- 03 NIGHTS / 04 DAYS
The snow leopard (panthera uncia), a mysterious and elusive predator, roams the rugged, remote mountain ranges of central asia. Known for its striking, smoky-gray fur patterned with dark rosettes, the snow leopard is perfectly adapted to life in harsh, high-altitude environments. Its habitat stretches across the himalayas, the tibetan plateau, and parts of the karakoram, all the way to the mountains of mongolia and russia.
In the wild, spotting a snow leopard is an extraordinary feat, as these big cats are solitary, nocturnal, and elusive by nature. They thrive in steep, rocky terrain where they can stalk prey such as blue sheep, ibex, and marmots. The snow leopard’s keen eyesight and ability to camouflage in its surroundings allow it to stay hidden from both its prey and potential threats.
Conservation efforts are increasingly focused on protecting these majestic creatures, as they face numerous challenges. Habitat loss, poaching for their beautiful pelts, and retaliation killings by herders whose livestock is preyed upon by snow leopards all contribute to their declining numbers. Although they are currently listed as vulnerable by the international union for conservation of nature (iucn), it is estimated that fewer than 7,000 snow leopards remain in the wild.
In recent years, conservation organizations and governments have intensified efforts to protect snow leopards through anti-poaching laws, community outreach, and improved monitoring techniques, including camera traps and radio collars. Yet, much remains to be done to ensure the survival of these elusive cats. Protecting the snow leopard is not only crucial for biodiversity but also for maintaining the health of ecosystems at high altitudes. The ongoing search for the snow leopard, both in terms of discovery and conservation, continues to captivate wildlife enthusiasts and researchers worldwide.
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The snow leopard (Panthera uncia), a mysterious and elusive predator, roams the rugged, remote mountain ranges of Central Asia. Known for its striking, smoky-gray fur patterned with dark rosettes, the snow leopard is perfectly adapted to life in harsh, high-altitude environments. Its habitat stretches across the Himalayas, the Tibetan Plateau, and parts of the Karakoram, all the way to the mountains of Mongolia and Russia.
Arrive in New Delhi, India. We’ll pick you up at the airport and transfer you to Hotel.
Leh straddles the old silk route and was a nexus of important Central Asian trade routes till the late 1950’s. Today the bustling town serves as an entry point to a dozen different types of mountain and high altitude adventures. We’ll check-in to our hotel in Leh, the Grand Dragon, and spend the day at a pace that is slower than normal to properly acclimatize to the high altitude. We recommend reading a book, drinking a few cups of tea, and enjoying the view. Time is the best way to acclimatize. In the evening we’ll have a welcome dinner and trip briefing with the whole crew. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Essence AT Ladakh.
Walking tour of Leh. An early start for those interested. We’ll head to Thiksey gompa (monastery) to attend morning prayers. This is a beautiful and calming experience steeped in the tradition of the Gelugpa (yellow hat) order of Tibetan Buddhism, headed by His Holiness, the Dalai Lama. The monastery, begun in 1630, features Ladakh’s most gorgeous image, a huge (and surprisingly modern) gilded statue of the Maitreya (Future Buddha). Afterwards, we drive along the beautiful valley and find a spot to eat our packed breakfast and admire Stakna gompa, towering above the meandering Indus River since 1580. We’ll return to our hotel for lunch and some rest. In the evening, we’ll visit the Shanti Stupa, a peace pagoda build by the Japanese in the 80’s. It offers commanding views of Leh, the Leh Palace, Namgyal Tsemo, the beautiful 16th century monument to victory that crowns the central peak in Leh, and the mighty Ladakh Range. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the Essence AT Ladakh.
We’ll transfer to our private camp in Hemis National Park today. An hour and a half drive will take us into the heart of snow leopard territory. Spend the daylight hours searching for the elusive ghost of the mountains with our field teams and the evenings sipping hot toddys around the dining room fire. Breakfast, lunch, dinner at Camp, or packed.
Explore Hemis National Park. We’ll explore Hemis National Park with our expert spotters on the lookout for wildlife such as the Argali (Great Tibetan Sheep), Bharal (Blue Sheep), Shapu (Ladakhi Urial), and the elusive Snow Leopard. You’ll be transferred to various points by 4×4. Depending on where wildlife is sighted, walking or short hikes may be required to achieve suitable viewing positions. An Average Day On A Snow Leopard Tour To Ladakh Snow leopards are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. Our spotters leave camp at dawn. One of our 4x4s drops them off at various points in different valleys. They scan the ridge-lines and slopes for wildlife, reporting any sightings back to camp. Usually guests start waking up around 7 AM. Our beautiful dining is already warm and inviting. Hot French presses, pots of tea, and breakfast to order. At this point, two things can happen. Either our spotters see a snow leopard or don’t see one. If a snow leopard is seen, guests rush off to the closest vantage point. They are either driven or walk, depending on the spotter’s location. Our spotters at other locations pack up and converge on the sighting location. They use their combined experience to decide on a plan for the day to best track the snow leopard for as long as possible. Meals, coffee, tea, snacks, all keep arriving from camp for as long as guests are at a sighting. If a snow leopard is not seen, the trackers convene back at camp and decide on a plan for the day. This is usually influenced by the previous days sightings and intelligence gathered in the morning. Based on the plans, guests accompany the spotters and trackers to various parts of the valley as they search for the snow leopard. Spotters, trackers, and the field team always point out interesting birds and wildlife, as well as share details about local life and culture. There will be opportunities to visit some local homes and villages as well. These visits are always an important way to understand what life is like in this beautiful region of the world, and how essential communities are to conservation. Breakfast, lunch, dinner at Camp, or packed. Each day on this snow leopard tour will consist of some driving and some walking.
Fly to Delhi. Say goodbye to the mountains as you transfer to Leh airport, about an hour away, and then fly to Delhi in the morning. Our tiger safaris in Ranthambhore are the perfect extension to our snow leopard tour.
Fly out of India. Book a late afternoon or evening flight to make sure you’ve left enough gap time just in case our previous day’s flight is rescheduled due to bad mountain weather. Breakfast.
