Conservation Intelligence

National Parks & Protected Areas

Nepal's 12 national parks and 6 conservation areas cover 23% of the country — and contain every major trekking route. Live visitor data, wildlife calendars, and permit info for each.

National Parks

covering Nepal

Conservation Areas

additional zones

23%

Land Protected

of Nepal's territory

UNESCO Sites

Sagarmatha & Chitwan

Protected Area Profiles

🏔️

Sagarmatha National Park

National Park

Est. 19761,148 km²2,845m – 8,848m~60,000/yr

$22

NPR 3,000

per person

Key Treks

Everest Base Camp

Gokyo Lakes

Three High Passes

Phaplu Approach

Wildlife Highlights

Snow leopardRed pandaHimalayan tahr117+ bird speciesMusk deer

Highlights

· Home to 8 peaks above 7,000m

· UNESCO World Heritage Site

· Highest national park on Earth

· Sherpa cultural heartland

Best months

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

High (Oct peak)

Currently open

🌺

Annapurna Conservation Area

Conservation Area

Est. 19867,629 km²790m – 8,091m~80,000/yr

$22

NPR 3,000

per person

Key Treks

Annapurna Circuit

Annapurna Base Camp

Poon Hill

Upper Mustang

Jomsom

Wildlife Highlights

Snow leopardGhoralMusk deerHimalayan monal pheasantJackal

Highlights

· Largest protected area in Nepal

· Nepal's most visited trekking destination

· Includes 7 peaks above 7,000m

· Rain shadow zone (Upper Mustang) open year-round

Best months

Mar–May, Sep–Nov (Upper Mustang Jun–Aug)

Very High (Oct)

Currently open

🌿

Langtang National Park

National Park

Est. 19761,710 km²914m – 7,234m~25,000/yr

$22

NPR 3,000

per person

Key Treks

Langtang Valley

Helambu Circuit

Gosaikunda Lakes

Tamang Heritage Trail

Wildlife Highlights

Red pandaSnow leopardHimalayan black bearBlood pheasant

Highlights

· First Himalayan national park (1976)

· 2015 earthquake memorial & rebuilt villages

· Sacred Gosaikunda lake complex

· Closest major trek to Kathmandu

Best months

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Moderate

Currently open

🏔️

Manaslu Conservation Area

Conservation Area

Restricted Area Inside

Est. 19981,663 km²1,400m – 8,163m~12,000/yr

$22

NPR 3,000

per person

Key Treks

Manaslu Circuit

Tsum Valley

Wildlife Highlights

Snow leopardHimalayan wolfTahrTibetan antelope

Highlights

· World's 8th highest peak (8,163m)

· Tsum Valley — Tibetan Buddhist enclave

· Restricted Area sub-zones with unique culture

· Less-crowded alternative to Annapurna Circuit

Best months

Mar–May, Sep–Nov

Low–Moderate

Currently open

🦏

Chitwan National Park

National Park

Est. 1973952 km²100m – 815m~150,000/yr

$11

NPR 1,500

per person

Key Treks

Jungle safari (no mountain trekking)

Wildlife Highlights

One-horned rhinoBengal tigerGharial crocodileSloth bear500+ bird species

Highlights

· UNESCO World Heritage Site

· Nepal's first national park

· Elephant-back and jeep safaris

· Tharu cultural village experiences

Best months

Oct–May (dry season)

High (Dec–Feb)

Currently open

🐯

Bardia National Park

National Park

Est. 1988968 km²152m – 1,441m~15,000/yr

$11

NPR 1,500

per person

Key Treks

Jungle trek (Karnali valley)

Safari circuits

Wildlife Highlights

Royal Bengal tigerOne-horned rhinoGangetic dolphinWild elephant

Highlights

· Less crowded than Chitwan — 10x more wildlife sightings per visitor

· Karnali River corridor

· Highest density of tigers in Nepal

· Off-the-beaten-path far-west Nepal

Best months

Oct–May

Low

Currently open

🌸

Makalu-Barun National Park

National Park

Est. 19921,500 km²435m – 8,485m~3,000/yr

$22

NPR 3,000

per person

Key Treks

Makalu Base Camp

Barun Valley

Wildlife Highlights

Snow leopardRed panda25 rhododendron speciesClouded leopard

Highlights

· World's 5th highest peak (Makalu, 8,485m)

· Expedition-grade remote adventure

· Largest rhododendron forest in Nepal

· Adjacent to Kangchenjunga Conservation Area

Best months

Apr–May, Oct–Nov

Very Low

Currently open

🏔️

Kanchenjunga Conservation Area

Conservation Area

Restricted Area Inside

Est. 19972,035 km²1,200m – 8,586m~2,000/yr

$22

NPR 3,000

per person

Key Treks

Kanchenjunga North/South Base Camp Circuit

Wildlife Highlights

Himalayan musk deerTibetan wolfPallas catRed panda

Highlights

· World's 3rd highest peak (8,586m)

· Nepal's least-visited major trekking region

· Trans-boundary with Sikkim (India)

· Pristine forest — minimal commercial development

Best months

Apr–May, Oct–Nov

Very Low

Currently open

Wildlife Sighting Calendar

Best months to spot Nepal's iconic wildlife in their natural habitat

Animal	Best Window	Region	Sighting Chance
Snow Leopard	Jan–Mar	High Himalaya	Rare
One-horned Rhino	Oct–Apr	Chitwan / Bardia	High
Bengal Tiger	Mar–May	Bardia / Chitwan	Moderate
Red Panda	Apr–Jun	Langtang / Ilam	Moderate
Himalayan Tahr	Nov–Feb	Sagarmatha / ACAP	High
Gangetic Dolphin	Oct–Mar	Bardia (Karnali R.)	Moderate

Eco-Tourism Standards

Every TrekkrOS booking in a national park or conservation area contributes to our Eco-Impact Fund. Operators are required to follow NTB Leave No Trace guidelines. Waste management: every trek participant must carry out all non-biodegradable waste. High-altitude zones (above 4,000m) are completely plastic-bottle-free.