Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary - A Himalayan Biodiversity Hotspot in Pahalgam

Pahalgam, Jammu and KashmirWILDLIFE

A protected Himalayan ecosystem near Pahalgam, known for its diverse flora and rare wildlife, including the Kashmir Stag (Hangul). Ideal for trekking and birding.

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WILDLIFE

Info

Half day (3-4 hours)

Accessibility

Not Wheelchair Friendly

Parking

No Parking

Photography

No Photography

About the Destination

Overview

The Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area located on the outskirts of Pahalgam, spanning across the Lidder Forest Division. The terrain is characterized by steep ridges, deep valleys, and alpine meadows, with the Lidder River marking its southern boundary. The sanctuary's diverse landscape supports a rich variety of flora, including dense forests of fir, pine, birch, and deodar trees, which change to alpine pastures at higher altitudes.

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Location & Address

Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary, Near Aru Valley, Pahalgam, Anantnag District, Aru Valley, Pahalgam, Jammu and Kashmir, India

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Best Time to Visit

The best period to visit is from April to June when the weather is pleasant, and the flora is in full bloom. Another good window is from September to October, offering clear skies and beautiful autumn colors after the monsoon season. The monsoon months of July and August can make trails slippery and prone to landslides. The sanctuary is mostly inaccessible from November to March due to heavy snowfall, which covers the trails and makes trekking difficult and unsafe.
Peak Crowd: May-June, during the peak summer tourist season in Pahalgam.
Moderate Crowd: April, September, October, and on weekends.
Low Crowd: July-August due to rains, and weekdays in the shoulder season.

How to Reach

Air

Srinagar International Airport (SXR) is the nearest airport, located about 95 km from Pahalgam. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or a cab, which takes about 3-4 hours to reach Pahalgam.

Train

The nearest major railway station is Jammu Tawi (JAT), which is approximately 255 km from Pahalgam. From Jammu, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Srinagar or directly to Pahalgam. The journey by road from Jammu to Pahalgam takes around 7-8 hours.

Road

Pahalgam is well-connected by road to Srinagar and other towns in Kashmir. From Srinagar, it's a 95 km drive that takes about 2-3 hours. You can hire a private taxi or take a state-run bus. The sanctuary itself is 12 km from Pahalgam town, accessible via a local taxi.

Local Transport

Within Pahalgam, local taxis are the primary mode of transport to reach the sanctuary entrance near Aru. You can book these from the taxi stand in Pahalgam. Ponies are also available for trekking on certain routes.

Food & Dining

Nearby restaurants near Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary

No restaurants found nearby