Discover India's Wild Heritage
Explore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksExplore the diverse ecosystems and magnificent wildlife across India's national parks
Explore ParksWhere Rivers Are Born
Himachal Pradesh
Image: Samir Azad / CC BY-SA 4.0Welcome to Great Himalayan National Park! Use the resources below to plan your adventure in one of India's most treasured wild spaces.
Safaris, bird watching, nature walks, and more
Safari timings, open seasons, and park schedules
Entry fees, safari charges, and camera fees
How to reach by air, rail, and road
Official booking links, permits, and offline reservation guidance
Nearby stays, forest rest houses, and booking resources
Permits and treks are arranged through GHNP's official visitor channels and local ecotourism partners.
GHNP is accessible only by trekking through mountainous terrain. Trails are steep, rocky, and at high altitude (1,500-5,000 m). Not suitable for visitors with limited mobility. The Sai Ropa interpretation center and ecozone day walks near Gushaini are the most accessible areas. Some riverside trails in the ecozone are relatively flat.
The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in the Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014 for its outstanding contribution to biodiversity conservation. The park protects the watersheds of several tributaries of the River Beas, encompassing an extraordinary range of habitats from dense temperate forests at 1,500 meters to alpine meadows and glaciers above 5,000 meters. The park is a haven for the Western Tragopan — one of the world's rarest pheasants — and harbors significant populations of snow leopards, Himalayan brown bears, and musk deer. Local communities participate in conservation through the ecozone buffer.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Open Season (Apr - Nov) | Dawn to Dusk | Multi-day treks with camping |
No conventional safari operations. Multi-day treks (2-7 days) are the only way to explore. Popular routes: Tirthan Valley, Sainj Valley, and the high-altitude Raktisar meadow trek. Day walks possible in the ecozone.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 50 per person per day |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 200 per person per day |
| Guided Trek (3-5 days) | INR 15,000 - 40,000 per person |
| Guide Fee (day walk) | INR 500 - 1,000 per day |
| Camera Fee | INR 50 per day |
Local guides are mandatory and must be hired through the GHNP office or registered tour operators. Trek costs include guide, porter, food, and camping equipment. Community-owned homestays are available at trailheads.
Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu District, Himachal Pradesh 175134
31.7500° N, 77.4500° E
Nearest airport is Bhuntar Airport, Kullu (50 km). Flights from Delhi and Chandigarh (weather dependent, frequent cancellations). Chandigarh Airport (265 km) is more reliable.
Nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar (145 km, narrow gauge) or Chandigarh (265 km, broad gauge). From Chandigarh, bus or taxi to Kullu (7-8 hours).
GHNP office at Shamshi/Sai Ropa is 50 km from Kullu and 10 km from Banjar. Well-connected by road from Kullu via Aut. Himachal State Transport buses run to Banjar from Kullu.
Local buses and taxis from Kullu/Aut to trailhead villages (Ropa, Gushaini, Shilt). Inside the park: all travel on foot. Porters available at trailheads.
Dense temperate forests of Blue Pine, Deodar Cedar, Oak, Spruce, and Fir at lower elevations. Sub-alpine birch and rhododendron forests higher up. Alpine meadows (thatch) with wildflowers above the tree line. Over 800 plant species recorded.
Home to snow leopards (about 10-15), Himalayan brown bears, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, serow, and goral. The park is one of the last strongholds of the critically endangered Western Tragopan pheasant. Over 200 bird species and 120 species of insects recorded.
The Great Himalayan National Park was established in 1984 and inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. The park's conservation model is unique in India — it integrates local communities through an ecozone where sustainable livelihood activities (including eco-tourism, medicinal plant harvesting, and handicrafts) are permitted. The Women's Savings and Credit Groups in surrounding villages have become a model for community-based conservation. The park was the site of the first successful community-based conservation program for the Western Tragopan.
