Valley Of Flowers National Park (VOF)
Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve | Uttarakhand
Valley of Flowers National Park (UNESCO World Heritage Site) is an Indian national park, located in North Chamoli, in the state of Uttarakhand and is known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and the variety of flora. This richly diverse area is also home to rare and endangered animals, including the Asiatic black bear, snow leopard, musk deer, brown bear, red fox, and blue sheep. Birds found in the park include Himalayan monal pheasant and other high altitude birds. At 3352 to 3658 meters above sea level, the gentle landscape of the Valley of Flowers National Park complements the rugged mountain wilderness of Nanda Devi National Park to the east. Together, they encompass a unique transition zone between the mountain ranges of the Zanskar and Great Himalaya. The park stretches over an expanse of 87.50 km2 and it is about 8 km long and 2 km wide. Both parks are encompassed in the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (223,674 ha) which is further surrounded by a buffer zone (5,148.57 km2). Nanda Devi National Park Reserve is in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The Valley of Flowers is a high-altitude Himalayan valley that has long been acknowledged by renowned mountaineers, botanists, and in literature. It has been recognized internationally for over a century and is referenced in the Hindu religion. Local people have visited the valley since ancient times. Indian yogis are known to have visited the valley for meditation. The Valley of Flowers has many different colourful flowers, taking on various shades of colours as time progressed. The valley was declared a national park in 1982 and now it is a World Heritage Site.
Valley of Flowers National Park (VOF) or God’s own land, No other word can apply to describe the wonderful Valley Of Flowers (VOF). Hidden from the outside world and known only to some mountain inhabitants of the Bhyundar Valley, it was traditionally avoided by the shepherds of the hills, believing it to be the celestial playground of the Gods, nymphs and fairies.
The mysterious valley was discovered by the world renowned British explorer, botanist and mountaineer Frank S. Smythe, in 1931 while returning from the Mt. Kamet expedition. His book ” The Valley Of Flowers” lifted the veil of this hidden beauty for the outside world. In 1939, the british botanical assassination sent their botanist Joan Margaret Legge for further study of the valley. She never returned. She slipped off and was lost forever in the valley. It has now become the part of Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.
An alpine valley formed by retreating glaciers, whose movements through millions of years have shaken the hard rocks beneath, forming a unique u-shaped valley. It houses some of the rarest flora and fauna, that have gone through the wonderful evolutionary process to adapt to the harsh geographical and climatic conditions. It’s one of India’s most coveted National Natural Parks.
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What To See
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How To Reach Valley Of Flowers
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Where To Stay In Ghangaria
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Photo Gallery-Valley Of Flowers National Park
What To See
The Valley of flowers is flanked on either side by majestic peaks, caopped with snow. The Puspawati river, emerging from the glacial deposit around Rataban and Nilgiri ranges, cuts through the valley is on its right bank and is a paradise for trekkers.
Many streams flowing from glacial deposit in and around the valley irrigate it and merge finally into the Puspawati river. While exploring the valley, the smaller streams can be easily crosses by wading across but the larger ones need to be crossed on a log bridges. In cases those which have not been put up in time, thick glacial bridges across the streams also server the purpose.
There are no side tracks for viewing colonies of flowers away from the main track so you can either try to wade through knee-deep flowers and foliage, crushing some on the way or stay on the single track running through the length of the valley without seeing the best. There are many smaller valleys carved out by streams of melting glaciers. On the banks of these valleys, you can encounter the most exciting pattern of flowers.
An irresistible wonder for nature lovers, botanists, ecologists, zoologists, ornithologists and trekkers, the valley remains snow covered from November to May but when the ice envelope thaws in June ot is a single for the profusion of colours hidden in petals of alpine during Jule & August. Some important flowering plants having tremendous medicinal and aromatic values are : Geranium, Marsh, Marigold, Primula, Porntilla, Geum, Aster, Lilium, Himalayanblue Poppy, Aconite, Dephinium, Ranunculus, Corydails, Inula, Saussurea abvallata, Campanula, Pedicularis, Trysimim, Morina, Impetiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis Saxifraga, Lobelia, Thermophis, Trolises Aquilogia, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Straw berries & Rhododendron.
Aprt from the flowering plats, various Himalayan birds, butterfly, Musk Deer , Bharal (Mountain Goats), Himalayan bear, tail less rat etc are the rare inhabitants of the valley. It is in the winter, the valley lins beneath, like the polished steel, the meadows get quilted under thick layers of snow.
Information Credit :- Wikipedia & KMVM
How To Reach Valley Of Flowers
Air : Nearest airport is Jolly Grant, 306 Km away And Dehradun 333 KM.
Rail : Nearest railway station is Rishikesh, 300 KM.
Road : The Valley is approachable from Govindghat. There are two ways to reach Govindghat.
Route One : Rishikesh – Srinagar (Garhwal) – Karnprayag – Joshimath – Govindghat – (Distance approx .270 KM on Haridwar Badrinath Highway)
Route Two : Haldwani – Ranikhet – Karnprayag – Joshimath – Govindghat (Distance approx. 332 KM)
After crossing the Alaknanda river Govindghat, an ascending bridle path along Bhyundar Ganga leads to Ghangharia which is 14 KM away from Govindghat, from where the Valley is only 3 KM walk through this majestic valley, cross the hill streams and rivers accompanied by butterflies, birds, Himalayan Bear, Leopards & Musk Deer.
Where To Stay In Ghangaria
Tourist Rest House – GMVN, Ghangaria
Forest Rest House – Ghangaria
Gurudwara Guest House – Ghangaria
Private Lodges & Hotels – Ghangaria/Govindghat