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Snow Leopard Expedition Tour in India
11 Nights/12 Days
Snow Leopard Expedition Tour in India
The Trans Himalayas, a cold desert, is home to a large number of species, and most of them are endangered because of their habitat requirement, which is high-altitude alpine and sub-alpine ecosystems. This high-altitude alpine ecosystem is incomplete without its top predator, the snow leopard, also known as the mountain ghost by the local communities. This snow leopard expedition is a tour that will give you an experience of a lifetime.
This is not only about the snow leopard but also other co-predators like the Tibetan wolf and red fox, and their prey species like the Himalayan ibex, Ladakh urial, and Tibetan argali. The area is rich in terms of bird species as well; there are more than 300 species of birds that have been documented so far in Ladakh and nearby, and if you are a bird watcher, then you will definitely add a few more species to your existing checklist.
This tour takes you not only on an expedition to find snow leopards, but it also gives a feeling of local culture and history. You will get a chance to visit Thiksey Monastery, which is the largest in Leh, and visit some of the remotest villages during your snow leopard tracking. If your dates match the festival dates of any of the monasteries in Leh or near Ulley, we will try to arrange a visit, where you can see the famous mask dance of Ladakh.
Trip Highlights
- Rare sighting of elusive snow leopards in breathtaking Himalayan landscapes.
- Expert-led treks unveil hidden wildlife wonders amidst pristine snowscapes.
- Cultural immersion with local Leh community enriches expedition experience.
- Sustainable eco-tourism practices prioritize conservation and community welfare.
- Heritage walks, traditional cuisine, and local artisan crafts.
- Unparalleled photography opportunities capturing majestic snow leopards in action.
Outline Itinerary
- Day 01: Arrive New Delhi (Flight)
- Day 02: New Delhi - Leh (flight)
- Day 03: Leh
- Day 04: Leh – Ulley
- Day 05 - 09: Ulley
- Day 10: Ulley – Leh
- Day 11: Leh to New Delhi
- Day 12: New Delhi – Fly home
Tiger Safari India
Charris40
John P
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01: Arrive New Delhi (Flight)
Upon your arrival at the Delhi airport, a representative of the Nature Safari India team will be waiting for you outside the arrival lounge. He will take you to the hotel. After you check in, you take time to relax at the hotel.
Overnight stay at the hotel.
Day 02: New Delhi - Leh (flight)
After breakfast, go to the airport to catch a flight to the Leh. It is not allowed to take pictures at Leh airport because it is a military airport. When you get there, you will be taken to the hotel, which is only half an hour from the airport. There is a jump of more than 3000 meters in altitude in a short amount of time when you fly from Delhi to Leh. This is why acclimatization is so vital for everyone flying in this area. The first day in Ladakh is spent getting used to the low oxygen levels.
To help you get used to things better, think about these tips:
• Don’t climb stairs or do hard things.
• Make sure you drink enough water to stay hydrated; hot water is best.
• Don’t take a shower on the first day.
• Don’t nap during the day to avoid having trouble sleeping at night.
- Rest is important, but it’s okay to stroll slowly.
• If you feel sick or throw up, tell the front office right away.
• Tell someone if you feel bad or have any strange symptoms.
Following these measures can make it easier for you to get used to your new surroundings.
Dinner and a night at the lodge.
Day 03: Leh
This day in Leh will be full of cultural experiences and time spent in nature, which will help you get used to the area even more. Since Leh is so high up, spending another day here will help you get ready for the even higher places you’ll see next.
You start your day by going to the Thiksey Monastery, which is the biggest monastery in Leh. This amazing building, which looks like the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet, is a peaceful and spiritually enriching place to visit. You’ll see a lot of Tibetan Buddhist culture, art, and history as you walk through its halls and gardens.
After visiting the monastery, you’ll do your first outdoor activity in Leh: going to the banks of the Indus River. This peaceful place is a birdwatcher’s paradise, and you might even see the rare Ibisbill and other native birds. The time spent by the river not only connects you with the unique avian life of the region but also offers moments of peaceful reflection amidst the natural beauty of Leh.
You’ll go back to your hotel after a full day of exploring and learning. You can relax and recharge for the rest of the day, or you can take a leisurely walk through the adjacent market. A trip to the market gives you a taste of life in Ladakh. You may buy handmade souveni
Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and overnight at the lodge.
Day 04: Leh – Ulley
After a leisurely breakfast, get ready for a thrilling trip to Ulley, a little settlement with only six dwellings that is known for being one of the greatest spots to see snow leopards and other wildlife that lives at high altitudes. It takes about two and a half hours to get from your hotel to Ulley. When you leave the outskirts of Leh, you’ll see the stunning splendor of the Trans-Himalaya.
You’ll soon reach a beautiful place called Sangam, where the Indus and Zanskar rivers meet. This is right after you get on National Highway 1. This is a great chance to take pictures at the time when these two big rivers meet. As you make your way to Ulley, you’ll pass through a number of Ladakhi settlements and military bases, getting a taste of the area’s unique culture and scenery. If our team hears about a snow leopard sighting along the way, they will go to the spot where your lunch will also be served. If not, you will keep on to the resort. The road to Ulley winds through the high Himalayas, where it leads you to your lodge, where you’ll be greeted with tea and coffee. After you’ve settled in and eaten lunch, the adventure continues with a trip to adjacent areas where the rare snow leopard is often seen. Dedicated trackers go out every morning to look for this amazing animal. They share any sightings or signs to make sure everyone has the highest possibility of seeing a snow leopard in the wild.
After a day of exploring and the excitement of looking for the snow leopard, head back to the lodge for the night. You can relax and think about the day’s activities over dinner here before going to bed in your accommodation to get some much-needed sleep. You’ll be ready for whatever the next day brings on this amazing journey across the Himalayas.
Day 05: Ulley
Get up early, put on your cold clothing, and go outside. The lodge’s trackers will be looking over the mountainside. If you join them, you might see an ibex, a red fox, or, if you’re lucky, the first snow leopard just outside the lodge. Some of our guests have seen snow leopards here before. If not, get ready to go out after breakfast and look for them. If the team hears about a snow leopard or any interesting sighting, they will go right to the spot. It can be near the road, or you might have to walk or even hike to get there. Get ready to do some hiking. You can see them with a spotting scope or, if they’re close enough, with your own eyes or binoculars when you get there. If you bring a mobile holder for your spotting scope, you can take clear images of the snow leopard with your phone.
In the evening, go back to your lodge and talk to other people about what you saw that day before going to bed.
Day 06 - 07: Ulley
The same joy comes with another day. Nothing is arranged ahead of time on this tour; everything happens depending on what you see of the snow leopard. Get ready to join the team in the morning as the trackers look for any activity on the huge cliffs and mountains around them. It’s hard to see an animal in these mountains because they blend in so well with their surroundings. You can only hope to see them if you look closely with eyes that are used to the area.
After breakfast, you’ll go on a drive to look for snow leopards, the Tibetan wolf, and other animals. While looking for the snow leopard, you might see several unusual birds that live in the Trans-Himalayan region. The Golden Eagle is a big bird of prey that hunts animals as big as foxes and young Himalayan ungulates. The Lammergeier or Bearded Vulture is the biggest vulture species, with a wingspan of 2.31 to 2.83 meters. Bearded vultures eat dead animals, especially bones. They lift the bones up high and then drop them to break them apart so they may eat the bone marrow. You might also see the Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Pheasant, Red-billed Chough, Robin Accentor, Eurasian Magpie, Brown Accentor, and other birds. After a long day of looking for the snow leopard, go back to the resort and go straight to bed after dinner to get ready for the next day.
All Meals and overnight at the lodge.
Day 08 - 09: Ulley
Spotters also go to the settlements of Saspoche and Hemis Shukpachen, which are close by, to look for the snow leopard. These two settlements are great places to see both snow leopards and wolves. A small pack of 5 to 8 wolves lives in this area between these two communities. While trekking in search of the snow leopard, other animals you may encounter roaming the Trans-Himalayan cliffs include the Ladakh Urial and Asiatic Ibex.
All Meals and overnight at the lodge.
Day 10: Ulley - Leh
Get ready for your trip to Leh in the morning, depending on the weather.
This is your last chance to see the rare snow leopard again on this tour, so don’t miss it! Get up early, get ready, and join the search team to look around the neighborhood. If you see something intriguing, you can wait to leave for Leh, but you have to leave the lodge before it gets dark. We’ll also look at spots where we might see animals on the way back. When you get to Leh, take a break and, if you have time, walk around the market. You might want to purchase here to get some souvenirs to take home. Food and a place to sleep at the hotel in Leh.
Day 11: Leh to New Delhi
Day 12: New Delhi - Fly home
Tour Inclusions
- Accommodation in New Delhi on a bed and breakfast basis
- Accommodation in Leh on Bed, breakfast and dinner
- Accommodation in Ulley on room and all meal basis
- Wildlife entry fee for Ulley
- Stay at Ulley on full board at the Above & beyond Lodge
- Transportation as per the itinerary for sightseeing, and during the tour
- An English-speaking guide throughout the tour
- Monastery entrance fee
- Assistance at airport and hotels
- All land transfers in air-conditioned Toyota innova/Crysta
- All currently applicable taxes
Tour Exclusions
- International airfare and domestic.
- Expenses of personal nature like Tips, smokes, liquor, laundry and telephone calls.
- Still / video camera fee in the monuments and national parks.
- Travel insurance.
- Anything not mentioned in the inclusions.
Get a free quote!
Feel free to get in touch so we can help you decide better. Our wildlife tour experts will guide you on everything. You can also request a custom tour package.
Facilities at the Lodge in Ulley:
The lodge in Ulley doesn’t have as many amenities as your hotel in Leh because it’s in a rural area and isn’t easy to get to modern conveniences.
- There is no flowing water since it is always freezing. There are always buckets of hot and cold water, though. The toilets are Western-style and have a “bucket flush” system.
- All of the rooms have two beds and views, and they all get natural light. There are light fixtures and plug points in each room, as well as tables for luggage. Rooms are heated in the middle of the night, and hot water bottles are also available to warm up your mattresses.
- The lounge serves tea and coffee in the morning. The lounge is decorated in a way that is typical of the area, with colors and styles that make it feel warm and inviting.
- It has decent heating and a tea and coffee station with cookies.
- The dining room is comfortable.
- There is no mobile network or wi-fi in the lodge, but you can access wi-fi after going a few meters from the lodge, but the connection is weak.
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