Spread across the majestic Pin valley and fed by the Paraiho river, Pin Valley National Park was created in 1987. A typical cold desert, the park is located in high-altitude terrain and offers great trekking and wildlife spotting opportunities. Here’s a complete travel guide. By Karan Kaushik
Travel guide to Pin Valley National Park
The Destination
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A part of the protected forest area of Himachal Pradesh, Pin Valley National Park is surrounded by the Great Himalayan National Park on its southwest and the Rupi Bhaba Wildlife Sanctuary on its south. The park is renowned for being one of the few habitats of the elusive snow leopard. The park is also home to several other rare animal and bird species.
You will require a permit for trekking and camping in the park. Permits can be obtained from the office of the Director of the Pin Valley National Park at Kaza. You can also collect the permit from the Himachal Chief Wildlife Warden in Shimla.
Things to do
Trekking
Pin-Parvati Trek
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A challenging trek, the Pin-Parvati trek takes seven to nine days. The thrilling trek takes you through the Pin-Parvati Pass and the Great Himalayan National Park. From lush meadows of the Parvati Valley to quaint Buddhist villages of Spiti, the trek offers stunning traverses. Highlights on the trek include the pulley bridge at Tunda Bhuj, the alpine meadows of Odi Thach, thick forests near Kheerganga, and Mantalai marshlands.
Pin-Bhaba Pass Trek
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This challenging 5-day crossover trek is one of India’s most dramatic pass-crossing treks. The trek offers spectacular views of the Pin Valley in Spiti and the Bhaba valley of Kinnaur. Major highlights of the trek include the forests and grasslands of Mulling, the meadows of Karah, and the river delta of Phutsirang. The trek ends at the beautiful village of Mudh in the Spiti valley.
Mikim-Debsa-Mikim Trek
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This trek is of moderate difficulty and takes three days. On offer during this trek are incredible views of the Shingri Parbat and the majestic Paraiho Valley. You will come across a wide variety of wildflowers and ibex, a kind of wild goat. The trek involves a stop at Thango and takes you from an altitude of 11,800 ft to 13,120 ft.
Birdwatching
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The park is blessed with rich avian diversity. Carry your binoculars and be prepared to spot goldfinches, Himalayan griffons, yellow-headed wagtails, and yellow-billed chough, to name a few. The national park also inhabits migratory waterfowl, who fly here from Central Asia every autumn.
Kungri Monastery
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Come June and this 600-years-old monastery would host a chham dance festival for three days. Constructed around 1330, Kungri Monastery is Spiti’s second oldest monastery. The monastery belongs to the Nyingmapa order of Buddhism. The tastefully done silk paintings inside the monastery are noteworthy. So are the large and imposing statues of Buddhist deities.
Where to stay
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If you wish to stay inside the national park, the park authorities maintain bunkers for night halts in Thango. Outside the park, trekkers’ huts are available in Kungri village and Tabo. Staying at Kaza, however, is the best option. If you love putting up at homestays, there are a few good ones in the picturesque traditional village of Mudh. Tara House Homestay (Contact: +91 – 98990 62293), located at the end of Pin Valley in Mudh is popular among backpackers.
Best time to go
The months from late March to June and September to October are the best to visit Pin Valley National Park. The national park is closed from December to early March. For best sightings, visit between April and May. November is great for sightings too.
How to reach
Pin Valley National Park is located in the Spiti sub-division of Lahaul and Spiti district. There are two routes to reach Pin Valley National Park. One from Manali and the other from Shimla. The summer route is Manali-Rohtang Pass-Kunzum La, which is open from July to October. The winter route is Shimla-Tapri-Kaza, which is open from March to December.
Summer Route
Chandigarh to Shimla to Kullu by Air or by Bus
Kullu to Kaza by bus via Manali, Rohtang Pass and Kunzam La Pass
Kaza to Mikkim by Bus or Jeep
Mikkim to Park Aea on foot
Winter Route
Shimla to Tapri by bus
Tapri to Kaza by bus
Kaza to Park Area
Shimla is the nearest railhead and Bhuntar is the nearest airport.
Related: Explore The ‘Wild’ Side Of Rajasthan At These Lesser-known Sanctuaries And Parks
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