Snow Leopard Trek in Ladakh
7 Nights / 8 Days
Snow leopard trek with homestay will give you an opportunity to get better and closer glimpses of the village lifestyle by spending your night at the homestay. This trek with Team “Wildtrek Holidays” is inclusive of transportation, guide, ponies and homestay charges. Snow leopards are native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia therefore making Ladakh one of their habitation regions. Like any other state of India, UT Ladakh has chosen Snow Leopard as its state animal. They belong to the Feline family and thus lurk among the shadows during the day and during the night they are almost like a ghost. In Ladakh they are known as the “Ghost of the Himalayas”. Since the snow leopard lives at great heights, they are mostly visible during the peak season of winter months as they descend towards lower grounds during this time.
On the first day of your arrival you shall take a full day rest to adjust with the changing weather and elevation. Not only will you chase the sight of snow leopard and its prey, you will also explore the places in and around Leh.
Tour Itinerary
Day 01 : Delhi to Leh to Ule
Arrival at Leh airport and transferred to the Sham Valley pass through villages of Sham Valley set along the Indus River. Complete rest day to acclimatize your body to the difference in altitude. O/N : Sham
Day 02: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard in around Sham Valley i.e Mangu, Hemis Shukpachan, Ule, Saspotse Villages and Rezong Valley. Overnight in Shapo Lodge. .
Day 03: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard in around Sham Valley i.e Mangu, Hemis Shukpachan, Ule, Saspotse Villages and Rezong Valley. Overnight in Shapo Lodge. .
Day 04: Wildlife Viewing
Proceed for a full day of tracking Snow Leopard in around Sham Valley i.e Mangu, Hemis Shukpachan, Ule, Saspotse Villages and Rezong Valley. Overnight in Shapo Lodge. .
Day 05: Ule to Rumbak 3hrs
After breakfast drive to Rumbak and on the enroute one can see signs of snow leopard along the 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 a cozy homestay at Rumbak, there you will get the opportunity to know more and get closer glimpses of their livestock herding practices and winter pastimes activities such as (spinning, weaving and turning a tale).
Day 06: 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 of tea and share tales of the day. Overnight stay at the same Homestay.
Day 07 : Rumbak to Zingchen to Leh 5 hrs
Bid your farewell to your hosts and hike down the 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 08 : Leh to Delhi
Early in the morning you’ll be dropped at the Bakula Rinpoche airport of Leh, from there you’ll catch your flight back to Delhi with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.
- Destination Dubai City tour (3N) - Abu Dhabi with Yas Island (2N)
- Duration 7 Nights / 8 Days
-
What´s Included
- Accommodation on Twin Sharing basis with all meals and heating facility.
- All meals in Homestays, Guest House and Lodge.
- All transportation by Innova, Scorpio & Tempo Traveler.
- Nature Guide services throughout the tour in Ladakh.
- Spotters throughout the tour.
- National Park entrance fees
- Homestay charges and village environmental Fees.
- LAHDC Environmental Fees.
- Spotting Scope and a walkie-talkie during the trek.
-
Not Included
- Flight tickets from Delhi-Leh-Delhi.
- Snow Leopard Foundation Fees if applicable.
- Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes, and clothing.
- Any Kind of Personal Expenses, Personal binoculars or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered.
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”.
- Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
- Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated).
- Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control..
-
Terms & Condition
- On arrival, please rest for 24 hrs, as you are traveling to a high Altitude from Low, due to low oxygen.
- Have plenty of drinking water or any kind of liquid (except alcohol).
- Please cooperate with the localities, potters, guide, cook and driver as they are more helpful during the trek.
- Transits between two destinations depend upon weather and road conditions.
- Ladakh is a polythene-free region; make sure not to use any polythene when not necessary.
- Do not contaminate the area by not disposing the waste properly.
- Leave your denims behind – these are ill suited for treks. Snacks, colas, alcohol and personal food – No need to overburden yourself with food.
- Don’t get any equipment. We would carry Alpine tents and other equipment required for such treks.
- Medicines of all kinds are usually available in local pharmacies with no prescription necessary.