Kumaon Hills, Uttarakhand
It is said that Kumaon hills are the home of many wildlife species in the country. The better half of the Garhwal region, Kumaon is also reckoned the home of rare species like the Himalayan snow leopard. It is said that a decent amount of 10% of the entire population of this endangered species can be found in Uttarakhand. And the Kumaon hills above the scenic Munsiyari are inhabited by a few of these snow leopards. One can opt for a snow leopard trek here in winter to be able to sight these beautiful big cats. In June 2015, the presence of snow leopards in the Kumaon Hills was first captured at an altitude of 4,100 metres in Bageshwar district of Uttarakhand. Moreover, in 2022, Uttarakhand Forest Department revealed on World Snow Leopard Day, that now there are about 121 snow leopards in the state, which was 86 in 2016.
Best season for sighting: Winter (November to March)
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How to Reach?
Kumaon Hills is not a particular place in Uttarakhand; it is a region. The districts of Uttarakhand included in the Kumaon Region are Nainital, Bageshwar, Almora, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar and Pithoragarh.