Wild Walk Tours
Snow Leopard Expedition
WORLD’S MOST ELUSIVE ANIMALS IN LADAKH
Ladakh is situated on the northern border of India and is known as Little Tibet. A fascinating region, it is here that the elusive snow leopard roams in the high valleys and across jagged mountain cliffs. Ladakh is a charming place, brimming with culture, and travelers are drawn to its awe-inspiring landscapes.
The expedition sets out in search of rare and endangered animal species in a setting that features the snow-capped Himalaya Mountains, crystal clear lakes, and breathtaking visuals. The Ladakh region is a high-altitude cold desert, where the snow leopard survives on a prey base of bharal (blue sheep), ibex, and marmots. on the trip, you have a chance of seeing not only the snow leopard but also Tibetan antelope, shapo, Tibetan hare, and exceptional bird life, with snow partridge, golden oriole, snow cock, golden eagle, horned lark, and red-billed chuff flying above.
the city of Leh, too has a lot to offer tourists, crisscrossing streets and vibrant markets, the Royal Palace, the Snow Leopard Conservancy, and the Thiksey Monastery, set high on a hill. Once a kingdom, rather than a region, the only royalty here now are the snow leopards that prowl its rugged landscapes. Spotting those means traveling in winter, flying over the Himalayas to Leh as roads are blocked by snow, and then driving and trekking into its rugged valleys.
Itinerary ​
Day 01: Delhi – Leh
Early morning transfer to airport for flight to Leh.
The whole day rest to acclimatize to the high altitude of Ladakh.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 02: Drive from Leh (3,500 mtrs) to Zingchen (3,600 mtrs) to Husing(3,800 mtrs):
Drive time from Leh to Zingchen is approx. 2 hrs. Trek time from Zingchen to Husing is approx 2.1/2 hrs.
Overnight at tented camp.
Husing is the epicenter of three prominent valleys well known for the sighting of Snow Leopard also known globally as “the world capital of Snow Leopard.”
We make Husing campsite as our base camp as we venture out for the next 5 days towards the many bye-valleys that vein out of the Husing pastureland.
Overnight at tented camp.
Day 03: Today the local expert will take you on an early morning excursion to the trails frequented by the ever elusive Snow leopard and will teach you how to interpret through local art and techniques of smelling of rock sand (smell of urine of the leopard), reading of pug mark, scrape (digging of the ground by the animal), scat (stool) and rock-face rubbing of the snow leopard.
The expert will also share local traditional knowledge on how to identify the hunt patterns and kill spots of the snow leopard.
Overnight at tented camps
Some prime examples are as below:
(a) Alert calls of deer, blue sheep, or bharals.
(b) Hovering of the golden eagle over kill spots.
(c) Excited screaming of magpies indicating kills.
(d) Nervous movement of the red fox in the nearby vicinity of the kill.
Day 04 to 10: Identify “hot spots” (machans) vantage points through mapping and tracking; also, techniques in gaining the confidence of the villagers so that they can alert and relay instant information of any signs and actual sightings of the snow leopard.
Overnight at tented camps
DAY 11: We go along the snow leopard mapping grid and keep our ears and eyes open; we operate within the nearby valleys in the nearby bye-valleys of the main valley of Ranjon behind Husing and Rumbak.
The other 2 prominent valleys where snow leopard sightings are frequent are Tarbung and Kharlung where we will also make day excursions to check out their habitats and trails.
Overnight at tented camps
Day 12: Walk from Rumbak Doh to Zinchen where the vehicles are waiting to take you back to Leh city.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 13: Leh – Delhi
Early morning transfer to airport to proceed for the flight to Delhi.
** This itinerary is indicative and the number of days can be modified.
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Despite the measures and comforts taken into consideration by us, it is essential that guests traveling here take the altitude and the extreme conditions seriously. Here is what you can expect
WEATHER AND ALTITUDE – The trans-Himalaya is the region comprising the Karakoram, Ladakh, Pangong, and Zanskar ranges and the Tibetan plateau. It is essentially a cold desert that lies in the rain shadow of the Himalayas. The general altitude of the landscape is 3500-4000m. Temperatures in the winter can drop to -20 degrees at night and at dawn and dusk, but on clear days the bright sun and the lack of humidity can make it very warm.
RUNNING WATER – Running water is not possible in the bathrooms during winter as everything freezes, including the pipes. Hot, cold, and room temperature water will be provided in buckets (24 hrs), including for flushing and the wash basin.
FITNESS – A basic level of fitness is essential – even though much of the experience is available to people who may have limited mobility due to our use of vehicles. However, walking does allow you to access and experience this landscape in a way simply not possible only by vehicle.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL EMERGENCIES – Firstly, we suggest for those who have a medical history or an existing condition to please share all information with us and consult a doctor before booking a trip.
ACCLIMATISATION – Though this period is outside our area of operation, we would like to add that your period of acclimatization in Leh is extremely critical and can make or break your trip. Please follow all acclimatization procedures to the dot to make sure you are deemed fit to move further into the region and track the Himalayan wildlife.
WILDLIFE VIEWING – Arrive with an open mind and embrace the experience, the landscapes, the people, and the lesser fauna, all of which have come together to create this wonderful habitat for snow leopards. Remember, you are trying to look for possibly the rarest big cat on the planet. Despite our fantastic track record of sightings, we still maintain that spotting cats is a matter of luck despite all the effort put in.
DAY PLAN – The plan for each day is a dynamic one. Every day starts with our spotters going into the mountains in search of signs of snow leopards. The day plan is based on their findings. It could range from waiting at the camp to driving to a far mountain valley a few miles away.
LEH AIRPORT – In Leh airport, articles like drones, satellite phones, strong chemicals, etc are usually seized so carrying them in hand luggage (or even check-in bags) is something we discourage. Also, on the day the guests are leaving, the Leh airport authorities allow clothing only in the check-in bags. Camera equipment and laptops need to be packed in hand luggage only. This is something they check seriously and often guests are made to repack if their arrangement is not in accordance with the above system.
ATM – Guests are requested to carry a minimum amount of cash as the ATMs in Leh can be unreliable.