VALLEY OF FLOWERS NATIONAL PARK

The Valley of Flowers National Park is located at an altitude of 3,200 meters. This small valley (87 square kilometers), previously known only to the locals, was discovered in 1931 by the English explorer and botanist Frank Smith upon his return from an expedition to Mount Kamet. It is a paradise for nature lovers. During the months of July and August, no less than 300 species of flowers, some of them endemic to the valley, come into bloom. The rich diversity of species as well as their medicinal interest allowed the Valley of Flowers to be classified as a National Park in 1982 and to join the Unesco World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2004. It is also home to rare animal species, including the Asiatic black bear, the snow leopard and the great bharal (blue sheep). The entrance to the park is located above the village of Ghangaria, which is reached on foot after a magnificent 14 km climb from Govindghat. The many Sikhs met on the way make a pilgrimage to the holy lake of Hemkund Sahib, which is 5 km above Ghangaria.

In Govindghat, porters will carry your belongings to Ghangaria for about Rs 350 to Rs 500. For the horses, which are waiting at the entrance of the bridge, the fee is about Rs 600.

You can leave your big bag at the locker, in front of the Sikh temple (Gurdwara), just before the bridge. It's free!