Pin Valley National Park

The Rohtang Pass, in the northern parts of India, is a site where one can view the most drastic of landscape variances - the lush green head of the Kullu Valley; awesome vista of bare, brown mountains; hanging glaciers, and snowfields that dazzle in the crisp light. Placed in the district of Lahaul and Spiti (Himachal Pradesh) this region has been untouched by the onslaughts of time.

Pin Valley National Park is part of this beautiful land and showcases the best of floral and faunal species that these high hills of Himalayas can offer. Pin Valley National Park is located in Lahaul & Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh. The region is a cold desert, which is adjoined to the Great Himalayan National Park in the southwest and Rupi Bhabha sanctuary in the south.

Flora
Dry alpine and dwarf junifer scrub are the major forest types found in this region. Major floral varieties available in the park are Bhojpatra (Betula utilis), Bhutal (Juniperus mecropoda), Populus Spp and Salix Spp.

Fauna
Being a high altitude national park, Pin Valley is home to a variety of rare animals like Woolly Hare, Tibetan Gazzle, and Snow Leopard. Other faunal species present here are: Fox (Vulpes vulpes), Wolf (Canis lupus), Ibex (Capra ibex), Bharal (Pseudois nayaur), Himalayan Marmot (Marmota bobak), Indian Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Blue Sheep (Pseudois Nayaur), Red Billed Chough (Pijrrhocrax grackles), Patridge (Aleetoris choker), Snow Patridge (Lerwa lerwa), Blue Rock Pigeon (Columba livia), Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Snowcock (Tetraogallushim alayensis), Tibetan Wild Ass (Equus hemionus kiang), Wooly Flying Squirrel (Eupetaurus cinereus), Himalayan Black Bear (Selenarctos thibetanus), Himalayan Brown Bear (Ursus arctos), Mouse Hare, Indian Wolf (Canis lupus) … the list seems unending.

May to October

There are two approach routes to Pin Valley National Park. The first one is via Manali - Rohtang Pass - Kunzum La. This route is open from July to October. The second one is via Shimla - Tapri - Kaza. March to December is the best time to approach the park via this route.

By Air
The nearest airport is at Bhuntar in Kullu district. Private operators operate flights to Delhi from here; therefore it would be wise to confirm flight schedules etc. in advance.

By Rail
Shimla at a distance of around 443 km is the nearest railhead.

Bunkers have been constructed by the wildlife authorities in the Pin Valley National Park region which is suitable way to stay there. Camping is the best way to spend night in the park. One can also avail accommodation at Kaza, the nearest town, which is also the administrative centre of Spiti.

Woolly Hare, Tibetan Gazzle, Snow Leopard, Fox, Wolf, Ibex, Bharal, Himalayan Marmot, Indian Porcupine, Blue Sheep, Red Billed Chough, Patridge, Snow Patridge, Blue Rock Pigeon, Snow Pigeon, Himalayan Snowcock, Tibetan Wild Ass, Wooly Flying Squirrel, Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Brown Bear, Mouse Hare, Indian Wolf, India