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Nanda Devi National Park

Nanda Devi National Park

wildlife park · Uttarakhand

Nanda Devi National Park, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, surrounds Nanda Devi, India's second-highest peak, in a high-Himalayan glacial basin.

State
Uttarakhand
Type
Wildlife Park

Nanda Devi National Park, in the Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, surrounds Nanda Devi, India's second-highest peak, in a high-Himalayan glacial basin. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it shelters snow leopards, Himalayan musk deer, bharal (blue sheep) and Himalayan tahr amid dramatic peaks, glaciers and alpine meadows.

When to go

May to October is the accessible season; the high country is snowbound in winter, and the core sanctuary is closed to protect the fragile ecosystem.

Why visit

The inner sanctuary has been closed since 1983 and stays closed — you cannot walk in to the foot of Nanda Devi, whatever an operator tells you. What is open is the buffer, and the Valley of Flowers, which shares the World Heritage listing.

Cultural notes

Nanda Devi is revered as a goddess in Uttarakhand, and the park, together with the Valley of Flowers, forms a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to reach

By Road: The park is reached via Joshimath and Lata village in Chamoli. By Air and Train: Dehradun's Jolly Grant Airport and Rishikesh or Haridwar railheads are the nearest major gateways, with a long mountain drive onward.

Nanda Devi National Park guide & itineraries

Shopping

Local Garhwali woollens, honey and handicrafts are found in Joshimath and nearby towns.

Frequently asked questions

Is the core of Nanda Devi National Park open to visitors?

No, the inner sanctuary is closed to protect the fragile ecosystem; buffer-zone treks around Lata are possible with permits and guides.

What is Nanda Devi National Park known for?

Its spectacular high-Himalayan basin around India's second-highest peak, snow leopards and other alpine wildlife, and UNESCO World Heritage status.

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