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In 1982, the smallest national park in the Himalayas was created to protect the catchment area of the Pushpavati River. This stream emerges from a glacier then tumbles downward to meet the Ganges. It follows the contours of the steep valley that leads to Hemkunt Sahib, and is the constant companion of the pilgrims who trudge upward on the footpath. The stream's source is in a valley which British mountaineer Frank S. Smythe passed through in 1931 after a successful climbing expedition. He was awed by the variety of wildflowers growing there, and returned in 1937 to collect more than two hundred botanical species. His 1938 book entitled The Valley of Flowers brought this remote Himalayan meadow to the attention of the world.
A short distance above the village of Gobind Dham, the path to the Valley branches off from the main path to Hemkunt Sahib. There, a wildlife guard in the employ of the Forest Department issues entry permits for the national park. From this checkpost it is a three-kilometre trek to the entrance to the Valley of Flowers itself. The trail passes through forests and meadows and across rivers and an avalanche slope before the floor of the Valley opens up before it.
The Valley of Flowers is a glacial corridor, eight kilometres in length and two kilometres in width. Its floor slopes from almost 3,500 metres above sea level up to almost 4,000 metres. True to its name, the Valley is carpeted with wildflowers during the monsoon season. Of the many species which coexist in this unique ecosystem, the most popular among visitors are the Himalayan blue poppy native to the region, the uncommon varieties of primula and orchid which bloom during June, and the impatiens, potentillas, and campanulas which paint the valley pink, red, and purple during July and August.
A stone path meanders among the flowers and across streams. The flowers grow so tall that leaving the path is difficult. Few visitors continue beyond the first one or two kilometres inside the Valley. They pause to photograph flowers, drink from a mountain spring, and scan the valley floor for a glimpse of a grave rumoured to be there among the flowers. In 1939, Joan Margaret Legge, a botanist from the Kew Botanical garden in London, was collecting floral specimens in the Valley when she fell to her death. A memorial was erected in her honour. Etched in English and Hindi into the white marble of the gravestone is a line from Psalm 121 which reads "I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence comment my help."
ITINERARY:
Day 1
Convene at “Indian Mountaineering Foundation”, New Delhi.
6 hrs drive from here to “Haridwar”.
Day 2
Welcome the holy Haridwar; travel for 12hrs along the five famous prayag to reach “Joshimath”; overnight stay in hotel.
Day 3
Early morning drive down to “Govind ghat” – base of Valley of flowers; here is a gurudwara, from here it is 12kms of trek to reach “Ghangria” aclimatise at 10,000ftht. Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 4
Trek of 8kms to the “The Valley of Flowers Sanctuary”; rises at the height of 13,500ftht and overnight stay in Ghangria.
Day 5
Trek of moderate climb of 2kms to “Hemkund Sahib” at the height of 15,500ftht.
Day 6
Descend down from “Ghangria” 12kms to Govindghat. Overnight drive to “Haridwar” nor drive down to “Joshimath” nor “Badrinath”
Day 7
Drive back to “Haridwar”; from here take a overnight train to “New Delhi”.
Terrain; - novice; / moderate; | extreme
Accommodation: Guesthouse or camping.
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