Access
Accessing the Great Himalayan National Park – How to Reach GHNP
Accessing the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) is essential knowledge for anyone planning a visit to this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, GHNP offers a pristine escape into alpine biodiversity, and getting there is a scenic adventure in itself.
There are two primary gateways for accessing the Great Himalayan National Park—the Tirthan Valley and Sainj Valley. Both valleys lead to different entry zones of the park and offer access to treks, forest trails, and eco-tourism experiences. The town of Aut, on the Chandigarh-Manali highway, serves as the main access point for further travel by taxi or bus to villages like Gushaini (Tirthan) or Neuli (Sainj).
Travelers can reach GHNP by road, rail, or air:
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By Air: The nearest airport is Bhuntar, about 50 km away, with regular flights from Delhi.
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By Train: The nearest railway station is Joginder Nagar, followed by a drive to Aut.
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By Road: Regular buses and taxis operate from Kullu, Manali, and Mandi.
| Coordinates To | Coordinates From | |
|---|---|---|
| Latitude range | N 31°38’28” | N 31°54’58” |
| Longitude range | E 77° 20’11” | E 77°45’00” |
The park is open for most of the year. During the winter, some areas are inaccessible due to snow. Please check the current conditions or call the park authorities before beginning your journey.
There are four different starting points for trekking within the park, depending on which valley you wish to visit. For details, visit our Trekking section.
| From Delhi: Approximately 480km, 10 to 12 hrs journey | |
| Route | Delhi > Ambala > Chandigarh > Roopnagar > Kiratpur > Bilaspur > Mandi > Pandoh > AutDelhi to Chandigarh by National Highway 1, then to Aut in Mandi district by NH 21. The towns of Chandigarh and Swarghtat can be targeted to stay for staging the trip. Road journey in the mountain terrain of Himachal provides good views of Gobindsagar Lake near Bilaspur, followed by lush and wide Bahl Valley. The drive continues through the outskirts of Mandi which leads into the Pandoh gorge. After Pandoh comes the small town of Aut from where a link road goes across the bridge over Beas River into the Banjar valley, where the Park is located. |
| From Dharamsala: Approximately 170km, 6-8 hrs journey | |
| Route | Dharamsala > Palampur > Baijnath > Joginder Nagar > Mandi > Pandoh > Aut |
| From Shimla: Approximately 185km, 6-8hrs journey | |
| Route | Shimla > Darlaghat > Brahamphukkar > Jukala > Ghaggas > Sundernagar > Mandi > Aut |
| From Manali: Approximately 70km, 2- 3hrs journey | |
| Route | Manali > Naggar > Kullu > Aut |
Kullu bus station
| Name and address | Contact numbers |
| Himachal Road Transport Corporation, Bus stand, Banjar | 01903-221243 (office) |
| Himachal Road Transport Corporation Bus Stand, Kullu | HRTC Enquiry 01902-222728, Regional manager: 01902-222452 (office) |
| Himachal Road Transport Corporation, booking office, Aut | 81630-4547 (mobile) |
| Seraj Valley Taxi Operators’ Union, Banjar |
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| Taxi Union, Sainj |
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| Markanda Taxi Union, Aut |
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Alternatively, you can take a mainline train from Delhi to Pathankot, then the toy train to Joginder Nagar, near Baijnath, in District Mandi. The toy train takes around ten hours to cover 100km of beautiful countryside. From Joginder Nagar, you can take a taxi or bus to District Kullu.
Toy trains running in Himachal
From Pathankot to Joginder Nagar
| Joginder Nagar railway station phone number | |
| General information |
Air India is currently the only service provider on this route, operating direct flights every morning except Tuesdays. Return flights also operate every morning except Tuesdays.
Kullu is served by Bhuntar Airport, also known as Kullu Manali Airport. Located in the heart of a picturesque valley, it offers car rental, parking, restrooms and ticketing counters.
Kullu airport
| From New Delhi to Bhunter | From Chandigarh to Bhunter | |
| Airlines operating | Air India (Delhi – Bhunter) except Tuesday | Himachal Holidays ( Chandigarh – Bhunter) |
| Airlines Contact details | Station Manager, Mob: +91-98166-34787, www.airindia.in | Station Manager, Mob: +91-98160-02323, |
| Airport Authority contact details | Mr Gaurav Mishra, Terminal Manager, Mob: +91-94594-08789, Kullu Airport,Bhuntar, HP 175125 Tel: 01902-265052. Fax: 01902-265062 | |
| General information | ||
Main treks in GHNP ( Click to enlarge)
| Tirthan Valley trek | |
| Route | Aut > Larji Dam > Shai Ropa > Gushaini |
| Sainj Valley trek | |
| Route | Aut > Larji dam > Sainj |
| Jiwa Nal Valley trek | |
| Route | Aut > Larji Dam > Sainj > Siund |
| Parvati trek | |
| Route | |
When accessing the Great Himalayan National Park, be prepared for limited connectivity, remote villages, and high-altitude terrain. It’s recommended to carry essentials, travel with a local guide, and check the weather conditions ahead.
Whether you enter through Tirthan or Sainj, the journey toward accessing the Great Himalayan National Park is as rewarding as the destination itself—offering breathtaking views, traditional Himachali culture, and untouched wilderness.