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Index :
About | Trek
Towards The Valley
Total Coverage Area: 87.5 Sq. Kms.
Location: On the upper expansions of Bhyundar Ganga
in Chamoli District of Uttar Pradesh.
Visiting Season: From mid July to mid of August
Description
The world famous Valley of Flowers is situated in the
upper expansions of Bhyundar Ganga in the far interior of
Garhwal Himalayas. The valley is spread over an area of
87.5 Sq. Kms. and is 3,250 mts. to 6,750 mts. above sea
level. Rich references have been made about this colouful
and eye catching valley in the records of Indian History
and epic literature such as the Ramayana and Mahabharat.
Legend associate with this valley with the area from where
Hanumanji of Ramyana collected 'Sanjeevani" herb to revive
Lakshman.
Trek Towards The
Valley
The trek towards the Valley of Flowers National Park
starts from the roadhead at Govindghat, it is a long 14
kms trek to Ghangria. Since only day visits are allowed to
the Valley, Ghangria serves as the base and it is usually
filled with people. The trek takes a good six to seven
hours and many find the going tough. The scenery is
however delightful with alpine forests all around and the
Bhyundar Ganga roaring past you, especially if you visit
in the rainy season when the river has maximum water.
After crossing the tollgate near Ghangria, one finally
starts on the delightful walk towards the valley. Since a
relatively lesser number of people visit the Valley, and
horses are not allowed in any more, the trek is more
peaceful and enjoyable. The approach to the main valley
leads through lovely dense forests of oak, spruce and
silver birch.
The Valley of Flowers itself, is a classic U-shaped valley
- a work of the Tipra-Kharak glacier. Over millions of
years, glaciers have advanced and receded many times.
Today's Himalayan glaciers are only a pale shadow of their
former selves as they have been receding ever since the
last Himalayan Ice Age. However, the rich morainic soil
left by the glaciers proved to be ideal and numerous
varieties of alpine flowers took bloom.
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