Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary

Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Wildlife Sanctuary (Manipuri: Yangoupokpi-Lokchao Lamlak-ki Saa-Ngaa Ngaak Senpham) is a wild, forested protected area in the Tengnoupal district of southeastern Manipur, close to the India–Myanmar border near the trade town of Moreh. Established in 1989, the sanctuary sits at the meeting point of two great biogeographic zones, and it is this strategic location that gives it its character: it represents the rich, vibrant Indo-Myanmar biodiversity, a transitional zone where Indian and Southeast Asian flora and fauna mingle.

The sanctuary's most celebrated resident is the hoolock gibbon (Manipuri: Yongmoo) — the only ape species found in India — whose calls carry through the hill forest. It also shelters slow loris, stump-tailed macaque, serow, Himalayan black bear, Malayan sun bear, civet, otter, pangolin and leopard, and elephants occasionally cross in from the Myanmar side of the border. For travellers it is a remote, low-footfall destination best suited to keen wildlife watchers, birders and trekkers who want forest rather than facilities.

The best season to visit is October to April, when the weather is cooler and drier and wildlife is more active; the early morning is the best time of day for sightings. The monsoon (June–September) makes the hill trails slippery and difficult.

By Plane

The nearest airport is Imphal International Airport (IATA: IMF), about 110 km from the sanctuary. Imphal is connected by regular flights to Kolkata, Delhi, Guwahati, Agartala and Aizawl. From the airport, hire a taxi or take a shared cab southeast along the Imphal–Moreh road toward the sanctuary; allow a long half-day for the hill drive.

By Car / Road

The sanctuary lies about 110 km from Imphal along the road toward the India–Myanmar border town of Moreh. It is a winding hill route through varied terrain; allow plenty of time and travel in daylight. Shared taxis and minivans run from Imphal toward Moreh; a private vehicle gives the flexibility needed for early-morning wildlife visits. Adventure tourism firms in Manipur also run guided motorcycle tours along this route.

There is no vehicle transport within the sanctuary — getting around means bushwalking, hiking and trekking on foot through the woodland. Hire a local guide, both for navigation in the dense Indo-Myanmar forest and to improve your chances of spotting gibbons and other shy wildlife. There are no autorickshaws, metro or ride-hailing apps in this remote border area; arrange transport from Imphal or Moreh in advance.

• Hoolock gibbon (Yongmoo) — the headline sight, the only ape found in India; listen for their calls in the early morning and scan the canopy.
• Indo-Myanmar wildlife — slow loris, stump-tailed macaque, serow, Himalayan black bear, Malayan sun bear, Indian civet, common otter, pangolin and leopard inhabit the sanctuary; elephants sometimes cross from the Myanmar side.
• Forest and birdlife — the transitional Indo-Myanmar forest is rich ground for birdwatching and for appreciating the meeting of two biogeographic zones.

Trekking quietly through the woodland is the best way to experience the sanctuary; carry a good pair of binoculars. Flying drones are permitted.

The sanctuary is for the outdoors and for wildlife. Trekking and hiking through the forest is the main activity — and the best way to spot the hoolock gibbon and other Indo-Myanmar species, ideally at first light. Bushwalking and birdwatching reward patient visitors, and wildlife photography is excellent given the unusual mix of fauna. Camping is possible in and around the sanctuary, in non-restricted areas, for properly equipped and self-sufficient visitors.

Hotels and restaurants around the sanctuary and in Moreh run their own kitchens, serving mainly local Meitei and hill cuisine — rice-based meals with fish, smoked or fresh meat, foraged greens and chillies. Many visitors also prepare a picnic to carry into the sanctuary, as eateries inside are essentially non-existent. Vegetarian options are limited and meat is common in local cooking — state dietary needs clearly when ordering.

There are liquor shops around the sanctuary selling locally made brews, the traditional rice beer of the area; Manipur restricts alcohol sales, so drink discreetly. Chilled bottled drinks may or may not be available, so bring your own from a reliable source if you want them. The everyday drink is hot tea. Treat stream and tap water as unsafe — carry sealed bottled water or boiled and filtered water.

• Budget: The practical accommodation is a set of government rest houses in nearby Moreh — the Forest Rest House, the Indo-Myanmar Trade Center Rest House, and the Transit Camp at the Wildlife Office — simple lodging that usually needs to be arranged with the relevant department in advance.
• Mid-range: Basic hotels and lodges can be found in Moreh town; there are no dedicated mid-range tourist hotels at the sanctuary itself.
• Upscale / heritage: There are no upscale or heritage properties at or near the sanctuary; the nearest higher-tier hotels are in Imphal, about 110 km away. Camping is permitted in non-restricted areas of the sanctuary for the well-equipped.

Local traditional handloom and handicraft products can be bought from shops around the sanctuary and in the nearby border town of Moreh, a notable trade hub. There is no formal shopping district within the sanctuary itself, so buy what you need beforehand; bargaining is light and modest.

• Moreh (near the sanctuary) — the bustling India–Myanmar border trade town, the gateway to this corner of Manipur.
• Imphal (~110 km) — the state capital, with Kangla fort and the Ima Keithel market.
• Keibul Lamjao National Park (in Manipur) — the world's only floating national park and last home of the Sangai deer.
• Sirohi (Shirui) National Park (northern Manipur) — the world's only natural habitat of the rare Shirui lily.
• Tengnoupal (in the same district) — a hill area with viewpoints along the Imphal–Moreh road.