By Rajni Pandey | June 30, 2025
Located on the Singalila Ridge in Darjeeling, this high-altitude park is one of the best places in India to spot red pandas in their natural habitat. Trekking routes like Sandakphu are popular among wildlife enthusiasts and birders alike.
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A dense forest in Kalimpong district, Neora Valley offers a pristine and undisturbed environment where red pandas thrive. The misty trails and thick bamboo groves increase your chances of a rare sighting.
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A UNESCO World Heritage Site, this park is home to snow leopards, Himalayan tahrs, and of course, red pandas. The alpine ecosystem here is ideal for red pandas, especially in the Yuksom–Dzongri belt.
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Bordering Bhutan and West Bengal, this lesser-known sanctuary offers a peaceful escape and a good chance to observe red pandas in the wild. It’s a biodiversity hotspot, rich in orchids and rare birds as well.
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Just 20 km from Gangtok, Fambong Lho is a convenient day-trip safari destination where red panda sightings have been recorded. Visit during dawn or dusk for the best chance.
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This scenic sanctuary near Ravangla is known for its old-growth forests and stunning mountain views. Red pandas are among its key attractions, alongside Himalayan black bears and barking deer.
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Famous for its springtime rhododendron bloom, Barsey also shelters a small but stable population of red pandas. Trekking here offers not just floral beauty, but also wildlife encounters.
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A protected Lepcha heritage region, Dzongu is a tranquil and less-crowded destination that supports red panda conservation efforts. Community-based tourism allows eco-friendly exploration.
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Though red pandas are difficult to spot here due to dense rainforest cover, Namdapha remains one of India’s richest biodiversity zones and a remote refuge for these rare mammals.
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