The Valley of Flowers is currently home to more than 300 species of flowers and several rare varieties of flora.

The Valley of Flowers National Park in Uttarakhand, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, opened its gates to visitors for the new season on Monday. Located in the Chamoli district, the national park is known for its vibrant alpine blooms and rare biodiversity, attracting nature lovers and trekkers from across the country. The valley will remain open to tourists until October 31.

Best Time To Visit The Valley Of Flowers

The park opens to visitors from June to October each year. However, the best time to visit the Valley of Flowers is from mid-July to mid-August during the peak blooming season. This is when the UNESCO World Heritage Site is in full bloom, carpeted with over 600 species of flowers. According to the department, the Valley of Flowers is currently home to more than 300 species of flowers and several rare varieties of flora.

Monsoon rains can make the trails slippery, but they also bring the landscape to life. Keep an eye out for the Brahmakamal, a rare flower that grows at altitudes of around 14,000 feet.

How To Reach Valley Of Flowers

By Flight: Jolly Grant Airport is the nearest airport to the Valley of Flowers. However, motorable roads extend only up to Govindghat, from where visitors must trek approximately 16 km to reach the valley.

By Train: The nearest railway station to the Valley of Flowers is Rishikesh. From there, visitors can take a bus or taxi to Govindghat. The Rishikesh railway station is located about 273 km from Govindghat on NH58.

By Road: The Valley of Flowers is connected to Govindghat by motorable roads.

The trek is generally considered moderate but can become more demanding if combined with a visit to Hemkund Sahib. Most trekking companies offer itineraries ranging from four to six days. Depending on the operator, the base camp for the Valley of Flowers is usually either Poolna or Pipalkoti. Alternatively, visitors can travel to Govindghat and stay there before beginning the trek.

Can You Stay Overnight In The Valley Of Flowers?

The trek from Poolna or Govindghat leads to Ghangaria, also known as Gobind Dham. The Valley of Flowers lies about 4 km from Ghangaria. Camping or staying overnight inside the Valley of Flowers is prohibited, so visitors must return to Ghangaria before 5 pm. Ghangaria also serves as the starting point for the separate trail leading to Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara.

The Valley of Flowers National Park falls under the management of the Nanda Devi National Park Division, which also oversees Nanda Devi National Park. Together, the two parks form the core zones of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, and both are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites.