V!""#$ %& F"%'#() NP | U**!(!+,!-.

For a nature lover, the trek to

the beautiful Valley of Flowers
is indeed a must-do! Spread over
almost 87 sq km in Bhyundar
Valley, the park is situated at
an altitude of 3,658 m above sea
level, not far from Nanda Devi
National Park.
Snow envelopes the valley from
November to May, but with
the coming of summer, in the
months of June-August, this
cone-shaped valley is swathed in
a riot of blossoms, with over 500
species of exquisite, high altitude
flowers such as orchids, poppies,
primulas, marigold, daisies and
anemones, that take ones breath
away. The rare and exquisite
brahma kamal blooms high up the

valley, and especially around

river Pushpawati. Legend goes
that these meadows were once
the celestial abode of gods and
nymphs and the locals decidedly
stayed away in order to give
them privacy.
The 17-km trek to the valley
begins from Govindghat, which
is about an hours drive from
Joshimath. There is a single
cobbled path running through
the Valley to explore this
exquisite National Park.
Approximately 10 kms south
of the Valley of Flowers is
Hemkund Valley, where the
Sikh shrine of Hemkund Sahib
is situated.

At a glance
District: Chamoli
Distance: 17 kms trek from
Govindghat
Nearest airport: Dehradun
(295 kms)
Nearest railhead: Rishikesh
(213 kms)
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Best time to visit: June-August

Closed from: Nov-May

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Entry fee: Rs 150 (Indians);
Rs 600 (Foreigners)
Camera fee: Free
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Major flora: Brahma kamal,
orchids, primula
...............................................
Where to stay: Govindghat

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