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Uttarkashi · Garhwal Himalaya · 2,390 sq km

Gangotri National Park

Gangotri National Park is a 2,390 sq km protected wilderness in Uttarkashi district — one of India's highest-altitude national parks, encompassing the Gangotri Glacier, the entire Harshil Valley, and the source of the sacred Ganges. Home to snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, bharal, musk deer, and a spectacular array of bird life.

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About Gangotri National Park

2,390
Sq km Area
1,800m+
Min Altitude
May–Nov
Open Season
150+
Bird Species

Gangotri National Park was established in 1989 and covers 2,390 sq km of the Uttarkashi district in the Garhwal Himalaya. It is one of the largest national parks in Uttarakhand and one of the highest-altitude protected areas in India, with terrain ranging from sub-alpine forests at 1,800m up to glaciated peaks exceeding 7,000m.

The park encompasses the complete watershed of the Bhagirathi river, including the Gangotri Glacier — the largest glacier in the Garhwal range and the source of the sacred Ganges. Harshil Valley lies in the park's buffer zone, offering visitors their most accessible entry point into this extraordinary mountain ecosystem without the restrictions of the core zone.

The park is part of the larger Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve network and is included in the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list. Its biodiversity spans sub-tropical to arctic alpine zones, supporting an extraordinary range of flora and fauna found nowhere else in Uttarakhand at this altitude.

Wildlife of Gangotri National Park

Mammals

  • Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia): The park's most iconic resident — elusive and rarely seen. Estimated 15–20 individuals. Sightings most likely on the rocky slopes above 4,000m near Tapovan and Nandanvan in winter (Nov–Feb). Camera traps have documented regular presence.
  • Himalayan Tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus): Large wild goat found on cliff faces and rocky slopes. Best seen in the Gangotri-Gaumukh trek area. Groups of 10–20 are common.
  • Bharal / Blue Sheep (Pseudois nayaur): Found on open alpine slopes at 3,500–5,000m. A regular sighting on the Bhojwasa-Gaumukh section of the trek. Key prey for snow leopard.
  • Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster): Small deer with musk gland; found in birch forests near Gangotri and Harshil. Active at dawn and dusk.
  • Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus): Found in sub-alpine forest zones. Avoid encountering; keep food sealed at campsites.
  • Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes montana): Common throughout the valley and grassland edges.

Birds (150+ Species)

  • Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus): State bird of Uttarakhand — iridescent metallic plumage, found in forest edges from 3,000–4,000m. Common sighting in Harshil and Gangotri.
  • Snow Partridge, Chukar Partridge: Found on rocky slopes near Gaumukh.
  • Lammergeier / Bearded Vulture: Large scavenger visible soaring above valley ridgelines.
  • Himalayan Griffon Vulture: Seen in groups near animal carcasses in open alpine areas.
  • Spotted Nutcracker, Yellow-billed Blue Magpie: Common forest birds in Harshil and Dharali.
  • Brown-fronted Woodpecker, Himalayan Woodpecker: Heard in the deodar forest around Harshil.

Best Time to Visit

May – June (★★★★)

Park open. Gangotri and Gaumukh accessible. Himalayan Monal and bharal visible. Snow on high slopes. Good for glacier trekking and birdwatching.

July – August

Monsoon — lush green but landslide risk. Birds active. Gangotri road can be disrupted. Not ideal for wildlife watching. Forest walks are beautiful.

September – October (★★★★★)

Best season overall — clear skies, excellent visibility, bharal herds moving to lower slopes, Himalayan Monal highly visible. Peak season for Gangotri and Gaumukh.

November – April

Park largely inaccessible. Snow leopard active in core areas but tourists not admitted. Forest Department may allow specialist wildlife photographers with permits.

How to Reach the Park

From Harshil (28 km to Gangotri — park entry)

Harshil is in the buffer zone. Drive 28 km to Gangotri to enter the core trekking area. The Forest Department checkpost at Gangotri is where permits are issued for Gaumukh trek.

From Uttarkashi (100 km)

Uttarkashi is the nearest base town with hotels and medical facilities. Drive NH108 to Bhatwari then Harshil-Gangotri. About 3.5–4 hours.

From Rishikesh (240 km)

Rishikesh → Chamba → Uttarkashi → Harshil-Gangotri. Full day drive (~8 hours). Our packages include transport from Rishikesh/Haridwar/Dehradun.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Gangotri National Park open to tourists?
The park's buffer zone — including Harshil Valley and the Gangotri-Gaumukh trek route — is open to tourists from May to November with appropriate permits. The Gaumukh trek requires a Forest Department permit (₹150/person for Indians). A maximum of 150 trekkers per day are allowed to Gaumukh. The core zone beyond Tapovan is restricted.
Which animals can you see in Gangotri National Park?
The park is home to snow leopard, Himalayan tahr, bharal (blue sheep), musk deer, Himalayan black bear, red fox, and over 150 bird species including the Himalayan monal. Snow leopard sightings are rare and mostly reported above 4,000m in the Tapovan-Nandanvan area. Bharal and Himalayan tahr are regularly seen on the Gaumukh trek route.
Does the Harshil Valley come under Gangotri National Park?
Yes — Harshil Valley lies in the buffer zone of Gangotri National Park. The valley's deodar forests and Bhagirathi riverside are protected under the park's conservation mandate. The core national park area begins at Gangotri and extends to Gaumukh and beyond to the Tapovan-Nandanvan high-altitude meadows.
How big is Gangotri National Park?
Gangotri National Park covers 2,390 sq km of the Garhwal Himalaya in Uttarkashi district — roughly the size of Luxembourg. It is one of the highest-altitude protected areas in India, with terrain ranging from 1,800m in the lower valleys to over 7,000m at the highest peaks of the Gangotri range. The Gangotri Glacier alone is approximately 30 km long.
What is the best time to visit Gangotri National Park?
September–October is the best time for wildlife and trekking — post-monsoon clarity, bharal and tahr moving to lower slopes, and excellent photography conditions. May–June is also good for glacier treks when snowpack is still high. The park is essentially closed from November to April due to heavy snowfall blocking the Gangotri road.