiasts. It not only has difficult treks for professional trekkers but also relatively easier ones to attract first time trekkers. Moreover with tourist infrastructure on a boom, advanced trekking equipments and clothes are being manufactured, thus enabling treks to any part of the Himalayas a relatively easy trip. So if you are planning a fun filled adventure trip to India,trekking in Garhwal (Uttarakhand), to the valley of flowers will be the best option for you.
This Valley Of Flowers, also known as the India National Park is located in Chamoli Garhwal in the Western Himalayas. Being situated at an altitude that varies between 10,500 feet to 21,900 this stunning landscape comes alive in the monsoon season. Also famous for its rare natural beauty this area is home to animals like the Asiatic black bear, blue sheep, snow leopard and brown bear which have become very rare and scarce in the recent times.
How to reach
Trek to Valley of Flowers requires a totals journey of about 17 km. Its nearest town Joshimath (Garhwal) has good road connections from stations of Haridwar and Dehradun. From the town of Joshimath, a vehicle can be easily hired to make an hours journey to the nearby habitat of Gobindghat.
While travelling from Joshimath to the Valley of Flowers, you will find the main road that goes to Badrinath. Almost in the midway of this main road a minor road branches off to Gobindghat considered to be the starting point of the Valley. Once you have reached so far a trek of another 14 km along steep, narrow yet well defined mountain track will take you to base camp at Ghangaria, a small settlement from where the Valley is just about 3km away. This journey from Gobindghat to Ghangaria can be travelled between 4 to 8 hours, off course this depends on your level of fitness! The valley of flowers now starts over with the gorgeous site of Pushpawati River.
When to visit
Trekking in the valley of flowers can be done between the months of April to October, though the best time to visit is just after the first monsoon rain in the month of July to August. It is in the monsoons that The Valley is covered with fully blossomed flowers. Usually in the rest of the year the place is covered with snow with hardly any flowers around the park.
Visiting hours for trekking in the valley of flowers have been restricted to daytime (from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.) and camping is strictly prohibited. This is mainly done so that park does not bear too much toll due to trekkers and other livestock.
Travel tips
A trekking trip to The Valley of Flowers requires an exhausting hike but one completed you'll feel on top of the world due to its majesty and charm. You should make sure that you pack abundant clothes just in case it rains on the way. Also carry sufficient food with you to last the entire hike. Along with these it is always better to book an accommodation in advance in Gobindghat or Ghangaria.
Other major attractions
The popular trekking destination of Hemkund is about 19 km away from Govindghat. Also to be found here is a high altitude lake named Hemkund (4329 m). The sacred Sikh Gurudwara, Hemkund Saheb near this lake attracts tourists due to its beauty and cultural importance. Next attractive place is Joshimath, famous for the temples of Nav Durga and Narsingh. This 8th century popular centre for pilgrims is also the base for trekking to the Valley Of Flowers. Lastly the holy Hindu town of Badrinath (14 kilometers) from Joshimath can also be visited easily on a days trip from the valley.
