The Valley of Flowers is one of the richly diverse National Parks located in Uttarakhand. The very mention of the State brings to mind some of the finest sights of nature and Valley of Flowers, which is regarded as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is no exception. It is particularly known for the vast stretches of colorful meadows of alpine flowers and some endangered animal species such as the snow leopard, Asiatic Black Bear, and red fox.
Historical Background:
A British mountaineer named Frank Smythe had successfully scaled Mount Kamet and during the descent, he stumbled upon the Valley of Flowers. After the discovery, the region soon became popular among tourists and particularly among the trekking enthusiasts.
Things to do and Major Attractions:
The region is reachable via the Rishikesh or the Jolly Grant Airport. Once you start the trek, it is a long and tiring journey but the sights are worth the trouble. Be sure to have the stamina for a strenuous trek and you can enjoy nature at its best.
One of the first stops for many during their travel to the Valley of Flowers is the Hemkund Sahib that is a famous Sikh shrine. Besides, the natural beauty of the region is unparalleled and it is regarded by many as one of the most beautiful places in the Himalayas. The trekking to this place is an experience you should not miss out on. The Joshimath, dedicated to the Atharva Veda, is ancient math that serves as both a religious and historic site besides being a tourist attraction for the sightings at such high altitudes.
The sacred village of Pandukeshwar and the beautiful nearby hill station of Auli are some of the other major places to visit around the Valley of Flowers. Mana and Govind Ghat are some of the other places that deserve a visit while you are up for a Valley of Flowers sightseeing.
People and Culture:
Rishikesh, that is nearby has a unique culture, and celebrations of Basant Panchami and Makar Sankranti are popular here. The International Yoga Capital is Rishikesh and the people here around the Valley of Flowers are friendly and polite.
Local Food and Popular Shopping Items:
The food options here are not plentiful and we would strongly advise that for your trip to this heavenly destination, you pack some food with you. The local hotels and places of residence offer delicious Indian food but then again the options are rather limited.
There are not many shopping options around here but you can pick out some delightful handicraft items from Rishikesh where there are multiple shopping destinations for the tourist.
Best Time to Visit:
The region has a comfortable climate throughout the year but for the main attractions of the trek through the Valley of Flowers plan your trip during the months of mid-July to mid-August.
Availability of Accommodation Type:
Accommodation is never an issue in the Valley of Flowers as there are decent hotels and home-stay arrangements nearby. For instance, you could stay put at the Blue Poppy Swiss Cottage Camps or Hotel Kuber. The Valley of Flowers Camp Ghangria and Hotel Dronagiri are some of the other living options that are available here.
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