Manali Wildlife Sanctuary

Forest sanctuary on the slopes above Manali, good for birdwatching and short treks

The Manali Wildlife Sanctuary occupies the forested hillsides directly above the town, rising from the deodar cedars near the Hidimba temple up through mixed oak and rhododendron forest to the alpine meadows above. It is an approachable green space rather than a remote wilderness: trails from the town edge lead into it within minutes.

Common sightings include Himalayan monal pheasants (the state bird of Himachal Pradesh), kalij pheasants, various raptors, and snow pigeons. Langur monkeys are reliably present in the lower cedars. The larger animals — leopard, Himalayan black bear, and musk deer — are present but rarely seen. The sanctuary is best experienced as a half-day walk from the Hadimba temple area, following the jeep track upward through the forest for views back over the Kullu Valley.

things to do nature sight
A story
The sanctuary covers around 31 square kilometres of deodar cedar, oak, and rhododendron forest on the slopes immediately above Manali. In winter, leopards occasionally come down to lower elevations. The forest trail up to the Manali temple ruins passes through the sanctuary boundary — most visitors walk through it without realising.