'' Pin Valley National Park is situated between 31° 6' 40" to 32° 2' 20" N Latitude and 77° 4' 21" to 78° 6' 19" E Longitude. This park is located in the cold desert area of Spiti Sub-Division of Lahaul & Spiti District of Himachal Pradesh.
The intention to constitute Pin Valley as a National Park was declared in the year 1987.
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.
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There is a famous Gompa in the Kungri village which is situated on the buffer zone of this park. The Chham dance and Buchen dance by the Lamas of this Gompa are very famous dances in the valley. A considerable part of the area of this national park is covered by snow. The elevation of the National Park ranges from about 3,500 metres near Ka Dogri to more than 6,000 metres at its highest point. The Pin Valley national Park represents the biogeography of the Trans Himalayan cold desert with its characteristic flora and fauna. The Park forms the natural habitat of a number of endangered animals including Himalayan Ibex, Snow Leopard, Bharal, Wooly Hare, Tibetan Wolf, and Snow Cock.
This beautiful tourist destination is home to National Park in the rugged Himalayan terrains is the home to many Snow Leopards and Ibex. You can also find many endangered species here. Apart from the rare fauna, this place is also popular for its rich variety of flora. You can also find some rare birds like Himalayan Snowcock, Chukor, Snow Partridge and the Tibet Snow Finch in the Pin Valley National Park.
Attractions in Pin Valley National Park
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 : There species are Ibex, Bharal, Red Fox, Marten, Weasel, Pika, Snow Cock, Beareded Vulture, Chukor, Golden Eagle, Griffon, Himalayan Chough, Raven etc. Lynx, Marmat & Tibetan Wolf may also be found in this area, but so for no sightings have been recorded by Park Authorities.
Best Time to Visit Pin Valley National Park
Conditions are generally cold and dry as the region has always been a cold desert. It receives heavy snowfall in winter, the rainfall being average. Best time to visit the park is from May to October.
How to Reach there
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.
Rail: Shimla at a distance of around 443 km is the nearest railhead.
Road: The 115 kilometers journey from Manali to Kaza will take around 6 hours.
The second option is to take bus from Shimla via Kinnaur to Kaza.