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Himachal Pradesh

Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary

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January

2 - 22.8 °C

February

3.3 - 26.8 °C

March

5.5 - 31.7 °C

April

10.5 - 35.9 °C

May

13.5 - 39.1 °C

June

17.7 - 40 °C

July

18.7 - 34.9 °C

August

19.5 - 33.6 °C

September

15.9 - 33.3 °C

October

10.4 - 31.9 °C

November

6.4 - 27.9 °C

December

1.9 - 25 °C


Major Airports :

Kangra Airport (DHM), Kangra (Gaggal)

Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), Chandigarh

Nearest Railway Station :

Pathankot Junction Railway Station (PTK)

Major Airports :

Kangra Airport (DHM), Kangra (Gaggal)

Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport (IXC), Chandigarh

Life Inside the ‘Sanctuary’

A wildlife sanctuary, with a difference! The Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary lies in Himachal Pradesh in northern India, nestled in the Himalayas that boasts of an amazing landscape which gave it its name 'Dhauladhar'. 'Dhaula' literally translates to white and 'dhar' means wall. A white wall, or The White Mountain Range. This picturesque wildlife sanctuary offers stunning views and pristine beauty. The two significant features are the Dhauladhar and the Bara Bhangal Range which occupies maximum part of the natural area and is famous for its diverse flora and fauna.

This wildlife sanctuary is characterized by a predominantly high altitude forest. You will get to see many kinds of plants and trees which include deodar, hazelnut, sal, cedar, pink rhododendron, khair, chir pine, blue pine, chilgoza pine, birch, spruce, wild iris, ban oak and many more. The valley is covered with tea gardens... you will find numerous tea plantations... check the packet of tea at home, perhaps it may be from this valley!

The fauna consists of barking deer, sambar deer, red fox, ibex, Himalayan tahr, the Himalayan brown bear, leopards and many others. The sanctuary is also home to the golden emperor butterfly, bar- headed goose, black naped hare, mountain hawk, red flying squirrel, golden ringed dragonfly, white throated dipper as well as the ever elusive snow leopard. It is worthwhile to mention that birds are in abundance in this area. You may find Bhutan Grey peacocks, Red Jungle Fowl peacocks, Cheer Pheasants, vultures, eagles, and if you are lucky you might even spot the Western Trapogan, which is the state bird of Himachal Pradesh. This particular bird species’ numbers have been rapidly decreasing over the years, but thanks to it being declared as the state bird, there is a ray of hope for its revival. Hence, the reason Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is a paradise for the bird- watchers and wildlife enthusiasts in the Western Himalayas.

As the sanctuary is spread over a large area, ranging between 1600m to 4500m above sea level, once you are beyond the tree line, you will see only bare huge rocks, mostly granite and the peaks laden with snow. The peaks are covered with snow all round the year due to their high altitude. The best time to view these magnificent peaks is in the early morning hours when the skies usually clear up for a brief period. As the sun rises higher and the day gets brighter the mountain peaks get steadily covered by mist. This happens for days at a stretch.

Sunsets and sunrises in the mountains are a delight to watch, and it is no different in the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary, No matter wherever you are inside the sanctuary, do make it a point to witness at least the sunrise or sunset. The shimmering hues from bright yellow to orange...to pink and purple, it is mesmerising. The different seasons will bring different shades across the colour spectrum.

A Haven for Adventure Tourism

Himachal Pradesh is a haven for trekkers and hikers from around the world thanks to its varied topography when it comes to mountain ranges, ranging from ‘easy to advanced’ trekking circuits. Similarly, the entire region around the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is home to such treks and hikes where people can choose which one suits them the best. Even if you are more of a ‘tourist’ and not a ‘traveller’, rest assured there is still a lot you could do. In the vicinity, there is the Gopalpur zoo. You will get to see many indigenous animals and birds here. Then of course, there is Dharamsala, Mcleod Ganj, Kangra Valley, Nurpur and many other places where one can witness the vibrant culture and heritage of the state.

Some Mountain Trivia

Those of you who love mountains would know that Hanuman Tibba is the highest peak of the Dhauladhar range. Some of the other prominent peaks are, Manimahesh Kailash, Mun, Gaujunda, also known as the ‘Dhauladhar Matterhorn’. Moon Peak is also quite famous because of its visibility from Dharamsala and Mcleod Ganj.

Geographically, the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary covers the entire northeastern part of Kangra district. It is regarded as one of the most beautiful protected areas of Himachal Pradesh. The area is huge, sprawling about 950 square kilometres. It was established in 1994. The sanctuary is bordered on three sides by snow covered Himalayan peaks and a gorgeous green valley in front, which enhances the grandeur around the sanctuary. There are several eco- tourism spots and good home- stays, hotels and resorts. You can enjoy your stay with your family and friends.

To escape from the sweltering heat of the plains, this place is a welcome change in the summer months. You will find a veritable nip in the air and the weather quite pleasant.


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Best Time to Visit

The ideal time to visit would be between March to June and September (depending upon when the rains get over) to November. If preparations are done well, then the rainy season is a delight to be in the lap of the Himalayas and what better place than the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary. Thanks to its vast area and altitude, one can choose which particular area to visit. It is always advised to be aware of weather updates though. It is advisable to hike in groups and hire a local guide if you are not familiar with the region.

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