The Great Himalayan National Park Manali (Entry Fee, Timings, Best Time to visit, Images & Location)

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The most sought-after tourist attraction in India that has made its place on the list of popular sightseeing places in Manali, the Great Himalayan National Park, tucked amidst the snow-covered Himalayas, is one of the biggest national parks that serve as a natural habitat to a diverse range of flora and fauna. It’s a beautiful park that was established in the year 1984 and awarded the status of a national park in 1999.

Covering 1171 square meters of an area and settled at a height that ranges between 1500 to 6000 meters above sea level, the Great Himalayan National Park is a hidden gem that offers a delightful weekend retreat to people of all ages and is considered as a go-to place to explore the wildlife habitat in the country.

Situated in the Kullu region of the Himachal Pradesh state, this reserve forest has been catching the attention of people from far and near due to its fantastic location and scenic surroundings that provide tourists with breathtaking views of the verdant landscapes. The sprawling greenery encompassing the area allows you to soak in its vibes in a peaceful and calm atmosphere and the dense forests make it an idyllic place for adventure seekers to enjoy a trek.

It is worth noting that without proper authority, you’ll not be allowed to enter the premises of the Great Himalayan National Park. Therefore, it is essential to obtain a permit from the main office in Shamshi and the zonal offices in Shairopa and Ropa.

Flora and Fauna of the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali

Featuring over 100 species of plants, the Great Himalayan National Park is rich in flora and has mainly deodar and oak trees all around the area. Other vegetation such as junipers, spruces, chestnut, pine, iris, taxus, baccata, gagea, primula, and alpine herbs can also be found here in the region. A few of these plants are used by pharmacists for the preparation of traditional medicines as well.

Coming to fauna, the park provides shelter to more than 31 species of mammals, 181 species of birds, and 375 species of wildlife animals. Some of the famous wildlife species that call this place their home are brown bears, blue sheep, musk deer, tahr, goral, tragopan, and snow leopard.

You can also spot koklas, monal, bharal ibex, rhesus macaque, wolf, serow, common langur, muntjac, and the Himalayan black bear on your way back home. Please note that the fauna is best experienced from September to November. Because this is the time when a variety of animals and birds start migrating to the lower grounds.

Things to do at the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali

The Great Himalayan National Park offers a plethora of recreational and leisure activities to keep you engaged throughout the stay, despite the kind of traveler you’re. A few of the things you can do here are as follows:

1. Trekking: Enjoy trekking to experience the beauty of unfiltered mountains in the best possible way. One of the must-to-do activities here in the Great Himalayan National Park, trekking allows you to see a variety of landscapes on your way as you go through a challenging trekking trail covered with evergreen lush greenery.

Look back once you reach the peak of the point – to see what nature has given you. It’s a worth-trying outdoor sport for everyone and can be enjoyed by beginners, average or experienced trekkers.

For your ease, the park offers different levels of trekking trails. You can choose from the moderate, one-day trek to difficult multi-day treks as per your convenience. Do not forget to seek prior permission in writing for treks held on different days in the national park.

2. Camping: Another thing that encourages adventure buffs to visit this place is camping. You can camp in the alpine pastures of the Kullu region to discover the hidden charisma of unseen wonders and have a close conversation with nature itself.

While camping, you can sit close to the bonfire, prepare the food of your choice, enjoy a night under a sky filled with shimmering stars, or engage yourself in various fun activities. In case you’re not good at cooking, you can eat the food made by the authorities at the campsite using firewood.

All-in-all, it won’t be wrong to say that it’s a kind of experience that cannot be experienced in the cities, making it a must-have experience for people of all ages.

3. Photography: Heaven for shutterbugs, the Great Himalayan National Park provides tourists with numerous opportunities where you can capture the amazing flora and fauna along with mind-blowing shots of the entire region. It has a jaw-dropping backdrop that is perfect for clicking some memorable pictures. If you’re traveling solo and wish to get yourself clicked too, don’t hesitate to ask other travelers for help.

In addition to all this, one can also indulge in other seasonal activities that are worth trying. These include bird watching, trout fishing, and pheasant watching. Other adventurous things that are available in the eco-zone of the Great Himalayan National Park are river crossing, rock climbing, and abseiling. You can also help the villagers in their daily chores such as cooking, weaving, farming, and basket-making to know about their culture and daily lifestyle in detail.

Entry Fee and Timings to Visit the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali

The entry fee to visit the Great Himalayan National Park is INR 50 per person for Indians and INR 200 per person for foreigners. For Indian students, it charges INR 30 per head and for foreign students, the cost is INR 100 per head. If you have a still camera or a video camera with you, you’ll need to pay an extra charge.

Coming to the timings, the Great Himalayan National Park welcomes its visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all days and the required exploration time is 3-4 hours.

Travel Tips to Visit the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali

• Always hire professional, certified, and trained guides whenever you plan to go trekking.
• Buy trekking shoes (if you don’t have one) to enjoy this adventurous activity to the fullest. As the trekking trails are a little bit steepy here, the trekking shoes will help you go through everything easily.
• Wear comfortable clothes to make the most of your visit.
• Refrain from throwing plastic and other waste materials inside the reserve forest.
• Avoid smoking within the premises of the park. It is strictly prohibited.
• Be careful of the pricky plants. Also, it is recommended not to disturb the wild animals in the park.
• Always carry some dry snacks, medicines, and drinking water with you on your way to the park. You never know when you need them.
• Make sure to take permission from the concerned authorities if you wish to capture the villagers and tribals living in the ecozone on your camera.
• Take things like a tent, a sleeping bag, a stove, and other cooking essentials with you when camping.
• There aren't many places to stay. So, if you want to avoid the crowds, make sure to get the reservation done in advance to avoid any discomfort later.

Best Time to Visit the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali

Visit the Great Himalayan National Park in the summer season which starts in March and continues until June to explore its beauty at its best. At this time, the overall weather remains pleasant and cool, making it a great place for tourists to go out of their comfort zone and try their hand at trekking in the park.

One can also plan a trip to this reserve forest in the middle of September, October, and November. These are the months with the fewest visitors. You will be able to witness the most stunning diversity of flora and fauna during this period along with creating some unforgettable memories for a lifetime that will be worth cherishing.

Please avoid visiting this park during the peak winter season i.e., between December to February. With an average temperature sometimes even touching -1 degree Celsius, this climate gets extremely cold and also experiences heavy snowfall, causing the blockage of many roads. Also, it’s a strict NO for the monsoon season if you’re interested in trekking on your trip.

How to Reach the Great Himalayan National Park, Manali?

As a popular hill station in North India, Manali maintains great road connectivity to the neighboring cities and can be easily accessed by tourists via all means of transportation.

Out of all the ways, it’s considered best to take a public or a private bus from Chandigarh or Delhi to reach Manali in a hassle-free manner. From there, you will find numerous options to commute within the hill station. So, you don’t have to worry about anything. Alternatively, you can also choose to book a cab from the list of top car rental companies in Manali to get to the destination in your comfort.

In case you’re traveling from a place that doesn’t ply bus service, you can catch a flight to the nearest domestic airport in Bhuntar, which is approximately 60 km away from the Great Himalayan National Park. For international travelers, the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the best option to fly from anywhere in the world to the capital city of India.

Another way to get to Manali is via train. Board a train that takes you directly to Joginder Nagar Railway Station for experiencing a train journey at pocket-friendly prices. The other two feasible railway stations that receive frequent train service from the metro cities are perched in Chandigarh and Ambala. Outside both stations, you can either prefer to go further via a bus or opt for a prepaid taxi to go wherever you want to go. The choice is completely yours!

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Location Map for The Great Himalayan National Park Manali