Snow Leopard Tour
4.9/5 Excellent
Trip Highlights – Snow leopard, Horned Ibex, Thiksey Monastery, Shanti Stupa, Red Fox, Himalayan marmot etc
ITINERARY
Embark on a thrilling expedition to spot the elusive Snow Leopard in the rugged landscapes of Leh and Ulley. Experience the breathtaking beauty of the Himalayas while tracking this magnificent predator, alongside other rare wildlife like the Tibetan wolf and blue sheep. Explore picturesque villages, interact with local communities, and immerse yourself in the serene, snow-covered wilderness of Ladakh. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts and nature photographers.
Day 1 | Arrival
New Delhi
Meeting at the airport and transfer to your hotel (hotel close to the airport)
Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.
Day 2 | Delhi / Leh
Morning, after an early breakfast, transfer to the airport to board a flight to Leh at 09:30 Hrs.
Arrive at Leh at 10:50 Hrs. Upon Arrival at Leh Airport (11400 ft.)
You are met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Check into the hotel in Leh.
Late afternoon, you may take a stroll through the peaceful Town of Leh and engage with the joyous local community.
Overnight in the Leh hotel.
Day 3-4 | Leh
Spend the days exploring the town of Leh at a relaxed pace.
Walk through the labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars.
Visit the Leh Palace and the white-domed Buddhist Shanti Stupa.
Later, you will visit the Snow Leopard Conservancy; here, you will meet with staff.
From the Snow Leopard Conservancy for a briefing on the history of snow
leopard conservation in Ladakh, with insight given into the current threats to snow leopards
and the strategies adopted to combat these threats.
Day 5 | Leh - Ulley (60 Kms / 02 hrs)
Today’s road journey of approximately three hours takes you westward on
The road to Kargil and Srinagar. Following the Indus River, you will pass through
The small town of Nimmu – one of the most important settlements of Ladakh,
Where the Zanskar River meets the Indus. After a little over an hour, you will head
North on a road to Likir – one of Ladakh’s famous Buddhist monasteries.
This is all snow leopard country. The landscape here is expansive until you turn off
Onto a dirt road, winding up a narrow valley, following a stream called the Ulley Chhu. Smaller valleys intersect this area, and your guides will have their heads craned at all times, scanning the hillsides and skyline for any silhouettes. This is also excellent ibex
Country, and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male ibex
Standing vigil on an impossibly narrow outcropping, a few thousand feet over a plunging cliff.
Ulley village: West of Leh, is an area that is only recently being developed for snow leopard viewing. But it is in the center of three interlocking valleys that support approximately 12 snow leopards according to last census.
Check into local village house. The house is located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet. With few rooms, simply furnished dining and sitting rooms looking out over the valley and the surrounding hills. The setup is basic but has comfortable beds, toilets and washing facilities.
Overnight in Ulley village on a full board basis.
Day 6-9 | Ulley Valley - LOOK FOR SNOW LEOPARDS
You will be based in Ulley for five nights, and the advantage of Ulley
is that it is relatively free of tourism, and from here you will explore
Three valleys, which, apart from snow leopards, are great for finding
Urial, Ibex, Wolf, Fox, and an array of birds that survive the harsh winter landscape.
Over the days, you will have the opportunity to venture into the area on foot
and with our team of expert trackers. They will interact closely with the local people
and use their network of local intelligence to narrow down the likely sites. In the process,
there will also be plenty of opportunities for you to gain insight into the region’s folklore,
customs, and traditions.
Overnight in Ulley village on a full board basis.
Day 10 | Ulley / Leh
This morning drive back to Leh (60kms– 3 hrs.) via the 11th century Alchi Monastry,
One of the two oldest monasteries in Ladakh.
The wooden sculptures, stucco images and Indo-Tibetans art are exclusive and the style is not to be found in any other monastery in Ladakh. After your visit you will continue onwards to Leh, Check into Hotel in Leh.
Day 11 | Leh - Delhi (By Flight)
Today, transfer to Leh airport to board flight for Delhi, upon arrival in Delhi.
Transfer to your hotel close to the airport.
Later, after dinner transfer to the airport for your return flight OR to your next destination.
Rates
USD 2499 per person (cost based on a minimum of 6 paying pax)
USD 550 single supplement
Please note that these prices may vary depending on hotel choices, changes in game drive fees, and other factors.
Keep in mind that our tours can be customized by consulting with one of our travel specialists.
Included in this package
- Accommodation on full board basis Either Double room sharing by two pax or Triple room sharing by three pax.
- All transfer by AC large car.
- Local guides.
- All meals.
- Escorted and guided trip by Naturalist
- Flight Tickets
Not Included in this package
- Tip
- Drinks
- Any kind of Insurance