There is a specific kind of magic in spotting a flash of rusty-red fur against a backdrop of emerald bamboo. The Red Panda, exclusive to Haa, is a point of immense local pride. Found primarily in the cool, temperate forests between 2000 and 4300 meters, these shy, “fire-foxes” thrive in Haa’s well-preserved biological corridors.
Red Pandas were discovered and named in 1825, nearly 50 years before the Giant Panda was known to the West. The name “Panda” is believed to come from the Nepali word ponya, which means “bamboo eater.” Although classified as carnivores due to their digestive system, they are almost entirely vegetarian- and big eaters despite their small stature. A red panda can eat its own body weight in bamboo every day (up to 4 lbs!). In the freezing Himalayan winters, they wrap their long, ringed tails around their faces to trap heat and protect their noses from frostbite.
The best way to experience their world is on the Red Panda Trail (from Jilam to Legoteng). This 14.62 km trek takes you through the very heart of their habitat: thickets of bamboo and ancient rhododendron forests draped in moss. Because red pandas are elusive and largely arboreal (tree-dwelling), we recommend trekking with trained local guides and forest officers. They possess the “forest eyes” needed to spot a panda napping in a high canopy or foraging for young bamboo shoots.
Best Season: Spring (March–May) and Autumn (September–November) when forests are lush, temperatures mild, and the red pandas are most active.
Best Treks: Red Panda Trek