Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary : Ultimate Guide To This Must Visit Place In 2024

We all know that Ladakh is famous for its serene landscapes, beautiful monasteries, gorgeous valleys and lakes, but recently I came across a very interesting place named Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.  A visit to this sanctuary can prove to be a unique experience for the tourists since it offers an abundant dose of nature viewing, wildlife sightings, getting in touch with the greenery, and of course, many fun activities to indulge in. 

And if you really want to get an enriching experience in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary, booking your trip with our  leh ladakh tour package. So, what’s the wait for? Let’s know why this is a must visit place in 2024.

Location of Changthang Wildlife in Leh

The Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is also known as Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary. It covers an area of almost 1,600 sq. km and is home to some of the highest altitude beautiful lakes, namely, Tso Moriri , Pangong Tso and Tso Kar. Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in Ladakh is home to species like Tibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and numerous bird species. Sighting of the wildlife definitely makes Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary one the best places to visit in Ladakh.

Things to do in Changthang Wildlife in Leh

There are ample activities to get indulged in at Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary to make the most of your trip. Some of them are

Wildlife Spotting

Needless to say, wildlife spotting is the most exciting activity here. Either you can explore the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary in a jeep safari, which is one of the adventure in Ladakh or you can trek. The wildlife sanctuary is home to some of the best trekking spots in Ladakh like the Tso Miori trail, Rumtse to Tso Kar, Tso Kar to Karzok, and more. 

Once you reach the sanctuary, keep your eyes wide open for watching some of the rare species which can be found only at an altitude like the one the sanctuary is located at. Snow leopard, Tibetan antelope, wolf, rodents, ungulates, Tibetan wild ass, Tibetan argali are some of the rare species found here. 

Bird Watching

In Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary 300-odd species of birds, both resident and migrant can be found. Species like the black-necked crane, the brahminy duck, and the bar-headed goose breed in the area’s wetlands. Plenty of other birds are visible while driving between Hanle and Pangong Tso. You may spot the golden eagle, common tern, black redstart, Tibetan sandgrouse, the little owl, the upland buzzard and the common merganser. Undoubtedly, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best bird sanctuaries in the world.

Camping

Camping in Ladakh offers an experience like no other. The Tso Moriri lake is one of the most popular places for camping in Ladakh, which is situated at an altitude of 4,530m on the Changthang plateau of Union Territory of Ladakh. Camping near the pristine lake or amidst the breathtaking surrounding will be a memorable overnight experience.

Flora in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

Changthang national park is home to more than 200 species of wild plants that grow in the higher pastures and are food for the animals inside the sanctuary. Flora in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is characterized by bountiful alpine meadows, shrubs such as Ephedra gerardiana and Caragana brevifolia. The vegetation in Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary also includes hardy plants like cushion plants, dwarf shrubs and aquatic plants like water lilies,

Fauna in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

As already mentioned above, Fauna in Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary includes some rare species likeTibetan antelope, Tibetan wild ass, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf, Black-necked crane, Tibetan Gazelle. Also wild yak, bharal, brown bear and the Himalayan marmot, is found to be present everywhere. Around 44 types of waterbirds and seasonal species of migratory birds are also present in Changthang national park. 

Best Time to Visit: Best time to visit Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is from May to October. You can keep yourselves updated through this leh weather guide whenever you plan a trip to Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. 

Entry Fee: INR 20/- per person.  

Opening Time: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

How to reach Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary

By Road : Reaching Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is accessible by road-trip from Leh. The most common route is via the Leh-Manali Highway or the Leh-Srinagar Highway. From Leh, you can hire a cab to reach Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.

By Air : The nearest airport to Ladakh is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. You can fly to Leh from major cities like Delhi, Srinagar, and Mumbai. Once you reach Leh, you can hire a cab to Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.

Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary is one of the best places to visit in leh because besides spotting wildlife, tourists can also explore the local culture, visit monasteries, take camel rides, enjoy the local food and experience the stunning beauty of the Himalayas.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)