One Of The Most Popular Treks In India's Himalayas Bursts With Endless Mountain Flowers And Lush Views

In the north of India, tucked between the towering peaks of the inner Himalayas, is a lush valley that would rival the Garden of Eden for beauty and nature. With 600 different flower species and some of Asia's rarest fauna, the Valley of Flowers is surely one of the most spectacular on Earth. As a result, it became a National Park in 1982 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005 , encompassing 33 square miles of snow-capped peaks and lush grasslands. 

Due to its remoteness, as well as some strict rules in place to protect the nature, the only way to experience the valley is via a hike. Once you get to the gateway of the valley, a small village called Ghangaria, the trek itself is just 2.8 semi-challenging miles, but they will be the most stunning 2.8 miles you've ever experienced. Though there are some steep ascents, there are no technical sections, which leaves you able to marvel at the blue Himalayan poppies, cobra lilies, and slipper orchids, or try to spot flying squirrels, common langurs, or the elusive Himalayan brown bear. Just a few short hours in these surroundings will make you understand why India is travel expert Rick Steves' favorite country in the world. 

Getting to the Valley of Flowers isn't the easiest journey, but it is certainly worth it. You can fly directly into New Delhi from multiple U.S. cities, from where you will transfer closer to the Himalayas in Dehradun, Haridwar, or, one of the best destinations in the world for a stress-free wellness vacation, Rishikesh. You can do this via train, plane, bus, or private car in each case. Many guided tours will start from one of these cities and organize the next steps for you. At the time of writing, a guided tour from Rishikesh starts at $140 and will usually include a neighbouring trek, Hemkund Sahib.

If you are not on a guided tour, the next step is to get from one of these cities to Govindghat or Joshimath and from there to Pulna, where you can sign in to the National Park. For the first leg of this journey, you can either drive, hire a driver, or take a public bus. Your journey to Pulna will have to be done by private vehicle. 

Though these stretches are reported to be absolutely beautiful, it is at Pulna where the fun really begins. To get to the start of the Valley of Flowers hike, you must first climb up to the village of Ghangaria, a tiny settlement with a few accommodations, shops, and restaurants that is well equipped to host hikers. The walk is a relatively manageable 5.5 miles but could take the whole day, depending on your hiking speed, due to its steep ascents. It is at Ghangaria where you will buy your ticket to enter the Valley of Flowers ($7 for foreigners at the time of writing). 

Once you've rested in Ghangaria for the night, you'll have to be up bright and early to start on the Valley of Flowers trail. There is strictly no camping inside the park, and you must return to Ghangaria by 5 p.m., so an early start is essential to have enough time to soak in all the beauty of the valley. The trail is accessible to anyone with a moderate level of fitness because, although it is only around a four-hour trek, there is over 3,000 feet of ascent. At your highest point, you will be more than 13,500 feet above sea level in the Himalayas. The route is well sign-posted but as there are no amenities within the park, you must bring enough water from Ghangaria for the day, as well as snacks like bananas that are among the best foods to eat to fight altitude sickness. 

The monsoons from June to October make the flowers bloom, and they are at their finest from July to September, though, as you can expect, wet-weather gear is advised in case of any rain. The park is closed due to snow from October to March. Some good hiking boots, lots of layers, and a first-aid kit are also recommended to deal with the unpredictable nature of Himalayan hiking and to ensure you can make the most out of your day in one of the world's most spectacular valleys.