Uttarakhand: Valley of Flowers to open for tourists from June 1

In Uttarakhand, the world-famous Valley of Flowers, located in Chamoli will open for tourists from June 1 to October. The Valley of Flowers known for its meadows of endemic alpine flowers and a variety of flora is located at an altitude of 13 thousand feet above sea level and is spread over an area of about four kilometres. It was declared a National Park on 6th of November 1982 and in 2004, UNESCO declared the Valley of Flowers, a World Heritage Site. The Valley of Flowers National Park is part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. During the flowering season, more than 500 species of colorful flowers bloom here, including the National Flower of Japan, Bulupapi, and the State Flower of Uttarakhand, Brahmakamal. Corona restrictions have been lifted after two years and hence, a large number of tourists are expected to arrive this year. While the District Administration has started preparations for a large inflow of tourists, The Forest Department and the Disaster Management teams are also engaged in finalising preparations to make the park, tourism-friendly.

Till almost a century back, the place was hidden from the eyes of the outside world due to its inaccessibility. It is believed that in 1931, Frank S Smythe, Eric Shipton and RL Holdsworth — British mountaineers — lost their way while returning from a successful expedition to Mount Kamet and found themselves in this mesmerising valley. Attracted by its natural beauty, they named it the ‘Valley of Flowers’. The Valley of Flowers,a picturesque destination where nature blooms in full glory offering a breathtaking experience, is one of the most popular places for trekkers and nature lovers.