Great Himalayan National Park Treks

Trekking in the Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park offers the causal hiker and serious trekker a wide range of experiences in the natural wonders of the Park. Trails range from relatively easy day walks in the Ecozone to challenging week or longer treks through arduous and spectacular terrain. GHNP ranks as one of the best national parks in the world and reveals its beauty, diversity, and depth through time spent in exploration.

Tirthan Valley

Photo: Gateway to the Great Himalayan National Park in Tirthan Valley

The general climate of the Park is quite temperate and the best time for visiting is in Spring (April-May) and Fall (September-October). Summer brings monsoon rains and winter brings colder temperatures and the possibility of dangerous snow storms, especially at higher elevations. Being remote and insulated within the Kullu valley, the Park has its own microclimate.

Photo: A trekking party near GB's Hippo

(on the periphery of boundary in Tirthan Valley)

Photo: A Gur (priest) delivering sermon near Tirath, the origin of Tirtahn River

Photo: A trek in progress through a landslide area on Tirthan River

Photo: Trekkers nearing Tirath, the origin or Tirthan River

Trek upto Tirath in Tirthan Valley
Day 1: Gushaini (1500m) to Rolla (2100m): Walk through Ecozone of GHNP. Gentle gradient at the beginning of trek. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 2: Rolla to Nada (3300m) Thach: Moderate to strenuous climb through oak and conifer forests. A prominent tree god near Chalocha (2450 m) from where the climb starts. Possible sightings of Himalayan Tahr or Black Bear. Nada thatch (meadow) very good for bird watching. Distance: 12 kms.
Day 3: Nada Thach to Majhoni (3800m): Gradual to steep decent through forests. Distance: 12 kms.
Day 4: Majhoni to Tirath (4000m) and back Majhoni: Moderate gradient leading into the vast meadow of Tirath offering views of magnificent mountain panoramas. Tirath, the origin of Tirthan river has a glacial lake which is sacred to the villagers of Tirthan valley. Vegetation is stunted showing influence of extreme cold temperatures. Distance: 8 kms.
Day 5: Trek from Majhoni to Nada Thach. Distance: 12 kms.
Day 6: Rest day at Nada. Bird watching.
Days 7: Nada Thatch to Rolla- descent. Distance: 12 km.
Day 8: Rolla to Gushaini. Distance: 10 km.


Sainj Valley

Photo: A camping site in Parkachi Meadow of Sainj Valley

Photo: A petrolling hut in Dhel Meadow (3737 m altitude) in Sainj Valley

Photo: A trekking party in Sainj Valley

Photo: A trekking party at Rakti Sar, origin of Sainj river

Raktisar in Sainj Valley
Day 1: Neuli (1500 m) to Shakti (2100 m) village. Night at Park accommodation. Moderate ascent. Distance: 22 Km
Day 2: Shakti to Parkachi (3000m) thach. Trek along the Sainj river. Gradual ascent. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 3: Parkachi thatch to Rakti Sar (4500 m): Along the river, quite a strenuous ascent through rocky portions. Crossing of streamss along the route is tricky. Distance: 14 kms.
Day 4: Trek from Rakti Sar to Parkachi thatch. Strenuous descent. Distance: 14 kms.
Day 5: Rest day at Parkachi. Bird watching. Medicinal herbs.
Day 6: Parkachi thatch to Shakti village. Gradual descent. Distance: 10 kms.
Day 7: Shakti village to Neuli. Distance: 22 kms.
Total Distance: 92 kms.


Jiwa Nal Valley

Photo: Adventurous river crossing near the headwaters of Jiwa Nal

Photo: Jiwa Nal River near its origin in Khandedhar

Photo: A camping site in Khandedhar, near the origin of Jiwa Nal river

Photo: Unique shapes of mountains at Khandedhar in Jiwa Nal valley

Jiwa Nala to Parvarti River Valley
A seven-day, very strenuous, dramatic hike crossing the mountain passes at Kandi Galu (3627m), and Phangchi Galu (4636m). Incredible vistas. Must be in excellent physical condition as very demanding with elevation ascent of 2000 meters and 1500 meters descent in one day (total up-down, 3,500 m in one day!).
Day 1: Neuli (1650m) - Bhagi Kashahri (2600m). Morning visit to Manu (2200 m) Temple. Evening at village school site. Moderate ascent. Distance: 23 kms.
Day 2: Bhagi Kashahri to Subli (3300m). Strenuous ascent in early morning (3600 m). Pass through Kandi Galu notch (3627m). Distance 17 kms.
Day 3. Subli to Dwada (3150m). Relatively easy hike passing through birch forests and meadows. Distance 6 kms.
Day 4: Rest Day at Dwada: Beautiful meadow surrounded by steep mountain valleys and flowing Jiwanal River. Peaceful and good place to rest after long hike from Subli.
Day 5: Rest Day Dwada: Day hike up to Surtu Glacial Pond in Khandedhar with dramatic mountain backdrops. Opportunities for wildlife observation including Brown Bear, Snow Leopard, etc. Distance: 20 kms. round trip.
Day 6: Dwada to Chippi (3550m): Very strenuous day. Crossing Phangchi Galu Pass (4636 m) below Khandedhar into Parvarti Valley. Continuous steep ascent over rock scree, boulders, and very narrow paths into high alpine meadows, then higher lichen environments. Can be cold and windy. Descent from Phangchi Galu can have deep snow pack and should be done with great care as steep drops and potentially very dangerous. Sublime peace at the higher elevations. Stressful on knees coming down! Distance: 23 kms.
Day 7: Chippi to Pulga: Easier descent back into forests and meadows, ending at village of Pulga. Distance: 18 kms.
Total Distance: 110 kms.

Parvati Valley

Photo: A trek across Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m altitude)

Photo: Crossing of Pin Parvati Pass on 9.9. 1999

(an expedition of HP Forest Department led by Sanjeeva Pandey)

Photo: On the Pin side of the trek

Photo: A crevasse en route to the Pin Parvati Pass

Photo: The full trekking party

Crossing the Pin Parvati Pass (5319 meters altitude)
Main attractions: village house architecture; tree deities; old Forest Rest House at Pulga; panoramic views; alpine and sub-alpine pastures; huge glacial structures at Man-Talai onwards; about 7 to 8 kms. long stretch of snow fields on the Pass; changing vegetation and distinct bird, mammal, butterfly life.
Day 1: Shamshi (1100 m) to Barsheni (2150 m): by road
Trek from Barsheni to Khirganga (2960 m) Distance: 10 kms. A busy trekking route. The sulfur springs at Khirganga are very famous in the area. A number of Sadhus (holy men, hermits) can be seen camping in the vicinity of the springs.
Day 2: Khirganga-Tunda Bhuj (3285 m) to Thakur Kuan: Trek is less disturbed, goes through conifer forests, open meadows and birch forests. The journey may be broken in two days, up to Tunda Bhuj (area with high altitude birch forests) in one day and then from there to Thakur Kuan, the next day. Distance: 19 kms
Day 3: Thakur Kuan to Pandupul (3700 m) to Mantalai (4200 m): This part of trek is above tree line in high altitude meadows full of medicinal herbs, alpine grasses, bees and butterflies during Summer season. It should be done in two days: up to Pandupul in one day and next day to Mantalai. Distance: 20 kms.
Day 4: Mantalai to Pin Parvati Pass (5319 m) to base of the snow field in Pin Valley (4075 m): This is the most strenuous part of the Pin Parvati Pass trek. It involves a steep ascent from Mantalai to the Pass and then a descent into the Pin valley. About six to seven kms trek is on snow fields filled with potentially dangerous crevices. Weather may change any time at the Pass. Distance: 14 kms
Note: Assistance of a guide to cross the Pass..
Day 5: Rest day at the base of Pass in Pin Valley.
Day 6: Base of the snow field in Pin Valley to Tariya or near Mud: Trek through arid zone of the cold desert in Pin Valley. The arduous part of the trek is over, but watch out for crossing of streams on the way. This part of trek can be done in two days with a stopover in between. Distance: 11 kms.
Day 7: Tariya/Mud to Maling road head onwards by road to Kaza (3600 m): Mud is the first village to come by. The trekker may hire a pony or one of the famous Chamurti bred Tibetan horses to ride up to the roadhead. Distance: 15 kms.
Total Distance: 90 kms.