High Altitude Zoo, Nainital - Timings, Safari Cost, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 1.5 km from Tallital Bus Stand, G.B. Pant High Altitude Zoo is a high altitude zoo situated in Nainital. It is one of the three High Altitude Zoo Parks in North India, apart from those in Darjeeling and Sikkim, and among the top tourist attractions in Nainital.

The Zoo was established in 1984 and is spread over an area of 11 acres. It is situated on the Sher Ka Danda hill at an altitude of 2,100 m (6,900 feet) and is the only zoo in Uttarakhand. The Zoo was opened to visitors on 1st June 1995 and is managed by Bharat Ratna Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant High Altitude Zoo Management Society, Nainital from 1st March 2002.

The Zoo was established to conserve and protect the wildlife and biodiversity of the hill region of Uttarakhand. The zoo has several endangered species of animals in the Himalayas and animals like snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Japanese Macaque, Sambar, Himalayan Civet, Himalayan Martin, Barking Dear, Royal Bengal Tiger, and Himalayan bear. Besides, one can also see a vast collection of high-altitude birds, like kalij pheasant, Lady Amherst pheasant, rose-ringed parakeet, golden pheasant, and red jungle fowl as part of Nainital tourism packages.

There is a steep motorable road leading to the zoo, though many tourists walk up the hill. Private vehicles are prohibited in Nainital Zoo and one can reach the Zoo by Sharing Jeep which costs Rs 30 per person available from Mall Road.

Timings: 9.30 AM to 4.30 PM, Closed on Mondays and national holidays.

Entry Fee: Rs.50 for Adults, Rs.20 for Children, Rs.25 for Camera and Rs.200 for Video Camera