10 Indian National Parks That Can Be Explored on Foot

 Here's a guide to 10 Indian national parks where visitors can explore on foot, offering an up-close and personal experience of India's diverse wildlife and natural beauty:

1. Hemis National Park, Ladakh

• Location: Jammu and Kashmir
• Highlights: Known for snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, and golden eagles, this park offers high-altitude trekking through rugged terrain and stunning landscapes.
  

2. Periyar National Park, Kerala

• Location: Thekkady, Kerala
• Highlights: Famous for its elephants, this park allows trekking along the Periyar River, with a chance to spot bison, langurs, and a variety of bird species.
  

3. Rajmachi Wildlife Sanctuary, Maharashtra

• Location: Near Lonavala, Maharashtra
• Highlights: Known for its scenic treks and ancient forts, Rajmachi offers wildlife like leopards and various birds amid lush green surroundings.
  

4. Silent Valley National Park, Kerala

• Location: Palakkad, Kerala
• Highlights: A pristine rainforest, this park is ideal for guided walks to explore diverse flora, lion-tailed macaques, and rare bird species.
  

5. Valley of Flowers National Park, Uttarakhand

• Location: Chamoli, Uttarakhand
• Highlights: Famous for its vibrant floral meadows, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is accessible only on foot and is home to snow leopards, musk deer, and red foxes.
  

6. Satpura National Park, Madhya Pradesh

• Location: Hoshangabad, Madhya Pradesh
• Highlights: Offers walking safaris where you can spot sloth bears, leopards, and a variety of birds amidst rocky landscapes and dense forests.
  

7. Nanda Devi National Park, Uttarakhand

• Location: Chamoli, Uttarakhand
• Highlights: Part of the Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, this park offers challenging treks through alpine meadows and is home to Himalayan wildlife like snow leopards and blue sheep.
  

8. Eravikulam National Park, Kerala

• Location: Munnar, Kerala
• Highlights: Known for the Nilgiri Tahr, this park provides trekking routes through rolling hills and tea plantations, especially popular during the Neelakurinji bloom season.
  

9. Great Himalayan National Park, Himachal Pradesh

• Location: Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
• Highlights: Offers extensive trekking trails through dense forests, alpine meadows, and glacial valleys, with a chance to see rare species like the Western Tragopan and Himalayan brown bear.
  

10. Kanchenjunga National Park, Sikkim

• Location: North Sikkim
• Highlights: A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park offers breathtaking treks through alpine forests and glaciers, home to red pandas, snow leopards, and high-altitude birds.

Tips for Exploring on Foot:

• Guided Treks: Always opt for guided treks with licensed professionals to ensure safety and adherence to park regulations.
• Permits: Some parks require permits for trekking, so ensure you have the necessary documentation.
• Best Season: Most parks are best explored during the cooler months, typically between October and April, when wildlife is more active.

These parks not only offer a chance to see India's wildlife but also allow explorers to connect with nature in its rawest form, making each footstep a unique adventure.