Valley of Flowers Trek: A Bucket List Adventure for Nature Lovers
The valley of flowers in the Garhwal Himalayas of uttarakhand. The 13 kilometre trekking trail is adjourned with beautiful flowers and trees which is a site for everyone.It is a botanical wonderland boasting an array of vibrant alpine flowers, rare and endemic plants. During the summer the whole place will be vibrant as the flowers start to bloom, So it is preferred to visit this beautiful and eye-catching valley from June to September. You will get to see flowers of different kinds and colours making your trekking experience a memorable one.
It is not just the flowers that make this place or the trekking experience unique from all other places, you will get to see how amazing nature is, the streams that flow from the mountains, breathtaking sceneries, and animals of various kinds like red fox and blue sheep. A valley with flowers and green pastures with streams and animals, it is just the perfect place for a Trek especially if you are someone who loves being around flora and fauna. It is a perfect getaway from the daily hustle and bustle of city life, a Trek through the mountains with colourful flowers decked throughout the trail. It is located at an altitude of 14,100 above sea level.
All About Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers
While trekking from Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers , you will come across a forest zone. Trekking through this area can be a bit challenging as the paths are usually muddy and slippery so it is advised to follow all the instructions that your guide gives you. The whole hike is approximately 37 km which usually takes around 6 to 7 days. This long journey might make the whole hike seem challenging because you might get exhausted by the end of the day.
You have to prepare yourself mentally and physically for a hike like this. It is advised to go for small hikes before going to the valley of flowers to physically prepare yourself. Cycling, running and swimming will also help you build physical endurance to complete this hike. Hiking towards a high altitude region can be demanding on your body like you might experience headaches or dizziness. Hence carry necessary medicines before you start the hike and also trekking to other places will help you build the resistance. Apart from all the physical training you need to prepare yourself mentally before a long hike like this.
Things can get a bit stressful starting from planning a trip like this to packing, the journey and the actual hike. Be mindful about what you are packing and with enough training you are good to go for a successful trekking experience to one of the heavens down on earth “ Valley of Flowers”. While packing remember to pack a raincoat, waterproof socks , trekking boots, waterproof cases for your electronic gadgets, water bottle , snacks, medicines etc.
Exploring the valley
Once you are in the valley of flowers you will be taken aback at its beauty. As you explore the region you will get to see the diverse array of flowers like the Himalayan Poppies, Brahma Kamal, Cobra lily etc. you will also get to see a lot of butterflies and birds.
Side excursions
If you want to explore and have a more adventurous trip then there are a lot of side excursions that you can undertake from Ghangaria, one of the popular options is the trek to Hemkund Sahib which is basically a sikh pilgrimage site. The trail to this trek is picturesque with panoramic views of mountains with alpine flora.
Exploring the flora in the Valley of flowers
This place is home to 300 rare species of flowers, some of the prominent ones being the primulas, orchids and poppies. The Himalayan blue poppies have deep blue petals with a golden stamen and the primroses which can be seen here come in the shades of purple , pink and white. This valley changes its colour throughout the year especially from the months May to October as various kinds of flowers bloom throughout this season. The valley of flowers is a paradise for flower enthusiasts for sure. Imagine trekking for hours and days and you get to see a breathtaking view, it is for sure worth all the time and effort that you take. Just like you say, obstacles in life are just like a Trekking experience, because overcoming all the hassles is worth the final destination and the valley of flowers is just a perfect example for that.
this valley is the prettiest during the rainy season that is from late july to early september.
Who all can go for this trek?
Anybody who is physically fit can go for a trek in the valley of flowers. There is no age restriction for the elderly. When it comes to children , those below 5 years should be avoided since the trek can be a bit lengthy and demanding. Valley of flowers will be open from the 1st of June 2024 and will close on 4th October 2024. It is recommended to reach the gate by around 6.45 am to get the tickets. This is advised inorder to avoid accidents or any kind of mishaps since everyone has their own pace. The entrance fees and ticket prices are different for Indian citizens and for foreigners. One ticket is valid for three days. You will have to pay extra for carrying a camera and other filming equipment.
Conclusion
The valley of flowers is a testament to the awe inspiring beauty of nature and it shows us the wonders of earth. It is a floral paradise and it is a much preferred destination by many botanists and photographers and a bucket list destination for the adventure lovers.
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