India's Valley of Flowers

The Valley of Flowers is a National Park in India's Himalayas, a lush mountain valley at an altitude of over 10,000 feet (3000 m) famous for the extraordinary profusion of flowers that bloom in the summer.

During July and August when the monsoon rains are falling more than 300 species of flowers bloom in the valley.

These include the famous blue poppies and many other rarities.

The valley can only be reached by foot or donkey back. The paved road ends at Govindghat. From there it is a 9-mile (14 km) hike to Ghangaria, the village at the mouth of the valley, up a steep trail that rises 6,000 feet (1800 m).

Did I mention that the flowers are only blooming during the rainy season? But, hey, for this experience you should be willing to suffer a little.