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Trekking through the jungle, crossing glaciers.
Located in the Uttarakhand state, the Byundar Valley of Flowers lies within India's national park – known as the "Land of Gods" – a UNESCO World Heritage site. It boasts over 500 species of flowers of various kinds, with hundreds more appearing as the altitude increases. Therefore, it is considered a promised land for any ecologist.
Although I'm not an ecologist, I couldn't resist the allure of this enchanting valley of flowers. So I decided to take a trip to the "land of the gods" during my first summer vacation in India.
Passionate Indian friendstrekkingMy extensive experience tells me that the difficulty level of this expedition is medium. Along the way, I was lucky to meet a few people who wanted to share the cost of a Jeep ride to the area.trekkingSo I have a travel companion.
In the group, there was someone who had been to the flower valley three times, but all three times they failed due to bad luck. At that time, when they reached the starting point...expkingThen the weather turned bad, with heavy rain, and they closed off the valley. This time, the whole group was lucky. The weather that week was beautiful, sunny, although sometimes cloudy, with temperatures dropping to 0 degrees Celsius at night.oC.
The center of the flower valley stretches for 10 km.2And you can only explore this place by road. From your starting point in Joshimath, you have totrekkinga 13 km stretch to the village of Ghangria - the starting point for the two roads.trekkingHead to the Valley of Flowers and then to Hemkund – a sacred place for Sikh and Hindu devotees. This is where Gurudwara Shri Hemkund Sahib – a famous Sikh saint – meditated before his death.
We spent a dayexpkingWe were heading to the village of Ghangria. It was 9 p.m. Two people in the group arrived later, as one of them had a leg injury and couldn't climb as quickly. Fortunately, we all arrived before 11 p.m.
The Byundar Valley is embraced by the majestic Himalayas and traversed by the sacred Ganges River. The white foam and roaring sound of the water in the early morning seem like the very breath of Mother Nature, of a river emerging from Indian mythology, exuding boundless power.
From the village of Ghangria, to reach the center of the flower valley, I had to complete a certain road.expThe trail was 4 km long, then another 6 km to reach Hemkud. The path was steep and became more difficult, and we also had to trek across a glacier. Upon reaching the summit, thick fog appeared, and due to the rainy season, the weather was very unpredictable. However, we patiently waited until the fog cleared and the clouds dispersed.
Finally, my wish was granted. I had the opportunity to experience the most valuable thing for those determined to undertake this arduous journey. The crystal-clear beauty of the lake and the pristine white ice formations in the Himalayas made me understand why this route is so worthwhile.trekkingThis is why it has such a strong appeal to those who love exploration.
A myriad of flowers in the misty valley
The next day, I embarked on an exploration of the flower valley. This route was a little gentler. And upon seeing this floral paradise with my own eyes, I realized that the images I had seen before were nothing compared to it. Only two words can describe the beauty of the flower valley when you set foot there: "magical." Rising from the slope, a majestic and overwhelming open space unfolded, as if I were stepping into a completely different world.
The entire Byundar Valley of Flowers is surrounded by the Himalayas, with clouds swirling around the mountains, creating a breathtakingly beautiful landscape. This place truly deserves to be considered one of the sacred lands that Mother Nature has bestowed upon true nature lovers.
WhentrekkingReaching the landmark, the stream, the gentle breezes, the freshness and tranquility of the entire valley surrounded by the majestic Himalayas, made me wonder: "Why is there such a beautiful and magnificent place?".It was then that I understood why the British explorer Thomas Hardwickle – the first to discover the Byundar Valley during his conquest of the Garhwal region of the Himalayas – exclaimed: “I would say without hesitation that this is the most beautiful valley in the Himalayas I have ever seen.”
TriptrekkingMy trip to Byundar Flower Valley lasted a whole week. But the moment I set foot in the valley will forever be an experience that makes me feel I've been granted a rare privilege. And for those who have gambled their luck on the weather to finally reach this place after many failed attempts, arriving at the valley and witnessing the magical beauty of nature is a source of complete happiness. For this is where the beauty of heaven and earth converges, and it is a sacred place for the gods.
Additional information
+ Onionpresentation:From Vietnam, you can fly directly to New Delhi with AirAsia or Thai Airways. From New Delhi to Dehradun (Uttarakhand state), you can travel by plane, train, or bus (approximately 6 hours, with departures every 15 minutes). From Dehradun to Joshimath, you can travel by bus or car, taking about 10-12 hours.
Supplytrekking:The Joshimath bus station is also the starting point for the climb; from here, a Jeep ride is mandatory. You will spend the night at the foot of the mountain and begin climbing early the next morning to reach Ghangria village. This route is 13 km long. You can also travel by horse or...expkingBy road (takes 1 day). Spend one night in Ghangria, then begin the trek to Hemkund and the Valley of Flowers the next day.
+Note:
- Best time to go: The ideal time to trek to Byundar Flower Valley is during the rainy season, from June to August. The weather is very cold at this time, with nighttime temperatures dropping to 0°C.oC. Therefore, you should bring plenty of light, warm jackets, wool hats, socks, and scarves. Remember to bring a raincoat because the weather is changeable and there is often jungle rain.
- Prepare specialized, waterproof hiking boots, as some sections of the trail still have ice that hasn't melted, making it very cold.
- There is no mobile phone signal in Ghangria village; you must use the hotel's private phone.
- Food and Drink: Because this is a religious area, and it falls during the Shiva festival, no meat dishes are sold here, only vegetarian food. It's advisable to prepare snacks for the journey.expkingBecause there are no shops or restaurants around here.
- For photography: Prepare extra memory cards, a tripod, and dehumidifying equipment.
Ngo Nu - Television Reporter
During her two years living and studying in India, Ngo Nu had the opportunity to visit 14 out of the 29 states, from North to South, East to West, in this South Asian country. Her exploration of the Byundar Valley was part of her nearly two-month "solo trip to Northern India" during her first summer vacation there.
When Vietnamese people think of India, they often only consider spiritual tourism, without paying attention to the vastness and diversity of its landscape. Every place and piece of land here is associated with a myth, leaving you amazed. That's why Ngo Nu wants to introduce this article about exploring this paradise-like valley of flowers.
