Valley of Flowers National Park in the Western Himalayas. The Valley of Flowers is a unique corner of India. Journey to a fairy world

In order to preserve and restore natural objects, they organize government agencies, having the status of a national park. In areas where any human activity is limited or completely prohibited, favorable conditions are created for relaxation and exploring local attractions.

Our article will talk about an Indian national park located high in the mountains in the state of Uttarakhand. Famous far beyond the country’s borders for its picturesque landscapes that change depending on the time of year, it attracts great attention from ecotourists from all over the globe.

Home for flora and fauna

The Valley of Flowers is a national park in India located within a biosphere reserve, so visiting it will require official permission. Created in 1982, it has become home not only to unique plant species, but also to animals and birds that are disappearing from the face of our planet.

One of the most beautiful places in the world

There have been legends about the small park, surrounded on all sides by the Himalayan mountains, for a long time. The population believes that fairy fairies live in this mesmerizingly beautiful place. And the fame of rare medicinal plants has made this corner truly sacred for India.

In 1931, a previously inaccessible, unique natural attraction was discovered by an English climber who was amazed at the virgin beauty of the bright carpet. After this, scientists began to study the flora and fauna for which the Valley of Flowers, which creates a unique pattern, is famous.

The national park, exuding a delightful fragrance, is modest in size, but this does not prevent it from being considered one of the most beautiful places in the world. Flower meadows untouched by civilization amaze with a riot of colors.

According to the latest data from experts, more than 500 species of flowering plants grow in the valley, pleasing the eyes of visitors to the park from the beginning of June to October; the rest of the time, unfortunately, the territory of the Indian attraction is covered with snow.

Geographical position

Considering the climate of the reserve, scientists say that it has no analogues in the whole world. Exceptional geographical position created favorable conditions for a sharp transition from one biozone to another, so a huge number of animals characteristic of different latitudes feel at ease here.

Almost all year round, the Valley of Flowers delights with its beautiful floral cover, playing with millions of shades. The national park in the Himalayas is unique due to its endless cycle of changing plants.

Biozones of the valley

Biologists divide the popular attraction into several zones. The first, subalpine, is known for its forest kingdom with birches and rhododendrons.

The lower alpine is the second zone, located above the first and delighting with the brightest colors. Fantastically beautiful orchids, snow-white lilies, unusual dark blue poppies, Himalayan thyme, blue daisies, cute daisies - what kind of plants are there!

In the third zone with harsh climate conditions, located at a distance of about 3,700 meters, lichens and mosses appear along with flowers.

Endless cycle of flowering

It is impossible to list all the plants that live in the valley and have become its main decoration. It’s difficult to put into words this amazing picture - you have to see it! Thanks to the short growing season, new flowers immediately appear in place of wilted plants, creating an endless cycle and providing an example of the amazing harmony in nature for which the Valley of Flowers is famous.

The national park, which stores true floral treasures, is of great interest to botanists who learn a lot about rare plants.

All shades of the rainbow

Edelweiss, growing in the most inaccessible places, has always been considered a symbol of the Alps. The only place where it can be seen not at mountain heights, but in the lowlands is the magical Valley of Flowers.

The national park in its meadows has collected the entire palette of the rainbow, changing over time. But probably the most common color is blue and its various shades. Every year, visitors to the protected area are delighted by nature’s imagination, which paints a huge number of plants in bright or delicate shades.

Journey to a fairy world

When is the best time to visit the national park? The Valley of Flowers (India) reveals all its secrets in the summer, when the living carpet of plants seems endless. One day is not enough to enjoy this tale. After an excursion here, you always want to return to once again immerse yourself in the abundance of strange flowers, clearly contrasting against the backdrop of snow-covered mountains, and breathe in the purest air.

The Valley of Flowers, mentioned more than once in Hindu mythology, gives only positive emotions, charging with energy for a long time. National park, the photo of which conveys marvelous views wildlife- this is an amazing place where even the most will not resist the charm of the fragile plant world.

The park is known for its exceptional picturesqueness, with the alpine meadows with their endemic flora being of particular value. The Valley of Flowers is bordered by a chain of mountains in the neighboring Nanda Devi National Reserve, the highest peak of which rises to 7816 meters. Both parks have been very famous among climbers and botanists for hundreds of years, and Hindus reverence these mountains as sacred.

Almost everything around in the Valley of Flowers is a rarity. In less than 2,500 hectares, over 600 species of subalpine, alpine and highland plants grow, such as the Himalayan maple and blue poppy, which, along with three other species, are not found anywhere else. Another 31 species are considered endangered, and 45 others are considered medicinal plants, used daily by local residents. The latter few are used for religious sacrifices to the deity Nanda Devi and other deities.

Himalayan blue poppy:

Morina longifolia:

Type of gravilate:

The fauna here is also extremely specific. There are 114 bird species in the valley. Here, in the rhododendron groves, broad-tailed and scaly-bellied woodpeckers, blue-faced bearded ducks, and mountain pheasants feel great. Also in the valley live 13 rare and endangered species of animals, such as black bear, snow leopard, yellow marten, blue sheep, and Himalayan musk deer.

Musk deer (musk deer-like animal, males have tusks):

The most best time to visit the Valley of Flowers - from June to September. People usually get here from the town of Joshimath to the town of Govindghat by car (travel time is an hour), then climb along a path along a narrow and beautiful gorge to the Ghangaria camping camp (14 km), from where hiking routes to the Valley of Flowers and to Hemkund Sahib lake.

Govindghat:

It is strictly forbidden to camp in the valley itself; there are no conditions for human habitation in the park. Tourists are accompanied by a local guide who plots a route away from places where valuable plants and rare animals can be found. You can only move around the park on foot; even the entry of pack animals is prohibited. All this is done in order not to disturb the fragile ecological balance in the valley.

Above the Valley of Flowers at an altitude of 4329 meters is the crystal clear Hemkund Sahib Lake. In the holy book of the Sikhs, the Great Sahib Sikh Guru Gobind Singh tells how in his past life he meditated on the shore of a lake surrounded by seven peaks crowned with snow turbans. This lake was later identified as Hemkund. While searching for the exact place of Guru Sahib's meditation, an old man who appeared on the way pointed to a flat piece of rock next to the lake and said that it was on it that the guru meditated. After that, he disappeared, as if he had dissolved. In 1933, exactly at this place, indicated by the mysterious old man, the foundation stone was laid for the construction of the future gurudwara (Sikh temple). Its construction was completed in 1936. Now this place has become one of the centers of pilgrimage.

Gurudwara, interior view:

Hemkund Sahib lake has other names: Lokpal, Lakshman kund. According to local residents, Lakshman, the younger brother of Lord Rama, also meditated on the shores of this lake. A temple dedicated to Lakshman has been built a few meters from the gurudwara.

Despite the fact that the water in the lake is very cold, pilgrims still take a bath in the holy lake.

Hemkund Sahib Lake:

The Valley of Flowers was declared a national park in 1982, and in 2005 it was included in the World Heritage List as part of the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks.

Valley of Flowers - Indian National Park in the Himalayas (Valley of Flowers National Park) - on the territory of the World Biosphere Reserve, which is located high in the mountains in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, about 600 km northwest of Delhi. The park is spread over an area of ​​87.50 km². This national park is surrounded by forests and beautiful waterfalls. Local residents believe that the valley was inhabited by fairies.

During the monsoon season, the entire valley turns into a naturally created beautiful garden, with a wide variety of colorful flowers. There are several snow lakes and glaciers in this valley which adds to the beauty of the place.

Over 600 species of subalpine, alpine and high-mountain plants grow on 2,500 hectares, such as blue poppy and Himalayan maple, which, along with three other species, are not found anywhere else. Another 31 species are considered endangered, and 45 others are medicinal plants used daily by local residents. The latter few are used for religious sacrifices to the deity Nanda Devi and other deities.

These richly diverse areas are also home to rare and endangered species (Asian black bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep).

Above the Valley of Flowers at an altitude of 4329 meters is the crystal clear Hemkund Sahib Lake. In the holy book of the Sikhs, the Great Sahib Sikh Guru Gobind Singh tells how in his past life he meditated on the shore of a lake surrounded by seven peaks crowned with snow turbans.
The best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is from June to September. People usually get here from the town of Joshimath to the town of Govindghat by car (travel time - 1 hour), then climb along a path along a narrow and beautiful gorge to the Ghangaria camp (14 km), from where hiking routes to the Valley of Flowers are organized and to Hemkund Sahib lake. This is a fabulous place for flower lovers, botanists and travelers.

India, Near Nanda Devi National Park, Joshimath, Govind Ghat, Ghangaria, Chamoli, Uttaranchal, 246443, India

general information

High in the Himalayas, among the mountain peaks and ridges, lies the magnificent Valley of Flowers National Park. Together with the nearby Nanda Devi National Park, it is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is protected by the state.

The uniqueness of the Valley of Flowers park lies in the preservation of this natural complex. More than 500 species of plants (among which there are many unique ones), rare birds and animals are found only in these parts.

Tourists are probably unlikely to be lucky enough to see a Himalayan bear, snow leopard or mountain pheasant during their trip. But it is impossible to forget the mesmerizing beauty of the flower meadows that appear in the valley as soon as the snow has melted.

How to get there

It is better to plan at least 4 days to visit this attraction of India, since approximately 2-3 days will have to be spent on the road.

Valley of Flowers National Park is located in northern India, in the state of Uttarakhand, near the border with Nepal and Tibet.

The route usually starts from Rishikesh or Haridwar by bus or jeep. It is easier to get to Rishikesh from Delhi by car (230 kilometers, 5-6 hours travel) or by train.

The nearest major city to the reserve is Joshimath. It is approximately 8-10 hours by mountain road from the city of Rishikesh. Then you have to drive another hour or so to the village of Govindghat, and from there it’s a 15-kilometer walk along an unusually beautiful gorge to the village of Ghangaria. This is the beginning of the route through the Valley of Flowers Park.

You can continue the trekking route through the reserve to the sacred crystal clear lake of Hemkund Sahib.

The national park must be left before dusk (18:00). It is prohibited to make fires or pitch tents in the Valley of Flowers.

Be sure to bring a raincoat and a warm waterproof jacket
and a change of shoes, because the most beautiful flowers appear on the mountain slopes
after the first monsoon rains.

Located in the western part of the Himalayas, in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, the world-famous high-mountain Valley of Flowers is a truly fabulous place, the beauty of which will take your breath away. In 1982, this area acquired the status of a National Park. It is quite small in area - about 87 sq km, but about 600 species of plants grow here, including many unique ones that are not found anywhere else, such as blue poppy and cobra lily. This area is also home to rare animals such as the Asiatic black bear, blue sheep and snow leopard. Main feature The valley is that it is almost always covered with flowering plants of various colors and shades, which makes it attractive to visit all year round. But it is still best to come to this park in June-September, since the rest of the time the ground may be hidden under snow.

The Valley of Flowers became the birthplace of many legends and tales, and has long been famous for its medicinal herbs, therefore it was considered sacred. But until 1931 it was practically unexplored due to its inaccessibility. And today, numerous groups of botanists and biologists come there to study the unique flora and fauna of this region.

There are no structures or buildings in the Valley of Flowers, and the nearest cities are Joshimath and Garhwal, from which the park can only be reached on foot.

Together with the nearby Nanda Devi National Park, the Valley of Flowers forms a World Biosphere Reserve, and has been protected by UNESCO since 2004. Therefore, you must first obtain permission to visit the park.