Chail Sanctuary is 45 km south of
Shimla. Formerly, it was a hunting reserve for the Maharaja of Patiala and was announced a sanctuary in 1976. The altitude of the sanctuary varies from 701 m to 2180 m. The lower altitude of the forest adjoining the sanctuary is filled with chir pine and the higher with ban oak, grasslands and shrubs.
The sanctuary harbors rhesus macaque, leopard, panthera, Indian muntjac, goral, crested porcupine,
Himalayan black bear, wild boar, common langur, sambar, black-napped hare, and European red deer. Cheer pheasant and kalij pheasant are some of the bird specialties.
April to June and October to December are the best time to visit. The attractions nearby include the former palace of the Maharaja of Patiala and Sidh Baba Ka Mandir.
The sanctuary is accessible by road from Kalpa via Kandaghat. The nearest airport is Shimla Airport.
