The highest mountain ranges in the world and geologically speaking, the youngest, the Himalayas offer some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. Among the high altitude wildlife reserves of the Himalayas comes the Great Himalayan National Park, located in the beautiful district of Kullu. The largest protected area in Himachal Pradesh, it was declared a National Park in 1984.

This Park is carved out of the splendid mountain terrain of the Kullu district. Rich coniferous forests, alpine meadows carpeted with flowers, snow-capped peaks and glaciers provide a breathtaking panorama. The secluded Sainj and Tirthan valleys harbour a variety of animals common to this area - wild mountain goats like the bharal, goral, and serow, the brown bear and predators like the leopard and the rarely seen snow leopard. Varieties of colourful pheasants -monal, khalij cheer, tragopan and other Himalayan birds are part of its rich avian population. Trekking through the Park to Rakte Sar, the origin of the Sainj River, brings in the added pleasure of seeing wildlife in this spectacular natural environment.

The westerly entry to the Park through the TirthanValley leading up to the Pin Parvati Pass is considered to be one of the most sacred places in the western Himalayas. Pilgrims visit the hot springs at Khirganga, the source of the Raktinala and the source of the Parvati River at Mantalai.