With its sub-zero temperature and semi-frozen rivers, Pin Valley National Park, declared a National Park in 1987, is the only cold desert National Park located in Himachal Pradesh. The Park lies in the valley of the Pin river, which gives it the name. Spreading south of Dhankar in the Spiti district near the Tibetan border, the reserve forms a natural interface with the Lahaul and Spiti divisions of the state.

It was set up to protect and preserve the rare and unique Himalayan flora and fauna. Vast and sparsely populated, Pin Valley is home to the snow leopard -- the grey ghost of the Himalayas -- and its prey, the ibex. Set against a backdrop of icy mountain ranges, it is snowed in for a good part of the year and only the adventurous and the fit should attempt a trek to this fascinating country. The Buddhist monasteries or gompas give a strong religious flavour to the place.

Because of its high altitude (3500 mts - 6000 mts) and extreme temperatures, the vegetation in the area is scarce, with the area dominated mostly by alpine trees, patches of Himalayan cedar and smatterings of several medicinal plants. In summer, flowers decorate the valley in bright hues. Along with animals, rare birds like the Himalayan Snowcock, Chukor, Snow Partridge and the Tibet Snow Finch also thrive in the area.