Lalazar Wildlife Park – Abbottabad
A day out to the Lalazar Wildlife Park and Ayubia National Park might seem odd, but these places complement each other perfectly. When you visit this park, you’ll feel like you’ve entered another world where time stops and the hustle and bustle of modern life disappears completely. You’ll find yourself surrounded by the undisturbed natural beauty that makes it difficult to believe that the city lies just beyond its boundaries!
Ayubia National Park Abbottabad Ticket Timings & Location
Ayubia National Park is located in Abbottabad. It has a lot of attractions. The ticket timings are 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. You can get to it by a 45-minute drive on the GT Road from Abbottabad City. Some major attractions include an aquarium, Lalazar Deer Sanctuary, museum, camel safari, children’s park, and turtle farm.
There are also many species of fish, birds, and reptiles that you will find at the Aquarium. There is also the Turtle Farm, where you will find different turtles, such as black pond turtles, green sea turtles, loggerhead sea turtles, etc. Around 40 types of reptiles, including crocodiles, alligators, and snakes, like lizards, live here at Ayubia National Park Abbottabad.
History of Ayubia Park
Ayubia National Park is located in Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The land that the park sits on was given to the people of Pakistan by Brigadier-General Ayub Khan in 1972, a small reserve. After being handed over, the site has been developed into an attraction for tourists and locals. In 1979, an artificial lake with a waterfall was created, and visitors can visit animal enclosures such as crocodiles and monitor lizards, hippopotamuses, and antelopes in their natural habitat.
When is the Best Time to Visit Ayubia National Park?
Ayubia National Park is one of the first natural reserves established in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. It is located in Abbottabad District, at a distance of roughly 8 kilometers from the city center. The park’s total area stands at around 3312 hectares.
The best time to visit this beautiful wildlife park is during its opening hours, between 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. The flora and fauna you find here are truly worth experiencing.
Recommended Gear
The bare essentials are a good pair of walking shoes, sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, and plenty of water. All tourists visiting the park should dress in comfortable clothing that is light in color to avoid attracting unwanted attention from insects or grazing animals. Camping is not allowed at any time, so if you want to stay overnight, research which hotels offer an overnight package before traveling out.
Attractions Offered By Ayubia National Park
Ayubia National Park is home to various plants, birds, butterflies, herbs, reptiles, amphibians, and other animals. These include blue peafowls, partridges, quails, doves, and ducks. The park was established in the late 1920s by Nawab Muhammad Bahawal Khan IV, who had come from Lahore on a hunting trip with his Afghan soldiers. It originally had deer (Sindh ibex) and wild pigs, but these are now seldom seen.
● Greenery Walking
Enjoy a leisurely walk in the forest at the newly opened Lalazar Wildlife Park. The park houses an exotic collection of birds, monkeys, deer, boars, and snakes. Take a break in a beautiful little forest hut overlooked by gigantic trees. Then drive to the nearby Ayubia National Park Abbottabad, where you can indulge in nature’s bounty with spectacular views of diverse flora and fauna.
● Wildlife
There are two national parks on the road from Islamabad to Murree: Lalazar Wildlife Park and Ayubia National Park. The vast park has excellent views of the mountains in one direction and flat land in another. It is excellent for spotting deer and monkeys, but people are most excited about seeing tigers.
● Surrounded by Mountains
Surrounded by magnificent mountain ranges, this is one of the best wildlife parks in the world. If you can, spend an entire day exploring what this park offers, from viewing animals roaming free in natural habitats to scenic routes around the reservoir. No matter your level of interest or background knowledge about animals, there is something for everyone at Lalazar!
● Gushing Water Stream
Start a day with a visit to the Gushing Water Stream, Lalazar’s most popular attraction. Locals say that water never gets warmer than 36 degrees Celsius so it might be refreshing to take a dip while the sun is up high.
● Snowfall
The Ayubia National Park is located in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of Pakistan. The park is home to wildlife, including the snow leopard, brown bear, red fox, and Himalayan ibex. Recently, the park has been receiving a lot of snowfall, bringing many visitors to the beautiful scenery.
● Local Shopping Markets
There are two little local markets near the Nature Reserve to buy fresh, locally grown produce. The first one is set just on the edge of the forest with great views over Abbottabad. Here you will find some little tea stalls with teas and snacks too.
The second one is a few minutes away and has loads of small independent shops, including clothing, souvenirs, toys, and even some antique furniture pieces that can be transported back home without any worry about customs restrictions!
● Moto Tunel
Ayubia National park is home to several exciting features, one of which is the Moto tunnel. The Moto tunnel is a natural formation created by water’s erosive power. Over time, the water wore away at the rock, creating a tunnel-like structure.
The Moto tunnel is a popular attraction in the park, as it is a unique geological feature. Visitors can walk through the tunnel and admire the handiwork of nature.
● Khanspur Church
The church was established in 1606. The small structure reflects the traditional Portuguese architectural style prevalent from Emperor Akbar, who patronized Christian communities. All festivals are celebrated with zeal at this quaint but picturesque place of worship.
● Numerous Exotic Wild Flowers and Trees
The best way to spend your day at Lalazar is to drive around the park, appreciating its beautiful views of lakes, mountains, flowers, and trees. Keep an eye out for fascinating wildlife like wild boars, peacocks, and woodpeckers. The park can get quite busy, so we recommend coming before 10:00 AM or after 4:00 PM.
● Amusement Rides
With ample space for picnics, 4 beautifully constructed playgrounds, a landscaped garden with a gazebo, and plenty of animals on hand for the little ones to enjoy, it’s no wonder that Lalazar is the perfect place to spend an idyllic day out with family. Plenty of amusement rides are available for those who want more excitement added to their visit. Whether you’re looking for gentle swings or huge scramblers, there’s something at Lalaza for everyone.
● Pristine Views of the Lush Green Plains
The Lalazar Wildlife Park and Ayubia National Park on the outskirts of Islamabad are perfect days out. Nestled in the foothills of Margalla Hills, these two parks offer pristine views of the lush green plains, home to many animals, including an otter farm, crocodiles, squirrels, deer, lynxes, and monkeys.
● Chair Lift
The Chair Lift ride is a 35-minute journey that ascends 1,700 meters. The views are breathtaking as you look over the forest canopy to the snow-capped mountains in the distance. There are two viewing points where one can stop to enjoy the views. One is on top of the mountain at 2,500 meters from where one can see across most of Pakistan’s mountain ranges, with peaks in Afghanistan looming in the distance.
How to Reach Ayubu National Park?
The easiest way to reach the park is by taxi, which will take around 2 hours from Islamabad. If you’re staying at any of the hotels in Karachi, then a better option is to take an early morning flight.
Facilities Offered at Ayubia National Park
Ayubia National Park is rich in a wide variety of flora and fauna, with over 130 species of mammals and 769 bird species. Visitors can go on safari drives or see the various species at their homes among the tall grasses. An ideal day out would include walking around the lake to see various animals, such as reeds, crocodiles, otters, and blackbuck antelopes.
● Hotels and Resorts
For those looking for a little more, you’ll find everything from eco-tourism resorts to luxurious hotels around the park. Explore the area with a tour guide who can show you the main sights.
● Tuck Shop and Restaurants
For those with limited time, a tuck shop is a must to stock up on snacks. Remember to have some pistachios, a mango milkshake, and some energy bars for later in the day. There are also plenty of restaurants around Ayubia where you can grab lunch.
How much is the Distance between Ayubia National Park From Islamabad?
The park is about 135 km from Islamabad. It is a three-hour drive from the capital, with stops at Taxila, Saidpur Village, and Islamabad Memorial Garden. Tourists can also catch flights to Rawalpindi which take about an hour to reach the park.
Nearby Attractions at Ayubia National Park
Nature is a precious resource, which for many Pakistanis is a blessing given the effects of climate change around the world. Nature reserves such as Lalazar Wildlife Park and Ayubia National Park are invaluable sources of calm, peace, and natural beauty and also provide an opportunity to interact with nature in a way few people ever do. The first reserve we visit is Lalazar, where we walk among ostriches, pygmy goats, camel ponies, and other creatures.
Ayubia National Park Ticket Price
A single-day ticket for Lalazar is Rs. 1000, whereas a one-day entry to the Ayubia national park is Rs. 750. If you’re planning to tour or hire a guide, remember that this will usually add about Rs. 500 to your expenditure.
Ayubia National Park Timings
Visitors to the Ayubi National Park are advised to get there early in the morning as soon as it opens so they can make their way around the park’s large area before it gets too hot.
FAQs
What is the height of Ayubia National Park?
Ayubia National Park is home to a diverse range of wild animals, including Siberian tigers, leopards, bears, spotted deer, monkeys, and peacocks. At an altitude of 1,560 meters, it is the world’s highest national park and the second-highest zoo. To reach the zoo, you need to walk down many steep flights of stairs or ride a camel which will carry you down on its back if you have trouble walking down.
Is Ayubia Park worth it?
Ayubia National Park is a protected area in Northern Pakistan. Lalazar Wildlife Park and Ayubia National Park are two separate entities. They’re worth visiting on the same day as they are right next to each other. Though similar in terms of wildlife viewing, these parks offer visitors different experiences.
Conclusion
Ayubia National Park is one of the only accessible reserves in Pakistan. There’s plenty to see here, with many different ecosystems home to diverse flora and fauna. We recommend taking your time to see all this park offers. Whereas, in Lalazar Wildlife Park, it’s possible to see leopards, wolves, jackals, snakes, and much more.