The Great Himalayan National Park, officially known as Jawaharlal Nehru Great Himalayan National Park, is carved out of the splendid mountain terrain of the
Kullu district. This National Park lies in Seraj Forest Division, in the upper catchment areas of the Jiwa,
Sainj and
Tirthan rivers. This is the largest protected area in
Himachal Pradesh, created in 1984 spreading over 765 sq km at altitudes varying from 1,500 m to about 6,000 m. Rich coniferous forests, alpine meadows carpeted with flowers, snow-capped peaks, and glaciers are the features of this national park. This park harbours a variety of animals such as
Himalayan black bears,
brown bears, langurs, rhesus macaques, and wild sheep like
Himalayan thar, bharal and the ibex. It also has many resident species and migrant species of birds such as monal, kaleej, and tragopa. Inside the park, you will be provided with a qualified guide and the only way to see the park is by walking.
The nearest airport is
Kullu Manali Airport, at
Bhuntar and the major railhead is
Chandigarh Railway Station. The park is well connected with roads to the major cities in northern India. There are forest rest houses inside the park for accommodation, but have to be reserved in advance. The best time to visit this place is from April to June and September to October.
