Snow Leopard Expedition in Ladakh

Early morning flight to Leh, offering spectacular views of the Himalayas. The dramatic change in altitude (3,500m) means we'll take it easy for the next two days. Settle into your hotel and acclimatise with gentle walks around Leh's old town. Visit the historic Leh Palace and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of Shanti Stupa. Your guide will explain how to prepare for the high altitude and share insights about the region's unique wildlife.

Today we visit some of Ladakh's most important monasteries. Start with Thiksey, a 12-story complex resembling Tibet's Potala Palace. Watch monks perform their morning prayers, filling the air with the sound of horns and chanting. Continue to Hemis Monastery, the region's wealthiest monastery and an important centre for snow leopard conservation. These monasteries often have resident monks who help track snow leopard movements.

After breakfast, drive to the Ulley Valley (4,000m), our base for snow leopard tracking. The journey takes about 4 hours through spectacular mountain scenery. Settle into the comfortable Snow Leopard Lodge, meet your local spotters, and learn about their tracking techniques. Evening briefing about the days ahead and what to expect during our snow leopard search.

Six full days dedicated to tracking snow leopards with our expert team. Each day begins early as we scan the slopes from the lodge using spotting scopes. Our trackers head out at dawn to check known snow leopard haunts and report back any fresh signs. We'll explore different valleys by 4x4 and on foot, always on the lookout for wildlife. Besides snow leopards, we might spot Tibetan wolf, Himalayan fox, blue sheep, ibex, and various birds including the magnificent lammergeier (bearded vulture). Each area offers different possibilities, and our expert guides know exactly where to look. During our searches, we'll also visit local homes for warming butter tea and learn about life in these remote mountains. Evening discussions focus on the day's sightings, learning about snow leopard behaviour, and planning the next day's strategy. The lodge offers comfortable accommodation with heating - a welcome relief from the cold mountain air.

Final morning of wildlife watching before driving back to Leh. The afternoon is free to explore the local bazaar, perhaps picking up some traditional Ladakhi handicrafts. Evening farewell dinner with your tracking team, sharing memories of your mountain adventure.

A relaxed day in Leh. Visit the LAMO (Ladakh Arts and Media Organisation) centre to learn about snow leopard conservation efforts. Optional visit to the Ladakh Ecological Development Group to understand local sustainability initiatives.

Morning flight back to Delhi, enjoying final views of the magnificent Himalayas. Afternoon at leisure in Delhi. Optional visit to Qutub Minar or shopping at Khan Market. Evening farewell dinner.

Transfer to Delhi airport for your flight home, carrying memories of an incredible Himalayan adventure.