Explore India’s Snow Leopard habitat in a captivating 14-day tour
Introduction
In the winter months of Himalayas, we arrange exclusive & rare experience of finding the elusive and endangered Snow Leopard. With best Snow Leopard naturalist we take you into one of the best Snow Leopard habitats of the Himalayas.
Both patience and some luck is required when it comes to spotting snow leopards, but throughout your stay experienced local guides and trackers will be on hand to maximise your chances and sightings.
While on the trek you may encounter with some of the birds as Golden Eagle, Lammergeyer, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Himalayan Griffon and Himalayan Snow cock, Tibetan Partridge, Chukar Partridge, White Winged Redstart, Robin Accentor, White Breasted Dipper, Brown Dipper. Other wildlife that you might see are the Blue Sheep, Ladakh Urial and the Tibetan Argali.
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Country Region:- Kashmir, Leh & Ladakh, Himalaya Mountains
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Operated in:-English
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Departure/Return Location
New Delhi -
Departure Time
Please arrive by 9:15 AM for a departure at 9:30 AM -
Return Time
Approximately 8:30 PM -
Included
AccommodationGuideMealsTransport -
Not Included
FlightsInsurance
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Tour Plan
Day 1 Arrive New Delhi
Day 1 Arrive New Delhi
Met on arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel close to the airport.
Stay at good hotel near New Delhi Airport. Night stay is in Delhi.
Day 2 Delhi - Leh
Get private transfer to Delhi Airport. Board a flight to Leh over stunning Himalayan scenery. Met on arrival in Leh and transfer to hotel.
At an altitude of 3,500m (11,500ft) Leh is the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and the starting point for much of the trekking done in the Indian Himalayas. You will have the rest of the day free to relax and adjust to the altitude and climate. If you want then you can opt for a local market visit in the evening.
Day 3 Leh
Another day for acclimatisation and sightseeing. Today visit the extraordinary Thiksey Monastery, the largest buddhist monastrey in Ladakh built on top of a hill with excellent views.
There will also be a visit to the Indus River Valley to look for ibis bill and white-winged redstarts. A short and gentle paced (60 minutes) walk along the river may alsp produce sightings of other birdlife including the brown accentor, black-throated thrush and solitary snipe. Night stay is in Leh
Day 4 Leh – Himalayan Valley
Today, you will have your first attempt at looking for snow leopard as you drive to the small Himalayan Valley. En route, you can stop at the frozen river of Chadar which is used by the locals to travel to the reserved Zanskari villages. Depending on conditions there may be a chance to walk along the frozen river and look for the Ladakh urial sheep. In the afternoon, you can begin to search the Himalayan Valley for snow leopards as well as urial, Asiatic ibex and Himalayan wolf.
Day 5 In Himalayan Valley
A full day is devoted for looking snow leopards and other wildlife in valley of Himalayas. Based on the current survey results there are thought to be between 8 and 10 different snow leopards in this area. Trackers will be out throughout the day searching the mountain ridges and following tracks in search of the cats and other wildlife such as Himalayan wolf and Asiatic ibex.
During the months of January, February and March the snow leopards found here tend to become more visible as they spend more time walking ridges calling and searching for mates. Also snowfall at this time can bring their prey lower into the valleys and also makes the tracking of their prints easier.
Day 6 In Himalayan Valley
Another full day to search the Himalayan Valley for snow leopards, wolves, ibex and Ladakh urial. The birdlife in the valley is not particularly diverse in the winter, but some stunning mountain species such as lammergier, golden eagle, Himalayan griffon vulture, Himalayan snowcock and robin accentor can all be seen.
Even with an professional team of local trackers finding snow leopards in this gigantic landscape is a challenge. This is why having as long a stay here as possible will maximise your chances. Please note that some short walks on uneven (sometimes snowy) terrain may be required to track the leopards. There will also by long periods of scanning from good viewpoints with binoculars and telescopes.
Day 7 In Himalayan Valley
One more day seeking for snow leopards and other wildlife. The snow leopards here also share their territory with the impressive Tibetan wolf and these fluffy canids can often be seen in similar locations to the leopards.
Day 8 In Himalayan Valley
A different day discovering the zone for snow leopards and other wildlife. Please note that patience will be required while local trackers scan the mountain points for signs. When a snow leopard is sited it may be needed to drive and then walk some distance to view the cat but all walks can be done at your own pace.
Day 9 In Himalayan Valley
Another day surveying the area for snow leopards and other wildlife.
Day 10 In Himalayan Valley
Another day travelling in the area for snow leopards and other wildlife.
Day 11 In the Himalayas
Another day sightseeing the area for snow leopards and other wildlife.
Day 12 Himalayan Valley - Leh
A final morning to search for snow leopards and other wildlife found in the Himalayas. In the afternoon transfer back to Leh to enjoy a hot shower back in the hotel.
Day 13 Leh - Delhi
Transfer to the airport. Take flight back to Delhi. Met on arrival back in Delhi and transfer to hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or take OPTIONAL excursions in Delhi.
Day 14 Delhi Depart
In time you will be assisted and get transferred to New Delhi Airport to board your flight for onwards journey. Tour Ends
Tour Location
- Accommodation as per tour plan
- Daily breakfast in hotels of New Delhi & Leh and all meals from Day 4 till Day 12 as  tour plan
- Tea / Coffee all day from Day 4 till Day 12
- Transportation available for wildlife spotting
- All activities for Snow Leopoard exploring
- Spotter / Trackers
- Resident Naturalist at the Lodge
- Power : Regular power supply with generator backup on schedule
- Food : Mix of Indian / Continental / Ladakhi. Set Menus
- Library of reference books and fiction
- Â Binoculars available on request
- Spot scope with camera and mobile adapters
- Tea / Coffee & cookies available all day in the dining / lounge area
- All water freshly filtered in RO / UV
- Packed lunches / tea coffee provides when in the field
- No credit card facility – nearest ATM in Leh
- Vehicles / guides / spotters at disposal
- Rooms are heated with Gas / Electric heaters / Bukharis
- Hot Water Bottles
- No running water in winter. Toilets are flushed with buckets
- Hot water for bathing is available in buckets at your convenience
- Projection system for screening films in the Main Lodge and Annexe
- Â First Aid Kit
- Oxygen Cylinders
- Nearest Hospital in Leh ( approx. 2 hours drive ) - Medical sub-centre at Saspol ( 40 mins)
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