Pin Valley National Park

Location : Pin Valley, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh.
Total Area : 675 sq. kms.
Declared As : A National Park in 1984
Visiting Season : May To October

Description:
Pin Valley National Park encompasses the Pin valley of Spiti in Himachal Pradesh is a typical cold desert. The Pin valley national park was constituted in 1984 to conserve and preserve the rare flora and fauna of the region. 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. The apparently scanty vegetation in the Park contains many plant species of high conservation value. Prominent amongst these species are Ratanjot (Arnebia euchroma & A. benthamii), Salampanja (Dactylorhhiza hatageria), Somlata (Ephedra gerardiana), Seabuckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides) and Ateesh (Aconitum heterophyllum). Wild rose (Rosa webbiana), with its gorgeous pink flowers and bright red fruit, provides a striking contrast to the otherwise dry surrounds.

Access:
By Road: The Pin National Park, can be approached only on foot from the nearest road terminus at Mikkim in Pin Valley.

Accommodation & Facilities:
Visitors need to carry sleeping bags and food and can stay in bunkers constructed by the Department in the Park.