Press Release - Valley of Flowers

Leisure Hotels adds luxury en-route to Valley of Flowers

Recently named as a National Heritage site by the Uttarakhand Government, the exotic Valley of Flowers (approx. 45 kilometers from the Char Dham Camp at Joshimath, the base camp for Badrinath) has always lured adventure enthusiasts to undertake difficult treks on a route replete with waterfalls, wild flowers, forests and beautiful landscapes. With the valley now in full bloom, Leisure Hotels Limited, a major player in Uttarakhand's tourism and hotels sector, is offering special packages to include the picturesque Valley of Flowers (VOF) in their itinerary to the Char Dhams for those who wish to combine the adventure of trekking with the solace of spiritualism.

Leisure Hotels is offering several packages that include staying in their spacious, weather-proof, luxury tents at the Char Dhams en route to the Valley of Flowers. The package options are as follows: The Char Dhams + VOF (13 days/12nights) is Rs 18,000 per person, Teen Dhams + VOF (11days/10nights) would cost Rs 15,400 per person, Do Dham (Gangotri & Badrinath) + VOF (8days/9 nights) would cost Rs 11,500 per person, Do Dham (Kedarnath & Badrinath) + VOF (9days /8nights) would cost Rs 12,800 per person. There is also an option that provides the greatest value for money: Badrinath + VOF would cost Rs 12, 500 per person for 8 days and 7 nights, while a visit to VOF ex Delhi would cost Rs 11, 200 (7 days/6nights) . The packages can be availed till September 15, 2006.

The Valley of Flowers is situated in the upper expansions of the Bhyundar Ganga. The valley is spread over an area of 87.5 sq.km and ranges from 3,250 mts to 6750 mts in altitude. The Valley of Flowers national park appeared on the tourist map only as early as 1931 when Frank Smith, a British tourist, stumbled across this valley when he lost his way while returning from Mt. Kamet.

The Valley of Flowers national park starts from Ganghria, but one reaches the main valley only after crossing the gorge and the stream starting from the Nar Parvat, 3kms from Ganghria. The valley begins to bloom right after the snows melt but the peak blooming period is from mid July to September. The floral composition changes almost on a daily basis during these 3 months. The valley has a natural bloom of over 300 species of wild flowers like, Anemone, Geranium, Marsh Marigold, Primula; Ptentilla etc. The abundance of the Asamanda Fern in the valley sets it apart in the floral annals of the Himalayas. Apart from flowers, the valley is also the home of certain species of butterflies, the blue sheep, Himalayan bear, the Himalayan mouse, hare and the snow leopard.

Situated 35 kms from Joshimath at an altitude of 3048mts, Ghanghria is the most convenient base camp to access the Valley of Flowers & Hemkund. (10 km trek route to the Valley of Flowers and a 12 km trail to Hemkund). The path from Ghanghria winds through glaciers, snow bridges and alpine forests while ascending to the Valley of Flowers.

Leisure Hotels is a dominant player in Uttarakhand's tourism and hotel sector with its portfolio of resorts & luxury camps that incorporate more than TEN properties in the state's tourist & scenic destinations, offering more than 300 rooms in the leisure & spiritual segment. Since the time of its first venture in Nainital (The Naini Retreat in September 1989), Leisure Hotels has had the opportunity to serve the largest number of tourists at much sought after locations i.e. Nainital, Ramgarh, The Char Dham Camps, Corbett National Park, Haridwar and Rishikesh. Leisure Hotels is the only hotel chain operating in the state with 15 years of hospitality experience. As pioneers in the field of hospitality in Uttarakhand, Leisure Hotels has been able to set standards & drive quality by offering good facilities & services to its guests.