Valley of flowers

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Information about Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers is situated among most noblest and beautiful mountains of the world. It was discovered in the year 1931 when Kamet, a mountain 25,447 feet height was climbed by 6 mountaineers of whom Frank S. Smyth was one. After the climb when they descended towards village of Gamsali in the Dhauli Valley and then they crossed the Zaskar Range, with an intention of exploring the mountainous reason of the two principal tributaries of the Gangs, the Alaknanda and Gangotri rivers.

The monsoon had broken the day they crossed the Bhyundar Pass. It was wet, cold and miserable below 16000 feet rain was falling but above there was sleet or snow. It was chilling to bone and they quickly descended into Bhyundar Valley. Within a few minutes it became warmer as they lost height. Suddenly R.L. Holdsworth who was botanist as well as a climbing member of the expedition, exclaimed Look !, Frank S. Smyth followed the direction of his outstretched hand. At first he could see nothing but rocks, then suddenly his wandering gaze was arrested by a little splash blue, and beyond it were other splashes of blue, a blue so intense it seemed to light the hill side.

As Holdsworth wrote that, all of a sudden I realized that I was simply surrounded by Primulas. They forgot all their pains, cold and lost porters. And what a Primula it was. In all his mountain wanderings Smyth has not seen a more beautiful flower than this Primula.
They camped near a moraine and there were Androsaces, Saxifrages, Sedums yellow and red Potentillas, Geums, Geraniums, Asters, Gentians to mention but a few plants and it was impossible for them to take a step without crushing a flower.

They have discovered one of the most beautiful wonder of nature, The Valley of Flowers. Frank S. Smyth again came in the year 1937 to Valley of Flowers.

Valley of Flowers has around 600 different varieties of alpine flowers which appear periodically according to their turn to paint the valley in different colors. Valley of Flowers is accessible for about four months in a year from June to September. It was declared as a National Park in 1982. The park is spread over 87.5 square kilometers. It is also UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Location of Valley of Flowers

Valley of Flowers National Park is located in Chamoli District of Garhwal region, close to Nanda Devi National Park. It is about 500 kilometers from New Delhi.

Opening and Closing dates of Valley of Flowers.

Valley of Flowers opens from 1st June and closes on 4th October every year. Forest department keeps a check on the movement of the visitors during this period.

Best time to visit Valley of Flowers

The best time to visit Valley of Flowers is from mid July to mid August as far as number of flowers is concerned. This is the time when maximum numbers of flowers are available. However, there will be some flowers which are not available during this time but available some other time during the short span of four months.

Valley of flowers opening hours

Entry to the Valley of Flowers is allowed at 7.00 a.m. and one should get out of the park by 5.00 p.m. The last entry to the park is at 2.00 p.m. You need to come back to Ghangaria the same day as camping and overnight stay is not allow in Valley of Flowers.

Valley of Flowers entry fee

The entry fee is rupees 150 for Indians and rupees 600 ($12) for foreigners. This pass is valid for 3 days. However, Indians can pay rupees 50 and foreigners rupees 250 ($5) for an additional day. The tickets are to be parched at check point which is 300 meters from Ghangaria. Do not forget to be punctual and be there at 7.00 a.m. along with necessary items in your day pack like lunch, camera, extra batteries, umbrella, goggles and some high energy food like chocolates or dry fruits if you are going in the month of June.