Ladakh - A Snow Leopard Quest

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!