Ladakh snow leopard trek is active on the peak season of winter, hence the trekker should at least take a day or two to take full rest to get adapt to the chilly weather. Not only will you aim at looking for the snow leopard, before getting started to your actual trekking you will get to visit the local market, monasteries to know more about the culture and livelihood of the local people. On the day 5 you will proceed whole day to trace snow leopard and its wildlife prey. You will do camping for your entire trekking except for the day 13 where you will spend your night at homestay at Rumbak village.
What is included in the tour
- Accommodation in standard rooms in a family-run guesthouse in Leh on single/double occupancy
- High Quality Camping Arrangements
What is NOT included in the tour
- Anything not included in inclusions
- Spot a Snow leopard
DAY 1: Delhi to Leh, Explore Leh and acclimatize
Rise early and transfer to the Delhi domestic airport for a flight to Leh, capital of Ladakh at 11,500 ft. The dramatic views of this high-altitude desert are punctuated by sharp snowy peaks. Reach Leh & transfer to your hotel where you’ll receive welcome tea. Take rest till noon. After lunch, join our local crew and the Snow Leopard Conservancy staff for a briefing, then free time to explore Leh on your own. It is important to rest on first few days at high altitude. Welcome dinner with the Conservancy staff. Spend the night at hotel.
DAY 2: Full day at your leisure to explore Leh Market
Leh is full of small lanes with hidden treasures – take time to explore the local market or rest as you are still acclimatizing to the elevation. Your night is at the hotel.
DAY 3: Walking Tour of Leh
Take a guided walking tour of Leh town, including a visit to Leh Palace, known as “Lachen Palkhar” which was built at the beginning of 17th century AD, Victory Peak, and the old quarter. Visit the gift shop and headquarters of LEDeG, a conservation organization working to preserve the environment and Ladakhi’s traditional ways of life. Night stay at the hotel.
DAY 4: Leh to zingchen
After a hearty pre-trek breakfast, drive to Phey Bridge and start walking along the Indus River towards Zingchen Gorge. Continue up the gorge, a dramatic entry to the Snow Leopard’s high-altitude home in Hemis National Park. Enroute watch amidst the cliffs and at the base of rocks where they mark their turf for sign of snow leopard, and other wildlife. Toady you are going to spend the night in tent, camp at wildlife study camp. Your trekking time is approximately 5 to 6 hrs. With Elevation: 12,400’.
DAY 5: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 6: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 7: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 8: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 9: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp..
DAY 10: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds, as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 11: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds,as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 12: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for full day of tracking Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National Park is home to blue sheep, argali (a large horned sheep), numerous mountain and migratory birds,as well as an occasional Tibetan wolf. You are likely to see signs of Snow Leopard as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky, you’ll actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Return to camp for some hot servings and warming tea and share tales of the day. Overnight is in Camp.
DAY 13: Wildlife Viewing, Visit Villages and Homestays
Trek to nearby sites where Snow Leopard may have been sighted recently. Visit and stay overnight in a neighboring village, Rumbak and experience a homestay. Homestay hosts have been trained in hospitality and are members of a community conservation effort to conserve the endangered Snow Leopard. Learn about their livestock herding practices and try your hand at their winter pastimes (spinning, weaving and turning a tale). Spend the days tracking snow Leopard and other wildlife. Elevation 13,500. Overnight Camp.’
DAY 14: Trek to Zingchen, and Return to Leh
Today is the final day of your trekking, say goodbye to your hosts and hike down-valley past familiar Snow Leopard haunts and piles of carved Tibetan prayer stones to the road head at Zingchen; 5 hrs. Drive to Leh, and check into a hotel for your first real bed in a week! Overnight is at hotel.
DAY 15: Leh to Delhi
Early morning transfer to Leh airport and fly to Delhi.
