Rhododendron Flowers in Nepal
The amazing Rhododendron that smears entire mountainsides red, white and pink in the Himalayan spring has always been a matter of national icon to Nepalese. This national flower and its various sub-species flourishing alongside the forests and beneath majestic Himalayas have been drawing attention of several trekkers, botanists, nature lovers and alike over the years. The peak season of flowering at the lower elevations is late February that extends till May at the higher elevations. The flower is said to have more than 30 species of different colors ranging from red to pink and white. Proper planning of a trip at the right time provides a magnificence to the visitors’ sight. From a day long tour around Kathmandu valley to the treks like Kanchanjunga, Makalu Mountain, Helambu, Tsum valley, Manaslu and Annapurna regions, ‘Gurans’, aka Rhododendron surrounds everywhere.
However, to be precise one cannot miss the opportunity to visit these four major areas to have a true sensation of the inflorescent Rhododendron while trekking;
- Milke Danda-Jaljale Himal
Milke Danda passes through the nice plain but remote, uninhabited ridge of a transverse mountain range that separates two river systems of Tamur and Arun. Four of the world’s five highest peaks can be witnessed at the top while making one’s way through the extensive, pure Rhododendron forests of the Milke Danda followed by herders camp to the colossal Jaljale Himal.
- Upper Tamur Lake Valley
Grand sight of the enchanting Rhododendron can be enjoyed throughout the trek of Upper Tamur Lake Valley. Right from the south-west side of Illam towards Kanchenjunga area the upper valley of Tamur river system, Rhododendron perfectly expresses the beauty of one’s journey.
- Makalu Barun National Park
Trek to Makalu Barun can be a serious combination of flora and fauna with strenuous hiking. This is a strict pocket area for wilderness of animals and plants including the variety of Rhododendron sub-species. The juniper shrubs of Rhododendron in Alpine pastures is rewarding for the botanist or flower trekkers.
- Langtang Valley—Langtang National Park
Named as ‘the valley of glaciers trek”, the region offers stunning view of Helambu valley, towering mountain lakes at Gosaikunda, wonderful ice flutes of Gyangchempo and the fascinating Langtang National Park. At the park, with its distinctive flora and fauna Rhododendron can be spotted in abundance.
Orchid Flowers in Nepal
The flower of beauty, uniqueness and value; Orchids are the fascinating group of plant with extraordinary variety and Nepal is a home to over 385 species of Orchids. From botanists, naturalist, conservationists, nature lovers, wanderers to the horticulture experts, orchids are the flowers of prize. Common flowering season for Orchids are July-August and February-March that adds grandeur to the different ecological belts of Nepal.
During March-April, one can see the greenish fragrant Orchids in Godavari and white or pale yellow types in Shivpuri and Kakani. Indeed, the nearby destinations to Kathmandu valley like Sundarijal, Daman, Nagarjun, Botanical garden of Godavari and Dhulikhel are devoid of Orchids all the year round.
Nepal is bestowed with an incredible variety of Orchids scattered across the country. Dedrobium is the largest species, followed by Habenaria and Bulbophyllum. Anthogonium, Hemipilia and Lusia are some of the other varieties amongst the nearly two dozen single species families.
