Bird Walk at Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh

Name: Bird Walk at Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
Start: 2026-01-10T07:00:00+05:30
End: 2026-01-10T09:00:00+05:30

About Great Himalayan National Park

Nestled in the western Himalaya of Himachal Pradesh, the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) spans over 1,171 sq km, with an additional buffer zone bringing the total protected landscape to nearly 1,600 sq km. Rising from around 1,500 m to over 6,000 m, the park shelters an extraordinary range of habitats—from subtropical pine forests and temperate broadleaf woods to alpine meadows and high-altitude glaciers. This dramatic altitudinal gradient supports rich flora such as deodar, blue pine, oak, rhododendron, and a dazzling variety of alpine herbs, many with medicinal value. GHNP is equally remarkable for its wildlife, providing refuge to rare and elusive species like the snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, musk deer, bharal, and the threatened western tragopan, the park’s iconic bird.

For birdwatchers, GHNP is a quiet paradise, with over 300 recorded bird species, including Himalayan monal, koklass pheasant, cheer pheasant, and a host of warblers, flycatchers, and raptors that change with the seasons. Despite its remoteness, the park faces ongoing conservation challenges such as climate change, pressure on surrounding forests, grazing, and resource use in buffer areas. Sustained conservation efforts: community based eco-tourism, strict protection of core zones, and long-term ecological monitoring have helped GHNP earn its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making it not just a sanctuary for biodiversity but a living example of how protection and people can coexist in fragile mountain landscapes.

Bird walk Location

Common birds of Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park hosts a vibrant and accessible bird community, with 227 recorded species making its forests, rivers, and alpine slopes come alive through the seasons. Commonly encountered birds include forest specialists like the Scaly-breasted Woodpecker, Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Chestnut-tailed Minla, Grey Treepie, and the elusive Rusty-cheeked Scimitar Babbler, while noisy flocks of Variegated Laughingthrush and Chestnut-crowned Laughingthrush animate mid-elevation trails. Along fast-flowing streams, birders often spot Brown Dipper, Spotted Forktail, Little Forktail, and Crested Kingfisher, while open skies reveal soaring Oriental Honey Buzzard and the majestic Himalayan Griffon. Higher elevations reward patience with iconic Himalayan species such as Koklass Pheasant, Himalayan Monal, Spotted Nutcracker, Rufous-streaked Accentor, and colorful migrants like Blue-fronted Redstart, Red-flanked Bluetail, and Pink-browed Rosefinch. Together with species such as the White-collared Blackbird, this rich assemblage makes GHNP a quietly outstanding destination for birdwatchers seeking both diversity and a true Himalayan wilderness experience.