Flora and Fauna

• Snow Leopard Snow leopards (Uncia uncia) are medium sized mountain cats that range across central Asia and the Himalayas. Snow Leopards are one of Nepal’s most endangered animals and their existence is under threat. There were an estimated 300-500 snow leopards in Nepal in 2003 and their numbers continue to diminish due to poaching. Despite their small […] Read More
• Himalayan Tahr The Himalayan tahr (Hemitragus jemlahicus) is a relative to the wild goat that roams across the breadth of the Himalayas. Adult male tahrs can weigh up to 120kg and are known for their large reddish brown coats with large manes in the winter. They roam between 2,500 and 5,200m and can often be found in […] Read More
• Himalayan Lynx The Himalayan Lynx (Lynx) is found across most of Central Asia, Russia, China, and Eastern Europe. While a large cat, the lynx is smaller than many of its relatives and will only grow up to 30kg. They are as secretive as snow leopards and seldom heard because of their large padded paws which allow them […] Read More
• Yarchagumba A tiny mushroom grows out of the head of a moth caterpillar. Thousands of people spend their summers crawling around remote hillsides searching for these elusive phenomenon. Chinese middlemen fly in by helicopter and offer thousands of dollars per kilo. Businessmen part with great amounts of money and consume the product for the apparently excellent […] Read More
• Laligurans or Rhododendron Laligurans (Rhododendron arboreum) is the Nepali variation of the rhododendron flower and is the national flower of Nepal. While rhododendrons can be found all over the world, Nepali laligurans are unique for their immense size and distribution all across the Himalayan foothills. Laligurans can grow up to 30m tall and will often cover entire mountainsides […] Read More
• Goji Berry or Wolfberry Wolfberry plants or goji berries (Lycium barbarum) can be found growing wild in Nepal and have recently received much renown in the West for the nutritional and curative properties associated with them. Goji berry juice can now be found in many health food stores in the West and is an excellent source of antioxidants. The […] Read More
• Grey Langur The grey langur monkey (Semnopithecus schistaceus) is the most common monkey in all of South Asia, and while scientists once believed there to be only one species of langur, they have since identified seven unique types of langur in South Asia. The Nepali langurs are larger than their cousins to the south, and males can […] Read More
• Musk Deer Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster) range across Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau, and lower Himalayan slopes. Scientifically they are not “true deer” and are instead part of a more primitive family of animals that probably descends from the common deer’s ancestors. Musk Deer are unique in their appearance and most noted for their two small tusks […] Read More
• Wild Orchids While walking along lower, wooded trails in Nepal, walk slowly and keep your eyes open for some of the world’s most beautiful flowers. While Orchids (Orchidaceae) are found all over the world, Nepal boasts over 350 unique species of orchids that are only found in the Himalayan ranges. Nepal’s moist atmosphere and cloudy forests are a […] Read More
• Wild Raspberries At the right time of year, around spring time, you’ll often see children by the side of the road or path holding out a cup or piece of paper full of wild raspberries for sale. Buy some – they’re delicious! Read More