Red Panda tour in Nepal
The lush mountainous landscape of eastern Himalayan foothills are native home of Red Panda. The Red Panda is on the endangered list of WWF. Even though more than 50% of the Red Panda are found in the temperate forest of eastern Himalayas, their population in the wild is fast declining. Climate change and the clearing of bamboo and nesting trees because of rampant road construction are the challenges in their conservation.
What makes it the best Red Panda Tour ?
In addition to the fact of eastern Himalayas being home to more than 50% world Red Panda population, the Sandakpur rural municipality has started the Red Panda breeding and conservation campaign since 2020 in collaboration with Red Panda Network. The rural municipality at the average altitude of 2,500 m, has prepared 10 hectares of forest with structures and saplings necessary for their nesting and breeding. Another 36 hectares of forest have been allocated for planting different species of saplings favorable for Red Panda. Maipatal, Sandakpur area is popular for Red Panda.: 8 days Tour - Trek
:Moderate - difficult
Highlights of the trip
- A pristine hill station of eastern Nepal bordering Singalila National Park.
- Popular habitat of endangered Red Panda and many other rare species of birds and animals.
- Short trek or driving tour of undisturbed foothills of Kanchenjunga.
- Cruise through the Nepal's oldest tea estate of Ilam established in as early as 1863.
- A tour and short trek with view of four of the ten highest mountain in the world - Mt Kanchenjunga, Everest, Lhotse and Makalu.
- Scenic mountain flight to Bhadrapur in eastern Nepal.
- Deluxe hotel in Kathmandu with breakfast and taxe.
- All ground transportation by private vehicle.
- Kathmandu - Bhadrapur - Kathmandu flight
- Standard hotel in Ilam and community homestay in the Sandakpur rural municipality with all meals.
- A professional tour leader throughout the trip.
- Necessary local guides for tracking the Red Panda.
Red Panda Tour Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive Kathmandu, pick up and transfer to Hotel.
Our represent will pick you up from the airport as per the flight details you have provided. Drive to the hotel and later go on familiarization walk to get acquainted with the neighborhood and bit of culture.
Day 02: Explore Kathmandu
Spend a day exploring the UNESCO Heritage sites of Kathmandu and prepare for the next day's trip to eastern Nepal. Alternately, you can also do a bird watching tour in the Phulchoki forest in the outskirt.
Day 03: Fly to Bhadrapur | Drive to Dobato (105 km / 4 hrs)
Drive to the Kathmandu airport and fly to Bhadrapur in the eastern Nepal - India border town. The 45 minutes flight is scenic with view of Himalayan rages including five of the ten highest mountains in the world. From Bhadrapur drive through beautiful landscape with tea estates. Enjoy a view of far reaching valleys and layers of lush mountains with Mt. Kanchenjunga from view points. Overnight in Dobato community homestay.
Day 4 - 6: Red Panda tracking
While we employ local guides to go and track the Red Panda, you can go on a nature walks and day hike to Mai Pokhari, Sandakpur (3,500 m). Depending upon the sighting, spend rest of the time with short trek based on community homestay.
Day 07: Drive back to Ilam and to Bhadrapur to fly back to Kathmandu
Drive down to Ilam bazaar and then further to Bhadrapur to fly back to Kathmandu. The journey takes about 5 hours. There are many flight throughout the day. Overnight in Kathmandu
Celebrate 2024 as the Red Panda conservation year
Support sustainable Red Panda Tour
Best way to support the Red Panda conservation Year 2024 is by going on a Red Panda tour based on community homestay. The Sandakpur Rural Municipality in eastern Nepal has been taking an initiative to establish a Red Panda breeding center and conservation of their habitat allocation their own development budget. The community based tourism model they have set up supports their conservation effort by creating employment and boasting economy.Spread the word
You can also make the Red Panda Conservation Year successful by spreading the word about it. Use social media to share info, posts and news about Red Panda. Tell others about Red Panda and why it is important to conserve them. Involve your family and friends. Donate organizations involved in conservation.Customize Red Panda Tour
Trek the Red Panda Trail
The 3636 m (11,941 ft) hill top of Sandakpur is the highest and the most scenic viewpoint in eastern Nepal. The trek offers the view of four 8,000 m peaks; Mt Everest, Lhotse, Makalu and Kanchenjunga. Sandakpur rural Municipality is the highest point of Singalila national park, Darjeeling and the buffer zone of Kanchenjunga national park. The eight days long community homestay trek is the best sustainable trek into the unspoiled Nepal. Sandakpur region is also popular for Red Panda spotting.
- Support local company.
- Expertise over 20 years.
- Cost effective Treks.
- Cultural immersion experience.
- High quality services.
- Eco friendly & sustainable practices.
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