Therefore it is advised that visitors should not pluck flowers. The Valley of Flowers is an alpine valley, and has been formed by the retreating glaciers whose periodic advances and retreat pulverised hard rocks, resulting in a smooth U-shaped valley which was later colonised by numerous plants adapting themselves to the harsh climatic conditions prevailing there. The Valley becomes accessible from late April when the snow starts melting and flowing down the buttresses and gullies. The spring avalanches pouring down the slopes provide just the right amount of moisture for flowers. The moist turf begins to pulsate with life and from the dead herbage of the previous summer, innumerable shoots of countless plants rise expectantly as though in anticipation of the warm life-giving breath of the approaching monsoon.
Primulas cover up shelves and terraces in the most heavenly French blue.
Their soft petals covered with dew, like galaxies of pearls, emanate sweetest of scents. In the lush meadows drifts of snow-white Anemones drench the ground. Anaphalles and Potentillas start establishing their colonies. With the arrival of rains in June, Balsam, Geranium, Pedicularis and many other species, mostly in pink and red set the dominating colour pattern of the Valley without subduing other seasonal shades of yellow, purple and white. From late July to the end of August, the Valley begins to take on celestial dimensions.