History
The Valley of Flowers National Park presents an ethereal view
and an unforgettable experience for visitors. Spread over an area of 87 sq km
in the Chamoli district, the Valley of Flowers National Park is a UNESCO World
Heritage Site and forms one of the two core zones (the other being the Nanda
Devi National Park) of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve.The valley
is believed to have been discovered in 1931, when three British mountaineers –
led by Frank S Smythe – lost their way and chanced upon this spectacular
valley. Attracted by the beauty of this place they named
it the “Valley of Flowers”.
As the name suggests, Valley of Flowers is a
destination where nature blooms in full glory offering a breathtaking
experience. Exotic flowers (over 600 species) like orchids, poppies,
primulas, marigold, daisies and anemones are an eye-catching
spectacle. Sub-alpine forests
birch and rhododendron cover parts of the park's area. The
trek to the valley offers eye-catching
spectacles like cascading waterfalls and wild streams. Situated at
an altitude of around 3,600 m above the sea level, the valley is also home to
such rare and amazing wildlife species like the gray langur, the flying
squirrel, the Himalayan weasel, and black bear, the red fox, the lime
butterfly, the snow leopard and Himalayan monal, to name a few.