Located 248km. from Jammu, Kishtwar High Altitude National Park occupies an area of 400 sq km. The park is the natural habitat of 15 mammal species including the musk deer and Himalayan black and brown bear. There are 50 species of birds. The park is characterized by the marked variations in topography as well as vegetation that are abundantly found here. These variations in topography, climate and altitude are the main reasons which contribute to the occurrence of different types of forest vegetation. The principal tree species are Pinus gerardiana, Cedrus deodara, Quercus spp., Pinus wallichiana, Juglans regia, Ulmus spp., etc. The main shrubs associates are Viburnum spp., Parrotiopsis jacquemontiana, Rosa spp., and Desmodium tiliaefolium. The major herbs are Brachypodium spp., Primula spp., Dipsacus mitis, Brachypodium spp., Anemone spp., Artemisia vulgaris, etc.

The Park harbors over fifteen species of mammals. Notable amongst them hangul, musk deer, markhor, goral Himalayan brown bear, langur, leopard, etc.

Among the avifauna found in the park include fifty species of birds. The main species are the Himalayan jungle crow, bearded vulture, griffon vulture, paradise flycatcher, golden oriole, white cheeked bulbul and Indian Mynah.

The Park has an altitudinal range of 1,700 to 4,800 meters above sea level. The best season for bird viewing is March to May and mammal viewing is September to March. While in the sanctuary, it is advisable to have trekking shoes, raincoat, and light clothing during spring and summer. In winter trekking shoes, heavy woolens, waterproof windcheaters should be kept.

The nearest airport from Kishtwar High Altitude National Park is in Jammu, which is 58 kms away. The nearest railhead is Jammu which is 56 kms away.

Kishtwar is sited on a plateau above the Chenab River and below the Nagin Sheer glacier. It is noted for the fine saffron grown in the area and for the many waterfalls close by.

A fall only 3-km from the town drops over 700m in a series of cascades. The Falls are a marvelous sight, visible even from the town. Saffron, a very colourful sight in spring and summer, grows only in a limited area and the cultivation and harvesting is accompanied by merry festivals and ceremonies.

Sarthal Devi
The pilgrimage site of Sarthal Devi, with its 18-armed goddess statue, is 19 km from the town. Kishtwar also has the tombs of two important Muslim saints.

Sapphire Mines Of Paddar
Situated 115-km beyond Kishtwar at an altitude of over 4,000 metres, are the blue sapphire mines of Paddar. There is a road leading up to this area from Kishtwar. Sapphire mines were only discovered in the 1880s and have been worked only intermittently since this time because of the difficult terrain and unscientific mining techniques. Now the mines are open regularly and are more productive.

Air: The nearest airport is situated in Jammu (250-km).

Rail: The nearest railhead is situated in Jammu (248-km).

Road: The road is constructed upto Ikhala, but bus services are only operated up to Plamer, which is 20-km away, in the north of Kishtwar.

The Animal Beings
The most prolific mammals found there are Cheetal, Barking Deer, Wild Boar, Rhesus Monkey.

The Vegetation
Even if the bamboo plantations basically dominate the sanctuary area, still other broad-leaved species such as Acacia Catechu A.Arabica, Dalbergia Sissoo, Lannea Grandis, etc are also found over here. The main shrubs that grow here include Lantana Camara, Carisa Spinarum and Dodonea Visacosa.

The Winged Beings
There is rich variety of Pheasants and other migratory and resident birds found in the sanctuary. The principal species are Peafowl, Red Jungle Fowl, Jungle Bush Quail, Green Pigeon and Blue Rock Pigeon.