Pin Valley National Park

Pin Valley National Park covers roughly 675 sq km of the Pin river catchment, a side valley off the main Spiti valley, with altitudes from about 3,500 m to over 6,000 m. It is part of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve and one of the more reliable places in India to look for snow leopard tracks in winter, alongside Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, red fox and Himalayan snowcock. The valley also holds the Kungri monastery, one of the oldest Nyingma gompas in Spiti, and the trailhead village of Mud, from where trekkers cross the Pin-Parvati and Bhaba passes.

1. From Kaza, drive down the Spiti valley and cross the Pin river at the Attargu bridge, then up to Gulling and Mud (~50 km).
2. There is no public transport beyond sporadic buses; hire a vehicle in Kaza.
3. In summer the valley is also reached on foot over the Bhaba Pass from Kinnaur, or the Pin-Parvati Pass from Kullu.

Late May to early October for the road and trekking. Serious wildlife watchers visit in winter (with a local operator) when snow leopards come lower.

• This is remote, high and cold — acclimatise in Kaza first and travel with warm gear and buffer days.
• Facilities are limited to homestays in Gulling, Sagnam and Mud; carry cash and basic supplies.
• Stay on tracks and keep distance from wildlife; the park is a protected area with entry rules.

Individual pages for these are added as they are reviewed.