Introduction
The alpine valleys of Uttarakhand are a symphony of colour, from Brahma Kamal, the King of the Himalayas, to indigenous Himalayan Marsh Orchids, from Blue Poppy to Himalayan Rose. At 3868 metres, the Valley of Flowers—a World Heritage Site—offers breathtaking views of a landscape that seems to be covered in an organically woven carpet Valley of flowers Trek. A scene out of a storybook is further painted by the surrounding mountain peaks, lush evergreen woods, and the turquoise waters of the gorgeous rivers. This is the location you should go if you want to give your travel journals a colourful touch.
How to reach?
Travelling to this location is a little difficult because there is no direct route to the starting point of Govind Ghat. The Jolly Grant Airport at Dehradun is the closest airport to Govind Ghat, the trip’s starting point, while the Rishikesh Railway Station serves as the arrival point for train passengers. It takes over 10 hours to go from these locations by bus, so make sure you have enough water and emergency supplies. Savour the journey since you are in the heartland of flora and fauna in the country. You are in for a treat as the verdant landscape and the diverse terrain make for the perfect pictures.
Best time to travel
The summer months are extremely dry and since it is just after the winter season there is no point in visiting the valley since most of the flowers don’t bloom. Starting July, the rains hit the valley and from mid- July, the flowers start to bloom and the valley comes alive. Following July’s rains, August is the ideal time of year to visit the Valley of Flowers. It’s best to schedule during the season when most exotic flowers bloom, which is after the rains. Winter travel is not advised as several locations are unreachable due to snowfall.
Route for Valley of Flowers
A visual feast awaits you on the trip from Haridwar to Govindghat in Joshimath, the gateway to the Hindu Char Dham pilgrimage site of Badrinath, with verdant woods, rugged terrain, and the majestic peaks of the Garhwal region joining you along the way. This nine to ten-hour journey will take you past the glittering Alaknanda River, and when reaching Devprayag, you will be able to see the enigmatic grandeur of the Bhagirathi River joining it to form the sacred River Ganges.
Located in the Chamoli area of Uttarakhand, Govind Ghat holds great religious significance as the starting point for the Valley of Flowers Trek and the entryway to Shri Hemkunt Sahib, a revered site for Sikh pilgrims. The next day, you will go through Poolna to get to Ghangaria village. After travelling around 4 kilometres by car to Poolna, you will walk the rest distance. Because of the stunning alpine trees and the roaring Laxman Ganga river, this uphill climb is a little tedious but not too difficult.
You will be able to glimpse the snow-capped peaks of Neelkanth and Hathi Parbat in addition to the area’s vibrant wildflowers. The Valley of Flowers, which is covered with vivid colours of all shades and shapes, is the tour’s high point and can be discovered on the third day. This seven-hour journey begins at Ghangaria and proceeds towards the Pushpavati Valley along the banks of the Pushpavati River that flows through this valley. Enjoy the scents and sights of the Valley of Flowers National Park as you pass by, from Blue Poppy to the Himalayan Rose, from Meadow Geranium to Brahma Kamal, the King of Himalayan Flowers.
Botanical Wonderland: Valley of Flowers
Brahma Kamal: This flower is the Himalayan region’s most prized possession. It has many mythological bearings with many associating it with Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, granting Lord Shiva to attach the elephant’s head to Lord Ganesha, Droupadi’s encounter with a golden lotus and its connection to Lord Vishnu. This flower is said to have wish fulfilling abilities and you have to time your trip carefully to witness its beauty since it is said to bloom only once a year, between the months of July and August.
Blue Poppy: Adding a vibrant touch to the surroundings with its blue colour, this flower is not found in other regions. It blooms during the months of July to August and is known as the queen of the flowers in this region. You will find this flower blooming on the way to Hemkund Sahib after the monsoon period. It is known by the locals for its medical value and has a narcotic nature.
Places to Visit
Hemkund Sahib: Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib ji is a sacred place for all the Sikh devotees and is visited by people from other religions as well. At an altitude of 4329 metres, along the banks of the Hemkund Lake, the Gurudwara is one of the highest in the country. It has religious bearings because it is believed that the tenth guru , Guru Gobind Singhmeditated beside the lake and that Lord Lakshman, younger brother of Lord Rama, recovered from his wounds here and therefore a temple has also been constructed there. There is a sense of solitude that you will find here and nowhere else. The spiritual aura and the weather make it for a perfect location.
Har ki Pauri: Along the banks of the river Ganges, lies the sacred Ghat known as Har ki Pauri and translates to Lord Shiva’s footsteps. The kind of crowd that gathers every evening is surreal and you must experience the famous Ganga ki Aarti while you are here. It has a rich history and there are legends which say that there are footsteps of Lord Vishnu here. There are a range of activities which take place in this location, starting from Mundan, Pinder Daan, Aasthi Visarjan among others and there are a number of fairs as well which bring some amount of vibrancy to this place.
Mana Village: At an altitude of 3200 metres, this village is located in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand. It’s famous for being the last village before the Indo- Tibetan border and is the perfect blend of both the cultures. While you are here, indulge in some shopping as this region is famous for its pankhi, shawls and carpets. There are many waterfalls such as Vasundhara falls and caves along the way but no proper place to rest. You will be able to catch a glimpse of the Neelkantha Peak and take a dip in the healing waters of Tapt Kund.
Nanda Devi National Park: Located in the Chamoli district, the Nanda Devi National Park is one of the most well-known tourist attractions. From lush meadows to colossal mountain ranges, there is a rich geography in this area. There are now over 500 species and you can easily go for a jungle safari if you wish to interact with them in their natural settings. Home to many endangered species, this area now needs to be protected and its beauty preserved by saving the animals from becoming extinct.
Conclusion
Uttarakhand is the ideal getaway for your soul that loves to spend time within nature and there is no other place that is better than this trek.It is true to say that the Valley of Flowers is a haven for botany enthusiasts, but you don’t have to be an expert to enjoy the splendour of nature. Take a lot of photos to cherish this lovely vacation and spend some time together amidst the wildflowers that are in bloom and make you feel happy.
