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Ladakh's Snow Leopards (lodge-based) & Ranthambore's Tigers
Tour Code: IND58A 14-day Snow Leopard quest based in a warm and comfortable mountain guesthouse. An optional 4-day extension to Ranthambore National Park, one of India's best-known Tiger Reserves, is available.
£4,795 (Inc flights)
£4,295
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
For generations of naturalists, the awesome Snow Leopard was an almost mythical creature, stalking the remote high mountains of Asia which were accessible only to expeditions. Whilst a spirit of adventure is still required to enter the domain of the Snow Leopard, modern communications have made it feasible to finally observe this specialised predator in the wild and in recent years Naturetrek is proud to have organised a number of successful tours in Ladakh achieving this objective. Previous holidays have included an element of camping but now we are glad to introduce a revised Snow Leopard tour which utilizes a comfortable new guesthouse in the heart of the animal's winter territory and thus ensures that participants will no longer have to spend any nights under canvas. Sightings of the charismatic Snow Leopard will be the main focus of the tour but in addition we will hope to see other inhabitants of the high mountains such as Blue Sheep and Asiatic Ibex together with a small but interesting selection of birdlife. Quite apart from the wildlife, Ladakh is a fascinating and unusual destination steeped in Buddhist history and the itinerary permits time to admire some of the ancient architecture in and around the capital Leh.
- Excellent opportunities to observe Snow Leopards
- Other Himalayan mammals such as Blue Sheep, Asiatic Ibex and Ladakh Urial
- Birds including Tibetan Partridge, Himalayan Snowcock, Golden Eagle, Lammergeier and Red-billed Chough
- Hotel accommodation in Leh and comfortable guesthouse in the Ulley Valley
- Spectacular scenery during flight from Delhi to one of the world's highest airports at Leh
- Fascinating Buddhist monasteries and other examples of ancient Ladakhi architecture
- Superb mountain scenery
- 2-night stay in Delhi at conclusion of tour
- Optional post-tour extension easily arranged to Ranthambhore Reserve in India frequented by Tigers along with wide variety of mammals and birds
Few species embody wilderness quite like the Snow Leopard. This legendary cat makes its home in some of our planet's last truly remote places and, until a few years ago, actually seeing one in the wild was thought to be all but impossible. Even after our annual 'Ladakh — A Snow Leopard Quest' started to encounter Snow Leopards regularly — in the Himalayan winter when the predators and their prey descend to accessible altitudes — we had no option but to use tents to shelter ourselves from the bitter cold. Now, by basing our search in a new area, the Ulley Valley, we are able to stay throughout our quest in a cosy, if simple, mountain guesthouse. This new accommodation offers eight twin rooms and two shared bathrooms, with hot washing water being provided in buckets each morning and evening since most pipes are frozen at this time of year. The main living area, built in traditional style, is heated by a warm central stove during the day, whilst hot water bottles are provided at bedtime to ensure a cosy night's sleep. This setting, and the friendly hospitality that goes with it, provide a comfortable alternative to camping in this remote area as, during each day, we go in search of one of the world's rarest and most stunning big cats — a species that is still only beginning to reveal its secrets to Western observers.
To reach Ladakh, in the far north-west of India, we will first fly to Delhi. From there we will take another flight to Leh, Ladakh's capital, which boasts one of the highest airports in the world, at 3,256 metres. Our first three days will be spent in Leh, as we acclimatise to the high altitude while enjoying a little local culture and wildlife, which could include Solitary Snipe and Ibisbill. Then we will drive west to Ulley, our base for six nights as we search for Snow Leopards in an area that is rarely visited by other tourists.
The village lies at the centre of three interlocking valleys that support a healthy number of about 10 Snow Leopards. These three valleys can be accessed by road, enabling us to use vehicles to explore the region, but we will also search on foot. The effort should be worth it, for with the help of our local guides' sharp eyes and expertise, there is an excellent chance of a memorable Snow Leopard sighting, 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. We will also be on the lookout for Blue Sheep, the main prey species of the Snow Leopard, plus Asiatic Ibex, Ladakh Urial, Woolly Hare and cute Large-eared and Royle's Pikas. The Snow Leopard is not the only predator up here, and with a bit of luck we may also encounter the elegant Mountain Weasel, Stone Marten, a pack of Tibetan Wolves, or perhaps even Eurasian Lynx — another notoriously elusive feline. As for the birdlife, few species spend the winter here, but those that do — the Lammergeiers, Himalayan Griffons, Golden Eagles, Himalayan Snowcocks, redstarts, finches and accentors — make splendid mountain companions.
We will return to Delhi by air, leaving behind the mountainous Himalayan kingdom. In Delhi we will end our tour with a visit to Sultanpur National Park and Bird Sanctuary, a compact wetland, woodland and grassland reserve just 13 miles from our hotel. It covers less than two square kilometres, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for through the abundance of its wildlife. This is an ideal birding spot, where large numbers of migratory species arrive each winter to complement the resident waterbirds. We will hope to find species such as Painted and Black-necked Storks, Indian Roller, Sarus Crane and Great Spotted Eagle, as well as mammals like Nilgai, or perhaps even Blackbuck or Jungle Cat. Your holiday need not end here, however, for should you wish to extend your stay in India with a search for Tigers and other wildlife in the country's lowlands, we are pleased to offer a post-tour 3-night extension in the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve, one of India's most spectacular and best-known Tiger Reserves. Alternatively, you might wish us to help you to extend your stay with a bespoke extension itinerary of your own choice. If so, please do call the Naturetrek office.
Outline Itinerary
Dates & Prices
2025
2026
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Naturetrek has nearly 30 years of experience leading Tiger watching holidays to the Indian subcontinent. With a 100% record of success on our top tours, we’ve shown Tigers to more people than any other wildlife specialists.
Arguably the most iconic and charismatic species on the planet, this enigmatic big cat is a vision of natural perfection. The opportunity to observe the animal in its natural habitat on a dedicated Tiger watching tour is at the top of many people's wildlife wish lists. With almost three decades of expertise leading in India, and the widest range of itineraries available, we have a Tiger tour to suit all interests.
We visit some of the most wildlife-rich reserves in this astonishingly diverse country. Accompanied by the best local naturalist guides and enjoying the security and intimate experiences that come with small group travel, participants enjoy the ultimate thrill of encountering these magnificent wild animals in their own environment.
Superb Tiger Watching with Naturetrek
As the leading operator of natural history tours in India, Naturetrek has a long and proud tradition of enabling clients to experience the very best wildlife viewing opportunities in the subcontinent. Over the past three decades, many hundreds of nature lovers have enjoyed the benefits of our renowned small group itineraries to gain multiple sightings of this beautiful animal in the wild.
Our professionally organised tours take in some of the most famous and wildlife-rich reserves in India, including Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Panna National Parks. Our expert naturalist guides provide the best opportunities for sightings of a wide range of species in these spectacular natural environments.
Two other fantastic national parks – Tadoba and Satpura – can be visited on optional extensions to several of our top Tiger tours. Tadoba is an excellent Tiger watching destination, while Satpura is renowned for intimate encounters with Sloth Bear, Leopard and Dhole (Indian Wild Dog); the park also offers walking safaris and night game drives.
Some of the reasons our tours are so successful:
- 100% sightings on our four top safaris in the last five years
- Small groups escorted by India’s best naturalist guides
- Up-to-date information from wildlife reserves
- Scrupulous attention to detail in choosing a high standard of accommodation
- Excellent local guides monitor the animals’ movement daily to ensure the best sightings
What can I expect on a typical Naturetrek Tiger holiday?
- A comfortable lodge within a convenient distance from the reserve
- Twice-daily excursions by vehicle (or by foot in Satpura) into the reserves
- A focus on sightings of this wonderful big cat, while also enjoying culture and other wildlife
- The enjoyment of like-minded travelling companions in a small group
Further information on when, where, and how to see Tigers can be found here.
Our specialist recommends...
"I’d recommend our Tiger Marathon tour, which takes you straight into the heart of the jungle on a 13-day safari that combines Pench, Kanha, Bandhavgarh and Panna National Parks, four of India's finest reserves. Since we began the tour we've had 100% sightings! Alternatively, our Tiger Direct itinerary encompasses less travel and also has 100% success rate.”
Rajan Jolly - Operations Manager
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...
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Big Cat Safari Holidays
Big cats are among the most admired and sought-after mammals on the planet, and we are proud to offer a broad and comprehensive range of big cat safari holidays. We offer inspiring and truly memorable wildlife tours to enjoy sightings of all of the world’s iconic species in their natural habitats, including Tigers in India and Nepal, Jaguars in the Pantanal, Pumas in Chile and Snow Leopards in India and Mongolia and we certainly do not neglect the smaller cats either.
We offer a range of itineraries around Africa and encounter the continent’s high-profile species like Lions, Cheetahs and Leopards and also the lesser known species such as Caracal, Sand Cat, Black-footed Cat, Serval and African Wild Cat. We also have wildlife holidays that catch sightings of the Asiatic Lion in India and the elusive Leopard in Sri Lanka.
We also offer a pioneering tour to try to see the most difficult of all big cats the Sunda Clouded Leopard in Borneo with Leopard Cat, Marbled Cat and Flat-headed Cat all having being seen on our Borneo holidays. Closer to home, we offer holidays in Europe to go in search of Wildcat and both Eurasian and Iberian Lynx.
We have run these holidays for many years with great success, working with the best local contacts and guides and staying at the very best locations with carefully crafted itineraries which allow the optimum amount of time to achieve sightings.
Our specialist recommends...
Tom Mabbett - Operations Manager
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!
