Introduction
Set up in the always snow covered mountains of Himalayas, Great Himalayan National Park is a place to experience a unique and exceptional kind of flora and fauna in India. The park is located in in the Kullu district of India's mountain state of Himachal Pradesh. The park offers a unique biodiversity which include the Himalayan wildlife, densely forested with blue pine and cedar and sparse human populations. The region is absolutely free from hustle- bustle of tourists. Take a step in the world of the Great Himalayas.


Quick Facts
Area : 1,171 sq km
Altitude : 1500 to 6000 m.
Terrain : Alpine, Glacial, Temperate, and Sub Tropical Forests
Highlights : Himalayan Tahr, Snow Leopard, Himalayan Civet
Languages : Spoken Hindi, Himachali, English
Climate : - 5 oC (Minimum), 30 oC (Maximum)
Best time to visit : April to June, September to October
Rainfall : 1,500 mm

Attractions within the park
Bird Life in the Park
Himalayan National Park is world wide known for rare and endemic birds. Migratory birds further increase the attraction. Some birds here include western tragopan, monal pheasants, khaleej pheasants, griffon vulture, bearded vulture, forktails, sunbirds, chats, flycatchers etc.

Animals in the Park
The snow covered terrain of the park favors a exotic variety of Himalayan wildlife population. Some are goral, serow, Himalayan tahr, bharal, musk deer, red fox, Himalayan civet, yellow-throated marten, leopard, snow leopard, black and brown bears etc.

Flora in the Park
This park is ideally carpeted with many forests including ban oak forest, moist deodar forest, western mixed coniferous forest, moist temperate deciduous forest etc. Blue pine dominates the park and other vegetation include oak, blue pine, cedar etc.

Adventure Activities in Park
The park is heaven for adventure tourists. You can enjoy activities like rafting, climbing, fishing, bird watching, wildlife viewing.

Pilgrimage Sites in the Park
The pagoda style temple of Manu Rishi, Thakur's tower in Shenshar valley and the temples of Gushaini and Galiard with their wooden carvings in Tirthan valley are located in the vicinity of the park. Observe a fusion between spirituality and nature.

Air/Rail/Road Links

Airport :	The nearest airport is located at at Bhuntar which is 10 km from Kullu. It offers domestic flights to Delhi and some other cities of India. Bus and taxi at airport take the tourists to the sanctuary.
Railway Station :	The closest rail services is available from Jogindernagar, 95-km from Kullu. It is a narrow gauge railway station and links with main rail head at Chandigarh.
Bus Station :	There is no direct road access to the park. Roads from Ropa to Shangarh in Sainj Valley and from Gushaini to Ropa in Tirthan Valley are main to be covered. Some distances also needed to be covered on foot.

Places to stay at Great Himalayan National Park
There are some patrolling huts which are used as accommodation for tourists and staff. Some budget class hotels and rest houses are available in closest towns like Aut, Sainj, Sairopa and Shangarh. All hotels and rest houses in and around the park offer an average quality accommodation and fine hospitality. You are recommended to bring your food and bed while you want to stay in patrolling huts of the park.

Other attractions around Great Himalayan National Park
Sai Ropa Tourist Centre
Set up in an area of 3 hectares, this tourist center is located few steps away from the Gushaini entrance. It houses a forest rest house, two dormitories, a photo exhibition, a conference room etc.

Larji Information Centre
The center provide information about the park and wildlife in it. It houses a conference room which is equipped with projection facilities to help educate rural people and school children about nature and wildlife.

Fairs & Festivals
Fair and festivals go round the year in villages set up on the cliff of mountains. Some famous events must be on your calender while you are on the park. Some famous are Fagli, village fairs and Dushera.

Shimla
The world famous hill station Shimla is located 240 km from the national park. It is one of the most popular honeymoon places in India. Beautiful and colonial setting, the park is its own example.