Valley of Flowers – A Walk into Nature’s Canvas

After a restful night’s sleep, we were all set for one of the most awaited days of our journey – the trek to the famed Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.


We started early, around 7:30 a.m., and by 8:00 a.m. we were at the gates of the national park. After completing the necessary formalities, our trek began. The trail welcomed us with a gentle climb, but soon turned into a serpentine ascent that tested our stamina. We paused at a few places, partly to capture the beauty around us in photographs, partly to catch our breath, and then moved ahead with renewed energy.

Information about flowers at the gate of the national park 


Group photo 

Group making way to the destination 


After a few hours of hiking, the trail opened up into the wide expanse of the magical Valley of Flowers. Stretching as far as the eyes could see, the valley was painted in vibrant shades — an endless canvas of wildflowers, glowing under the mountain light. Our guide pointed out rare blooms unique to this region and season, including the much-anticipated Blue Poppy, a sight that instantly lifted our spirits.







Snake plant with a flower shaped like a snake. I contains poisonous seeds






Famed blue poppy




As we walked deeper, I wished to visit the tomb of Lady Joan Margaret Legge, the English botanist who tragically fell from a cliff here while researching in 1939. Her sister later built a tomb in her memory, which still stands in the valley. But reaching it would have taken a couple of hours more, and since we were instructed to begin our return at 1 p.m., I had to let go of that plan. Still, even being in the same valley where she once walked filled me with a sense of reverence.




The return trek was easier, as climbing down felt far gentler than the strenuous climb up. We reached back by around 3:30 p.m., our minds enchanted and our hearts still filled with the colorful spectacle we had witnessed.


Since lunch hours were over at our lodge, we headed straight to the Gurudwara, where we took blessings and partook in the warm, nourishing langar. Later, we called for a local masseur to ease our tired legs. His skilled hands did wonders, and we felt refreshed — both physically and mentally — ready for what awaited us next: the sacred trek to Hemkund Sahib, the one we had left incomplete the last time.


We retired early, keeping our resolve firm. Tomorrow, by 5 a.m., we would begin another climb — this time towards divinity itself.


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