Can I get Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) trekking permits online?

Yes. GHNP entry and trekking permits can be booked online through the official Himachal Pradesh Forest & Ecotourism Portal (hpforest.nic.in / ecotourism.hp.gov.in). Alternatively, offline permits are issued on the spot on the morning of your trek at the Sai Ropa Forest Complex (Tirthan Valley) or the GHNP Headquarters in Shamshi (near Bhuntar Airport).

What is the daily entry fee for Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)?

The standard daily permit fee for GHNP is: 1. Indian Nationals: ₹150 per person per day (₹75 for students with valid ID); 2. Foreign Nationals: ₹500 per person per day (₹250 for foreign students); 3. Camping Fee: ₹100–₹150 per tent per day; 4. Still Camera: ₹100/day (Commercial Video Camera: ₹1,500/day).

Where do I obtain the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary permit in Spiti Valley?

Permits for Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (Snow Leopard expedition trails and Chicham / Kanamo Peak treks) are issued offline at the Divisional Forest Office (DFO Wildlife) in Kaza town, or at the Range Forest Office near Kibber village gate. Indian nationals pay ₹50/day, while foreign tourists pay ₹200/day.

Is it mandatory to hire a registered guide for trekking inside Himachal wildlife sanctuaries?

Yes. Inside core wildlife sanctuaries like GHNP, Kanawar, and Kibber, solo unaccompanied trekking is strictly illegal due to brown bear and snow leopard habitats and dense unmarked alpine terrain. You must be accompanied by a certified eco-zone guide registered with the local biodiversity committee (BTCA in Tirthan).

What are the visiting hours and permit rules for Chail Wildlife Sanctuary?

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary (Solan/Shimla border) is open daily from 07:00 AM to 06:00 PM. Entry tickets (₹30 for Indians, ₹100 for Foreigners) are obtained directly at the forest checkpoint near Chail Palace / Gaura road. Camping inside core oak-pine forest zones without prior written permission from the DFO Wildlife Shimla is strictly prohibited.

Himachal Forest & Ecotourism Department • 2026 ManualOnline & DFO Offline Permits • UNESCO GHNP

HP Wildlife Sanctuary & Trekking Entry Permits (2026)

The comprehensive regulatory manual for trekkers, wildlife photographers, and mountaineers. How to secure mandatory entry permits for Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP), Kibber, Chail, and Pin Valley. Online application links, DFO field office locations, verified daily tariffs, camping fees, and guide rules.

🌲

Quick Answer: How to Get Himachal Wildlife Trekking Permits

Trekking into Himachal Pradesh protected national parks and wildlife sanctuaries requires a mandatory entry permit issued by the HP Forest Department under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:

Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP - Tirthan/Sainj): Book online via hpforest.nic.in or get on-the-spot permits at the Sai Ropa Forest Complex (Tirthan Valley) or Shamshi HQ. Fee: ₹150/day (Indians) | ₹500/day (Foreigners) | Tent pitch: ₹100–₹150/day.
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (Spiti Valley): Issued offline at the DFO Wildlife Office in Kaza or Kibber gate. Fee: ₹50/day (Indians) | ₹200/day (Foreigners).
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary (Solan/Shimla): Walk-in tickets at the entry gate near Chail Palace. Fee: ₹30 (Indians) | ₹100 (Foreigners).
Pin Valley National Park (Spiti): Permits issued at Kaza DFO office or Kungri / Mudh village forest check-posts.
Certified Guide Mandate: Solo trekking in GHNP and Kibber is strictly prohibited. You must hire an authorized local guide registered with the Biodiversity Tourism & Community Association (BTCA).

Master Tariff: Entry Fees, Camping Rates & DFO Issuing Offices (2026)

The table below outlines the exact fee structure, camping charges, and the specific jurisdictional Divisional Forest Office (DFO) responsible for issuing permits across Himachal:

Sanctuary / Park	Indian National Fee	Foreign Tourist Fee	Camping Fee (Per Tent)	DFO Office Location
Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP)	₹150 / Day	₹500 / Day	₹100 – ₹150 / Day	Sai Ropa Complex (Tirthan) / Shamshi HQ
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary (Spiti)	₹50 / Day	₹200 / Day	₹100 / Day	DFO Wildlife Office, Kaza
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary	₹30 / Entry	₹100 / Entry	Prohibited in Core	Chail Gate / DFO Wildlife Shimla
Pin Valley National Park	₹50 / Day	₹200 / Day	₹100 / Day	Mudh Village Post / DFO Kaza
Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary (Sirmaur)	₹30 / Entry	₹100 / Entry	Prohibited in Core	Renuka Zoo Gate / DFO Nahan
Kanawar & Manali Wildlife Sanctuaries	₹50 / Day	₹250 / Day	₹100 / Day	Range Forest Office, Kullu / Manali

How to Apply for Wildlife & GHNP Permits Online

The Himachal Pradesh Forest Department operates an electronic ecotourism portal to reserve trekking permits and forest rest houses in advance:

📱 Online Application Protocol:

Step 1: Visit the official portal at ecotourism.hp.gov.in or hpforest.nic.in.
Step 2: Select your destination wildlife division (e.g., GHNP Shamshi Division, Spiti Wildlife Division, or Shimla Wildlife Division).
Step 3: Choose your trek route (e.g., Tirthan Valley to Rolla / Shilt Hut / Marahni; Sainj Valley to Shangarh / Lapah; or Kibber to Kanamo Peak).
Step 4: Enter visitor details: Full names, government ID proof numbers (Aadhaar or Passport for foreign travelers), emergency contact, and trek duration in days.
Step 5: Declare equipment: Number of camping tents, number of still cameras, and videography drones (drones require special DGCA & State Home Dept clearances).
Step 6: Pay the statutory fees via payment gateway (UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit card).
Step 7: Download the digital QR-coded permit pass. Show this to the forest guards stationed at the trail entry gate (e.g., Gushaini entry gate for Tirthan GHNP).

Offline DFO Field Offices Directory (Walk-In Approvals)

If you arrive without an online reservation, you can get walk-in permits at these forest divisional headquarters on working days:

1. Sai Ropa Forest Complex (Tirthan)

Jurisdiction: GHNP Western Gate (Gushaini, Rolla, Chhoie waterfall).

Located right on the main Tirthan Valley road. Staff on duty from 09:00 AM to 05:00 PM daily. Certified local guide rosters available here.

2. DFO Wildlife Shamshi (Kullu)

Jurisdiction: GHNP Core Zone, Sainj Valley, and Jiwa Nala.

Located near Bhuntar Airport. Handles long-distance multi-day expedition permits, research permissions, and documentary videography approvals.

3. DFO Wildlife Kaza (Spiti)

Jurisdiction: Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary & Pin Valley National Park.

Located in main Kaza market complex. Crucial for winter Snow Leopard tracking teams and summer high-altitude Kanamo Peak ascents.

4. DFO Wildlife Shimla (Mist Chamber)

Jurisdiction: Chail Wildlife Sanctuary, Shimla Water Catchment, and Daranghati.

Office near Khalini / Mist Chamber, Shimla. Grants research and special birdwatching trail permits for protected cedar-pine belts.

Strict Sanctuary Regulations: Zero Tolerance Ecological Rules

Under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, entering a notified national park or sanctuary without authorization is a non-bailable offense. Forest rangers actively enforce these codes:

🚫 No Single-Use Plastics: Disposable plastic water bottles, snack packets, and polythene are confiscated at the check-post. You must carry reusable aluminum bottles and cloth bags.
🔥 Complete Campfire Ban: Lighting open wood campfires inside the forest is strictly prohibited to prevent forest wildfires. Trekkers must cook using portable LPG / butane camping stoves.
🔇 No Music / Loudspeakers: Playing bluetooth speakers or shouting is forbidden. Disturbing Western Tragopan, Himalayan Tahr, or Musk Deer habitats invites immediate expulsion and fines up to ₹10,000.
🗑️ "Pack It In, Pack It Out": Every piece of non-biodegradable waste generated at high-altitude campsites must be packed back and presented at the forest exit gate for audit before deposit refunds are cleared.
🪶 No Wildlife Harassment or Drone Flights: Flying unmanned drones over sanctuaries without explicit clearance from the Chief Wildlife Warden, Himachal Pradesh, results in equipment confiscation and legal FIR.

Frequently Asked Questions: Wildlife Trekking Permits

1. Can students get discounts on Himachal wildlife sanctuary permits?

Yes. Indian students holding a valid school or university identity card receive a 50% concession on daily entry permits in Great Himalayan National Park (₹75/day instead of ₹150) and Pin Valley. Foreign students also receive a 50% discount upon presenting recognized international student cards.

2. Is GHNP open for trekking in winter (December to February)?

The higher alpine passes and core zones of GHNP (like Tirth, Marahni, and Raktisar) are closed during peak winter due to heavy snow and avalanche danger. However, the lower ecozone trails (Gushaini to Rolla, Chhoie Waterfall, and Sai Ropa nature trails) remain accessible for day hikes with forest permits.

3. How much does a registered eco-guide cost for GHNP treks?

The Biodiversity Tourism and Community Association (BTCA) fixes standard daily rates: A certified local guide costs approximately ₹1,500 – ₹2,000 per day; porters cost ₹1,000 – ₹1,200 per day; cook services range from ₹1,200 – ₹1,500 per day.

4. Do I need a permit just to enter Tirthan Valley villages?

No. The general eco-zone villages of Tirthan Valley (Jibhi, Shoja, Gushaini, Nagini, Banjar) do NOT require wildlife permits. Permits are only needed once you cross the physical national park boundary gate beyond Gushaini or Shangarh.

5. What is the penalty for unauthorized camping inside a Himachal sanctuary?

Pitching unauthorized tents outside designated forest camping grounds attracts compounding fines between ₹5,000 and ₹25,000 under the Indian Forest Act, immediate confiscation of camping gear, and possible legal detention by wildlife wardens.