Wildlife In Himachal Pradesh- Best National Parks & Wildlife Sanctuaries

One of the best places for admiring wildlife in Himachal Pradesh, which is also counted among the most popular adventure destinations in India. The dense forests of Himachal Pradesh are among the densest in the world, and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Visiting the impressive flora and fauna in the various national parks and sanctuaries really does much to rejuvenate the senses.

The best way of exploring the parks of Himachal Pradesh is by trekking through its spectacular landscape. Exploring the flora and fauna of the national parks on foot is an enchanting experience and gifts you with wonderful memories. It’s also incredible to think of life surviving at such an impressive altitude.

Take a look at the national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh

Great Himalayan National Park
Bandli Sanctuary
Chail Wildlife Sanctuary
Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary
Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary
Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary
Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary
Renuka Sanctuary
Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary
Pin Valley National Park

Great Himalayan National Park

The Great Himalayan National Park is one of the most famous national parks in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stretched across an area of 754sq. km, it is situated in the Kullu district. It consists mostly of temperate and alpine forests along with virgin coniferous forests.

The park also covers enormous areas of alpine pastures and glaciers. Several important wildlife species of Western Himalayas like musk deer, goral, leopard, snow leopard, serow, bharal, brown bear, kalij, monal, tragopan, cheer, kolkas, and snow cock, besides others, can be found here.

Also Read: UNESCO World Heritage National Parks & Sanctuaries in India

Bandli Sanctuary

If you want to see the snow leopard, which is rarely seen, along with Chir peasant, then Bandli Sanctuary is where you should be. It’s one of the most beautiful; wildlife sanctuaries of Himachal Pradesh where you can enjoy watching the various animals in their natural habitat. Taking a trip to this wildlife sanctuary promises to be an enjoyable experience.

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary is counted among the best national parks and wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh. The wildlife sanctuary was established in the year 1976 and is home to an impressive variety of wildlife. The flora consists of mostly deodar and oak forests, with grasslands too in abundance.

The main attractions are sambhar, goral, and cheer pheasants. Some of the most commonly spotted wildlife are Rhesus Macaque, Leopard, Indian Muntjac, Goral and Crested Porcupine, Himalayan Black Bear, Wild Boar, and common Langur. Another special attraction for tourists is the Cheer pheasant breeding center.

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary

Churdhar Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1985, is one of the famous wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh. Situated in the Sirmaur and Shimla districts, its main attractions are barking deer, black bears, musk deer, and leopards.

An impressive combination of both flora and fauna makes this wildlife sanctuary a prime attraction. There is also an incredible avifauna population within the sanctuary, with the crowd pullers being Indian peafowl, red jungle fowl, and koklass pheasant, to name a few. The main flora in the sanctuary comprises oak and deodar trees, along with various herbs that are found in the region.

Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary

Daranghati Wildlife Sanctuary is believed to have been a game reserve of the Raja of Bushahr (a town and municipal council in Shimla district). It is situated on the northern and southern sides of the Dauladhar mountain ranges. The sanctuary is spread over an area of almost 167.40 sq. km and in its dense forests reside an impressive variety of wildlife.

Some of the animals which you can expect to find are Himalayan Ibex, flying fox, Indian hare, leopard, striped hyena, and brown bear, just to name a few. Visitors can also spot various kinds of pheasants like monal, western tragopan, and kalij.

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary

Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the most famous wildlife sanctuaries in Himachal Pradesh and is situated between Dalhousie and Khajjiar. An impressive and interesting variety of flora and fauna come together to make the wildlife sanctuary what it is. Some of the wildlife which you can expect to spot here are Himalayan serow, deer, leopard, jackal, black bear, langur, wild cats, and Himalayan black marten, besides several others.

A visit to the sanctuary also lets you see various endangered species of animals. Deodar trees are found in abundance inside the sanctuary, along with little streams that meet the River Ravi.

Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in close proximity to Shacha and Satupurna mountain peaks, Kanwar Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the popular tourist attractions in Himachal Pradesh. The forest cover inside the sanctuary is a combination of various types, from temperate deciduous and mixed coniferous to west Himalayan subalpine and alpine dry scrub.

One of the main attractions of the sanctuary is the Himalayan Thar, which was once an endangered species. Other than those, the other attractions inside the sanctuary are yellow-throated marten, flying squirrel, snow leopard, brown bear, and golden jackal, among others. The unique landscape surrounding the park also makes it a highly sought-after destination for trekking and nature trails.

Renuka Sanctuary

Another place to witness the spectacular wildlife in Himachal Pradesh is Renuka Sanctuary, which is famous for housing the Asiatic lions. If you are a butterfly lover, then this is where you should be, as the sanctuary is home to thousands of butterflies. The forest cover of the sanctuary can be described as mainly mixed deciduous forest and dry Sal forest type.

If you are a butterfly lover, then this is where you should be, as the sanctuary is home to thousands of butterflies. A small aviary inside the sanctuary houses various kinds of aquatic birds, including red jungle fowl, black pheasant, and the national bird of India, the peacock. The various kinds of animals that you can expect to see here are Asiatic lions, spotted deer, lion-tailed macaques, and nilgai, among many more.

Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary

Simbalbara Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in close proximity to Shivalik hills and is home to a large number of colorful birds of various species including migratory birds. There are other kinds of animals which you can expect to come across during your visit to the sanctuary like cheetal, sambhar, goral, and more. The landscape in the sanctuary is characterized by thick woodlands of Sal forests and lush green grassy pastures. Several streams also cut through the sanctuary.

Pin Valley National Park

Pin Valley National Park is situated in the cold desert of Spiti Valley. The main attractions here are Ibex and Bharal, along with the snow leopard being present in large numbers. The topography of this place, which can be described as uneven and rugged, requires one to possess strong leg muscles and lungs with great endurance.

The park is home to an impressive variety of flora and fauna. Because of its location at a high altitude, it’s home to several kinds of rare animals which are native to this region. Explore this national park with this customized package.

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Vishwajit Sharma

A travel writer by profession possessing an avid interest in books, movies and music, Vishwajit Sharma believes that travelling is essentially discovering yourself. He hopes that, through his articles and write ups, the idea of travelling is aroused in everyone. Let the journey begin!