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 ParksIn the Shadow of the Goddess
Uttarakhand
Image: Michael Scalet / CC BY-SA 2.0Welcome to Nanda Devi 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
The core park has strict access controls. Arrange permits through local forest offices and registered guides in the Joshimath/Niti Valley area rather than expecting instant online booking.
This link opens Booking.com, a third-party site.
This is one of India's least accessible national parks. All travel is on foot through high-altitude, rugged terrain (3,500-5,000 m). Multi-day treks require good fitness and mountain experience. Not suitable for visitors with limited mobility. The base town of Joshimath is accessible by road.
Nanda Devi National Park is centered around the Nanda Devi peak (7,816 m), India's second highest mountain and the country's highest entirely within its borders. The park encompasses the Nanda Devi Basin — a natural amphitheater ringed by a wall of peaks over 6,000 meters, breached only by the narrow Rishi Ganga gorge. This extraordinary isolation has preserved a pristine ecosystem with remarkable biodiversity for a high-altitude environment. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1988 (extended to include the Valley of Flowers in 2005), the inner sanctuary has been closed to all visitors since 1983 to allow the ecosystem to recover from the impact of mountaineering expeditions. Only the buffer zone is accessible.
| Season | Morning Safari | Evening Safari |
|---|---|---|
| Open Season (May - Oct) | Dawn to Dusk | Buffer zone treks with permits |
There are no conventional safari operations. Access is via multi-day treks in the buffer zone. Permits are issued by the Divisional Forest Office in Joshimath. Guided treks are mandatory.
| Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Entry Fee (Indian) | INR 150 per person |
| Entry Fee (Foreigner) | INR 600 per person |
| Guided Trek (7-10 days) | INR 30,000 - 80,000 per person |
| Camping Fee | INR 100 per tent per night |
All treks must be arranged through registered operators with local guides. Solo trekking is not permitted. Group sizes are limited to minimize environmental impact.
Nanda Devi National Park, Chamoli District, Uttarakhand 246443
30.4167° N, 79.9167° E
Nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun (295 km). Taxi to Joshimath (10-12 hours).
Nearest railway station is Rishikesh (265 km) or Haridwar (290 km). Bus or taxi to Joshimath from either station.
Joshimath (the base town) is 265 km from Rishikesh on NH-7 (Badrinath highway), approximately 10 hours. State buses and shared taxis available. From Joshimath, trek to Lata village (the park entry point, 25 km).
From Joshimath, local transport to Lata village (trailhead). All travel inside the park is on foot. Porters and pack mules available at Lata.
Alpine meadows, sub-alpine birch-rhododendron forests, temperate coniferous forests at lower elevations. Over 600 species of flowering plants recorded. Notable species include Brahmakamal, Himalayan Blue Poppy, and rare medicinal herbs.
The remoteness supports populations of snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, musk deer, Himalayan tahr, bharal, and serow. Rare sightings of Himalayan brown bear. Over 80 bird species including the spectacular Himalayan Monal.
Nanda Devi has been sacred to Hindus for millennia — the peak is considered the abode of Goddess Nanda. The basin was first penetrated by Eric Shipton and Bill Tilman in 1934 through the treacherous Rishi Ganga gorge. Nanda Devi was summited in 1936 by Tilman and Noel Odell. The area was declared a national park in 1982, but concerns about environmental degradation from mountaineering led to a complete closure of the inner sanctuary in 1983 — one of the most ambitious conservation decisions in Indian history. The nearby village of Reni gained fame in 1974 when village women led by Gaura Devi launched the Chipko ('hug the trees') movement to protect the forests.
