Valley of Flowers
The valley of flowers is a breathtaking national park located
in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, India. It is one of the most beautiful and
famous trekking destinations in the Indian Himalayas, known for its vibrant
alpine meadows, rare flora and fauna and stunning mountain scenery. It is a UNESCO
World Heritage Site famous for its diverse Himalayan flowers, and it also includes
a visit to Hemkund Sahib. The trek starts from Rishikesh and takes about 5-6
days. It is a moderate beginner-friendly trek in Uttarakhand. It has a number
of guest houses along the way.
The valley features a stunning variety of over 500 species of
flowers, making it a beautiful sight for trekkers, botanists and also
photographers. The valley becomes a kaleidoscope of colours every monsoon (July
–Sept), with thousands of wildflowers blooming in every shade imaginable. Some
common flowers found are blue poppy, Himalayan bellflower, cobra lily, Brahma
Kamal, primulas and anemones.
The common wildlife includes snow leopard, Himalayan black
bear, red fox, musk deer, blue ship and various species of butterflies and
birds.
The valley remains covered in snow from October to May, and
the park remains closed during that period. The valley was largely unknown to
the outside world until 1931, when British mountaineer Frank Smythe accidentally
discovered it and wrote the famous book ‘The
Valley of Flowers’.
The Valley of Flowers is not only a natural wonder but also
deeply woven into Indian mythology and spirituality. Several legends and
beliefs are associated with this sacred place, giving it a mystical aura beyond
its physical beauty.
According to local beliefs, the Valley of Flowers is a place
where celestial beings (apsaras, fairies and Gods) come to
celebrate, and the fragrance and colours of the flowers are the blessings
of the divine. The local people believe that the valley is protected by
mystical powers.
One legend links the Valley of Flowers to the Ramayana. It is
said that when Laksmana, the brother of Lord Rama, was grievously wounded
during the battle with Ravana in Lanka, Hanuman was sent to collect the
Sanjeevani Booti, a life-restoring herb, from the Himalayas. It is believed
that Hanuman flew over this valley and that this is one of the places where the Sanjeevani herb may have grown. This is the main reason why the Valley of Flowers is considered to be a sacred medicinal ground, filled with the rarest of
rare healing herbs.
The Valley of Flowers lies close to the Nanda Devi mountain,
which is revered as the Goddess Nanda Devi, a manifestation of ‘Parvati’. Each
year, locals perform Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, a sacred pilgrimage honouring the
goddess, symbolising her journey to her mountain home.
The Valley of Flowers is often described as a place of
spiritual awakening, where nature’s magnificence brings us in touch with spirituality.
Its pristine beauty, vibrant life and
remoteness make it seem like a manifestation of paradise on Earth where the
divine breathes through every bloom.
Short:
Day
1: Drive from Rishikesh to Joshimath (250km )
Day
2: Drive from Joshimoth to Pulna via Govindghat (25km) & Trek to Ghangaria
(9800 Ft / 9km)
Day
3: Trek from Ghangaria to Valley of Flowers (11500 Ft ) & back to Ghangaria
(8km)
Day
4: Trek from Ghangaria to Hemkund Sahib (14100Ft) & back to Ghangaria (12km)
Day
5: Trek from Ghangaria to Govindghat (9km) & Drive to Joshimath via Pulana
(25km)
Day
6: Drive from Joshimath to Rishikesh (250km)
INR 10900+ GST
(Rishikesh-Rishikesh)
Add-ons:
Transport: INR 2500/Person
Off Loads: INR 1000/Person
Insurance: INR300 /Person
Booking policy:
INR 3000 (non-refundable)
30 days
before the trip, 50 % of the total value is to be paid.
Remaining
Payment 10 days before DOJ
Experienced Trek Guide & Leader
Safety Equipment: First Aid Kit & Portable Oxygen
Cylinder
Homestay (With 2 or 3 people sharing basis)
Delicious Food during the Trek (Veg & Egg)
Three times meals in a day during trek (Breakfast, Lunch
& Dinner)
All necessary Permits & Entry Fees
Transfer cost to Base Camp ( 2500 INR approx. per Person typically applies for a group of
10 & may vary with lesser people )
Any kind of personal expenses
Foods not included while in transit.
Any Medical Evacuation
Porter to Carry personal luggage
Offloading Charge: Rs. 1000 (Per Bag)... Weight should be
under 10 Kg
Cancelled 21-30 days before Journey –Full refund (Except
initial booking fees of Inr 3000, which can be used as future credit till one
year from the date of actual booking)
Note: Applies to those who have paid 50% of the trek cost 30 days before DOJ, or else initial booking fees of INR3000 remain non- refundable in all other scenarios.
Cancelled between 14-20 Days before Journey -10% of the total
amount remains as non- refundable, Booking fees of INR3000 apply as a future credit, and the rest is refunded to the client.
Cancelled between 8-14 days of actual journey –25% of the total
trek package cost remains non-refundable, the remaining is issued as a future credit
valid for 1 year
0-7 Days Prior: 50% is non-refundable, rest 50% as a future
credit of the total package amount. (This applies to clients paying the full amount
within the due date)
Non-appearance on the trek starting day: No refund.
Note: Future credit is for 1 year from the date of actual booking
till the same date and month in the next year & can be switched with any desired
destination as offered by TripstoTrek.com
FAQs
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