A perfect trekking experience at the Himachal national park

If you are a professional trekker and want to test your nerves in the rugged and inhospitable terrain of the trans-Himalayas, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in the picturesque Kullu Valley is the perfect challenge for you. Park authorities say it's an ideal getaway for professional trekkers as it takes one from an altitude of 1,700 m to 5,800 m. "The Park offers a number of trekking routes, but for professionals only," park director Ajay Srivastav told IANS.

He said every year over 1,000 trekkers, mainly from European countries, trudge the park from May to October. The GHNP, spread over 754 sq km and totally untouched by the road network, has four valleys -- Tirthan, Sainj, Jiwa Nal and Parvati. The boundaries of the park are connected to the Pin Valley National Park, the Rupi-Bhawa Wildlife Sanctuary and the Kanawar Wildlife Sanctuary. The valleys offer moderate to strenuous treks. More than two dozen trekking routes in the park have been identified and local youths have been trained to assist the trekkers, he said. Park officials said a trek of the Sainj-Tirthan valleys is quite popular among the mountaineers. "An eight-day 85-km Sainj-Tirthan trek is both moderate and strenuous," an official said.

Some trekking routes like crossing the Jiwa Nala-Parvati river and the Pin-Parvati pass demand excellent physical health and stamina, serious trekking experience and snow walking. The Jiwa Nala-Parvati river valley 110-km trek is a seven-day hike, crossing the passes at Kandi Galu (3,627 m) and Phangchi Galu (4,636 m). Likewise, the Pin Parvati pass (5,319 m) via Pulga is 90 km and requires eight days. There are 14 inspection huts inside the park where the trekkers can camp.