HIMALAYAN WILDLIFE TOUR - Wilderness & Wild in Himachal

Himachal Pradesh has a varied topography, climate and forest cover and is endowed with a vast variety of wildlife in himachal. From times immemorial, this tract is known for its wilderness, landscapes,flora and fauna,beautiful forests and wildlife.At present there are 32 wildlife Sanctuaries, 2 National Parks and 3 Games Reserves in Himachal.

Explore the forests of himachal and share space with the wild animals by embarking Himalayan wildlife tours. These wildlife safari tours are the best way to discover the wide variety of flora and fauna in Himachal.

SIMBALBARA SANCTUARY: This sanctuary is located in Paonta Valley of Sirmaur Destination. This area bears beautiful dense Sal forests with grassy glades. This is probably the most picturesque area of the Shivaliks. There is a perennial stream in the area. Goral, Sambhar and Chittal can be easily seen here.

MAJATHAL SANCTUARY: This sanctuary has a very steep and rugged terrain away from habitation. This can be visited by travelling about 10 kms. on a motorable road (Shimla-Bilaspur- Highway) to Kashlog and then walking on foot from Kashlog. This sanctuary has the highest concentration of Goral which can be seen in its natural habitat.

RENUKA SANCTUARY: This is a small sanctuary connected by motorable Road in Renuka in district Sirmaur. Renuka Lake and the temples attract a large number of people from hills and plains. Lion Safaris and Open Nature Wildlife Parks with freely moving animals like Chittal, Sambhar, Kakkar, etc. are a big attraction. Tourist Bunglow and Cafeteria provide the comforts needed in a calm and quite place. Visitors come all round the year.

CHAIL SANCTUARY: Chail is a hill station in Shimla district, which is visited by many tourists .The Deodar, and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife and Fauna. One can see Sambhar, Goral and Cheer Pheasants at Blossom and Jhaja.

KALATOP KHAJJIAR SANCTUARY: This sanctuary area with its well laid out trekking jungle trails both at Kalatop and Khajjiar is a tourist paradise. Dense Deodar and Fir forests are places of solitude very close to Dalhousie town. Visitors should look for pheasants and Serow in these forests but should be beware of Black bear which can be encountered often in the area.

MANALI SANCTUARY: This sanctuary starts about 2 km from Manali town. It forms the catchment of Manalsu khad. A bridle path from Manali log huts/ Dhungri temple passes through dense Deodar, Kail, Horse chestnut, Walnut and Maple forests. Night stay in tents at Lambadug or Gallant thatch is an unforgettable experience. One may see Musk deer, Monal and Brown bear digging or ploughing the land and also pug marks with scent of Leopard or Snow leopard.

KANAWAR SANCTUARY: This sanctuary is located in Parbati valley of Kullu district. There is a Rest House at Kasol. R.O. wildlife Kasol provides information and help to visitors. Uphill walk along Garahan Nala from Kasol through dense majestic Deodar and Fir forests is enjoyable. This sanctuary has large population of Himalayan Thar in Himalayas and seeing this big goat on high mountain cliffs is dream fulfillment of any wildlife lover.

DARANGHATI SANCTUARY: This sanctuary located in the upper area of Shimla Destination has undisturbed forest area with plenty of wildlife. Monal, Tragopan, Koklas and Kalij are the pheasants found here. The area also has Musk deer, Goral and Thar. There is a net work of bridle paths and inspection paths in the sanctuary.

CHURDHAAR SANCTUARY: Churdhaar peak, with a height of 3647 metres is the highest peak in outer Himalayas. This is an excellent area for trekking during summer and early winters. One is sure to come across a large number of multicolored and fragile Monals in the adjoining forests. There is also a Rest house and a Shiv Temple at Churdhaar.

MAHARANA PRATAP SAGAR: This lake sanctuary is a big attraction for migratory ducks from Siberian region during winter. One can see thousands of ducks in the swamp area between Shahnahar barrage and Black buck and Cheetal on the island along with Surkhab, Cranes, Pintails and variety of water birds welcome the visitors on the Island.

NATIONAL PARKS HIMACHAL

GREAT HIMALAYAN NATIONAL PARK: The National Park with an area of 620 sq. km. is located in Kullu Destination and has the representative area of temperate and alpine forests of Himachal. It has some the virgin coniferous forests of the State.Vast areas of alpine pastures and glaciers cap this park. This area has many important wildlife species of Western Himalayas, like Musk deer, Brown bear, Goral, Thar, Leopard, Snow leopard, Bharal, Serow, Monal, Kalij, Koklas, Cheer, Tragopan, Snow cock etc. Trekking of Rakti-Sar, origin of Sainj river and camping in alpine partures is unforgettable. Similar is the trekking route to Tirath the origin of Tirthan river. Visitors can contact Director, National Park at Shamshi or Range Officer wildlife at Sainj or Range Officer Wild Life at Sai Ropa (Banjar) for assistance and guidance. Camping equipment and guides are provided by the Forests Department.

PIN VALLEY NATIONAL PARK: This National Park is situated in the cold desert of Spiti Valley. In this area visitors come across large herds of Ibex and Bharal. Snow leopard is found in this park. This area can be visited only by those who have tough leg muscles and strong lungs. Visitors can contact Divisional Forest Officer Wildlife Division Sarahan, Assistant Conservator of Forest Wildlife Kaza or Range Officer Wildlife Tabo for information about the park. The area is closed to foreign visitors. Indian visitors are also required to obtain a permit for entry from Deputy Commissioner Shimla or Sub Divisional Magistrate Rampur.

NATURE PARKS HIMACHAL

NATURE PARK, KUFRI: Kufri is a well known tourist resort near Shimla. A large number of tourists visiting Shimla also visit Kufri where a nature park has been established. In this park rare varieties of Hangal, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Brown Bear, rare species of Monal and other pheasants are kept in social groupings.

NATURE PARK, MANALI: Manali is another tourist spot where a large number of visitors come. To expose visitors to the nature and to create awareness and love for wild life it is planned to develop many other facilities at Manali. There is a wild life sanctuary about 2 km away from Manali town. The tourists will be encouraged to visit this area and see the magnificence of nature here.

NATURE PARK, GOPALPUR: Gopalpur is a village situated near Palampur on Palampur-Dharamsala upper road. Kangra valley in Himachal Pradesh is another area where visitors come regularly. In this nature park animals will be kept in large enclosures and conservation messages will be conveyed to the visitors through audio-visual aids.