like that of Ramayana and Mahabharat.But due to its near inaccessible approach it had disappeared from the tourists map until in 1931 when Franksmith a British mountaineer having lost his way while returning from ssuccessful expeditionto mt. Kamat, reached this valley which was full of flowers.He was overwhelmed by its enchanting beauty and named it as “ Valley of Flowers".
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, 3 Kms. Away from the Ghangharia. In the front of the Valley stands and snowclad peak of Ratban Parvat and at the block is the kunt Khal, towards the left is Nar Parvat which separates the Badrinath valley from this valley and in the right hill is the dense Birch forest.

Below the forest is the meadow. River pushpavati flows through the valley and there are many aterfalls enhancing the beauty of the valley. The splendour and the scintillating beauty of the valley attracts tourists from all over the world.

The bloom starts immediately after the melting of snow but the peak blooming period is from mid July to mid of August. Almost 300 species of wild flowers bloom here in natural way. Wherein some of the species areAnemone, Geranium, Marsh marigold, Prinula, Potentilla, Geum, Asters, Lilium, Ranunculus, Corydalis, Inula, Braham kamal, Campanula, Pedicularis, Arisaema, Morina, Impatiens, Bistorta, Ligularia, Anaphalis, Saxifrages, Sibbaldia, Thermo- psis, Trollius, Codonopsis, Dactylorhiza, Cypripedium, Str- awberry, Epilobium, Rhododendrons and numerous others. Most of the flowers have medicinal values too. The abundance of Asmanda fern in this valley is a rare sight than in other Himalayan valleys. The valley remains is bloom for three months while the looral composition keeps on changing every few days. By September the hue starts changing and autumn bids farewell to flowers and the entire vegetation remains dormant for about next five months when the valley is snow bound.

Apart from the flowers some species of Butterfly, Musk deer, Blue sheep ( Bharal ), Himalayan bear, Himalayan mouse hare and some Himalayan birds & Snow leopard are also found in this area. Due to these specialities it has always caught the attention of the nature lovers as well as the environmentalists. To conserve the nature’s benevolent gift and to maintain the natural balance of the valley-the valley was declared a National Park in 1982.

Approach :
The valley is approachable from Govindghat. There are two ways to reach Govindghat.
Rishikesh-Srinagar-Karnprayag-Joshimath-Govindghat-(Distance approx. 270 Kms. On Haridwar-Badrinath highway)
Haldwani-Ranikhet-Karnprayag-Joshimath-Govindghat (Distance approx. 332 Kms.)
After crossing the Alaknanda river at Govindghat, an ascending bridle path along Bhyundar Ganga leads to Ghangharia which is 13 kms. Away from Govindghat, from wher the Valley is only 3 kms.

General Information on Valley of Flowers National Park:
Area : 87.5 Sq. Kms.
Year of establishment : 1982
Location: On the upper expansions of Bhyundar Ganga in Chamoli District of Uttar Pradesh.
Climate : July and August
Maximum Temp.: 170 Celsius
Minimum Temp : 70 Celsius
Head Quarters : Joshimath
Nearest Railway Station : Rishikesh, Distt. Dehradun
Nearest Air Port : Jolly Grant, Distt. Dehradun (17 Kms. From Rishikesh)
Nearest petrol pump : Jharkula, Joshimath (22 kms. Before Govindghat)
Nearest Hospital/Market/Bank : Joshimath
Nearest Post & Telegraph Office/Phone : Govindghat
Best time to visit : From mid July to mid of August

Accommodation (Valley of Flowers):
Forest Rest House : Ghangharia (10,800 ft. Above MSL)
No. of suites : 2
Electricity : Not available
Fooding : Personal arrangement
Medium quality meals are available are available in the wayside restaurants at Ghangharia.

Blossoms Period	Name of Flowers
February-June	Rhododendron arboreum
April-July	Primula denticuleta
May-July	Fragaria nubicola, Iris kemaonensis, Fritillaria roylei, Lilium oxypetalum, Arisaema costautum, Thermopsisa barbata, Rosa macrophylla, Caltha palustris
June-August	Anemone obtusiloba, Cypripedium himalaicum, Saxifraga roylei, Rheum australe, Phlomis oracteosa, Hackelia uncinata, Ligularia amplexicaulis, Geum elatum, Geranium wallichianum, Impatiense sulcata, Meconopsis aculeata, Delphenium roylei, Dactylorhiza hatagirea, Pedicularis hoffmeistri, Codonopsis viridis, Origanus vulgare, Hackelia uncinata, Salvia hins/lanata, Viola biflora, Rhodiola heterodonta, Epilohium latifolium
July-September	Senecio jacquemotiamus, Ligularia amplexicaulis, Morina longifolia, Aconitum hookeri, Thalictrum reniforme, Potentilla atrosanguinea, Sedum ewersii, Bistorta affinis, Stachys sericee, Nepeta connata, Pedicularis hoffmeistri, Swertia hookeri, Gentiana ornata, Gaultheria erichophy, Codonopsis affinis, Angelica cyelocarpa, Leontopodium jacotianum, Saussurea fastuosa, Campanula latitotia, Cyananthus lobotus, Sassurea obvallata, Cremanthodium ellisii, Anaphalis triplineruts, Inula grandiflora, Aster albescens, Selinium tenuifolium, Heracleum pinnatum, Epilobium latisperma, Silene setisperma, Arenaria griffithii, Corydalis junecea, Erigerono multiradiatus, Polygonum molle