Tirthan Nature Camps

The Himalayas have been a source of awe and inspiration for millennia to countless individuals. They are the largest, tallest and geologically youngest mountains on our planet. In India, they are the Dehvbumi--the home of the gods. The Himalaya are also one of the most fragile mountain regions of the world and hold an enormous repository of biological diversity which is increasingly under pressure from human activities. The unique ecological aspects of the Western Himalaya led to the creation of the Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in the Kullu district of India's mountain state of Himachal Pradesh. These features include biodiversity, sparse human populations, inaccessibility, little tourism, and a local economy based on traditional livelihoods. The rare and endemic nature of many animal and plant communities at GHNP are of interest not only to scientists, but to lovers of nature worldwide. The World Conservation Monitoring Center has identified GHNP as one of the five Centres of Plant Diversity and Endemism in India.

Trek to Tirth

"A eight-day trek crossing two valleys. Moderate to strenuous. Experience the transitions between two magnificent valleys"

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 descent 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.
Day 7: Nada Thatch to Rolla-descent. Distance: 12 km.
Day 8: Rolla to Gushaini. Distance: 10 km.
Total Distance: 76 kms.

Gushani to Shilt Hut

"Easy to Moderate three day hike from Ecozone into Park"

Day 1: Gushaini (1500 m) to Rolla (2100 m) Entry into Park. Easy day.
Distance: 11 kms.
Day 2: Rolla to Shilt Hut (3100 m) side trip to Chhordwari waterfall and bamboo forest. Distance: 7 kms.
Day 3: Shilt to Gushaini Return.
Total Distance: 36 kms.

Sainj-Tirthan Valleys

"A eight-day trek crossing two valleys. Moderate to strenuous. Experience the transitions between two magnificent valleys"

Day 1: Neuli (1500 m) to Shakti (2100 m).
Night at Park accommodation. Moderate ascent. Distance: 22 km
Day 2: Shakti to Dhel (3737 m)
Heavy-moderate ascent through dense forest, walnut trees, medicinal herbs, etc. Distance: 11 kms.
Day 3 & 4: Rest days at Dehl. Day hikes to Jogni (outdoor prayer sites). Fabulous sunrises and sunsets. Early morning hikes with opportunities to observe wildlife (Red Fox, Himalayan Tahrs). Distance: 4 to 6 kms.
Day 5: Dehl to Guntrao (3500 m): Strenuous. Moving to higher elevations (4120 meters). Difficult trail for more than one hour through very narrow path with sheer drops of 200 meters. Good chance of seeing Himalayan Tahr. A long day on the trail. Must be in very good shape, but worth the effort. Distance: 15 kms.
Day 6: Rest Day at Guntrao: Early morning opportunities for observing Himalayan Tahr and Musk deer.
Day 7: Guntrao to Shilt (3100 m). Moderate up and down. Lush bamboo forests, streams and waterfalls. Shilt campsite offers opportunities for evening wildlife. Distance: 16 kms.
Day 8: Shilt to Gushaini. Steep descent through dense forests. Exiting GHNP into Ecozone. Distance: 15 kms.
Note: A reverse route of the above trek is also popular.
Distance from Neuli to Gushaini: About 85 kms.