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.