WILDLIFE Location : Various States of Himachal Pradesh Best Time to Visit : September and October Highlight : Blue Sheep, Musk Deer, Snow Leopard Famous Park : Manali Nature Park

Women Carrying the Fluffy Angora or Woolly Rabbits of Himachal

Himachal Pradesh Wildlife – A Holiday to Meet the Wilds of the World

Famous Wildlife tours of Himachal Pradesh will be as varied as its topography, climate and rich forested area. The plethora of wildlife amidst the thick forest that stretches and on the snowy slopes of Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh will enchant you with the variety of flora and fauna. Himachal Pradesh has been the favored destination of wildlife lovers for quiet some time. The total forested area of the state is 37,691 sq km, that incorporates around 32 wildlife sanctuaries, 2 National Parks and 3 Nature Parks. In Himachal you can enjoy 64 species of mammals, 463 species of birds, 43 species of reptiles and 516 species of aquatic fauna prolific among over 3240 species of plants.

Travel to Himachal, which has a very interesting eco system, that caters to adventurers, nature lovers and wildlife enthusiasts alike. One should come to Himachal Pradesh to experience the saga of wilderness from the wilds themselves.

Great Himalayan National Park – The Domain of Blue Sheep and Musk Deer

Some of the most popular wildife in Himachal Pradesh is found in the famous nationsl parks in HP. Near Kullu in Himachal Pradesh is the Great Himalayan National Park on an altitude of 1,300 m to 6,100 m. This is the best place for nature and wildlife lovers that consolidates a large variety of fauna as well as flora. Oak, Conifers, Rhododendrons and Junipers are dominant while the grasslands above the height of 3,800 m hold herbaceous species, many of which have medicinal and aromatic properties and are of great commercial value.

Spreading on an area of 765 sq km and sandwiched between the Pin Valley National Park and Ropi Bhaba Sanctuary, the great Himalayan National park shelters a large number of mammals. There are approximately 375 species of animals, out of which you cannot miss the Blue Sheep. The endangered Musk Deer and the elusive snow leopard can also be seen here.

As far as birding in concerned there are 68 migratory avian species of which the famous are the pheasants like the Monal and Kalij. You should visit this park during the months of April to June and September to November when it is decorated with stunning beauty and chance of animal sighting is at its maximum. Take up popular wildife tours of Himachal Pradesh.

Elusive Brown Bear at Manali Sanctuary

Pin Valley National Park – The Snow Covered Park of Himachal Pradesh

Take a trip to Himachal Pradesh, if you want to see Woolly Hare, Tibetan Gazelle and Snow Leopards come to the Pin Valley National Prak, located in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. Declared as a national park in 1987, this sanctuary sprawls on an area of 67,500 hectares and is illustrious with wild forest that fosters Red Indian Fox, Himalayan Marmot, Himalayan Mouse-hare, Indian Hodgsoris Porcupine, Blue Sheep and Wolf. You should come to this park to see the Ibex and Bharal, during the months of April and June. But make sure you are fit enough as you cannot do without trekking in this park.

Government's permission needs to be soughted before you come to this park and good accommodation is available in the nearby town of Kaza. Reaching this national park is also not a big problem as there are various rail and road routes that connect Lahaul to the various parts of the state as well as the country.

Kalatop Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary – Indulge in Trekking Enrapture

This is the ultimate trekking area from where you should take a 30 km long route from Dalhousie to Chamba. From here a short and steep acclivity leads to the Kalatope wildlife sanctuary, from where you can take a pleasant walk. This wildlife sanctuary that is located in Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, is repleted with Ibex, deer and bears. On your Himachal Pradesh tours, tourists will also like to see the Avi fauna that comprises pheasants and Serow.

Experiencing trekking in this park is great but beware as you might come face to face with the not so amicable black bear. Thus, it become inevitable that you should be accompanied by a guide who has a fair knowledge about the forested area.

Chail Sanctuary – The Hilly Sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh

Enjoy a holiday in Himachal and see the Chail National park which is as celebrated as this hill station where various tourists flock during summers to escape the heated and sultry weather. This is indeed an abode of wildlife that was apprised in the year 1976. Located at 4 kms from the main town, in Chail Wildlife sanctuary you can see Red Deer, Silver-White Oak, Barking Deer, Indian Hare Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Yellow Throated Marten, Indian Porcupine, Common Giant and Kashmiri Flying Squirrel.and Chir Pheasants at Blossom and Jhajja. The most famous animals that you can see in the Chail National Sanctuary are Himalayan Black Bear and Yellow Throated Marten & Chir Pheasant.

There are trekking options too in Chail where one should try to indulge in trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhaja, where you will be delighted to enjoy scenic views. Located at a very convenient distance from Shimla, this national park is easily reachable.

Elusive Snow Fox in Himachal

Renuka Sanctuary – Sirmour's Superbia

On your wildife trips to Himachal Pradesh, the Renuka Sanctuary in Sirmour district of Himachal Pradesh can be reached by taking up an excursion from Nahan. Before you enter the main sanctuary, you will be welcomed by thousands of fluttering butterflies along with the small aviary that is home to thousands of variety of waterbirds, red jungle fowl, black pheasant and peacock.

Among the fauna in the sanctuary the most famous are Asiatic lions, spotted deer, lion tailed macaques, peacocks, nilgai or large grey Indian antelope, barking deer and Himalayan black bears. Here there is also provision of lion safari wherein a van of the forest department will take you closer to an enclosure where you can see at least two dozens lions. There is also a lake that is dotted with temples, making it an eccentric tourist destination. You should come to Renuka to savor the heritage attractions along with the wilderness options.

Manali Sanctuary – The Gem of Himachal Pradesh's World of Wildlife

Enjoy vacations in Himachal Pradesh to see the various famous wildlife sanctuaries. At a convenient location of 2 kms from Manali town in Himachal Pradesh, Manali National park is sure to delight you with its flora and fauna options. A catchment of Manalsu khad, take a walk to the sanctuary via Dhungri temple passes and impenetrable deodar and Maple forest to reveal an extravagant wild options including the Musk deer, Monal and Brown bear, Leopard and Snow leopard. In summers you can find herds of Ibex roaming under the pleasant sun. The best time perhaps is the period from October to February when there is a greater chance of seeing the snow leopard. This forest are was approved as a national park in the year 1954 and covers an area of 3,180 hectares.

Daranghati Sanctuary – Refresh and Rejuvenate your Soul Here

Adventure Freaks and wildlife buffs find solace in the Daranghati wildlife sanctuary that is located near Rampur Bushahr in Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh. This sanctuary is enclosed with dense forests and has plenty of wildlife attractions. Come to see the Himalayan Black Bear, Brown Bear, Himalayan Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Flying Fox, Goral, Indian Hare, Stripped Hyena, Himalayan Ibex, Leopard, Himalayan yellow throated Marten, Serow, Blue Sheep, Common giant flying Squirrel and Himalayan Weasel in their natural habitat. Take Himachal Praesh tourism and enjoy the various wildlife snactuaris of Himachal Pradesh.

Adventure options in this sanctuary includes trekking to the various mountain that are located in proximity. Take a holiday and come to this sanctuary that will ease out fatigue from your senses.

Famous Himachal Langoors in Great Himalayan Park

Lake Sanctuary of HP – Maharana Pratap Wildlife Sanctuary

Maharana Pratap Sanctuary is nestled among the Alpine forests and has a beautiful lake that makes it the most ideal sanctuaries in the state. Located in the Kangra valley of Himachal Pradesh, in this park you cannot miss the Ransar Island located in the lake. Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1983, there are approximately 220 species of avians in this park. However, this is also the home of barking deers, wild boars and leopards.

Bandli Sanctuary – For all the Wild Buffs

From May to October is the time when you should come to the Mandla district of Himachal Pradesh to see the Himalayan Black Bear, common Palm Civet, Barking Deer, Goral, Indian hare and Rhesus Macaque. If luck favors, then you can even find Chir Pheasant & Snow Leopard.

Trekking Routes in Kalatop Sanctuary

Other Wildlife Sanctuaries – Wild is Always Happening Here

Other than these there are various other wildlife sanctuaries that too form an indispensable part of your tour to Himachal Pradesh. Go to the Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary to the picturesque Shivalik hills along with the the population of Goral, Sambhar and Chittal. You should come during winters and grab the chance to enjoy some walking trails.

Another not to be missed sanctuary at an elevation of 3647 m above sea level is the Churdhar Sanctuary. This is the best place for trekking and the view from the Churdhar peak is panoramic. The most famous routes to trek will be from Nohra, Sarain and Pulbahal, which is tough but enjoyable. In the forest you can see a large number of multicolored and agile Monals.

Last but not the least is the Majathal Sanctuary that can be reached when you travel about 10 kms to Kashlog and then indulge in walking towards the sanctuary. Known to be having the highest concentration of Goral, this sanctuary also has a large number of extinct Cheer Phesant.

Nature Parks in Himachal – An Extended Form of Wilderness

Get Some Wild Experience in Nature Park in Kufri

Take up nature parks tours of Himachal Pradesh. Everybody is quiet familiar with this ski resort in Himachal but only a few realise the potential of the Nature Park that further adds to the attractions of Kufri. In this nature park you can enjoy sighting Hangal, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Brown Bear and rare species of Monal. Breeding of birds in social gatherings is also maintained.

Nature Park in Manali – The Magnificent of Nature

The best way top explore this piece of Manali is by indulging in walks that will reveal to you the Nature's best – both in terms of flora as well as fauna. You can get casual glimpses of Musk deer, Monal and Brown bear. Apart from these, this one of the most beautiful parks in Himachal Pradesh educate as well as refresh the minds as well as the mood of the tourists. Different transportation facilities are available for the tourists who want to go to this nature park that is located at just 2 kms from the main town of Manali.

Nature Park in Gopalpur – An Equipped Nature Park

Not very far from the tea gardens of Palampur on the Palampur – Dharamsala upper road in Kangra valley is Gopalpur, a small town. The most interesting highlight of this nature park is the dissemination of conversation messages through the use of audio visual mediums. You should see this nature park where animals are kept in large enclosures.