Chail Sanctuary, India

Jungle Highlights :Goral, Red Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Sambar and Flying Squirrel

Located just 3 km from the Chail town of Himachal Pradesh, Chail Wildlife Sanctuary was initiated on 21st March 1976. Spread in an area of more than 110 sq. kms, Chail Sanctuary attracts tourists in a large number with its several allurements. Amidst the green valleys with the snow clad peaks in the background, Chail Sanctuary offers a wonderful habitat for the highland animals. Explore this former 'summer capital' of Patiala royal family.
Major wildlife attractions in Chail Sanctuary
Located in one of the districts of Shimla, the Chail Sanctuary in Himachal Pradesh is the store house of a rich variety of flora and fauna. Main floral attractions of Chail Sanctuary comprises of Pine and Oak trees. Apart from these, you can find here green slopes supporting grasslands, Rhododendron, Cedar, Blue Pine and Robinia.



The Chail Sanctuary has a rich variety of flora and fauna. From the common animals to the endangered species you can find them here. Large mammals include rhesus macaque, leopard, Indian muntjac and goral crested porcupine. Other species include Himalayan black bear, wild boar, common langur, sambar, black-naped hare. Half a century ago, the European red deer was introduced by the former Maharaja of Patiala. You can see European Red Deer, Barking Deer Chir pheasant and Kalij pheasant

Things to do in Chail Sanctuary
Paradise unvisited for the wildlife lovers; Chail Sanctuary offers very few ways of enjoying it. You can indulge in activities like trekking, angling, bird watching while on holiday to chail Sanctuary.

Trekking
The best way to enjoy a wildlife tour at Chail Sanctuary can be trekking. The rough topography does not allow taking a jeep safari in the park. For those who want to see this park while enjoying adventure sport like trekking, this park has quite a few high-altitude trekking routes. The trek routes are the Kandaghat-Chail, Chail-Rajgarh and Chur Chandini and Chail-Shimla via Junga.

Angling
Adventure seekers can enjoy angling here in the Gaura River. This river is full of Mahseer fish.

Birding
This sanctuary encourages birding. There are areas where you can just stroll around and view some of the rarest species of Birds. One of the main attractions of this sanctuary is Chir Pheasant breeding farm. The Chir Pheasant breeding and rehabilitation programme has been started in 1988.

Jungle Resorts in Chail Sanctuary
Accommodation is not a problem, as you can find a number of private as well ass government resorts to live in and around the sanctuary.

• HPTDC Palace Hotel
• Monal Tourist Lodge
• HTPDC Cottage
• Pine View tourist Lodge
• Cedar Heights Resorts
• Hotel Monaal
• Hotel Chail Inn
• Rashi Resorts
• Hotel Ekant
• Tarikas Jungle Retreat
• Hotel Lion
• The Palace

Important Information
The best time to visit- May-July & September - November

Distances from Major cities
Kasauli -15 km
Shimla - 40 kms
Chail -3 kms
Sadhupul - 14-km

How to reach Chail Sanctuary
The best way to reach Chail Sanctuary is fly to Shimla, from there hire a cab which will reach you to your destined place on the Kalka-Shimla route. Yu also can reach this beautiful place on Kalka-Shimla track is by the toy train. It takes five hours from Kalka.

The toy train with a maximum of half a dozen bogies will take you through the most thickly forested tracks, breathtaking bends, deep ravines and never-ending tunnels.