Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary

Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary is a high-altitude cold desert protected area on the Changthang Plateau in Ladakh, near Nyoma. Established in 1987, it covers about 4,000 sq km at elevations above 4,000 metres. It is notable for its stark alpine desert landscape, high-altitude lakes such as Tso Moriri and Tso Kar, and rare wildlife including kiang, snow leopard, Tibetan wolf and black-necked crane.

Visitors can expect a vast, open high-altitude cold desert landscape with sparse vegetation, snow-capped mountains, and brackish high-altitude lakes and wetlands. The sanctuary offers opportunities to observe wildlife such as kiang (Tibetan wild ass), marmots, and migratory birds including black-necked cranes at lake shores. There are no enclosed structures; exploration is via road routes through the plateau with viewpoints over lakes and nomadic Changpa settlements.