Valley of Flowers National Park – Batch I (June `13)

 
 
Valley of Flowers National Park – Batch I (June `13): I am sorry for cross posting but this may be of interest to few among you.

We did Valley of Flowers National Park in 2012 and covered with more then 180 species of flora, 20 species of butterflies, one mammal and 10 species of birds. This was the first experiment which brought a very good response with 23 participation from all parts of the country. Now in 2013 we are doing it again. In two batches . June and August. June is the time to see the flowers freshly blooming . This is also the time when tourism in this Himalayan protected area is little away to start. Probably less crowd and more sightings. Precisely orchids, climbers and trees are the target for this batch. For more details, click on the link.

http://www.rajesh-sachdev.blogspot.in/2013/01/valley-of-flowers-national-park-june13.html

With my experiences in high Himalaya I found these two timings for VoFl most appropriate. Lokpal Teerth (now known as Hemkund Sahib) will reopen in first week of June with which starts the boarding/ lodging facilities at Ghangaria (Govind Dham). June is good for many Ranunculus, Caltha, Oxygraphis, Gentians, Primulas, Potentillas, Anemones etc. Please inform the participants that Forest Department charges a fee for carrying still cameras/ video cameras etc in VoFl from all tourists. Night stay in VoFl are not allowed and no plant material can be collected as per the rules.

August is a month when maximum alpine flowers can be seen in bloom. But it is also the time when monsoon showers are heaviest, so be ready with all gears to thwart this downpour. For landscape photography September is a better choice.

GOOD LUCK TO ALL PARTICIPANTS for flowerful journey in Frank Smythe’s Valley!

Best of luck …

You should also understand that August is the time of rain and landslides so be careful. The route is prone to landslides.