Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary

About

The Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1972 and covers roughly 975 square kilometres of forest, alpine meadow and snow peaks in the Garhwal Himalaya. Chopta, the Tungnath trail and the Kedarnath valley lie inside or beside it. The sanctuary protects wildlife such as the Himalayan musk deer, Himalayan black bear and, at higher altitudes, the elusive snow leopard, along with many Himalayan birds including the Himalayan monal.

Best time

March to June and September to November are the most comfortable. Heavy rain and landslides are common in the monsoon, and winters are snowy.

Tips

• Stay on marked trails and never feed or approach animals.
• Entry rules, permits and guide requirements can change. Ask your stay or the local Forest Department for current rules.
• Do not leave plastic or food waste in the forest.