national park · Kullu

Great Himalayan National Park

UNESCO World Heritage Site — 375+ fauna species across 1,171 km²

Kullu1,500–6,000 m1171 km²April–June & September–November
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Overview

GHNP is one of India's most biodiverse protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. No roads, no vehicles — access is by foot only, through four valleys (Tirthan, Sainj, Jiwa Nal, Parvati). Home to snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, Western tragopan and 200+ bird species.

Wildlife you may spot

Snow Leopard

Rare; sighted above 3,500m in winter

Himalayan Brown Bear

Alpine meadows, summer

Himalayan Tahr

Common on steep grasslands

Musk Deer

Endangered, dense conifer forests

Western Tragopan

State bird of HP; endemic

Monal Pheasant

Iridescent; oak-rhododendron zone

Safari & tours

Guided trek (no vehicles allowed)

₹2,500–₹4,500 / day per person

3–11 days

Includes guide, porter, camping gear, meals

Day hike from Gushaini

₹1,800 / person

6–8 hours

Ecozone only; no permit needed

Permits & fees

Core zone entry permit

₹100/day Indian · ₹200/day foreigner

Obtain at: GHNP Office, Shamshi (Kullu) or Sai Ropa (Tirthan)

Photo ID mandatory

Camping permit

₹100/night

Obtain at: Same offices

Camera permit

₹100 still · ₹500 video

Obtain at: Entry gate

Trekking routes

Tirthan Valley — Rolla trek

2 days

Easy

Best for first-timers; forest campsite

Sainj Valley — Shakti–Marahni

4 days

Moderate

Old shepherd trail; brown bear habitat

Parvati Valley — Pin Parvati Pass

11 days

Extreme

Cross into Spiti; only for experienced trekkers

Jiwa Nal exploratory

5 days

Moderate

Least-explored valley; rich birding

How to reach

  • Air: Bhuntar (KUU) 50 km — then taxi to Gushaini
  • Road: Delhi → Mandi → Aut → Banjar → Gushaini (~500 km, 14 hr)
  • Train: Chandigarh or Pathankot; taxi onwards

Park rules

  • No plastic bottles beyond ecozone (biodegradable checkpoint)
  • No fires — camping stoves only
  • Solo trekking prohibited in core zone — certified guide compulsory
  • Drone photography banned

FAQs

Can you drive inside GHNP?

No. The park is 100% pedestrian. Vehicles stop at Sai Ropa (Tirthan) or Neuli (Sainj) — trek from there.

Best chance to see snow leopard in GHNP?

December–February at altitudes above 3,500m. Book a 7+ day expedition with a certified tracker; sightings are still rare.