Ladakh is not just a land for adventure seekers but also for wildlife enthusiasts. The diverse terrain of Ladakh creates the perfect haven for rare Himalayan fauna. Be it an elusive snow leopard or a rare Himalayan avian species, Ladakh is a paradise for nature lovers. Here’s a handy guide to the top wildlife spots in Ladakh and the unique species here you must definitely try to spot!
Guide To National Park Wildlife Sanctuary In Ladakh
Hemis National Park
It is Ladakh where you’ll find India’s largest national park! It is located at an altitude of 3,300 to 6,000 meters above sea level and it is home to rare wildlife species. These include Himalayan Brown Bear, Blue Sheep, as well as plenty of other bird species. Two major rivers – Indus and Zaskar flowing through its boundaries. If you plan to visit it, the best time to visit it is in the months of May to October. This is when you’ll get to experience jeep safari and spot plenty of rare animal species.
Entry fees: INR 20 for Indians and INR 100 for foreigners
Timings: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is located in eastern Ladakh in the Tibetan Plateau. This wildlife sanctuary in Ladakh is home to elusive species, including the Tibetan antelope, the Kiang (wild ass), and the Black-necked Crane. The vast openness of the Tibetan plains makes Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary the perfect place for observing Ladakh’s diverse wildlife.
Entry fees: INR 50 to INR 100
Timings: 6:30 AM to 8:30 AM and from 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary
Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the easternmost reaches of the Karakoram region in Ladakh. Bounded by the Nubra and Shayok Rivers, it also shares its borders with China and Pakistan. Here, you’ll find plenty of rare, endangered species like Ladakhi Urial, Argali, Tibetan Antelope, Wild Yak, Snow Leopard, Tibetan Gazelle and Bactrian Camel among others.
Entry fees: INR 30
Timings: Not available
Apart from these wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, there are other places in Ladakh where you can catch a glimpse of the elusive and fascinating creatures of the mountains.
The Tso Moriri Lake is one such destination that is famous for being a dedicated Ramsar Site. It is known for attracting plenty of migratory birds like the Black-necked Crane and the Bar-headed Geese.
If you are planning to visit one of Ladakh’s less-visited places, you must make your way to Suru Valley. The region is home to the adorable-looking, yet fierce Himalayan Brown Bear.
Nubra Valley is yet another place known for its rich biodiversity., especially when it comes to avian species. If you’re into birdwatching, there is no better place than Nubra Valley. Here, you’ll get the opportunity to spot birds like the Tibetan Snowcock and the Golden Eagle. You’ll also likely see animals like Wild Yak and Bactrian Camel here.
Unique Himalayan Animal Species To Know About
The Snow Leopard
This animal is popularly known as the ‘Ghost of the Himalayas’ but don’t worry, there’s nothing spooky about it! Out of all the Ladakh animals, this one is known to be the most mysterious and elusive. This elusive predator is known for dwelling at high altitudes and in Ladakh, there are only 200 such animals. It is quite rare to spot a Snow Leopard, however, in winter, you can easily detect their presence by noticing their footprints.
Himalayan Ibex
The Himalayan Ibex is known for being an excellent rock climber. Himalayan Ibex is just one of the several ‘regional’ names given to the Siberian Ibex. In other parts of the world, it is known by different names like Altai Ibex, Asian Ibex, Central Asian Ibex, and Gobi Ibex, among others.
Kiang – The Tibetan Wild Ass
The Tibetan Wild Ass is a common sighting in Ladakh, northern Pakistan, Tajikistan, China and northern Nepal. If you’re on a wildlife tour in Ladakh, you’ll most likely spot a Kiang without fail. These animals are curious in nature and about 1500 of them roam the Ladakh grasslands.
Native Water Birds
Ladakh is home not only to terrestrial animals but also to a diverse range of bird species. In fact, the birds of Ladakh are very diverse – each sub-region here has at least one unique bird species. The Brahmini/Brahminy Duck is one of the more popular and common birds here. It is found in many of Ladakh’s lakes. The Bar-headed Goose is also a common sighting in this region. If you’re lucky, you might even come across a Black-necked Crane. It is considered to be a rare and sacred bird that’s known to nest in Changthang.
Summing Up
Be it the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh or the Hemis National Park, we’re sure that each of these places have something unique to offer. The region is home to some of India’s rarest flora and fauna including the snow leopard and the Tibetan wild ass. So, the next time you’re planning a trip to Ladakh and are interested in the wildlife here, you must visit these wildlife sanctuaries and national parks.
