The Red Panda is a mammal native to the eastern Himalayas of Nepal. The red panda has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs.
Preferred Seasons :March-May and October - November
Transportation:Flight, Drive
Age Limit :Above 8 Years
Red Panda Tour in Nepal
Red Panda is found in most of the Himalayas of South Asia. From Eastern Himalayas to Southwestern China its native area ranges around the Himalayas only. Like the giant panda, it is also mostly an herbivorous mammal that feeds mainly on bamboo. The red panda has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs. It is only slightly larger than the size of a domestic cat, though with a longer body and somewhat heavier. Growing from 50-65cm in length and weighing up to 6kg.
Red Panda Tour in Nepal, itinerary focuses on Dobate Village of the Ilam district for seeing the lesser pandas. Red Pandas are skillful climbers that spend most of their time in the trees curled up with their long, bushy tails wrapped around their heads. Their thick reddish-brown fur offers additional protection from the cold, often harsh, mountain weather. We’ll give you a guide while you’re on this itinerary. You can also experience the day-to-day activities of the typical rural village in the Ilam district of Nepal.
Red Panda Habitat
Living in 36 different mountain districts, there are around 1000 red pandas in Nepal. It is one of the most endangered species in the country as well as the whole world. The majority of the red pandas of Nepal are protected inside the national park. Also, there are some communities of red pandas in Eastern Nepal in districts like Ilam, Panchthar, and Taplejung where there are not any national parks or wildlife reserves yet is home to one-fourth of pandas. Some non-profit organizations are working to save the pandas of this region.
The Red Panda Community and Red Panda Network are organizations that are working since 2007 to spread awareness among local people and actions to protect the various endangered species through their habitat management, sustainable livelihood, and awareness building.
Red Panda Tour in Nepal itineraries are customisable; according to your choice & the number of days you want to stay.
See for yourself if all that you have read and watched on the internet, about the tranquil beauty of Nepal and the warm hospitality of Nepalese. After flying through the beautiful view of this trekkers; paradise, you will meet our company representative at the airport. You must have an impatient heart for a breathtaking adventure. Get ready to experience Nepal up close and personal. But first, we will transfer you to your hotel.
If you have an early arrival, you may stroll around the hippest and happening area in Thamel, where you can find restaurants with varieties of cuisine to dine. This first night in the country, you will be staying in Kathmandu.
2
Sightseeing to major historical places in Kathmandu Valley and preparation day
On your second day, you can go sightseeing to some of the famous religious and historical sites of Kathmandu. After exploring this city of temples; you will meet your tour guide at the hotel. You will be briefed in detail about the wildlife adventure. The guide will also assist you with any last-minute shopping that you require for the safari.
Have a well-rested night at Kathmandu before heading off to the wildlife.
(You can dump the stuff you do not want during the trek at the hotel or our office store.)
3
Flight to Bhadrapur and drive to Ilam Bazar
Morning flight to Bhadrapur. Bhadrapur is one of the most beautiful flights in Nepal. If you are lucky enough then you can see 7 mountains over 8000m on a clear sky day including Mt. Everest. After arrival in Bhadrapur, you will be transferred to Ilam by road for about 3 to 4 hours.
Once you reach Ilam, you can enjoy the scenic beauty of that place. One of the most beautiful places of Nepal, you can enjoy the landscape of tea plantation-covered hills in most parts of the place. We will stay overnight in a lodge here in Nepal's tea capital.
4
Drive to Dobate from Ilam Bazar
Today we will head toward the village of Dobate in the northern part of Ilam, driving 2 to 3 hours. Upon reaching the village, you will feel as if you have just been transported to paradise.
5-7
Red Panda Tracking
Today we will start to track Red Pandas in the forest of Dobate. In these 3 full days, you will hike around the rhododendron and oak forests in search of the firefox. We will repeat the same activity every day but on different paths and places.
If we are unable to encounter the red panda on our first day, we have another two days. There is a high chance of tracking red pandas in this area so we can make sure that you will see red pandas during these periods.
We will visit the Sandakphu (3,636 m) as well to see the stunning sunrise and witness the four of the highest mountains in the world namely Everest (8.848.86 m), Kanchenjunga (8.586 m), Lhotse ( 8,516 m) and Makalu (8.481 m).
8
Drive back to Ilam Bazar
We will spend a few times in the morning seeing the beauty of the village. After morning breakfast and speding few times, we will return back to Ilam bazar. Reaching Ilam bazar we have to say goodbye to our guide who helped and remained with us constantly during our red panda tracking period.
9
Fly back to Kathmandu
After this wonderful trip, drive to Bhadrapur and fly to Kathmandu.
Once you reach Kathmandu you will check-in at a nice hotel around the Thamel area. In the evening you can stroll around for souvenir shopping, drinks, and dinner. Walking around Thamel and nearby areas for shopping and self-exploring the narrow streets of this tourist hub is a good idea to spend your evening in Kathmandu.
10
Final Departure
We will drop you to the airport according to your flight schedule. Tiger Encounter hopes to take you to another exciting wildlife safari in Nepal soon.
Cost Detail
Trip Includes
International & domestic airport transfers as per the itinerary.
Flight ticket from Kathmandu- Bhadrapur- Kathmandu
Bhadrapur to Ilam bazar - Bhadrapur private transport
Ilam bazar to Dobate private 4wd jeep
Three night’s hotel accommodation in Kathmandu twin/single with breakfast at 4 stars hotel
Illam night’s hotel accommodation in Illam on twin sharing basis with AP plan at 3 stars hotel
Accommodation (local nice homestay) and 3 meals a day during the trekking (Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner) as mention in the itinerary.
Tea, coffee, hot or cold drinking wateer entire the tracking period.
Professional government license holder English speaking trekking guide.
The required number of porters to carry the luggage during the trek (We assign one porter for every two guests).
All program as mentioned in the itinerary
All salary, allowance, food & accommodation for guides
Insurance which covers, medical, emergency evacuation, lost, etc.
Beverages, alcoholic drinks, mineral water, boiled water during the red panda tour.
Hot shower during the trekking.
All food and beverages are other than on the itinerary.
Extra night accommodation in Kathmandu because of early arrival, late departure, and early return from the mountain (due to any reason) than the scheduled itinerary.
Personal gear and expenses.
Tips and gratitude provided to staff.
Just Fill and Book
This is a pre-booking form for the lead traveler. We would send you the actual booking form after the confirmation
Taplejung District is one of 77 districts of Nepal and one of the 14 districts of Province No. 1. It is remotely located in the Himalayas in Eastern Nepal. To get there, Morning flight to Bhadrapur. Bhadrapur is one of the most beautiful flights in Nepal. If you are lucky enough then you can see 7 mountains over 8000m on a clear sky day including Mt. Everest. After arrival in Bhadrapur, you will be transferred to Ilam by road for about 3 to 4 hours.
What to Bring
Neutral colored clothing is recommended.
Light clothing is needed for the daytime with a sweater and warm jacket for the evenings from November to March.
Pants / Trousers are recommended for safari and jungle walks.
Comfortable walking shoes, sun hats, sunglasses, etc. are essential.
Insect repellent and personal medical requirements should be carried.
It is highly recommended to travel light with only one small suitcase or duffle bag.
During the warmer months, swimming suits are recommended.
A small flashlight is recommended.
Binoculars add greatly to your enjoyment of bird and wildlife viewing.
Red Panda Behavior
The family life of this attractive animal is obscure. A weak unearthly whistling or squeaking note is given out when it is disturbed or separated from its mate. This resembles the chirping of a bird. The whistling and chirping sound thus may be a means of communication. The courtship mating behavior of this animal resembles that of cats. It has been observed that stress and excitement give out a strong odor produced from the anal scent glands. The odor may be the means of defense and sexual attraction. The panda in captivity rubs the glandular area of the anal gland against a rough surface over which it moves living a scent trail that might well serve as a single to another individual.
Just Fill and Book
This is a pre-booking form for the lead traveler. We would send you the actual booking form after the confirmation
What your client say about us.
Wonderful and unforgettable trip!
My wife and I wanted to visit Nepal at its best, living, feeling and enjoying this beatiful country and people, in the most possible comfort, safety and relax..but, at the same time, we were not looking for a trip of unnecessary and impersonal luxury, living all the time in an unreal “bubble”. After some research, Tiger encounters was our choice for a 2 weeks trip to Nepal, one week between Karhmandu and Pokhara, and one week safari in Bardia National park.
Mr. Ghanshyam, owner and director of Tiger Encounters, organized for us the best possible tours and experiences. He suggested and booked the proper premium hotels and lodges, visited the best places with top guides, fantastic choices! From the moment of booking the trip, until the very last minute before boarding our plane to come home, we always had a full and great support. Everything was seamless, spotless and perfect. We lived the best of the Himalaya and the wilderness of Bardia beeing always treated like royals, unbelievable !
Thank you very much for all the special moments we lived and enjoyed, we will come again for sure !
Dear Reader, if you are still here, means that you really wish to go to Nepal… in that case, do not hesitate any longer, contact Tiger Encounters right now, you will not regreat it !!!!
Nicola & MariaItaly
Snow Leopard Expedition in Nepal
I have to congratulate Ghanshyam on the great organization, from email communications, logistics and all the attention during the tour. Everything was organized in an excellent way and what I really appreciated was the availability and flexibility. I have travelled a lot, but few times have I met an agency so helpful to plan changes on site. Great drivers, careful driving.
Aashish, our guide, did everything to satisfy every request, always available and kind throughout the trip and very competent even during trekking in search of the Leopard. What about Tashi R. Ghale, a special person, tireless, did everything so that we could realize the dream of sighting the Leopard. It was an honor to meet him and be able to be with him, for me it was one of the best experiences of life. I would have hoped to see the Leopard more closely, but I realize how difficult it is and still being able to hear it during the calls of the mating season was exciting.
Thank you for everything and I can only recommend this agency “Tiger Encounter”!
Alessandra FarinaItaly
The most exciting journey of Snow Leopard and the most perfect service!
Together with Tiger Encounter we went to Nepal in the Annapurna National Park on the trail of the Snow Leopard and it was a magical experience where everything went smoothly. Organizing the trip of a lifetime is a wonderful challenge, but doing it with passionate, competent, and meticulous people who paid attention to every detail and our every wish, ensuring this was truly the trip of a lifetime, was truly fantastic! We were three of us along with me Alessan & Sandara.
These people really exist: they are the Tìger Encounter team.
Professionalism at the highest level, friendliness and respect, always open to any idea and always attentive to our safety.
You couldn’t ask for more.
Alberto CerioniReppubblica Italiana
One of the best tour companies I ever worked with
I’ve travelled to 50+ countries with dozens of tour operators – Ghanshyam and his team absolutely stood out. This was a demanding photography trip and everything was organised perfectly and flexibly when needed, with a lot of personal attention and excellent guides.
Florian KriechbaumerDubai
Bardia and Chitwan Photography Trip
I have traveled to many places in pursuit of photographing endangered species, and surprisingly, I did not have any images of the Bengal tiger. Many of my friends visited India for tiger safaris, but the crowded and hectic national parks discouraged me. After watching a BBC Planet Earth documentary, I discovered that Bengal tigers also exist in Nepal. Following many email exchanges with different tour operators in Nepal, I chose Tiger Encounter — and I am very happy that I made the right decision.
Ghanshyam was extremely flexible with my itinerary. I had to change my plans at least twice, and he accommodated every adjustment without hesitation or even a hint of frustration. He personally came to the airport to receive me and introduced me to my guide, Manju, who accompanied me throughout the entire trip. During the journey, Ghanshyam stayed in constant communication with the guide to ensure I was always well taken care of.
When I book a trip, I highly value creativity, resourcefulness, and flexibility. Not every trip goes perfectly smoothly, so when unexpected situations arise, the way they are handled matters greatly. Ghanshyam earned my trust because he managed every challenge in a way that exceeded my expectations.
Although I had to cut my trip short, I fully intend to return to Nepal, and Ghanshyam will absolutely be my first choice again.
With that said, I have no hesitation in highly recommending Tiger Encounter to anyone planning a trip to Nepal.
Ly DangUSA
Tiger Trip of a lifetime!
I spent 12 days exploring Nepal with Tiger Encounter and it was one of the most incredible trips in my life. They met us at the airport and didn’t leave our side the entire trip. Extremely organized and professional and I’m already planning on coming back. Best way to see tigers in the wild! Couldn’t recommend them enough.
Ryan ShirleyUSA
Tiger Safari in Bardia & Red Panda Trekking
I really wanted to find a local company who could make a personalised itinerary for my husband and I to do red panda trekking and a safari in Bardia National Park to see tigers (among other things). I would highly recommend Tiger Encounter for any trip to Nepal, but especially if you’re looking to encounter wildlife.
Ria & PeterNew Zealand
Outstanding Service
We recently returned from a 2 week private wildlife trekking and safari tour with Tiger Encounter, and couldn’t recommend them highly enough. We found them through a Google search and we are so glad that we did – we were so impressed! Tiger Encounter really offer such a personalised service and clearly care about their travellers.
Jessica & JamesUnited Kingdom
Great Experience with Tiger Encounter
Excellent safari in Chitwan and Bardia. Very professional company and we were looked after really well. Communication was easy and fast response. The guides on the safaris were brilliant and the accommodation was excellent. Can’t rate them highly enough.
Susan Joy BrownUnited Kingdom
The absolute best there is
I’ve been to 28 different countries and countless safaris over the world- let me tell you that this is the standard for every other safari I’ve been on since! The attention to detail, the absolute love and care of the guides, and the tour operator’s genuine wish for you to have the best experience possible made this one of the most amazing tours/safaris I’ve been on.
It was just as amazing to meet the locals and meet the Tharu people as it was to see the rhino and to be close up with an elephant!! (And That tiger that kept in front of our raft to cross the river!!) As an experienced traveler, take my word that you will have a genuinely wild and carefree adventure!!!???
Alison Michell HancockUSA
First Luxuries Jungle Safari Trip to Nepal
Had the most wonderful and life changing experience with Tiger Encounter. I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Mr. Sharma (owner) who had accompanied me as my guide throughout my adventure. They had planned everything so well and truly make you feel like family. Be it every step of the way from jeep safari, jungle walk, canoe ride, trek through the jungle, mountain trek Mr. Sharma is truly amazing guide, photographer and wonderful motivator. It goes without saying that your guide is your doorway to experiencing everything about the beautiful country you visit. Be it food, shopping, adventure or pleasure. I truly loved every moment of my time…and hope to return to this beautiful country with Tiger Encounter to many more adventures and celebrating a wonderful friendship. Hop you all have as amazing adventures and journeys with them. ?
Chithra SashiBahrain
Fantastic from beginning to end
Thank you Tiger Encounter team for another great experience in beautiful Nepal. We had amazing memories in Mt. Everest & Chitwan! We did wildlife safari, jeep safari, bird watching, village tour & cultural program. You are super professional, knowledgeable. Strongly recommend.
Come across the magnificent Royal Bengal Tigers, and watch them live their untamed lives. Experience this immense quest in the wilderness of the most undisturbed protected area in Nepal.
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