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Join Red Panda Network on a spectacular 12 day adventure into the forests and mountains of Nepal to experience red pandas in the wild! This is an exclusive opportunity for anyone to join our November 20th - December 1st, 2018 Eco Zoo Trip. 

Normally reserved for zoo staff and professional conservationists, our Eco Zoo Trips are discouned opportunities that take you into the cloud forests and communities of the Himalayas. You will see breathtaking views of Mount Kangchenjunga and Mount Everest and will be exploring one of the most biologically diverse areas in the world.

We’ll hike through some of the Eastern Himalayas most pristine forests in search of one of Asia’s most elusive mammals; the red panda. We’ll also look out for bears, clouded leopards, monkeys/macaques, and other rare mammals and bird species. 

This is a travel-intensive trip that will reward you with unforgettable sights and culture. All accomadations are included. international airfare to Nepal and visa fees not included.

Sample itinerary: 

Day One:
Arrive at Kathmandu airport and be greeted transported to your accommodations. Free time before meeting with fellow ecotrippers and RPN team and then dinner and trip debriefing in the evening.

Day Two:
All day guided site seeing in the vibrant and beautiful Kathmandu Valley – visiting palaces, marketplaces and temples.

Day Three:
Late morning 45 minute domestic flight to Bhadrapur, with spectacular views of the Himalaya ranges including Mt. Everest, Mt. Kangchenjunga, Mt. Lhotse, Mt. Makalu. Then we travel by road to Ilam and begin our journey north into the mountains, passing tea gardens and Nepali communities. Overnight hotel stay in Ilam, overlooking tea gardens.

Day Four:
Leave Ilam after breakfast and bird watch while traveling up the mountain by road (3:30 hours) and during a light hike (30 minutes) as we ascend higher into prime red panda habitat. We arrive at Choyaatar in the late afternoon – the village closest to red panda habitat and our base for the next four nights. Light hike in the evening for community visit. Overnight home stay at Choyaatar village (2200 m).

Day Five, Six and Seven:
The next three days we will wake up early to begin tracking red pandas in the alpine temperate forests with RPN Forest Guardians. We will also likely see other mammal and bird species throughout the day. We will stop in local homes for lunch and hot refreshments and immerse ourselves in the community with fun tasks including traditional Nepali cooking lessons in the evenings.3 night home stays in Choyaatar.

Day Eight:
Early breakfast, pack up and leave for Jaubari (small town at the Nepal India border). Hiking and looking for red pandas and bird watching enroute and arrive at Jaubari at around noon (2:30 hours). Light hike in the evening to see beautiful landscape and RPN’s plantation area for red panda habitat restoration project. Overnight stay in Jaubari (2890m).

Day Nine:
Depart after early morning breakfast for the incredible and picturesque Sandakpur (6 hour walk). The highest peak in the Singhalila range (3,636 m), with breathtaking sunsets over Mt Kangchenjunga and Mt Everest.

Day Ten:
Early rise (still dark out) we make our way to vantage points for the panoramic view of the impressive Himalayas with the rising sun. After breakfast we hike back down to Dobato village (2 hours walk) for lunch in the mid afternoon. Light walk in the evening visiting the community. Overnight Stay at Dobato village(2,650m).

Day Eleven:
Breakfast and red panda tracking in the early morning. Then leaving for our scenic drive back to Ilam after lunch with an overnight stay in a hotel overlooking tea gardens.

Day Twelve:
Our last day, departing for Ilam after breakfast by road for the return journey back to Kathmandu with our group farewell dinner in the evening.