Best of Uttarakhand's national parks & reserves

Uttarakhand is way more than a regular weekend trip to Haridwar, Rishikesh, Mussoorie or Nainital, for the state has its wild side too. The Himalayan state is a haven for wildlife lovers, if you know where to look. From Jim Corbett National Park to the more arduous Nanda Devi Biosphere to Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, there is a lot to explore here.

Our suggestion, mark 2023 for exploring the wild side of Uttarakhand and you will more surprises than you can count.

Gangotri National Park is spread over a mammoth 2,390 sq km and is inhabited by more than 15 species of mammals and 150 bird species. The dense pine and deodar forests here are home to black bears, Himalayan tahr, blue sheep, musk deer, the elusive snow leopards and many more.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary lies in the Kumaon Himalayas and is a treat for bird-watchers. It has more than 200 species of birds, including magpies, laughing thrush, blackbirds and more. Of course, there is a lot to more to watch out for here.

Mountain goats, barking deer, wild boars, Himalayan bear, leopards and more await you here. A good pair of binoculars is all that you need to have some of the best wildlife experiences ever.

Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve is the crown jewel of all the wildlife experiences in Uttarakhand. Snow leopards are the star residents here, but don't forget to look out for Asiatic black bears, Himalayan musk deer, brown bears and more.

It is also home to more than 300 floral species. The reserve has two core zones -the Valley of Flowers National Park and Nanda Devi National Park. It has to be noted that the Valley of Flowers National Park is a noted UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Corbett, undoubtedly, is the most famous of all the national parks and reserves in the state. It is known for its well-organised wildlife safaris, and ample chances of tiger spottings. Elephants are also a very prominent part of the ecosystem here.

Corbett is also home to a number of beautiful, sustainable properties to give you a very wholesome experience.

Rajaji National Park lies at just about 200 km from Delhi-NCR and is easily accessible all year around, except for monsoons. It sits close to the famous city of Haridwar, and is a haven for wildlife lovers. Leopard sighting here are pretty common and the place is just perfect if you crave a big cat sighting.

Elephants, a variety of deer, striped hyenas, Himalayan black bear, Bengal tigers and more - Rajaji has it all. It's a surprise that the national park sees lesser enthusiasts, often overlooked by the sheen of Haridwar and Rishikesh.