The Great Himalayan National Park

Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is the newest addition to India's national parks, located in Kullu region in the state of Himachal Pradesh. The park was built in the year 1984. The park is spread over an area of 1,171 km2 that lies between an altitude of 1500 to 6000m. The Great Himalayan National Park is a habitat to more than 375 fauna species that comprises nearly around 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 mollusks and 127 insects. They are protected under strict guidelines of Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, hence any sort of hunting is not permitted. It also supports the variety of plant life, scattered over the park.

Great Himalayan National Park is located in the upper ranges of Himalayas in the state of Himachal Pradesh India. It is a fine composition of alpine flora and fauna. The park has some very unique features, which you may not find elsewhere in India. A major part of the national park is permanently under glaciers and ice. It is one of the last undisturbed Western Himalayan ecosystems giving shelters to a vast variety of wildlife and forests. The biological richness of the park makes it a bewitching destination in this part of India. Also known as Jawahar Lal Nehru National Park, the region was notified as a national park in the year 1984 to save the endangered wildlife species of this Himalayan Ecosystem.

Key Factors

State : Himachal Pradesh, in the northern part of India.
Climate : The temperature is extreme here. Minimum temperature : -5ºC; Maximum Temperature 30ºC.
Area : 765 sq km.
Travel Tips : Consult a doctor before you start your trip. Check that you have all the required documents with yourself to visit
India and your desired destination.
Best Time to Visit : April to June and September to November.
Nearest Town : Kullu (60 km).

Get There

International Airport : Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.
Airport : At Bhuntar (10 km from Kullu), where taxis and buses are available.
Railways : Narrow gauge railhead at Jogindernagar, (95 km from Kullu).
Road : To get to the Great National Himalayan Park one has to take the eastern divergence at Aut on the Kullu- Manali highway. Aut is 45 km from Mandi and 30 km from Kullu. From Largi which is 4 km from Aut, two routes, one along the Sainj Nala, motorable till Neuli (26 km) and the other along Tirthan Nala, motorable upto Gushaini (28 km) lead to the park.

Lodge Near The Great Himalayan National Park

Accommodation within the Great Himalayan National Park is inexpensive, though limited in its scope; about the only place you can stay is one of the dozen-odd forest rest houses scattered across the park. The facilities are minimal, and you'd be well advised to bring your own bedding and food. Rooms here must be reserved well in advance by contacting the Park authorities.

Other options for accommodation lie outside the park's boundaries, but these too are rest houses, and not too different from those within the park. Forest resthouses exist at Aut, Sainj, Sairopa and Shangarh; for all, reservations need to be made well before you arrive.

Venture Into The Great Himalayan

The only means to explore the Great Himalayan National Park is your own two legs. A qualified guide is mandatory for everybody to get well informed about the park ecosystem. Trek through the park to Raktesar, the origin of the Sainj River and camp amidst alpine pastures to gain some memorable experience. A trek through the park is definitely the best way to see the beauty of this area, and with some luck you should be rewarded with some great sightings of flora, fauna and avifauna. The park is home to rare "Western Tragopan" and 200 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals.

The Fauna

Among the animals found in this part of the Western Himalayas are Musk Deer, Ghoral, Lagurs, Thar, Bharal, Serow, Brown Bear, Leopard and Snow Leopard.

The fauna

Bird life includes a variety of colourful Pheasants- Monal, Khalij, Cheer and Tragopan.

Additional Punch
From here you can go to other parts of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal will make your trip absolutely bewitching. Though entire state has something to give to every single traveller, some of the destinations you can visit are - Kullu, Manali, Shimla. In Himachal you can also make your tour adventurous by participating in various adventurous activities like - trekking, mountaineering, skiing, hang-gliding, etc.Valley Near The Great Himalayan National Park

Extend the Trip
Go to Uttaranchal. The tranquil ambience of Uttaranchal will leave you spellbind. Here you can tour Rishikesh, Haridwar, Dehradun. Uttaranchal is truly spiritual and a perfect place to spend to revitalize yourself.

Few Difficulties
Beyond November, and right up to April, heavy snowfall can block roads and trails, besides making it a little too cold for comfort! Rainfall hits the park between July and September, sometimes resulting in landslides and muddy trails. Accessibility is not so easy.

Few Suggestions
Visits to the Great Himalayan National Park are allowed only between sunrise and sunset. Make sure you're physically fit and wearing a sturdy pair of boots. Don't get into any unknown or illegal activity. Don't get into any unknown or illegal activity. Do not disturb the local culture and local atmosphere. Try to be well informed about the routes and the place you are going to visit. Contact us when and where needed, while on a wildlife India Tour.