Valley of Flowers - Indian national park. The most beautiful flower valleys in the world Blooming valleys
Each flower is the embodiment of ideal beauty, which only nature can create. It contains hidden harmony and incredible power, capable of creating a masterpiece of art with its magic, and turning boring sandy landscapes into picturesque paintings that heal the soul.
Every year on our planet, at one time or another, people can enjoy an incredible fairy tale - the flowering of plants. Some plantings are fragrant thanks to humans, while others are the result of nature, but in any case, flowering plants amaze with their beauty. You can admire their fabulous blooms both in special gardens and parks, and in wild valleys.
1. Valley of Wild Callas (Big Sur, California)
The rich coastal vegetation of the Big Sur region has become known throughout the world thanks to the marvelous white flower that blooms annually in March (the active flowering period) on the Pacific coast. Callas are graceful plants that, against the backdrop of mountains and the Pacific sunset, create the impression of a fairy tale come to life. A defenseless and delicate flower grows surrounded by natural protection - poison ivy, nettles and deep ravines, which helps it protect itself from barbaric “connoisseurs” of beauty, who mercilessly destroy it for the sake of their whim.
2. Valley of Narcissus (Khust, Ukraine)
The beauty of the Carpathian mountains can surprise with its incredible riot of narrow-leaved daffodils in the Khust-Solotvinskaya valley, which annually delights tourists who come here in May. The unique valley of daffodils has practically no analogues; only plantings similar to it are found in the Alps, Balkans and mountainous regions of Romania. But their main difference is that flowers grow directly in the mountains (and not in valleys) and occupy much smaller areas. Like other natural wonders of the planet, the valley of daffodils is slowly disappearing from the face of the Earth, but scientists are confident that they can find a way to prevent this process.
3. California Poppy Valley (California, USA)
The Antelope Valley is located in the western Mojave Desert. Every year its territory is covered with wonderful yellow-orange poppies, which can only be seen in these parts of the national park between April and May. The flowers of the plants are unique in their color; their natural habitat ends in California and surrounding states. Almost all the time the valley looks gray and boring, but in spring a bright carpet of delicate poppies brings rich colors of yellow and orange tones into the bland landscapes of nature, which radically changes the whole picture.
4. Valley of the steppe tulip (Kalmykia, Russia)
Every year, fantastic tulip festivals are held all over the world, the most colorful of which are the festivals in Istanbul and Lisse (Keukenhof Park, the Netherlands). But even in the natural (wild) environment, as it turns out, such colorful actions are possible. An example of this is the tulip steppes of Kalmykia, located in the Manych valley. Every spring, a special conservation festival is held here to protect flowering plants from extinction due to reckless human activity.
5. Lupine Valley (South Island, New Zealand)
The picturesque landscapes of Lake Tekapo would probably look quite ordinary and boring if it were not for the fabulous multi-colored arrows of lupines scattered throughout the valley of the island. Unfortunately, all this fragrance lasts no more than a month (from mid-November to mid-December), but this period is enough to fall in love with the incredibly beautiful paintings created by nature itself. Tall exotic plants, painted in bright, rich colors, against the backdrop of the sky blue and majesty of the mountains, become masterpieces even in the hands of an inexperienced photographer.
6. Valley of Roses (Kazanlak, Bulgaria)
A rose makes you admire the beauty of its delicate flowers. Flowers collected in a bouquet look incredibly beautiful and full of life. Their aroma is intoxicating and exciting; you want to inhale it again and again. You can fully enjoy the wonderful smell of the royal flower in the fabulous valley of roses near the town of Kazanlak. Hundreds of thousands of roses open their colorful buds in mid-May and continue to bloom until mid-June. During this period, the “blooming harvest” is collected, which is further processed in order to obtain rose oil - a unique raw material used in a wide variety of industries, from perfumery to cooking.
7. Valley of Flowers (Western Himalayas, India)
A special place in the list of incredibly beautiful valleys that bloom every year is occupied by the Indian Valley of Flowers National Park. Its large territory is covered almost all year round with different types of plants (more than 500), the most colorful of which are orchids, poppies, anemones, daisies and primroses. There have long been legends about the beauty of these places, which say that fairy fairies live in the Valley of Flowers and can make any wish come true. It is difficult to believe in the truth of the legends without ever having visited these lands, incredibly beautiful places where the owners are the rarest species of animals.
A colorful sea of flowers swaying in the wind, high mountains, bright sun - the flower valleys are truly impressive. Huge scatterings of aromatic plants are found in almost every country: Ukraine, Bulgaria, India, France, Holland. Many tourists want to admire such beauty and feel like they are in a fairy tale. In this article we will look at the most beautiful and stunning flower valleys.
Bulgaria. Valley of Roses
In the intermountain region near the Bulgarian city of Kazanlak, the fragrant Damask rose has been grown since the 18th century. The rose, brought from Syria, later became a symbol of Bulgaria. Thanks to its luxurious aroma, the flower is used as a raw material for essential oil, which is considered the best in the world. Roses bloom here from May to July, and in mid-May a festival dedicated to roses is held. It begins with the ritual collection of petals and ends with the selection of a new Queen of the Rose.
USA, Arizona. Valley of the poppies
Every year from February to June, the gray Mojave Desert comes alive with vibrant orange and red flowers. In the middle of the last century, local residents brought their herds to the Valley of Poppies, or the Valley of Antelopes, but this is now prohibited. Poppies are not watered or stimulated to grow, so as not to disturb the natural appearance of the valley. There are trails for tourists, and you can’t leave them either. The paths are located so that the valley can be viewed from all angles, and on the benches you can relax and admire the wonderful flora and fauna of this area.
USA, California. Valley of callas
A unique spectacle - wild calla lilies blooming against the backdrop of the Pacific Ocean - appears here in March. This valley is considered a dangerous place because it is surrounded by poison ivy, stinging nettles and deep ravines. There are also paths laid out for tourists here, from which it is prohibited to leave for safety reasons. The trails lead from the beach, where high ocean waves crash against the shore, to a dense forest of huge redwoods.
It is believed that callas predict the weather better than any weather forecaster: before the rain, droplets of water appear on the tips of the leaves.
France. Lavender fields
A large number of fields in Provence in France are covered with a carpet of fragrant lavender. The city of Valensole is literally buried in these delicate purple flowers: even the houses of local residents are decorated with lavender. Here you can also buy natural cosmetics containing lavender essential oil, soap, honey, and bags of dried flowers.
Lavender blooms from June to August, but already in July they begin to mow it. When visiting lavender fields, beware of wasps: they are attracted by the bright scent of the flowers. The best way to get around Provence is by car to see as many fields as possible, or by bicycle.
During the lavender harvest, festivals dedicated to this flower are held. Such a holiday can be visited in Valensola: usually it is the third Sunday of July.
India. Valley of Flowers
India's largest national park is replete with the most vibrant colors and shimmering waterfalls. It is located in the Himalayas and is surrounded on all sides by high mountains covered with glaciers.
Locals believe that this place is magical and inhabited by fairies. Multi-colored flowers (primroses, poppies, lilies, rhododendrons, medicinal chamomile and calendula), amazing animals (snow leopards, foxes, bears) - you won’t see anything here! It is worth setting aside several days to explore the valley in order to see as much as possible. It would be a good idea to take an umbrella: it often rains here.
In addition to the valleys listed in this article, there are many others in the world. For example, an endless sea of daffodils in the Ukrainian Transcarpathia or valleys of bright tulips in the Netherlands. A visit to such beautiful places will give you vivid memories of wonderful views and fragrant aromas.
This valley in the Himalayas is home to 521 plant species, a national park and a world heritage site.
The Bhindar Valley is truly a natural wonder. They bloom here in May, as soon as the snow begins to melt.
This continues until September, when the entire area is covered with snow again.
The path to the valley begins at Govindghat, where you can rent ponies and even palki (special stretchers). The road to Bhindar, about 10 kilometers long, is quite calm. After crossing Bhindar, the remaining 3 km of the trek begins a relatively steep climb up to Ghangaria. The psalm "Wahe Guru", chanted by hundreds of Sikh pilgrims on the way to Hemkund Sahib (4300 m above sea level), greatly enlivens the atmosphere.
Numerous dhabas (roadside eateries) almost every 200 meters provide an opportunity to stop and refresh yourself along the way.
The next day found us on the road to Hemkund Sahib. This was the second day in a row that the rain gods were kind enough to show us mercy! For this five-six-kilometer climb from an altitude of 3000 to 4300 meters, we were forced to hire donkeys as we decided to save our energy for trekking and photographing flora and fauna on the way back.
The route to Hemkund Sahib showed us many beautiful varieties of flowers. In fact, due to the altitudinal difference, flowering in Hemkund Sahib
starts late compared to the valley. Many species of flowers, such as the state flower, Brahmakamal (Saussera Oblavata), can only be found at high altitudes between 3,600 and 4,500 meters. Therefore, it was easier to find these flowers here, because in order to discover
them in the valley, one would have to climb very high.
The exotic nature of this flower is evident in the thin, papery texture of its appearance, and the greenish-yellow color, reminiscent of cabbage. This flower is brought as a religious offering to mountain temples.
More than halfway back, we found magnificent blue poppies (Meconopsis Aculeata) with four delicate round petals that
completely won our hearts. The blue petals of these flowers surround bright yellow pollen in the middle. A typical plant, about 50 centimeters tall, bears 3-4 flowers, and the stem grows hairs like thorns to protect the flowers.
Blue poppies can also be found in the valley in the area around Pairra and Nagtal (usually near rocks and rocks).
As we approached Hemkund Sahib, we were greeted by an abundance of flowers. Yellow Thespesia Lampas, Penduncularis and Cremanthodium, beautiful Hackelia Uncinata and the pink cylindrical flowers of Bistora Affi nis were a feast for the eyes.
And now, we have already paid our respects at the Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, after a sacred bath in the Hemkund lake, into which the waters flow directly
a glacier melting nearby.
This area is surrounded by beautiful snow-capped peaks, among which is Mount Neelkanth. These peaks are very difficult to see
in July and August due to heavy cloud formations in the area. Interestingly, there is also a Lakshman Mandir temple in this area. It is said that the epic Ramayana describes how the god Hanuman came to this area in search of Sanjeevini, a medicinal plant needed to revive Lakshmana, who was wounded in the battle against Ravan. Not knowing how to identify what was needed, Hanuman simply took the whole mountain with him!
The fourth day brought us the promise of clear skies. Soon, we were walking briskly straight towards Baumin Dhaur to fulfill our dream of seeing the valley in the arms of the sun. The path looked completely different today. That same road suddenly came to life with golden rays waltzing around mountains, snow and clouds.
Soon, we found ourselves in Bawmin Dhaur, with the majestic Mount Rataban smiling down upon us. But alas, this smile was far from perfect.
White clouds formed over Rataban, veiling the brilliant blue sky (clouds form very quickly at this altitude due to the presence of glaciers).
However, this was the moment when we were as close as possible to fulfilling our dream!
Five days of stay in Ghangaria resulted in an emotional attachment to this valley for us. Our return from Ghangaria to
Govindghat was blessed with clear sunny skies. The same village of Bhindar, surrounded by sunlit mountains, the clear blue sky dotted with rare sparkling white clouds, presented a grandiose spectacle, and a sharp contrast to the gloomy view that had accompanied us on our journey to Ghangaria five days ago!
And we had an idea. We already knew that we would make our next visit at the end of June - beginning of July, when we would have the opportunity to see a completely different view of the valley. A view full of red rhododendrons, exotic lady's slipper orchids, colorful primroses,
lots of blooming red cinquefoil and meadows filled with snow-white anemones. Then an abundance of completely different flowers will await us here...
The valley covers an area of about 87.5 sq. km at an altitude of 3200 to 6600 meters above sea level, with the main area covering about 10 sq. km and extending in a meridian direction along the Pushpavati River. The river flows from the Tipra glacier, located at the northeastern end of the valley. The valley is surrounded on all sides by mountains, particularly Nar Parbat (5245 m) and Nilgiri Parbat (6479 m) in the north, Rataban (6126 m) in the northeast, Gauri (6590 m) in the east and Saptsring (5038 m) in the south. , and Kunt Khal (4430 m) in the west and southwest.
The Pushpavati river flows through the valley and joins the Lakshman river at Ghangaria (at an altitude of 3000 m), then the rivers flow out of the valley and form the Bhindar river. The Bhindar River then flows west and merges with the Alaknanda River, a tributary of the Ganges, at Govindghat (1800 m), 22 kilometers from .
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The author of this article is a travel writer.
Valley of Flowers National Park is located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The valley is located in the upper reaches of the Ganga River (BhyundarGanga), near the city of Joshimath in the Gharwal region, Chamoli district.
This park is famous for its meadows with flowers of extraordinary beauty. It is home to rare animals, including the Himalayan bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep.
The national park is surrounded by forests and beautiful waterfalls. Local residents believe that the valley was inhabited by fairies.
The Valley of Flowers was declared a national park in 1982, and in 2005 it was included in the World Heritage List as part of the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks. Covers an area of 8750 hectares.
Flora of the Valley of Flowers
The climatic conditions and geographical location of these protected latitudes have virtually no analogues in the world. The valley lies between the vast grasslands of the Greater Himalayas and the Zaskar mountain range. The transition from one biological zone to another occurs very abruptly, so the number of species of both plants and animals characteristic of all biogeographical latitudes is very large here.
The predominant flowers are blue poppies, lilies, primrose, calendula, chamomile, and ground carpet anemones. Part of the park is covered with subalpine forests of birch and rhododendrons. There are also many types of healing, medicinal plants.
Division into natural zones in the Valley of Flowers
The first zone is subalpine. At an altitude of 3200-3500 meters there is a border where the kingdom of trees ends. In this strip there are forests in which alpine rhododendrons and birches grow.
The lower alpine zone is slightly higher, at an altitude of 3500-3700 meters. The meadows here delight with bright colors. It is simply impossible to list all the flowering plants that adorn the ground in this National Park.
During the monsoon season, the valley is covered with all kinds of flowers, of which there are more than 500 species. Magical Indian poppies of bright blue color, which, along with three other species, are not found anywhere else, orchids of all shades, flaming primroses, bright orange heads of calendula, fragrant anemones, delicate daisies, strict tulips cover the ground with a colorful carpet.
Some flowers are used for religious sacrifices to the deity Nanda Devi and other deities revered by local people in India.
Incredibly, the Valley plays with bright colors all year round and is never boring or monotonous. How is this possible? It turns out that most of the local angiosperms have a very short growing season. In place of wilted plants, new buds immediately appear, but in completely different colors. There is complete harmony in this plant community.
The upper alpine zone begins above 3700 meters. The conditions here are more severe, the climate is drier, and the temperature drops several degrees. Flowers are also present here, but in many places there are mosses and lichens.
The local vegetation includes a total of 97 endemic species, that is, characteristic of this ecosystem. A protected area in the Indian Himalayas, recognized as one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. Since 2005, the unusually beautiful Valley has been included in the UNESCO List of Natural Monuments.
The Valley of Flowers is also rich in rare species of birds and animals. There are 114 species of birds and 13 rare and endangered species of animals, such as yellow marten, blue sheep, black bear and snow leopard and others such as foxes, mice, hares, and many butterflies.
Birds include pheasants, Himalayan golden eagle, hawk, Himalayan snowcock, snow pigeon and other species.
How to get to the Valley of Flowers
When planning a visit to the national park, allow at least four days: two days for the round trip, a day to get to the starting point of the valley - the village of Ghangaria, and another day to visit the valley and descend to Govinghat.
We would like to warn those who are going to this fabulous place that the climb to the mountains is difficult, and to get to the park you will have to spend about a day.
The trek to the Valley of Flowers begins at Govindghat, where you can rent a pony. The road to Bhindar (Valley of Flowers) is about 10 kilometers long. Once you reach the Bhindar River, the remaining 3 km of the trek begins a relatively steep climb up to Ghangaria. In total you need to cover a distance of about 17 km.
The nearest major city is Joshimath in Garhwal, there are convenient road connections to the city of Haridwar and Dehradun, which has an airport. The nearest railway station is in Rishikesh. The nearest place from where you can reach the valley of flowers is the GovindGhat road.
Entrance to the Valley of Flowers for foreigners costs 600 rupees. This ticket is valid for three visits to the national park. You cannot spend the night in the Valley of Flowers, you cannot pitch tents or light fires. There are no shops or cafes here, so it is better to take water and something for a snack with you from Ghangaria.
Visit This reserve is at its best in the second half of summer. The air temperature during this period reaches a maximum of approximately 17°C and a minimum of around 7°C. This temperature is most suitable for mountain travel.
Where luxurious green carpets play with all the colors of the rainbow, where the grass is gently tickled by the wind, and fragile flower petals exude aroma for hundreds and thousands of meters, the most beautiful valleys in the world lie. Every spring they abound with succulent herbs, attracting connoisseurs of beauty from all corners of the Earth.
Let us, at least for a moment, find ourselves in the middle of these picturesque valleys, admire the magical scatterings of flowers, breathe in their fragrant aroma and gain their healing power.
Valley of Narcissus, Transcarpathia, Ukraine
Imagine 250 hectares of snow-white beauty - that’s exactly how many narrow-leaved narcissus blooms every spring in the Kireshi tract in Transcarpathia. It's hard to believe, but the world's largest natural tract of narcissus thickets could once disappear from the face of the earth forever. During Soviet times, they wanted to dig up daffodils to grow crops. Fortunately, they realized it in time, and now the luxurious field of daffodils delights visitors with unearthly aromas and unique types of flowers from the Red Book of Ukraine.
Now the valley of daffodils near the city of Khust is part of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. And in Khust itself there is a museum of these amazing flowers.
Valley of Flowers, India
Local residents claim that the largest national park of the Western Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers, is the home of real fairies. You may not believe fairy tales, but there are certainly rare plants and animals here. Among the thickets of chamomile, orchids, calendula, and anemones, a unique blue poppy grows in the valley, not found anywhere else in the world.
Flowering carpets stretch along snow-capped mountain peaks for 8 km - a real paradise for photographers! But if you want to visit this stunning place at an altitude of 4000 m, I must warn you: the climb up the mountains is very difficult. It will take at least a day to get to the Valley of Flowers.
Valley of Roses, Bulgaria
The pride of the Valley of Roses near the Bulgarian city of Kazanlak is the Damask rose. Here, between two majestic mountains, it has been grown for more than three centuries. Who would have thought that a plant brought from Syria would take root so well on these lands and even become a symbol of Bulgaria.
Thanks to the special climate, rose petals accumulate a record amount of scent. That's why the Rose Valley is a rich source of raw materials for the best essential oils. Damask roses bloom at their peak in May. This is when the area hosts the Rose Festival, a celebration with high-profile performances, culinary delights, parades and the selection of the Rose Queen.
Valley of Wild Callas, California
The valley of snow-white calla lilies is hidden between the dense forests of California and leads to the very ocean coast. With giant sequoias on one side and the relentless waves of the Pacific Ocean on the other, the valley's location creates a unique view that will impress even seasoned travelers.
For numerous tourists, special paths and bridges were built here, walking along which you can enjoy the picturesque nature of California to your heart's content. You should not deviate from the route - many ravines are hidden among the calla lily thickets, poison ivy and nettles are hidden. It is best to come here in March - then the wild callas will appear before you in all their glory.
Valley of the Poppy, Arizona
In California's Mojave Desert there is a unique Valley of Poppies. To preserve the pristine appearance of the protected area, the flowers here are not watered or processed. It is illegal to pick poppies in this valley. For all the romantics who flock here to admire the unusual landscapes, 11 km of roads and paths were built, beyond which it is strictly forbidden to go beyond.
If you are lucky enough to visit Arizona this spring, be sure to visit the unique Valley of Poppies. However, catching them in bloom is not easy - fragile poppies bloom only for a few days in April-May.
Lavender fields, France
Every summer, hundreds of square kilometers of fields in France are covered with a purple carpet of fragrant lavender. Three regions of northern Provence - Haute-Vaucluse, Drôme-Provence and the Alpes of Haute-Provence - are surrounded by soft purple flowers. Even the houses of local residents are decorated with lavender bushes - this plant is so loved here.
But if you don’t have time to travel the famous tourist routes, at least visit the city of Valensole. This is where the real cult of lavender lies! It’s impossible to resist purchasing cosmetics made from natural raw materials from local producers: here they are always fresh and of high quality.
However, when walking through the lavender fields, do not forget about the huge number of wasps. The peak of lavender flowering occurs in July-August - this is the time when insects are most numerous here.
Tulip fields, Netherlands
The Netherlands is famous throughout the world for its endless tulip plantations. And not in vain - the entire coast from Katwijk to Dan Helder is covered with colorful flowering fields. It is better to visit these picturesque places in mid-April. It is at this time that you can admire the largest number of buds.
And if you're passing by Amsterdam, don't forget to visit the areas of Kop van Noord-Holland and Bollenstrijk - it's just half an hour from the city. Kilometers of tulips and numerous attractions will create an unforgettable impression of Holland, the largest exporter of flowers in the world, and, of course, will be remembered forever.
