Kanwar Sanctuary

Himachal Pradesh is endowed with the most varied geographic divisions and climatic variation. Explore the best of the Himachal Pradesh's jungles at Kanwar Sanctuary. It is simply thrilling to see the untamed and ferocious animals sauntering freely in their natural habitat.

In the thick of the sanctuary, tourists can catch sight of multiple lakes, springs and religious sites. Lying in the bio-geographical zone of the north-west Himalaya, the park is a confluence of a temperate deciduous forest, Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forest, mixed coniferous forest, alpine dry pastures and alpine dry shrubs.

Located at quite elevation, terrains and landscapes of the sanctuary are rocky. Kanwar Sanctuary is home to the rare "Western Tragopan" and 200 species of birds and over 30 species of mammals. A major portion of the sanctuary is covered with thick canopies of deodar and fir trees which prevents the view of the sky.

Simbalbara Sanctuary

Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary is the right place to see the captivating wild world. The sanctuary is situated in the middle of thick Sal forest in the Paonta Valley, quite close to the Kalesar Wildlife Sanctuary. It is a peaceful, isolated wildlife holiday perched in the lower reaches of the Shivalik hill ranges. The sanctuary falls under the regulation of Department of Forests, Himachal Pradesh government.

Simbalbara is an amazing place to have fun as it is set against the backdrop of a river, dense forest and deep green valleys. From the periphery of the forest, tourists can catch the glimpses of the picturesque Puruwal valley. Rhesus Macaque, Leopard, Indian Muntjac, Goral and Crested Porcupine, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Boar and common Langur are some of the animals which people can easily sight on a short tour to Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary.

Manali Wildlife Sanctuary

The exquisite greenery and the presence of wild mountain animals make the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary one of the must see destinations in Manali. This amazing sanctuary is located about two kilometers away from the main town and is spread over 3,180 hectares of land.

Established in the year 1954, the Manali Wildlife Sanctuary includes animals like the Himalayan Black Bear, Musk Deer, Flying Fox, Stripped Hyena, Himalayan Tahr, Indian Hare, Barking Deer, Palm Civet, Serows, Himalayan Yellow Throated Martens, and Kashmir Flying Squirrels. Endangered animals like leopards, Brown Bears, and Goral can also be seen here. The rich forest of this Manali sanctuary is covered with trees like Deodar, Horse Chestnut, Kail, Maple, and Walnut. The best time to visit this marvelous place is during winter, when the surroundings are livelier and more enjoyable.

Great Himalayan National Park

Spread over an area of 754 sq. km, the Great Himalayan National Park is the newest addition to the list of India's most amazing national parks. Built in the year 1984, the park lies at an altitude of 1500 to 6000 meters. The exquisite location and scenic surroundings of this park are highlighted with Deodar and Oak trees.

The park has many important wildlife species native to the Western Himalayas, like Musk Deer, Brown Bear, Goral, Thar, Leopard, Snow leopard, Bharal, Serow, Monal, Kalij, Koklas, Cheer, Tragopan, Snow cock etc. Many people visit this amazing park to experience trekking and camping in the alpine pastures of the Kully region. The best seasons to visit this park are summer and autumn.

Pin Valley National Park

The glorious Pin Valley National Park is located in the cold desert area of Lahaul and Spiti in Himachal Predesh and is home to more than 20 species of animals and birds, including the endangered Snow Leopard. Set in the freezing landscpaes of Spiti Valley, this amazing park was established in 1987 as a part of the Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area. Perched at an altitude that ranges between 3,300 and 6,632 meters above sea level, the Pin Valley National Park is a gem of an attraction, which is bestowed with an amazing assortment of flora and fauna.

Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Sirmour District of Himachal Pradesh, Renuka Wildlife Sanctuary is a reserve forest spread over an area of around 4.028 sq km. Around 3 sq km area outside the park has been declared as the buffer zone.

The adjacent area of Renuka Wildlife Sanctaury is known among the locals as a highly revered pilgrimage destination. It is for the temples of mother and son duo, this region of Himachal gains high importance among the believers. Being one of the most popular wildlife sanctuaries of the state, Renuka Ji protects rich counts of flora and fauna. The park encloses Renukaji Mini Zoo which is considered to be the oldest zoo in Himachal Pradesh.

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary

Sprawling over an area of 110 sq. km, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is a pretty large sanctuary located in Chail and is the abode of many rich varieties of wildlife. Chail Sanctuary was established in the year 1976 and from that period it was declared as a protected area under the concern of Government.

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is densely covered by Oak and Pine, apart from grassland. It is an abode of a variety of flora and fauna. Some of the famous animal species of the park include wild boar, goral, sambar, spotted deer, Himalayan black bear, common langur, Indian porcupine, flying squirrel, etc. European Deer was also introduced 50 years ago by the former Maharaja of Patiala but no one has sighted in the year 1988 as per the survey. The Chir breeding and rehabilitation centre has helped in increasing the number of chir birds in nearby areas.

The park is also a home to a huge variety of birds like Chir Pheasant, Golden Eagle, Grey Headed Flycatcher, Khalij Pheasant, etc. One who is seeking a wildlife tour with their dear ones must visit Chail Sanctuary and experience the cool climate which remains pleasant round the year. This sanctuary is mobbed by birders, nature lovers and wildlife lovers throughout the year.

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary

Churdhar Sanctuary is a tiny reserve on the foothills of Himalaya, perched right at the top of the Churdhar Peak. Located in the middle of alpine trees and green grassy pastures, the sanctuary is the dream place to have an encounter with the wild side of the Himachal Pradesh. From the top of the peak, wildlife enthusiasts can take home some amazing views Churdhar Peak. The wildlife sanctuary holds a religious significance as well. There is a vivid statue of Lord Shiva within the sanctuary; it is a holy place of Lord Shirgul Maharaj.

The sanctuary was acknowledged as the wildlife reserve in India on 15 November, 1985. Tourists who visit here are impressed by the sheer beauty and abundance of wildlife present in the area. The sanctuary is perched at an elevation of 3647 m above the sea level on the highest mountain of outer Himalaya, Churdhar peak. From the top of the peak, visitors can relish the view of wild Gangetic plains and the Satluj River on its south and Badrinath towards (a well-known Hindu pilgrimage) its north. Also seen from here is the picturesque and serene landscapes of Chakrata and Shimla.

Daranghati Sanctuary

The sanctuary lies on the Dhauladhar Mountain, an intervening range that forms part of the Middle Himalaya. It is divided into 2 parts- Manglab towards the north and Nogli Gab towards its south. This area was used as a hunting spot by the royal family of Rampur Bushahr. Now it is home to different species of pheasants. In the middle of the sanctuary, tourists can see a large number of wooden temples that Himachal Pradesh is famous for. The view of the beautiful landscapes from the sanctuary is simply breathtaking.

Daranghati Sanctuary Shimla The sanctuary bounded by coniferous trees such as blue pine, silver fir and spruce. The wild sanctuary is home to an incredible variety of animals namely Brown Bear, Flying Fox, Barking Deer, Goral, Indian Hare, Himalayan Ibex Leopard, Serow, Blue Sheep, Common giant flying squirrel, Himalayan Palm Civet and Himalayan Weasel. The sanctuary attracts bird watchers from across the globe. Jujurana namely 'the king of birds' can be sighted here easily. A vulnerable pheasant called 'Western Tragopan' is the main attraction of Daranghati Sanctuary.

Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary

With dense Deodar and fir forests spreading over 19.63 sq. km, the Kalatop Khajjiar Sanctuary is a 30.69 sq. km animal sanctuary located at Kalatop and Khajjiar in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh. It is situated at a distance of 6 Km from Dalhousie It lies in the itinerary of the Ravi River and is encircled by coniferous and oak forests.

The flora in the sanctuary includes cedar and blue pine, oaks like moru and ban, deodar trees, rhododendron, firs, and many more. It's also popular for medicinal plants and herbs. The wilderness is conferred with a huge variety of Indian Wildlife, including some of the endangered species of flora and fauna.

In the middle of this sanctuary, you'll find a lake offering splendid views to sightseers. The Sanctuary boasts of a huge variety of wildlife like Bear, Himalayan Black Marten, Leopard, Deer, Barking Goral, etc. This sanctuary is known for preserving the native Himalayan serow. Birds like Black Headed Jay, Chestnut Billed Rock Thrush, etc., are also found here.

Majathal Sanctuary

Perched at an elevation of 1966 meters above sea level, Manjathal Sanctuary is one the most diverse sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh. The sanctuary is located in the western region of the Himalaya, and is spread over an area of 39.4 sq km. The sanctuary is famous for its undulating and steep terrains.

Talking about the fauna of the wildlife, Majathal Sanctuary has a good population of cheer pheasant (long tailed bird with a crimson area around the eyes), Goral (small goat like animal with cylindrical horns). The protected forest area is also famous for its large pine trees. Some of the rare animal species which can be found here are Himalayan Black Bear, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Jungle Cat, Himalayan Palm Civet, Yellow Throated Marten, Barking Deer, Sambar, Indian Wild Bear and Langur.

Nature Park Gopalpur

Nature Park Gopalpur is naturally beautiful! This is one of the best parks in Himachal Pradesh where wild animals are well preserved. Covered with dense bamboo trees, Nature Park Gopalpur is a natural habitat for many endangered animals. Wildlife aficionados will get a chance to observe the animals closely in their own habitat.

The history of the area is full of folk tales and legends which make it an even more exciting place to visit. There is a tiny zoo enclosed in the sanctuary, which spans over 12.5 acres of land on Dhauladhar Mountains. The zoo complex houses a variety of fauna including leopards, black bears, red fox and various other varieties of deer. The natural forest of the Park are of the mixed deciduous type - Oak, Maple, Pine, Deodar, Walnut, Fir, Bamboo, Kali, Khair and Horse Chestnut are mostly found here. One can see some lush green fruit trees in the sanctuary namely apple, strawberry, raspberry and cherry.

Kufri Nature Park

Kufri Nature Park referred to as the 'Himalayan Nature Park', here tourist can spot more than 180 varieties of birds. This emerald green park situated in the middle of snow-capped mountains simply looks fantastic. It's a verdant landscape and a must visit for all the wildlife lovers who are on a short trip to Himachal Pradesh.

Kufri Nature Park Kufri Nature Park is located on snow-capped hills at an elevation of 2600 m above sea level. The nature park is spread over an area of 90 hectares. Parts of the nature park shelter small numbers of animals and the alpine meadows are carpeted with many species of flora. Special programs about flora and fauna found in the Himalaya are organized by Forest Department of Himachal Pradesh to create awareness.

Suketi Fossil Park

Whether they're skeletons of elephants or the remains of the trees that lived long ago, fossils at Suketi Fossil Park can transport people back through the eons. It gives people an opportunity to peak into the world of the ancient earth. The park has been built and regulated by the Geological Survey of India and Himachal Pradesh tourism. Many scholars visit the Suketi Fossil Park for research work.

Located within 21 km. from Nahan, the park is nestled on the edge of the Markanda River. The Suketi Fossil Park is famous for its six life- size fibre reinforced plastic (FRP) models of pre-historic animals. The park at present has six sets of life-size models of Stegodonganesa (extinct grand elephant), Sivatherium, Colosschelys Atlas (giant land tortoise and Chelonia), Paramachaerdus (Sabre Toothed tiger), Hexaprotodon-Sivalensis (hippopotamus with six incisors), and Crocodilia.

Within the confines of the park, there is a museum as well, which gives researchers and scientist an opportunity to scrutinize about animals and their surroundings. The park and the museum in the fossil park are well maintained by the horticulture department of Himachal Pradesh. The museum exhibits fossils, models, charts and paintings related to the various aspects of plants and animals.