An expansive 87 sq. km meadow and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Valley of Flowers is located at an amazing spot, where the Zanskar and Himalayan ranges meet. Home to an eye-watering variety of flora and fauna, this is one of the most spectacular destinations in India. Activities include everything from treks and nature walks to wildlife reserves, temples and surreal natural backdrops. However this can be enjoyed mainly between the months of March to October due to the excessive winter conditions.

This is our list of the best things to do in the Valley of Flowers.

Nestled in the Western part of the Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers is a uniquely beautiful national park acclaimed for its endless fields of mountainous florae. Coupled with the Nanda Devi National Park, they create the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve. The park is also home to some of the world's most endangered species of plants and animals. The green meadowlands, gorgeous foothills, and flowing rivers draw millions of visitors the world over. The recommended visiting time is between June and August.

Also a World Heritage Site, this park is the most acclaimed and immersive for experiencing wilderness in the Himalayas and is towered over by 'Nanda Devi Peak', the second highest in the country. The park offers distinctive landscape, weather and a varied environment, societies and ecologies. Visits here are recommended from June to October.

4329 metres above sea level, it is also called Gurudwara Shri Hemkunt Sahib and is reachable via hiking through many falls, dense woodlands and charming glances of the Himalayas. The shrine is closed during the winter months. Accessible only from May to October, the shrine is also a popular trekking destination for the jaw dropping views of the Hemkund Lake and snow-clad mountain tops.

Bheem Pul is a natural stone bridge located in Mana Village, the penultimate settlement on the Tibetan boundary, 3 km away from Badrinath and built over the Saraswati River. The river rampant with marvellous strength, the bridge and the neighbouring caverns create an outstanding photo opportunity and awesome views.

Saraswati River phrased after the Goddess of Wisdom, is a branch of Alaknanda River rolling through Uttarakhand. It intersects with River Alaknanda at Keshav Prayag, near Mana Village in the Chamoli district. Bheem Pul, the natural rock bridge creates a passage onward to Vasundhara Falls. The bridge offers stunning views of the river and neighbouring mountain ranges. 

Treks and nature walks are organised from June to October, when the weather permits access to the Valley of Flowers National Park as well as the neighbouring destinations like Hemkund Sahib and Hemkund Lake. The park ranges over 87.5 square km and provides ample opportunities to enjoy wild flora and fauna and indulge in some truly memorable nature walks.

One of the most awe-inspiring lakes in the country, it is situated next to the celebrated Hemkund Sahib Sikh shrine. Also called the “Lake of Snow,” the circumference of the lake is nearly 2 km. The best time to visit is from June to October. Every year thousands of pilgrims journey to Hemkund Sahib and the neighbouring lake.

A tiny village, on the path towards Hemkund Sahib, it is a frequented site for Sikh pilgrims which is approximately 6 km from here and the Valley of Flowers, an acclaimed national park is about 3 km from here. Situated in the Northern Himalayas at 3049 meters, it is open from May to September.