Valley of Flowers National Park, Valley of flowers, Uttarakhand India

Valley of flowers is a fairy-land situated high in the Himalayas of the Uttaranchal, at an altitude of 3,600 meters above the sea-level, protected by snowy mountains. Unknown to humans, for centuries this is enchanting valley lay frozen during the colder months, and burst into its youthful beauty every year, as the snow melted with the advent of summer. This world famous Heritage Site Valley of Flowers is situated in the upper expansions of Bhyundar Ganga in the far interior of Garhwal Himalayas. Spread over an area of 87.5 Sq. Km. The valley is at an altitude of is 3,250 M to 6,750 M above mean sea level. Many a legend are associated with this vibrant and eye catching Valley, and are often in the epics of the Ramayana and Mahabharat. The valley of Flowers National Park starts from Ghangharia but the main valley starts after crossing the gorge and the stream starting from Nar Parvat, At the entrance of the Valley stands the snow-clad peak of Ratban Parvat, towards the left is Nar Parvat, which separates the Badrinath valley from this valley, and to the right is dense Birch forest on the hillsides.  It was in 1931 that Frank Smythe and Holdsworth stumbled on the valley while returning from their successful Kamet expedition. They were "at once transported from a region of solemn austerity to a fairyland of dainty flowers, most of them dwarf, but brilliant in colour". Bustling with beautiful, lively and vibrant colours, this park spread over an area of 87.5 sq. kms. has the largest collection of wild flower species.As though created by nature itself, the beauty of the park is enhance by the Pushpawati river flowing in the vicinity overlooked by towering Rataban peak in the background.

Open from June to October, this national park is abode to some of the rare animals such as snow leopard, blue sheep, brown bear and Asiatic black bear. Along with rich flora and fauna, the major attraction of this park is the grave of Miss Margarate Legge, who was a botanist.

The national park is home to variety of animals such as musk deer, red fox, common langurs, bharals, serows and mouse hares. In addition, the park being inhabited by several birds such as Himalayan golden eagles, griffon vultures, snow pigeons, snow partridges and Himalayan snowcocks, is considered as a bird's paradise.

The flora found in this national park comprises Himalayan hogweed, Himalayan whorlflower, poppies, primulas, Himalayan balsam, edelweiss and orchids. In addition, iris kemaonensis, fritillaria roylei, rhododendron arboretum, primula denticuleta, rosa macrophylla and caltha palustris are some of the flowers found in this national park.

The Valley of Flowers National Park is located in Chamoli Garhwal, close to Nanda Devi National Park. It’s about 595 kilometers (370 miles) from Delhi, and has an altitude that varies from 10,500 feet to 21,900 feet above sea level.