Main territory of Red Pandas in Nepal

May 12, 2024

Main territory of Red Pandas in Nepal

Enlisted in the endangered category in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, the Red Panda is a shy, cute, enigmatic, and elusive mammal. There is an estimation of the red panda residing in more than 36 districts of Nepal as per the sighting and reporting of mountain climbers and trekkers. On the other hand, 24 districts have been identified as the native habitat for these endangered animal species.

The species has been observable within nine conservation zones across Nepal, including Langtang National Park, Rara National Park, Sagarmatha National Park, Makalu Barun National Park, Dhorpatan Hunting Reserve, Gaurishankar Conservation Area, Annapurna Conservation Area, Kanchenjunga Conservation Area. Beyond these sanctuaries, there have been their sightings in districts such as Ilam, Panchathar, and Jumla, among others.

Nepal has recorded between 237 and 1,061 red pandas in its many national parks. Among them, Langtang National Park is the nearest spot from Kathmandu to witness the red panda. As the first mountainous national park of Nepal established in 1970, Langtang National Park is where the first red panda was spotted in the wild for the first time in Nepal. Close to Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal, the park is easily accessible and reachable within a day.

Recently, there have been more sightings of red pandas in the main territory of red pandas in the Langtang National Park. These core areas lie in the Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk districts, not on the trail of Langtang Valley Trek in the Rasuwa district. When we say Langtang National Park, people immediately think of Langtang Valley Trek of Rasuwa district because the park’s headquarters lies in the same district. But the fact is that there are very few sightings on the Rasuwa side. So embark on our exciting red panda tracking trek at Langtang in the Nuwakot with Wayfarer to witness the rare and cute red panda in the wild. This wonderful wildlife trip will be guided by Lhakpa Gyalbu Hyolmo, who hails from the Maghu Village. He is a wildlife photographer and an expert red panda tracker in the Langtang region of Nepal.

Red Panda Nuwakot

Encounters with elusive red panda and endless Central Nepal exploration

Experience an exciting encounter with the elusive red panda in central Nepal embarking on a Red Panda Photography ecotrips. There will be no trips during the red panda mating and birthing seasons. And frequent visits to a single spot of red panda site. It means no disturbance in the protected habitats of red pandas. Trained red panda trackers and field workers handle all tracking, to preserve healthy and protected habitats.

The Red Panda Eco-trip is ideal for nature enthusiasts interested in wildlife and exploring new areas. The trip’s highlight is observing the Red Panda in its natural habitat within Nepal’s central Himalayas. It has many names; the Lesser Panda, Habre in Nepali, and Hop Rakpa in the Hyolmo language in the Langtang region.

Moreover, the main objectives of the trips are:

Showing the rare red pandas in the wild for our valuable clients who are wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers.
Uplifting the living standards of the communities
Employing the locals as a red panda tracker and assisting them in operating the homestays.
This trip is not operatable without the assistance of the local communities.
This trip must be beneficial for every local living near the red panda territory.
Creating an awareness about the importance of red pandas.
Conducting red panda conservation campaigns to save this cute creature.
Increase the red panda sightings so more visitors come and thus more awareness to the local people, and
Contribute to their livelihood’s sustainability.

red panda at langtang

Red pandas avoid warm weather, making them less visible in summer. Monsoon travel is risky due to rainfall. So, tracking the red panda is banned during mating (Jan-Feb) and birthing (Jun-Sep) seasons. The best visit times are spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) for the Red Panda tracking.

The Langtang National Park in central Nepal being so close to Kathmandu remains unexplored by most tourists. The park has limited foreign influence. Nestled in the heart of the Himalayas, the park is a treasure trove of bio-diversity. This is the place to go if you want to witness the wide variety of wildlife and birdlife in the wild. And experience a lifetime trekking away from the throng of tourists. The area is home to the critically endangered Red Panda because of conservation efforts and a favorable ecology.

The region attracts fewer visitors compared to other trekking regions of Nepal. Despite its lower tourist numbers, the Langtang region offers a unique mix of rural life, scenic landscapes, and rich traditional cultures for nature lovers and eco-travelers. Experience a unique Hyolmo culture of Helambu Sherpas that is very different from the other sherpas of the east. Feel the authentic warm hospitality of the Hyolmo people indulging yourself in the Hyolmo culture. Hyolmo people are the ethnic group mainly living in the highlands of Nuwakot and Sindhupalchowk districts.

red panda pangbu danda