The flowering delights of India

India is known to be a land filled with beautiful landscapes and sceneries that leave you with an enveloping sense of tranquility and contentment. A part of this natural delight is also the flower trails of India – laughing, dancing and blooming everywhere in a riot of colours. Here are some of the most incredible trails that you need to visit to re-discover your love for nature.

1. Valley of Flowers, Uttarakhand:

A part of one of UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, this beautiful valley lives up to its name. You can imagine a valley filled with flowers and there’ll still be more flowers here. Set in the Himalayas, this trek is worth every effort and by effort I’m talking about the 17 km trek that you have to take on to reach here. When you can smell the over powering fragrance and a see hue of colours, then you’ve made it. Don’t forget to make a stop at the picturesque trekking destination of Hemkund. You won’t regret it!

Note: You’ll need a permit from the Forest Department to trek here. Best visiting months are July-September.

The never ending trail of flowers (Source)

2. Yumthang Valley, Sikkim:

Situated in North Sikkim, this gorgeous flower-filled valley sits elevated at 3500 meters above sea level. It is right at the tree-line (the altitude above which there are no trees) which means that you’ll get to see a mingling of the happy Himalayan flowers and the deep green of the trees and the 24 species of Rhododendrons. The stars of the show – the rhododendrons – paint the valley red during spring. You can take a cab to Gangtok from the Bagdogra airport from where you can get your permit to enter the while and enjoy the trail. Then, it’s time for you to be amazed!
Note: Best visiting months are May and June because spring time has the best show. It is close to the Indo-China border, so don’t mess around with the instructions. And, don’t forget your warmest sweater and those gloves!

Painting the valley red (Source)

The Yumthang Valley of flowers – as seen in winter (Source)

3. Kaas – Plateau of Flowers, Maharashtra:

This fairyland, also known as the Kaas Pathar is located about 130 km away from the city of Pune. It was declared a bio-diversity site by UNESCO in 2012. A pleasant half hour drive away from Satara, you won’t want to go back once you enter this place. Different flowers bloom throughout the day, which means the flowers that you’ll see in the morning, won’t be the same ones that bloom in the evening. There’s also the Kaasa flower from which the plateau gets its name. The Kaas Lake and the Vajrai Waterfalls are good attractions that you can visit close by. Go get spell bound!
Note: Best visiting months are from August to September. Make sure you pack your raincoats and a good pair of trekking shoes.

Yes. This place is real (Source)

The Kaas Plateau at its flowering best (Source)

4. Dzukou Valley, Nagaland:

This is one of the most popular trekking trails in the northeast and there’s reason enough. Situated at the border of Nagaland and Manipur, behind the Japfu peak, this valley is almost magical. Dzukou is an unforgettable sight because of the different kinds of flowers, the lush greenery and the rhododendrons, of course. You can see two little streams with crystal clear water sparkling in the sun, winding through the valley which makes it all the more magical. A taxi from Dimapur and a few hour worth of trek is just how far away you are from paradise. Once you’re here, you’ll never want to leave.
Note: Best visiting months are from June to September because monsoons do make everything more beautiful. There are guesthouses near the valley, so overnight trips shouldn’t be a problem.

Dzukou Valley – where the flowers come alive (Source)

A view of the Dzukou Valley (Source)

5. Munnar, Kerala:

Now, this one is very special. It isn’t exactly a flower trail but Munnar is witness to one of the most extraordinary flowering phenomena in our country. Neelakurinji (Strobilanthus) is a flower which is known to blossom only once in 12 years, but when it does bloom, the Munnar valleys turn into a blue flowering delight. The next flowering show is expected only in 2018, so you have plenty of time to plan for this one. But make sure you don’t miss it! Munnar is already famous for its beautiful weather and the alluring sights in the hill station, but when valley is blanketed with Neelakurinji, it’s a different experience altogether.
Note: Best visiting months are between July and December though you’ll have to check for variations in the cycle in 2018. Since that’s a busy tourist period, book your accommodation in advance.