Wild Pandas indicate pandas that are currently living in the wild nature. Most pandas we see and have access to are captivated pandas who live in the zoos and panda bases/parks.
The total number of pandas in the world is counted for around 2600 until 2024. Around 700 of them live in captive in zoos, panda bases and parks. The majority of the pandas are living in the wild nature in China (around 70%). It is very hard but possible to see/take photos of pandas in the wild. Sichuan Travel Guide now offers information of trips to search/look for for wild pandas in the mountains of Sichuan. We have the knowledge of where, when and how to look for wild pandas. Such trips are provided by local panda guides.
Wild Pandas live in the wild nature in the mountains of Qinling, Minshan Range, the East of Qionglaishan Range and the east of Xiaoxiangling Range. Learn more about wild panda habitats and distribution. Wild Pandas haven't been in contact with humans and roam the mountains on their own in their natural habitat by the elevation between 2200m and 3400m by altitude where the arrow bamboos grow. Their habitats are divided by natural boundies such as big rivers as well as man-made boundies such as big roads and cities. Some habitats are small and some are big but all are hidden in the deep mountains. Learn more about wild panda habits and behaviours.
Wild Panda Spotted in Wolong; Photo by Marco Gaiotti, on a co-funded trip with Vincenzo Galeno, March, 2024
It is extremely hard to see a panda in the wild. The reasons inlcude the following. There is no established trips in the history for wild pandas before. The panda habitat is relatively far from humans/roads. The pandas are very shy animals in wild. The pandas are not used to humans/domestic animals in the wild. The pandas live in bamboo forest that are largely not open place that themselves are not easily seen. The terrain is hard to access by foot in general.
If you invest in 1-2 days time by the right location the chance to see a panda in the wild is around 5%. If you invest in 1 week's time in the right location the chance to see a panda in the wild is around 20-30%. If you invest in 2 week's time in the right location the chance to see a panda in the wild is around 60-70%. In recent year we have found some locations have higher chances if you go to the right spots.
The best seasons to see pandas in the wild is from late March to early June, and from mid September to mid November. The mating season is from late March to mid April. From late June to early September is too wet if you are searching pandas on foot due to the rain in the forest. From late November to early March is too hard due to accumulated snow. If you wish to see pandas in the wild the best seasons is during the mating seasons. If you wish to see wild pandas in the trees the best seasons is from mid April to late May when cubs are climbing trees.
Looking for pandas in the wild is in general very hard. You are welcome to talk with us if you wish to engage in such a trip. We have been into different panda habitats in Sichuan multiple times by different locations and we are willing to share our experiences with you.
A trip to search for pandas in the wild for purposes of either photography or just looking at them are in general very hard. You will expect long wait and sometimes hard walks, may even need to sleeping in tent, eat basic food, walk in wet/cold/humid conditions, spending time on preparations, packing, taking care of your cameras, etc.
Due to the long and hard waiting and walks, you need to be physically fit for such trip. You will also need good and strong cameras and lens, including a binocular. You are also recommended to stay strong mentally for expectation of not seeing a panda.
It is not 100% legal. All panda habitats forbid human activities but it's possible to go in to these places. All local villagers live nearby these habitats and will go into them from time to time. A lot of the buffering areas of panda habitats are also used by local people for herding and farming. Therefore we recommend you to call the panda authority: Giant Panda Reserve Center of China (+86 28-87222030 or +86 28-87331272) to arrange such activities for you. If they refuse to provide trips to you then you may come back to look for help from us.
Before engaging with us, we recommend you to first contact and go with the China Panda Authority (their contact info listed above). The following trips are offered by local panda guides in the villages near panda habitats. You may plan this trip for 2-3 days, or 7-8 days or 14-15 days. If you invest in 1-2 days time by the right location the chance to see a panda in the wild is around 5%. If you invest in 1 week's time in the right location the chance to see a panda in the wild is around 20-30%. If you invest in 2 week's time in the right location the chance to see a panda in the wild is around 60-70%. By going with us we don't ganrautee you will see panda in the wild. Please note all trips here involve long waiting, searching, scanning, and some may involve hard and long walking and some even involve sleeping in tent and eating basic food for days.
This is a 2-day tour into the mountains of Yaan near the Panda Nature Reserve. We take you up into the mountains by driving and have an afternoon and a morning to search for pandas in the wild. You are recommended to come in the right seasons.
Search for wild pandas in the actual panda sanctuary with a local fully-experienced guide from the village of panda sanctuary of Yaan. Comparing to the trekking package this 7-day plan offers you chance to drive up for most of the way into the mountains where you start to seach for pandas.
This is a 5-day tour into the mountains of Qionglaishan, Daxiangling and Xiaoxiangling. You will go with one of our panda guides up into the mountains by driving/trekking and sleep in tents and to search for pandas in the wild. You are recommended to come in the right seasons. Please note this is a very hard trip and maximum number of people to do this trip is 3 people.
Look for wild pandas in the actual panda habitat with a local experienced panda guide. The chance of seeing a wild panda is around 5%. This trip is unique in its nature. We recommend you to combine this tour to a bird watching activity if possible due to the low chance of seeing pandas.
This trip 7 days to maximize your chance of seeing a panda in the wild. Usually it is very hard to see a panda in the wild because they are usually shy and the bamboos are too thick and terrains too difficult to access. This trip brings you the opportunity to see wild panda in the wild environment. It is an experience few people have.
If you are really commited to see/take photos of panda in the actual wilderness then this trip is for you. The chance of seeing a wild panda is around 60-70%. It involves long hours of hard walk in difficult terrain and in difficult conditions and sleeping in tent for multiple days.