This Pin Valley national park is
situated in Lahual Spiti district. In this park there is a variety of
rare animals such as wooly hare, Tibetan gazelle and snow Leopard. The
entire area is a cold desert. It was declared National Park on 9th
January 1987 and occupies an area of 67,500 hectares.
Animals that are found in this
sanctuary includes Red Indian Fox, Tibetan Gazelle, Wooley Hare, Snow
Leopard, Himalayan Marmot, Himalayan Mouse-hare, Indian Hodgsoris
Porcupine, Blue Sheep and Wolf. In this area visitors come across large
herds of Ibex and Bharal. Snow leopards are also found in this park.
REQUIREMENT
Only
those who have tough leg muscles and strong lungs can visit this area.
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.
HOW TO GET THERE
Road: Lahaul is connected with
road from all parts of the country. Manali is the point where buses from
various stations come. From here, one can take bus/taxi to any
destination in Lahaul-Spiti, Pangi & Leh during the months between
June to November depending upon opening and closing of Rohtang pass, the
gateway to this valley. National highway 21 passes through this valley
enroute to Leh. Other two directions are from Shimla via the Spiti
Valley, along the road, which runs up to the Tibetan border through
Kinnaur and from Zanskar and Ladakh over the Shingo-La and Baralacha-La
passes. The Shingo-La gives access to Lahul from Zanskar while the
Baralacha La is on the Leh- Manali road and provides access to Lahul
from Ladakh.
PLACES TO STAY
The town of Kaza is a maze of
shops, hotels and houses. Some of the hotels in Kaza include Milarepa's
Guest House, Hotel Sharma, Hotel City and Ladakhi Hotel. At Keylong a
Tourist Bungalow is run by HTPDC, other hotels in Keylong are Geypa
Hotel, Hotel Gang Steng and Hotel Snowland.
