Great Himalayan National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in our country. GHNP is situated in Kullu, Himachal Pradesh. This national park is situated in the western Himalayas. It is a part of the Himalayan biodiversity hotspot. Great Himalayan National Park is rich in flora and fauna. Its rich cultural heritage makes it unique. This national park was established in 1984. Great Himalayan National Park is globally known for its biodiversity and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014. The variations of flora and fauna make this national park a famous spot for trekking.
Trekkers love the Great Himalayan National Park as it offers a wide range of ecosystems. The altitude of this national park ranges from 1500 m to over 6000 m. This makes it adventurous as the trekkers find alpine meadows in lower regions and snowfields in the higher areas. The GHNP has over 375 fauna species and over 1000 fauna species. The national park covers 1171 square km of area which includes big valleys, flights, deep gorges, etc. These beautiful valleys not only look majestic but also provide habitat to various wildlife.
History of Great Himalayan National Park
The concept of establishing a national park emerged in the 1970s when some researchers understood the value of the Himalayan region. They learned about the high-altitude valleys like Nal, Tirthan, and Parvati Valley is home to lots of wild animals and plants. This talk gained potential in the 1980s after lots of conservation moments. It officially became a national park in 1984 with an area of 620 square kilometers.
After becoming a national park, new changes were made like relocating local communities and banning various commercial activities. However, it created conflict between the government and local people. Many livelihoods depended on the forest for grazing cattle, fodder, etc. After making few notations, in the 1990s, people from small hamlets relocated from the designated areas, meanwhile some locals stayed in the buffer zone with limited access. A new project was launched, funded by international agencies to improve eco-tourism. Some alternative livelihood means were introduced like handicrafts and beekeeping.
Today, the Great Himalayan National Park is expanded to 1171 sq km. The human activity inside the national park is very controlled and limited. In 2014, the park became part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its rich flora and fauna.
Highlights of Great Himalayan National Park
- Beautiful Landscape: The national parks offer a unique biodiversity due to the difference in altitude. The altitude ranges from 1500 m to 6000 m, which means a huge gain in altitude. You can find lush green dense forests, big meadows, and snow-covered peaks. Rivers and waterfalls in valleys aid the beauty of the national park.
- Great biodiversity: The Great Himalayan National Park is home to over a thousand plant species. Many of these plants have good medicinal value. This national park is also native to various wild species. Some of the species are Himalayan Tahr, Musk Deer, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Brown Bear, etc. You can also witness some rare and beautiful birds like the Monal Pheasant, Western Tragopan, etc.
- Heaven for trekkers: This national park is emerging as a great site among trekkers. Trekkers can enjoy the raw and untouched beauty of forests and meadows. There are many campsites near meadows and forests. Some popular treks are Shilt Hut Trek, Tirthan Valley to Rolla, etc. You can trek inside the national park with few regulations.
- Conservation and research: After gaining recognition from UNESCO, Great Himalayan National Park emerged as a great example of sustainable tourism. It is a type of community-based ecotourism. The park management is done by local trained guides. This national park also became a research center for high-altitude flora and fauna, rare species, and climate change.
Difficulty Level of the Great Himalayan National Park
The difficulty level of the GHNP trek depends on trails, altitude, and seasons. Some of the areas below 3000 m are rated easy to moderate. Trekkers can complete these treks without any worry. Meanwhile, some parts of the national park are difficult due to remoteness, high altitude, and rough terrain.
- Easy To Moderate Treks: Treks having an altitude of less than 3000 m such as Rolla Trek, and Shilt Hut Trek are easy. You can find beautiful meadows and dense forests. Trekkers do not gain lots of altitude so it makes the trek beginner-friendly. Various campsites are available so the trekkers can plan 2-3 days in the national park.
- Moderate To Difficult Treks: The trek's difficulty depends on the altitude. Treks such as Jiwa Nal Valley Trek, Tirthan Valley to Rakhundi Top Trek are rated as moderate to difficult. Trekkers have to walk long distances and have very steep climbs. Some of these treks also have river crossings that aid the difficulty level.
- Difficult Treks: All the treks above 4000 m are rated as difficult. Some of the difficult treks are Raktisar Trek, Jiwa Nal to Parvati Valley Crossover, etc. These treks take 6-10 days and require long-walking hours daily. High altitude can also cause AMS. These treks are only advisable to people who are experienced in high-altitude trekking.
Best Time To Visit Great Himalayan National Park
You can plan your visit to Great Himalayan National Park around the year. The national park always offers a beautiful landscape to the visitors. Meanwhile, the experience in every season will be different.
Great Himalayan National Park from April to June
This is the best time to plan your trip. The weather is beautiful and cool. The snow starts melting in the higher areas and most trekking trails start opening. You can also witness rhododendrons and wildflower blooming.
Great Himalayan National Park from July to Mid-September
This is the monsoon season and most of the treks can be risky. You can plan low-altitude treks as the trails will be quiet and less crowded. People who love trekking in lush green areas can plan the trip. But trekking at high altitude can be very risky.
Great Himalayan National Park from Mid-September to Mid-November
Post-monsoon, the weather becomes pleasant with clear mountain views. This is the best time for trekking. The air will be crisp and you can see beautiful snow-capped peaks. The trails will be dry and the landscape will start turning golden.
Great Himalayan National Park from Late November to March
This season is good for snow lovers. Trekking at high altitudes is difficult with limited reachability. The trekkers will require special snow gear and guidance. However, the lower-altitude regions offer an excellent space for witnessing a magical winter.
How to Reach the Great Himalayan National Park?
You have to reach Aut to trek the Great Himalayan National Park. Most people start the trek from Gushaini which is the main and most popular entry point. You can also enter the national park via Sainj Valley which is quieter but has a very remote point.
Delhi is connected to almost all the big cities of our country. You can take a flight or train to Delhi. After reaching Delhi, take a bus to Aut. Both HRTC and private bus services are available.
- Route 2: Chandigarh to Aut
Chandigarh is also a well-connected city and you can find trains and flights from various locations. You can take a train to Chandigarh and then complete the journey via bus. HRTC buses and other private services are available from Chandigarh to Aut.
You can also take a flight to Bhuntar Airport. You can find regular flights from Delhi and occasional flights from Chandigarh. Various local bus and private taxi services are available from Bhuntar Airport to Aut. The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar Railway Station (110 km from Aut). However, the railway connectivity to this station is limited.
