Askot Wildlife Sanctuary

Askot Wildlife Sanctuary covers about 600 square kilometres of the Pithoragarh hills, beneath the Himalayan ranges, and climbs from 2,000 feet to 22,654 feet. Also called the Askot Musk Deer Sanctuary, it was set up to protect the endangered musk deer and takes its name from the old kingdom of Askot.

Its terrain runs from thick deodar and rhododendron forest to alpine meadow. Besides musk deer, it shelters snow leopards, Himalayan black bears, tahr and bharal, and more than 200 bird species have been recorded, among them monals, koklas and chir pheasants, snowcocks and chukors. Walking trails, waterfalls and neighbouring villages are part of a visit.