The most beautiful flower valleys in the world. Valley of Flowers is a national park in the Himalayas of France. Lavender fields

A colorful sea of ​​flowers swaying in the wind, high mountains, bright sun - the flower valleys are truly impressive. Huge scatterings of aromatic plants are found in almost every country: Ukraine, Bulgaria, India, France, Holland. Many tourists want to admire such beauty and feel like they are in a fairy tale. In this article we will look at the most beautiful and stunning flower valleys.

Bulgaria. Valley of Roses

In the intermountain region about Bulgarian city Kazanlak, since the 18th century, the fragrant Damask rose has been grown. The rose, brought from Syria, later became a symbol of Bulgaria. Thanks to its luxurious aroma, the flower is used as a raw material for essential oil, which is considered the best in the world. Roses bloom here from May to July, and in mid-May a festival dedicated to roses is held. It begins with the ritual collection of petals and ends with the selection of a new Queen of the Rose.

USA, Arizona. Valley of the poppies

Every year from February to June, the gray Mojave Desert comes alive with vibrant orange and red flowers. In the middle of the last century, local residents brought their herds to the Valley of Poppies, or the Valley of Antelopes, but this is now prohibited. Poppies are not watered or stimulated to grow, so as not to disturb the natural appearance of the valley. There are trails for tourists, and you can’t leave them either. The paths are located so that the valley can be viewed from all angles, and on the benches you can relax and admire the wonderful flora and fauna of this area.

USA, California. Valley of callas

A unique sight - wild calla lilies blooming in the background Pacific Ocean– appears here in March. This valley is considered dangerous place, as it is surrounded by poison ivy, stinging nettles and deep ravines. There are also paths laid out for tourists here, from which it is prohibited to leave for safety reasons. The trails lead from the beach, where high ocean waves crash against the shore, to a dense forest of huge redwoods.

It is believed that callas predict the weather better than any weather forecaster: before the rain, droplets of water appear on the tips of the leaves.

France. Lavender fields

A large number of fields in Provence in France are covered with a carpet of fragrant lavender. The city of Valensole is literally buried in these delicate purple flowers: even the houses are decorated with lavender local residents. Here you can also buy natural cosmetics containing lavender essential oil, soap, honey, and bags of dried flowers.

Lavender blooms from June to August, but already in July they begin to mow it. When visiting lavender fields, beware of wasps: they are attracted by the bright scent of the flowers. The best way to get around Provence is by car to see as many fields as possible, or by bicycle.

During the lavender harvest, festivals dedicated to this flower are held. Such a holiday can be visited in Valensola: usually it is the third Sunday of July.

India. Valley of Flowers

India's largest national park is replete with the most vibrant colors and shimmering waterfalls. It is located in the Himalayas and is surrounded on all sides high mountains covered with glaciers.

Locals believe that this place is magical and inhabited by fairies. Multi-colored flowers (primroses, poppies, lilies, rhododendrons, medicinal chamomile and calendula), amazing animals (snow leopards, foxes, bears) - you won’t see anything here! It is worth taking a few days to explore the valley in order to see as much as possible. It would be a good idea to take an umbrella: it often rains here.

In addition to the valleys listed in this article, there are many others in the world. For example, an endless sea of ​​daffodils in the Ukrainian Transcarpathia or valleys of bright tulips in the Netherlands. Visiting such beautiful places will give vivid memories of wonderful views and fragrant aromas.

National Park The Valley of Flowers is located in the state of Uttarakhand, India. The valley is located in the upper reaches of the Ganga River (BhyundarGanga), near the city of Joshimath in the Gharwal region, Chamoli district.

This park is famous for its meadows with flowers of extraordinary beauty. It is home to rare animals, including the Himalayan bear, snow leopard, brown bear and blue sheep.

The national park is surrounded by forests, beautiful waterfalls. Local residents believe that the valley was inhabited by fairies.

In 1982, the Valley of Flowers was declared a national park, and in 2005 it was included in the list World Heritage as part of the object “Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks”. Covers an area of ​​8750 hectares.

Flora of the Valley of Flowers

Climatic conditions and geographical position These protected latitudes have virtually no analogues in the world. The valley lies between the vast grasslands of the Greater Himalayas and mountain range Zaskar. The transition from one biological zone to another occurs very abruptly, so the number of species of both plants and animals characteristic of all biogeographical latitudes is very large here.

The predominant flowers are blue poppies, lilies, primrose, calendula, chamomile, and ground carpet anemones. Part of the park is covered with subalpine forests of birch and rhododendrons. There are also many types of healing, medicinal plants.

Division into natural zones in the Valley of Flowers

The first zone is subalpine. At an altitude of 3200-3500 meters there is a border where the kingdom of trees ends. This strip contains forests in which alpine rhododendrons and birches grow.

The lower alpine zone is slightly higher, at an altitude of 3500-3700 meters. The meadows here delight with bright colors. It is simply impossible to list all the flowering plants that decorate the ground in this National Park.

During the monsoon season, the valley is covered with all kinds of flowers, of which there are more than 500 species. Magical Indian poppies of bright blue color, which, along with three other species, are not found anywhere else, orchids of all shades, flaming primroses, bright orange heads of calendula, fragrant anemones, delicate daisies, strict tulips cover the ground with a colorful carpet.

Some flowers are used for religious sacrifices to the deity Nanda Devi and other deities revered by local people in India.

Incredibly, the Valley plays with bright colors all year round and is never boring or monotonous. How is this possible? It turns out that most of the local angiosperms have a very short growing season. In place of the wilted plants, new buds immediately appear, but in completely different colors. There is complete harmony in this plant community.

The upper alpine zone begins above 3700 meters. The conditions here are more severe, the climate is drier, and the temperature drops several degrees. Flowers are also present here, but in many places there are mosses and lichens.

The local vegetation includes a total of 97 endemic species, that is, characteristic of this ecosystem. A protected area in the Indian Himalayas, recognized as one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the world. Since 2005, the unusually beautiful Valley has been included in the UNESCO List of Natural Monuments.

The Valley of Flowers is also rich in rare species of birds and animals. There are 114 species of birds and 13 rare and endangered species of animals, such as yellow marten, blue sheep, black bear and snow leopard and others such as foxes, mice, hares, and many butterflies.
Birds include pheasants, Himalayan golden eagle, hawk, Himalayan snowcock, snow pigeon and other species.

How to get to the Valley of Flowers

When planning a visit national park Allow at least four days: two days for the round trip, a day to get to the starting point of the valley - the village of Ghangaria, and another day to visit the valley and descend to Govinghat.

We would like to warn those who are going to this fabulous place that the climb to the mountains is difficult, and to get to the park you will have to spend about a day.

The trek to the Valley of Flowers begins at Govindghat, where you can rent a pony. The road to Bhindar (Valley of Flowers) is about 10 kilometers long. Once you reach the Bhindar River, the remaining 3 km of the trek begins a relatively steep climb up to Ghangaria. In total you need to cover a distance of about 17 km.

Nearest Big City Joshimath in Garhwal, there are convenient road connections to the city of Haridwar and Dehradun, which has an airport. Nearest railroad station located in the city of Rishikesh. The nearest place from where you can reach the valley of flowers is the GovindGhat road.

Entrance to the Valley of Flowers for foreigners costs 600 rupees. This ticket is valid for three visits to the national park. You cannot spend the night in the Valley of Flowers, you cannot pitch tents or light fires. There are no shops or cafes here, so it is better to take water and something for a snack with you from Ghangaria.

Visit This reserve is at its best in the second half of summer. The air temperature during this period reaches a maximum of approximately 17°C and a minimum of around 7°C. This temperature is most suitable for mountain travel.

Absolutely every flower is the embodiment of ideal beauty created by nature. A special harmony is hidden in the valleys covered with carpets of flowers. These are picturesque masterpieces that heal the soul.

There are many fabulous places on our planet, among which flowering valleys have gained special attention. Here are five beautiful places, which delight us with fabulous blooms at different times of the year:

1. California Poppy Valley (California, USA)

The Antelope Valley is located in the western desert called the Mojave. Every year the territory is strewn with yellow-orange poppies in huge quantities. Only here, from April to May, you can see these flowers in these parts. The valley itself is gray and boring, but when a carpet of flowers appears, the landscape transforms beyond recognition.

2. Valley of the steppe tulip (Kalmykia, Russia)

Tulip festivals are held annually around the world. The most colorful are in Istanbul and the Netherlands. But such colorful action also exists in wildlife. The proof is the tulip steppes of Kalmykia, which are located in the Manych valley. In the spring, an annual festival is held here, the purpose of which is to protect the flowers from extinction as a result of reckless human activity.

If you are planning a spring vacation, you can go to the Tulip Valley. And in June it’s beautiful in Sochi. At https://gkkiparis.ru/otdyh-v-iyune/ you will find out which complex to stay in Adler, what entertainment is available, and also see prices and reviews.

3. Valley of Lupines (Yuzhny Island, New Zealand)

The landscapes on Lake Tekapo would look ordinary if it weren’t for the delightful arrows of lupines that are scattered throughout the island’s valley. Beauty lasts from mid-November to mid-December. This is quite enough to appreciate the magic of flowers, to fall in love with these exotic plants against the backdrop of the grandeur of the mountains and lake.

4. Valley of Roses (Kazanlak, Bulgaria)

The beauty and aroma of roses are undeniable. You can really enjoy the wonderful smell in the fabulous valley of roses in Bulgaria. In mid-May, hundreds of thousands of roses bloom simultaneously and delight tourists until mid-June. The flowers are collected to obtain rose oil, which is used in perfumery and cooking.

5. Valley of Flowers (Western Himalayas, India)

The national park in India is perhaps the most famous. Its large territory is covered almost all year round different types plants (more than 500). The most colorful are orchids, anemones, daisies, poppies and primroses.

The flower fields and valleys are impressive and attract the attention of the most sophisticated connoisseurs of beauty. Multi-colored scatterings of fragrant plants decorate the open spaces in almost every country! We offer several options to suit every taste.

Valley of Narcissus, Transcarpathia, Ukraine

In the Kireshi tract not far from Khust, a miraculous plantation of angustifolia narcissus with an area of ​​about 250 hectares is comfortably located. Scientists say that it appeared immediately after the Ice Age due to the large amount of water coming down from the mountains. Economic activity man managed to leave its mark on this area. At some point Soviet history They even wanted to dig up the valley to grow crops. But, fortunately, they stopped in time and handed it over to the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. Now the Valley of Narcissus impresses thousands of people with the rarest plants listed in the Red Book.

It is best to plan a visit in mid-May; this is the period when flowering usually peaks. And in Khust itself there is a Museum of Daffodils for the most curious.

Valley of Flowers, India

This is the name of the largest national park in the Western Himalayas, officially founded in 1982. Almost 9 thousand hectares of land high in the mountains are surrounded by picturesque forests and waterfalls. Local residents believed that real fairies lived in the valley. And if there are some doubts about fairies, then there are definitely rare species of plants and animals here. Among them are more than 500 flowering species - daisies, poppies (including the unique blue poppy), calendula, orchids, anemones and many others. Boundless spaces strewn with flowers look especially impressive in a frame of seven mountain peaks. From July to September, the ground is covered with a carpet of flowers, and the weather is just right for comfortable travel.

Valley of Roses, Bulgaria

Between two mountains near the city of Kazanlak, Damask rose has been grown since the 18th century. The first shoots were brought here from Syria, not expecting that the flower would take root so well and over time even become a symbol of Bulgaria. Special climatic conditions valley contributes to the accumulation of a record amount of aroma in the petals. This not only allows you to admire the Valley of Roses for a whole month, but also makes the plantation a source of raw materials for the production of the best essential oil in the world.

You can admire roses from the end of May to the end of June. The Rose Festival, which is held every year on May 25, also deserves attention. Festive performances, processions, culinary delights and the selection of the Rose Queen are the constant attributes of this holiday.

Valley of Wild Callas, California

The combination of foaming waves of the Pacific Ocean and large white flowers can leave few people indifferent. Calla lilies decorate the valley from the very shore to the forest with equally impressive huge sequoias. For the convenience of travelers, there are many bridges and paths along which it is worth walking without disturbing the route. The reason is that deep ravines hide among the wild calla lilies, poison ivy and nettles are found. Thus, nature itself protects flowers from uninvited guests, leaving us, people, the opportunity to contemplate and enjoy the beauty from a distance.

The peak of flowering occurs in March, which is when it is worth going on a tour of the Big Sur area.

Valley of the Poppy, Arizona

Another name is Antelope Valley. Since 1971, this area in the California Mojave Desert has been officially declared a protected area. Flowers here are not watered or cultivated, allowing them to grow as nature intended. Of course, tearing them is strictly prohibited. More than 11 km of special roads and paths have been laid out for visitors, from which you cannot leave. But they are so well thought out that they allow you to see general plans from the high hills, and see individual red flowers. By the way, in addition to poppies, you can find clover, coreopsis and lupine in the Antelope Valley.

It is quite difficult to time your visit when the poppies are in bloom: it lasts only a few days between April and May. But if you manage to catch this magic, the spectacle will be remembered for a lifetime.

Lavender fields, Provence, France

Hundreds of square kilometers of fields in France are covered every summer with the soft purple flowers of fragrant lavender. We are talking about three regions of northern Provence - Haute-Vaucluse, Drôme-Provence and the Alpes of Haute-Provence. Everything here breathes harmony and peace. Even the flowerbeds of rural houses are planted with purple bushes to match the famous fields. If you don’t have the time or opportunity to travel along the tourist routes, then you can simply go to the city of Valensole. It is literally buried in lavender and allows you to get an idea of ​​the region. Don't forget to buy locally made natural cosmetics: here they are always fresh and of high quality. Experienced travelers also recommend remembering large quantities wasps and be careful while walking. Guaranteed flowering time is from mid-July to mid-August. If the spring is warm, then the lavender will begin to smell earlier.

Tulip fields, Netherlands

Holland not only enjoys the status of one of the largest flower exporters, but also attracts tourists with its endless flower fields. First of all, we are talking about tulips. Multi-colored plantations with them stretch along the entire coast from Katwijk to Den Helder. Also known are the areas of Kop van Noord-Holland and Bollenstrijk, a trip to which from Amsterdam will take no more than half an hour. You can devote from several hours to several days to viewing, because the fields stretch for kilometers and are mixed with other attractions of the Netherlands.

Tulips bloom from late March until about mid-May. However, the most best time for a flower trip - mid-April. It is in this month that you can see the largest number of different varieties and subspecies.

Where luxurious green carpets play with all the colors of the rainbow, where the grass is gently tickled by the wind, and fragile flower petals exude aroma for hundreds and thousands of meters, the most beautiful valleys in the world lie. Every spring they abound with succulent herbs, attracting connoisseurs of beauty from all corners of the Earth.
Let us, at least for a moment, find ourselves in the middle of these picturesque valleys, admire the magical scatterings of flowers, breathe in their fragrant aroma and gain their healing power.

Valley of Narcissus, Transcarpathia, Ukraine

Imagine 250 hectares of snow-white beauty - that’s exactly how many narrow-leaved narcissus blooms every spring in the Kireshi tract in Transcarpathia. It's hard to believe, but the world's largest natural tract of daffodil thickets could once disappear from the face of the earth forever. During Soviet times, they wanted to dig up daffodils to grow crops. Fortunately, they realized it in time, and now the luxurious field of daffodils delights visitors with unearthly aromas and unique types of flowers from the Red Book of Ukraine.

Now the valley of daffodils near the city of Khust is part of the Carpathian Biosphere Reserve. And in Khust itself there is a museum of these amazing flowers.

Valley of Flowers, India

Local residents claim that the largest national park of the Western Himalayas, the Valley of Flowers, is the home of real fairies. You may not believe fairy tales, but there are certainly rare plants and animals here. Among the thickets of chamomile, orchids, calendula, and anemones, a unique blue poppy grows in the valley, not found anywhere else in the world.

Flowering carpets stretch along snow-capped mountain peaks for 8 km - real paradise for photographers! But if you want to visit this stunning place at an altitude of 4000 m, I must warn you: the climb up the mountains is very difficult. It will take at least a day to get to the Valley of Flowers.

Valley of Roses, Bulgaria

The pride of the Valley of Roses near the Bulgarian city of Kazanlak is the Damask rose. Here, between two majestic mountains, it has been grown for more than three centuries. Who would have thought that a plant brought from Syria would take root so well on these lands and even become a symbol of Bulgaria.

Thanks to the special climate, rose petals accumulate a record amount of scent. That's why the Rose Valley is a rich source of raw materials for the best essential oils. Damask roses bloom at their peak in May. This is when the area hosts the Rose Festival, a celebration with high-profile performances, culinary delights, parades and the selection of the Rose Queen.

Valley of Wild Callas, California

The valley of snow-white calla lilies is hidden between the dense forests of California and leads to the very ocean coast. With giant sequoias on one side and the relentless waves of the Pacific Ocean on the other, the valley's location creates a unique view that will impress even seasoned travelers.

For numerous tourists, special paths and bridges were built here, walking along which you can enjoy to your heart’s content. picturesque nature California. You should not deviate from the route - many ravines are hidden among the calla lily thickets, poison ivy and nettles are hidden. It is best to come here in March - then wild callas will appear before you in all their glory.

Valley of the Poppy, Arizona

In California's Mojave Desert there is a unique Valley of Poppies. To preserve the pristine appearance of the protected area, the flowers here are not watered or processed. It is illegal to pick poppies in this valley. For all the romantics who flock here to admire the unusual landscapes, 11 km of roads and paths were built, beyond which it is strictly forbidden to go beyond.

If you are lucky enough to visit Arizona this spring, be sure to visit the unique Valley of Poppies. However, catching them in bloom is not easy - fragile poppies bloom only for a few days in April-May.

Lavender fields, France

Every summer, hundreds of square kilometers of fields in France are covered with a purple carpet of fragrant lavender. Three regions of northern Provence - Haute-Vaucluse, Drôme-Provence and the Alpes of Haute-Provence - are surrounded by soft purple flowers. Even the houses of local residents are decorated with lavender bushes - this plant is so loved here.

But if you travel famous tourist routes no time, at least visit the city of Valensole. This is where the real cult of lavender lies! It’s impossible to resist purchasing cosmetics made from natural raw materials from local producers: here they are always fresh and of high quality.

However, when walking through the lavender fields, do not forget about the huge number of wasps. The peak of lavender flowering occurs in July-August - this is when there are the most insects here.

Tulip fields, Netherlands

The Netherlands is famous throughout the world for its endless tulip plantations. And not in vain - the entire coast from Katwijk to Dan Helder is covered with colorful flowering fields. Visit these scenic spots better in mid-April. It is at this time that you can admire the largest number buds.

And if you're passing by Amsterdam, don't forget to visit the areas of Kop van Noord-Holland and Bollenstrijk - it's just half an hour from the city. Kilometers of tulips and numerous attractions will create unforgettable impression about Holland, largest exporter flowers in the world, and, of course, will be remembered forever.