Shimla Wildlife Sanctuary- Kufri ( Shimla )
4 kms Kufri, famous tourists spot only 16 kms. Shimla has an added attraction of Mini zoo amidst dense forest to the tourists where a rare breed of wild animals and pheasants species commonly found in Himalayan forest region have been kept in natural habitat. Spread over an area of twenty hectares of land with rich flora and fauna about 140 wild animals including pheasants of different verities 'Monal' the State bird of Himachal Pradesh and one of the endangered species of Himalayan region has been the other attractions of this zoo also been placed safely in this mini zoo.

In this park rare variety of Hangal, Barking Deer, Musk Deer, Brown Bear, rare species of Monal and other pheasants are kept in social groupings.

Speciality:
Hangal & Monals

Himalayan National Park Kufri (Shimla)
Situated about 18 km from Shimla, at over 2,600 metres altitude, the Himalayan Nature Park is located amidst 90 hectares of temperate vegetation that forms natural habitat for many a wild animals of the Western Himalaya.

The main vegetation of the Nature Park comprises Fir- Spruce and Oak formations with scattered presence of Deodar-Blue Pine-Holly clusters. The area remains under snow for about three months from late December to March. The spring heralds the sprouting of many herbaceous species including primulas, potentillas, geraniums, balsams, and ground orchids that continue to bloom in succession till September adding much colour to the verdant surroundings. Walkways in the Nature Park help the visitors to appreciate Nature in its most serene self. While inside the Nature Park, one can also enjoy, on a clear day, a breathtaking view of the entire range of Himalaya’s snow clad peaks.

The natural habitat of the Nature Park has been used to house selected Himalayan animal species primarily for the purpose of education of visitors. However, the animal enclosures here are big enough to provide opportunity to the wild animals to be in near natural habitat. The animals are given opportunity to relax after morning meal behind a shrub or a large boulder (leopard) or even to hibernate (brown bear) during winter. The visitors would, therefore, need to spend time, as they would have spent to sight these animals in the wild, in the Nature Park to better appreciate the Himalayan fauna here.

Other attractive animals in the Nature Park include Musk Deer, Bharal, Black Bear, Tibetan Wolf, Leopard Cat, Sambhar, Ghoral, Barking Deer, Monal, White Crested Kaleej and Cheer pheasant.

Limited camping facilities within the park and facilities for guided treks, especially for student groups, are available.

Open 1000-1700hrs; Entrance Fee: Rs 10; extra charge for camera

Do check out the Himalayan Nature Park in Kufri which has animals like the musk deer, ibex, ghoral (goat-like stout animal), black and brown bears and pheasants. But you won’t see much unless you’re on a vehicle. The nearby Indira Tourist Park offers some great views. The hike up to the Mahasu Peak through woods of spruce and deodar (Himalayan cedar) can be good fun. The peak is crowned by a small temple. The Mahasu Ridge also has some food slopes for skiing.

Himalayan Nature Park (HNP) Eco-tourism Society has been set up to manage tourism in the Nature Park. For more information and bookings please contact:

Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife), Shimla or Executive Secretary, HNP Eco-tourism Society, Shimla. Tel. 0177-223993. Email:

Pheasantry at Chaura Maidan ( Shimla )
Infornmation not available.

Chail Wildlife Sanctuary - Chail ( Solan )
WILDLIFE SANCTUARY (3 km): The Chail sanctuary has 'ghoral', 'kakkar', 'sambhar', red jungle fowl and 'khalij' and 'cheer' pheasants. Machan like sighting posts have been built at Khuruin.

Chail is a hill station visited by many tourists. The Deodar and Oak forests with grasslands around the township are the abode of wildlife. Chail sanctuary was notified on 21st March 1976 near Chail Town in District Shimla and covers an area of 10,854.36 hectares.

Located in one of the districts of Shimla, the Chail Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh is the idyllic retreat for the wildlife buffs and nature lovers. Declared as a wildlife sanctuary in the year 1976, Chail Sanctuary shrouded in Deodar and Oak Forests is the store house of a rich variety of flora and fauna.

Explore the sprawling acres of greenery and dense woodlands of Chail Sanctuary still unspoilt by the crowds and pollution. Nestled amidst the green valleys with the snow clad peaks in the background, Chail Sanctuary remains the ideal destination for the wildlife lovers.

The Chail Sanctuary has a rich variety of flora and fauna. From the rare orchids to the endangered species you can find them here.

You can get a glimpse of animals and birds like Sambar, Goral, Common Langur, Leopard, Rhesus Macaque, Himalayan Black Bear, Red Deer, Silver-White Oak, Barking Deer, Indian Hare, Yellow Throated Marten, Indian Porcupine, Common Giant and Kashmiri Flying Squirrel and Pheasants. The Chir Pheasants breeding and rehabilitation Programme was introduced here.

The major tourist attractions of the Chail Sanctuary are the barking deers and Kalijin. Explore the beautiful forests and for the adventure freaks the trekking options are also available in this wildlife sanctuary of Himachal Pradesh. Trekking from Chail to Gaura and Chail to Jhajja is quite common amongst the trekkers.

The staff and forest officials are quite helpful and in case of any problems you can seek their help.