National park · India
Nanda Devi National Park
Pay the entry fee (check), drive to Lata village (≈2 h from Joshimath), then hike the Nanda Devi Interpretive Trek (4 days) in Apr–Oct; avoid monsoon July‑August.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
894 km² (345 sq mi)345 sq mi (894 km²)
approximate
Established
1988
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 894 km² (345 sq mi)345 sq mi (894 km²)
- Approximate; official figure not published (check).
- Established
- 1988
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Nanda Devi National Park, established in 1988 in Uttarakhand, India, protects high‑altitude ecosystems around the 7,816 m peak and the surrounding valleys. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage site with the Valley of Flowers, featuring snow leopards, bears, tahrs and rich cultural heritage of the Bhotiya community. Access is via Lata village, where permits are issued and the interpretive centre introduces the park’s biodiversity and Chipko movement history.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 1988Part of the Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers UNESCO site.
Size and age
894 km² (345 sq mi)345 sq mi (894 km²) · national park since 1988
Approximate; official figure not published (check).
Why go
- High‑altitude trekking on the Nanda Devi Interpretive Trail with cultural stops in Lata village.
- Spot snow leopards, Himalayan bears and tahrs in a remote biosphere.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovCaution
- DecCaution
- JanVery cold, snow on trails.
- FebCold, limited daylight.
- MarSnow melt begins, trails opening.
- AprClear skies, moderate weather.
- MayStable weather, good trekking conditions.
- JunPre‑monsoon, warm days.
- JulMonsoon risk, landslides.
- AugMonsoon, trail erosion.
- SepPost‑monsoon, clearer trails.
- OctDry, crisp autumn trekking.
- NovEarly snow, cold nights.
- DecSnowbound, limited access.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow leopard, Himalayan black bear, brown bear, Himalayan tahr, musk deer, monkeysAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Over 100 bird speciesMar–Oct | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Dehradun airport
Fly to Dehradun, then road via Rishikesh → Chamoli → Joshimath (≈7 h).
7–9 h
Open the page →
From Haridwar
Drive north via Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Chamoli to Joshimath, then 25 km (16 mi) upstream to Lata village.Drive north via Rishikesh, Rudraprayag, Karnprayag, Chamoli to Joshimath, then 16 mi (25 km) upstream to Lata village.
6–8 h
Open the page →
From Kathgodam (Kumaon side)
Drive through Almora, Kausani, Baijnath, Gwaldam to Karnprayag, then Chamoli and Joshimath.
7–9 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Lata village gateway | Interpretation centre, entry gate, basic accommodation. | Open with permit; vehicles can reach the village. |
| Interpretive Trek route | Four‑day high‑altitude trek through Niti Valley to Suraithota. | Guided only; camps at Kanook and Lata Kharak. |
| Nanda Devi summit area | Restricted; only for authorized scientific teams. | Closed to tourists. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates are approximate centre points for orientation.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | Free | person | Official fee not published; verify at Lata gate (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit permit or guide
Trek permit for Nanda Devi Interpretive Trek permit or guide
Park rules
- Permits
- Entry and trek permits must be shown at the gate.
- Camping
- Only in designated camps (Kanook, Lata Kharak).
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use provided stoves.
- Litter
- Carry out all waste; pack out your trash.
- Altitude safety
- Acclimatise properly; avoid rapid ascent above 3,500 m.
Where to stay
In the park
Shepherds Lodge Devangan
Simple rooms with meals; base for treks.
Near the park
Joshimath town
Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants (≈30 km (19 mi) from Lata).Hotels, guesthouses, and restaurants (≈19 mi (30 km) from Lata).
Safety
Altitude sickness high
Landslides during monsoon medium
Cold nights low
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Lata village reachable by road; short walks to gate.
- Trek sections are steep and high altitude, not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Support community‑run lodges and guides.
- Carry out all waste; avoid single‑use plastics.
- Do not disturb wildlife; keep distance from animals.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nanda Devi National Park?
The park does not publish a fixed entry fee; visitors usually pay a small permit charge at Lata gate (verify on arrival).
What are the best hikes in Nanda Devi National Park?
The Nanda Devi Interpretive Trek (4 days) is the main route; shorter day‑hikes to nearby villages are possible with a guide.
When is the best time to visit Nanda Devi National Park?
April to early October offers clear weather and stable trekking conditions; avoid July‑August monsoon.
Do I need a guide for the trek?
Yes, a registered local guide is required for the multi‑day Interpretive Trek.
Is the park accessible from Dehradun airport?
Yes; fly to Dehradun (14 km from Rishikesh) then drive 7–9 hours to Lata village.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Nanda Devi National Park
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