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In search of the snow leopard. trekking through beautiful scenery and enjoying the wildlife with brilliant local guides and supporting staff in our campsite. One the best company’s that I have travelled with - they say what they are going to show you, arrange the details and deliver the package.
J.A. Derbyshire, Feb 19
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Ladakh - A Snow Leopard Quest
Tour Code: IND27An exciting and adventurous 14-day expedition in search of Snow Leopards and other high-altitude winter wildlife in the mountains of Ladakh, north-west India.
14 days
from
£4,795 (Inc flights)
£4,795 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£4,295
£4,295
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
The magnificent Snow Leopard is the most enigmatic and elusive of all the world's large cats. A denizen of high mountain ranges, its presence is more often revealed by footprints in the snow but, as previous Naturetrek groups can verify, with planning and luck it is possible to see this mythical mammal. With the aid of local trackers and guides this adventurous expedition goes in search of Snow Leopards amid the mountains of Hemis National Park in Ladakh. This is a physically demanding holiday utilising basic local housing and camping but the rewards will be the truly spectacular mountain scenery of the ancient kingdom of Ladakh and a real chance of finding this high-altitude predator as it follows the resident Bharal, or Blue Sheep, to more accessible lower elevations for the winter months.
- One of the very few tours to offer a realistic chance of seeing Snow Leopard
- Almost 100% record of sightings success to date (All departures except one in 2009)
- Spectacular Himalayan scenery in the ancient kingdom of Ladakh
- Magical land of Buddhist monasteries & ancient mud palaces
- Bharal, or Blue Sheep, a favourite prey of Snow Leopards
- Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon & Himalayan Snowcock
- Spectacular trans-Himalayan flights to & from Leh
- Enjoy traditional Ladakhi culture & hospitality
- Accompanied by top local Snow Leopard trackers & guides
- Expertly escorted by a Naturetrek naturalist
Grading
You must be accustomed to regular, very strenuous hill treks and have a level of fitness compatible with trekking in mountainous terrain. Treks will cover uneven, snowy ground at altitudes of up to 4,000 metres, where even gentle activity feels more tiring than usual.In the depths of winter, the Bharal (or ‘Blue Sheep’) of Ladakh in north-west India descend from the high peaks to the lower slopes and valleys. They are pursued by hungry Snow Leopards, one of the world’s most charismatic and elusive mammals. This beautiful cat inhabits some of the most remote and mountainous regions of Central Asia, in its element at extremes of temperature and terrain. On this tour we go in search of this extraordinary animal, going into the heart of the mountainous region where the photograph below was taken and experiencing at first-hand a fascinating blend of rare, high-altitude wildlife, as well as isolated Buddhist communities.
This pioneering 14-day tour is, quite simply, one of the most amazing, original and wild trips you are ever likely to do! You may not see many birds on this tour but chances of seeing mammals such as Asiatic Ibex, Ladakh Urial, Blue Sheep, Woolly Hare, both Royle's and Large-eared Pika and Snow Leopard are very high. This is mostly due to our local guides' improved understanding of how and where to find them. Based on the success of our 2013 tour (on which we saw six different Snow Leopards, including a mother and cub, and watched them for a total of 16 hours), our 2014 and 2015 tours (on each of which we saw five Snow Leopards), and our 2017, 2018 and 2019 tours, which each recorded three Snow Leopards, you stand a good chance of seeing one! In addition, the opportunity to visit the spectacular ancient kingdom of Ladakh, situated today within the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, in the middle of winter is not to be missed.
This is a very adventurous tour, and should not be undertaken lightly. Because our chief aim is to see a Snow Leopard, absolute flexibility is the key. If we are scheduled to spend the night at a guest house, but we hear that a Snow Leopard has been seen in another area where the accommodation is extremely basic, or in which it would be better to camp out in the open, we reserve the right to move the group there immediately. However, snuggling down into a 4-season sleeping bag in such a setting really is an unforgettable and magical experience.
We begin our tour with a domestic flight from Delhi, taking us over the great Himalayan range to Leh. The town of Leh is situated at a height of 3,500 metres and you will have time to explore its winding streets and bazaars while acclimatising to the altitude. An impressive 16th century palace towers above the town and during our first days we will visit nearby Buddhist monasteries (or ‘gompas’). One of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture in the region is the gompa at Tikse. This is an incredibly atmospheric place and we will explore its artistic treasures, listening to the hypnotic chanting of monks as we walk round!
Having fully acclimatised to the altitude, we will then set off on our dedicated 6-day search for Snow Leopards in Hemis National Park. This is an incredibly scenic landscape and raptors such as Lammergeier and Himalayan Griffon Vulture make an impressive sight here, rising up above the high peaks. A variety of other hardy birds, including Brown and Robin Accentors, and Himalayan Snowcock also remain for the winter. The area is home to some other rare mammals including Wolves, Lynx and Tibetan Argali, though these are rarely seen. More common are the Red Fox, Pika and Woolly Hares which also brave the midwinter cold.
Led by extremely experienced local, and Naturetrek, guides and researchers we will scan the mountain sides, valleys and gorges in areas that Snow Leopards are known to frequent in the winter. It is the best time of year for sightings and our movements will be dictated by signs of feline activity. If we find a kill we will sit and wait, hoping to see the Snow Leopard return to its meal. If we find fresh tracks, we will follow them and you will need to be prepared to trek through light to medium snowfalls for up to several hours a day, though it could be much less. There is no greater wildlife thrill than seeing a Snow Leopard — whether at a kill or making its solitary way up a remote mountain pass, blending into the wilderness in which it is totally at home and which to us seems so inhospitable!
This tour is not luxurious, and you will need a high level of fitness to enjoy it. What it offers you is a wonderful opportunity to experience a genuine wildlife adventure and the chance of seeing a Snow Leopard, one of the rarest and most beautiful animals on our planet!
Outline Itinerary
Day 1
Fly London to Delhi
Day 2
Fly Delhi to Leh
Day 3/4
Leh
Day 5
Hemis National Park
Day 6/10
Trek/search in Snow Leopard country
Day 11
Leh
Day 12
Fly Delhi
Day 13
Delhi
Day 14
Fly London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: Basic accommodation. On trek this will involve camping or a village homestay; please note that on trek only shared facilities will be available.
- Food: All included in the price, except for lunches and dinners in Delhi. Allow ?40.
Reviews
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A strenuous but excellent trip, finding Snow Leopard, wolves and special birds! Cold nights and often cold feet scanning for mammals but we were taken care of by a wonderful, dedicated team... A lifetime experience.
W.B. Netherlands, Feb 19 -
Good sightings of Snow Leopards. First class UK guide plus local spotters. For me - lifetime ambition to see Snow Leopards.
J.L. Surrey -
First and foremost, it was an absolutely brilliant trip and I loved everything about being in Ladakh, although it will take something special to top a snow leopard; seeing this will obviously live with me for ever. The team on the ground in Ladakh was fantastic - not just the main guides, Jigmet and Tashi, but every one of the team worked so hard to make our dream come true. I can’t thank them enough.
P.C. Leicestershire -
Nick Acheson is a fantastic leader. Not only is he amazingly knowledgeable, speaks several languages, but has great people skills. The group was really pleasant and we all got on well. Nick made sure that we were all up to date with what was going on and looked after me when I was affected by the altitude to start with. It was truly amazing to see Snow Leopards in the wild and all the other creatures, too. I was awed by the splendour of the mountains, and although it was tough going at times, I'm so glad I was able to do it.
J.G. Hertfordshire -
A stunning experience, Ladakh in Winter is a remote, beautiful and emotive place. Camping wild in the mountains in sub zero temperatures is raw and exciting. We had views of four Snow Leopards, plus quite a few other mountain animals and birds. These are memories to treasure. Nick Acheson is a perfect tour guide, knowledgeable, passionate, socially adept. The local Ladakh guides are willing, dedicated and essential.
N.B. London
Dates & Prices
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 5th Feb – Wed 18th Feb
SPACES
£4,795
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£4,295
Single Room Supplement:
Single Room Supplement.
£695
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Naturetrek started by, and still specialises in, organising bird-watching and wild flower treks to remote and mountainous regions of the world. Though our broad programme of holidays now includes many tours which involve little or no strenuous walking, we still offer an excellent choice of walking and trekking wildlife holidays, from the Himalaya to the Pyrenees and the Camino de Santiago to the Inca trail.
Walking Wildlife Holidays on Offer:
These tours involve walking all day on most of the days, and tend to be 8 days in the mountains of Europe (although not exclusively) and are either botany or general natural history in focus. Often in remote areas where there are very few other people, our expert naturalist guides will lead you through some of the most majestic scenery, whilst at the same time helping you discover the wonderful flora and fauna that inhabit the region. These tours are for those who enjoy spending a whole day on foot, being able to cope with some strenuous terrain on sometimes uneven ground, and their reward will be, apart from the memorable landscapes and wildlife encounters, a hearty dinner at the end of each day and a great sense of satisfaction at the end of the holiday! Some of our favourite destinations are:
- The Alps, which offer classic mountain vistas. Switzerland, in particular, with its beautiful alpine meadows, spruce forests and glaciers, is hard to beat for a superb holiday combining botany and walking
- The Pyrenees – we offer various itineraries with tours on both the French and Spanish sides. Wilder and less manicured than the Alps, this mountain range has a large number of different habitats and a wealth of natural history as a result
- The little visited Picos de Europa in northern Spain rewards those who visit with outstanding natural history – birds, plants and butterflies galore!
- Italy has a number of regions which are ideal for walking and afford plenty of wildlife – alpine flowers and butterflies in the Dolomites and unknown Sibillini Mountains, and Marsican Brown Bear in the Abruzzo National Park (in the Apennines)
- Zambia - walking between bush camps in Zambia’s South Luangwa National park, home to over 500 species of bird and 60 mammals, is a unique and unforgettable experience!
Looking for something even more adventurous?
Strenuous treks as the main feature of the tour – lasting up to 15 days – in some of world’s most spectacular and sparsely populated mountain ranges, we offer a selection of trips, including the Himalaya & Nepal’s Langtang Valley, where we go in search of breeding birds, alpine flowers, mammals and other wildlife. Here are a few more choices:
- We have two options in Ladakh searching for Snow Leopards - our original trip which involves camping for several nights and a new departure staying in a recently opened lodge, for those who prefer a roof over their head!
- Mount Everest & the Gokyo Lakes of Nepal to enjoy the world’s highest peaks & their unique natural history
- A holiday to Bhutan’s Bumthang Valley, an area with the most temples and historic sites in the this secretive country, in search of spring flowers, particularly rhododendrons
- Our Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu trip has the option to complete the infamous Inca Trail, which culminates after 5 days of trekking with the best view of Machu Picchu, looking down at the monumental Inca city from the Sun Gate.
Be it day walks or trekking, in mountains, hills or the savannah, we offer a wide variety of holidays where you can truly stretch your legs, breathe in the cleanest of air, and enjoy the natural history of our world on foot.
Our specialist recommends...
"Well, I’m a little biased as I am particularly fond of the Himalaya. However, if you want to find some spectacular mountain scenery and wildlife nearer to home, try ‘Wild Asturias – Realm of the Bear’ for mammals and birds, the Dolomites or Alpujarra for butterflies and Switzerland for alpine flowers!”
David Mills -Managing Director
David Mills -Managing Director
Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
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