Rakcham Chitkul Sanctuary

Nestled in the backdrop of Kinner Kailash Mountain range, Rakcham Chitkul Sanctuary is a popular attraction in Kinnaur. Located at a height of around 5500m, the sanctuary was incepted in the year 1962. Few trekking routes go through this sanctuary among which Lamkhanga Pass is the most popular as it connects Kinnaur with the Gangotri Glacier of Himachal Pradesh. The forest lies in the dry zone and the vegetation covering the sanctuary mostly of dry deciduous category.

Situated in the higher ranges of the Himalayas, Rakcham Chitkul sanctuary is home to a wide variety of wild animals such as leopard, black bear, goral, blue sheep, musk deer, etc and over 150 species of birds. Among the birds, cheer pheasant, monal, western tragopan, koklass Pheasant, chukar Partridge, etc are prominent. There are a couple of temples around this forest, which can be a delight for the tourists.

Things to do

• With several trekking routes passing through this sanctuary, this place is a paradise for trekkers and adventurous souls. Enjoy trekking and camping in and around this sanctuary.
• Explore the reserve forest to see its wide variety of flora that includes dry alpine scrub, dry coniferous forest, dry broad leaves, and coniferous forests.
• Enjoy leisure walk around this place, talk to the locals and delve into the lifestyles and customs of the Kinnauri people.
One can try thrilling activities like hiking, camping, trekking, angling, etc in and around this place. Visit the temples around to know about the rich culture of people.

Traveler tips:

• Take a small kit of emergency medicines, a torch, a water bottle, and toilet paper.
• Carry a full-charged power bank and camera battery with you.
• Carry a lot of warm clothing to beat the shivering cold.

Best time to visit

Rakcham Chitkul sanctuary does not experience monsoon that is why you can plan a trip to this reserve forest all through the year. However, the summer months (April-July) are considered the best time to visit this beautiful sanctuary in the Himalayas. Avoid planning a visit to this place between November and February, as winters in this region are extremely harsh with the temperature falling as low as-10 degrees Celsius.

How to reach?

The most convenient way to reach Rakcham Chitkul sanctuary is by road as it is well-connected to major cities like Shimla, Chandigarh, Delhi, and Sangla. For visiting Rakchham Chitkul wildlife sanctuary you need to take a detour from the National Highway that leads to Kinnaur. Located at a distance of 267 km, Jubbarhatti Airport in Shimla is the nearest airport to this place. The closest railhead is the Kalka Railway Station located in Shimla about 206 kilometers away. Travelers can hire a private taxi or cab from Sangla at reasonable rates to visit Rakcham Chitkul sanctuary and the other popular attractions in this area. However, for a hassle-free trip to this quaint and offbeat place in Kinnaur, it’s always a good idea to grab a tour package from a reputed travel agent in your city.

Nearby attractions:

• Nako
• Mathi temple
• Kamru fort
• Rakcham
• Sangla Buddhist monastery
• Nichar
• Chitkul
• Ribba
• Lipa-Asrang Sanctuary

Bestowed with serenity and unparalleled beauty of nature, Rakcham Chitkul wildlife sanctuary is a popular attraction for tourists visiting Kinnaur in Himachal Pradesh. Plan a trip to this beautiful place to curate memories for a lifetime.