Built in 1984, the Great Himalayan National Park introduces you to the feeling of becoming one with nature. Its beauty is such that it revs up an emotional torrent within you that makes you feel excited, joyful and curious all at the same time. Declared as a National Park in 1999 and UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, this park offers you with one of the largest scenic views which you won’t find anywhere else in India.
Talking about its geographical location, it is situated about 60 km from Kullu in the Seraj Forest Division and is flanked by Rupi Bhaba Sanctuary, Pin Valley National Park and Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary. If you want to make a visit here and experience its astounding climatic conditions along with the visual beauty that is no less than a treat for the sore eyes, then, the best time to visit the national park would be the months of March, April, May, June, Mid-September, and October.
For all the adventure buffs, this is specifically a great time as It is during these months that trekking activities are organized by the Himalayan Eco-Tourism department. However, before going here, you should know that the entrance to this amazing travel getaway can be accessed via a permit only which you can take from the head office situated at Shamshi. The charge for the permit is INR 100 per day for the Indian visitors and for foreign tourists the charge per day is INR 400 per day.
For Indian students, the charges are INR 50 per day. For international students, the charges are INR 250. If you are taking a camera inside then you will need to pay extra for that.
Major Attractions in and Around Great Himalayan National Park
1. Flora. The Great Himalayan National Park offers the tourists with a great variety of plant species and wildlife. Here you can find everything from pine, spruces, chestnut, to more than 100 different varieties of herbs.
2. Trekking. Amongst the trekkers as well, this park is quite popular mainly due to its geographical features. The Sainjh Valley, Gushaini to Parvati Valley, make ideal trekking destinations within the park. One can also take delight in bird watching and trout fishing activities.
3. Solang Valley. This valley is one of the most stunning travel getaways you can visit near the Great Himalayan National Park. On an annual basis, this tourist spot in Himachal witnesses a great flock of tourists who come here bubbling with curiosity and a great level of excitement. The only advice we can give you is to not forget your cameras for the trip.
Tips Before You Visit the Great Himalayan National Park for Trekking
- Carry appropriate trekking equipment.
- Take dry foods along with medicines with you during the trek.
- Ensure that you are physically fit.
- Have a certified guide with you at all times.
- Try to make your booking in advance.
- Carry tents, your own utensils, sleeping bags and other such important things for camping.
How to Reach the Great Himalayan National Park
To reach here you will need to cover a total distance of about 483, 1,892, 2,000, 2,645 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Check out the following details on how you can travel here via the following means of public transportation.
By Air. To reach the park, you will need to deboard at the Bhuntar Airport aka Kullu Manali Airport (KUU). This airport is situated about 11 km from Kullu and about 52 km from Manali. To reach here, it is advised to take connecting flights from Delhi Airport aka Indira Gandhi International Airport. From the airport, you will need to cover about 2 km by a cab.
From Delhi - Board Air India flights. The airfares are starting from INR 3,000-INR 4,000
By Rail. The nearest railway station is the Joginder Nagar Railway Station situated about 140-150 km away. However, this station doesn't have very good connectivity with other cities. To reach here, you can take board trains from Chandigarh. Otherwise, it is recommended to prefer other means of transport like a flight or travel by roadways.
By Road. The road connectivity to the park is not that good. Thus, after reaching Kullu, you will need to travel from Ropa to Shangarh in Sainj Valley and then from Gushaini to Ropa in Tirthan Valley and reach the gate of this park.
You can plan your trip and create your own route to the city with Adotrip’s technically driven circuit planner. Click here
