Snow leopard trek with homestay will give you an opportunity to get better and closer glimpses on the village lifestyle by spending your night at the homestay. This trek is inclusive of transportation, guide, ponies and homestay charges. Since the snow leopard lives at great heights, it is mostly visible on the peak season of winter. On the first day of your arrival, you shall take a full day rest to adjust with the changing weather. Not only will you chase the sight of snow leopard and its prey you will also explore the places in and around Leh.
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
- Toilet tent with portable toilet seats
What is NOT included in the tour
- Anything not included in inclusions
- Take in stunning views of Leh
- Spot a Snow Leopard
Day 1 : Delhi to Leh
On your arrival at Leh Airport you will be received by our representative and transferred to the Hotel. Check in to the hotel for a complete day of rest wherein welcome tea and coffee will be served by the Hotel. Lunch will be served at 2.00 PM, after lunch visit Leh Market, Leh Palace, Visit to Leh Palace, known as “Lachen Palkhar” which was built at the beginning of 17th century AD, you will also visit Shanti Stupa at Changspa, famously known as Japan Gompa, located on the hilltop giving you the bird eye view of entire Leh town. And also visit Hall of Museum, which was built as a tribute to the Kargil warrior. For the night you will stay at the hotel.
Day 2 : Full day visit to Monasteries
After having your breakfast, drive to full day sightseeing by visiting Shey Palace, which means ‘looking glass’ as it got its name due to the reflection of the palace seen on the lake situated below the palace. Also, you will visit Thiksey monastery situated 17kms south of Leh, it is one of the most beautiful of all the monasteries in Leh and you will also visit Hemis monastery, it is the largest monastery of Ladakh situated 45kms south of Leh. You will also visit Stok Palace museum and Sindhu Ghat. Expense your knowledge on Buddhism whilst visiting those monasteries and local livelihood by talking to a monk or local people. Packed or hot lunch will be provided, in the evening drive back to Leh. You will drive back to your hotel at Leh. Your night is at hotel.
Day 3 : Leh to Zingchen to Rumbak (5 Hours)
After breakfast drive to Zingchen. Enroute one can see snow leopard signs along the valley bottom of the side valleys if you are trekking during winter or early spring/fall. You will reach Rumbak by the evening. Spend your night at cozy homestay at Rumbak, there you will get opportunity to know more and get closer glimpses on their livestock herding practices and winter pastimes activities such as (spinning, weaving and turning a tale).
Day 4 : 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 Homestay)
Day 5 : 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 Homestay)
Day 6 : 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 Homestay)
Day 7 : 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 Homestay)
Day 8 : Rumbak to Stok to Leh (8 hours)
Make an early start for your trek up the Stok La pass (4900mts) for 3 hours. Follow the path on the extreme left along the south facing hillside. After one hour the path gets slower as you start climbing up to the pass. From the pass you can get great views of the Indus valley. Descend all the way down to the village of Stok. You could pay optional visit to Stok Palace and museum which was built in the year 1525. After that head back to Leh and spend night at the hotel.
Day 9 : Rumbak to Zingchen to Leh (5 hours)
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 your hotel. Enjoy your last night at the hotel.
Day 10 : Leh to Delhi
Transfer to airport and fly back to Delhi with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.