A journey in search of Snow Leopards requires patience, perseverance, a sense of adventure, and acceptance of what the wilderness has to offer. The Snow Leopard is a secretive creature that inhabits expansive, rugged terrain in one of the harshest environments on the planet. Very few people have the chance to observe this animal in the wild, especially in a relatively short period of time – the lucky ones might merely catch glimpses of its shadowy figure as it passes swiftly by on silent feet.
However, the search in and of itself and spending time in the harsh beauty of the landscape is an opportunity few people are afforded. The journey alone is a once-in-a-lifetime experience and the intrepid will be rewarded with chances to see a variety of interesting and rare wildlife and take stunning photographs while surrounded by breath-taking scenery.
Lest we forget, there are also human inhabitants in these rugged mountains. Their culture is steeped in traditional Buddhist practices and this Snow Leopard Tour will include visits to some of their magnificent monasteries and picturesque villages.
DAY 1: NEW DELHI
Welcome to India! Our Snow Leopard tour begins in New Delhi. At your arrival, you will be met at the Delhi international airport for transfer to the hotel. Orientation and dinner. Overnight Delhi.
DAY 2: TRANSFER TO LEH, LADAKH
Today we will catch our flight to Leh, Ladakh. Exact arrival time to be determined by flight schedule closer to tour date.Assistance on arrival at the Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport and transfer to your hotel. There will be no planned activity on this day.It is very important to relax and undergo as little exertion as possible.This will help you get acclimatized to this high-altitude region of the high Himalayan plateau.This evening we will have a short orientation and enjoy our first dinner together. Overnight in Leh.
Spituk Monastery, Ladakh
DAY 3: LEH & MONASTERIES
Including another day to acclimatize fully, we will enjoy a leisurely breakfast, we will visit the picturesque Thiksey Monastery, located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus Valley.Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its Dukhang, assembly hall, which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books stacked between wooden covers and bound in silk. As time permits, there may be a chance to visit the Stakna or Spituk Monastery and do some birding in town. Overnight in Leh.
DAY 4-7: HEMIS NATIONAL PARK
On the morning of Day 4, we will make our way to Hemis National Park- one of India’s largest national parks and an important refuge for the Snow Leopard. Upon our arrival, we will be met by our support staff, which includes our cook and his assistant, the camp manager, and our trackers. After getting dropped off, we will continue on foot. Horses will be available to help carry our luggage. We will cross some small bridges, and frozen streams before we finally reach our base camp just below Hozing Valley.
Over the next few days we will explore the area around our base camp, which is marked with Buddhist flags and is nestled beside a small stream. This is a very rustic campsite. No showers are available and bathroom facilities consist of two outhouses. However, this is the best that is available around the valley. Here, we will begin our search for Snow Leopards and other local wildlife, as well as photographic opportunities of the amazing landscape. Hozing Valley is a very interesting spot with good potential for spotting this elusive cat. The valley offers good winter grazing for Blue Sheep, also known as Bharal– a delicacy for this wild feline!
DAY 8: RUMBAK VALLEY
After an early breakfast and packing up the items you will need for one overnight home stay, we will begin our hike to another valley which is known for various leopard sightings, but of course, it all depends on our luck! Here, we will experience a bit more of the local culture by staying and eating with local families. These homestays also help support the local economy, which in turn helps conserve the Snow Leopard and other wildlife.
Lammergeier
DAY 9: HOZING VALLEY
After breakfast, we will walk back to our base camp. From here we’ll explore other areas around camp that are well known for Snow Leopard sightings.As we will do each day, we will also keep our eyes open for wolves, foxes, Golden Eagles, sparrowhawks, kestrels, Bearded and Himalayan vultures,Tibetan Hare, and Pika or Mouse Hare, Tibetan Partridge, Himalayan Snowcocks and Chukar Partridge.
DAY 10: LEH
We will enjoy one more early morning in Hemis National Park taking in the beautiful scenery and soaking in the atmosphere, and, of course, continuing to search for wildlife. After breakfast, we will return to Leh for some more photography and birding opportunities. If time permits, we will tour through the ancient bazaar and alleys of Leh Town, where locally made crafts including natural soaps, jewelry, silk scarves, incense, Tibetan singing bowls, prayer flags, foods and even household items can be found. Overnight Leh.
DAY 11: LEH to NEW DELHI
After breakfast, we will transfer you to the airport in Leh for your flight to New Delhi. We will check into the hotel and you will have free time to relax or explore the city. We will have our final dinner of the tour. Overnight in Delhi.
DAY 12: DEPARTURE
After breakfast, our Snow Leopard tour will conclude. We will transfer you to the Indira Gandhi International Airport for your flight home, or the hotel of your choice within New Delhi, for those continuing their adventure in India on their own.
BIRDS
Bearded Vulture
Himalayan Griffon
Upland Buzzard
Golden Eagle
Chukar Partridge
Himalayan Snowcock
Hill Pigeon
Snow Pigeon
Wallcreeper
Red-billed Chough
Yellow-billed Chough
Black-throated Thrush
Guldenstadt’s Redstart
Brown Dipper
Tibetan Snowfinch
Robin Accentor
Brown Accentor
Red-Fronted Serin
Streaked Rosefinch
MAMMALS
Snow Leopard
Wolf
Kiang
Bharal
Himalayan Ibex
Tibetan Argali
Ladakh Urial
Himalayan Marmot
Royal’s Pike
Tibetan Hare
Royle’s Pika
Snow Leopard
Buddhist Monastery
Shanti (Peace) Stupa, in Leh, Ladakh
Robin Accentor
Tibetan Partridge
Golden Eagle
Lammergeier
Bharal (Blue Sheep)
Confluence of the Indus and Zanskar Rivers
TOUR BASICS
Guide:Marta Curti Single Supplement: US$420 Lodging: High quality hotel while in Leh. Camping in tents while in Hemis National Park Food: Fresh, traditional Indian cuisine Weather: Below-freezing temperatures and snow Difficulty: Medium to Strenuous. On some days we may hike for several hours at a time in moderately steep terrain and very cold, harsh weather.
Your participation in the Snow Leopard tour will be contribute directly to Snow Leopard conservation. Whitehawk donates a percentage of its profits from this trip to Snow Leopard Trust, one of the leading organizations dedicated to the conservation of this endangered cat.
* With smaller groups, an additional fee will be charged.
