Arrive at Leh and transfer to the hotel. Today is all about acclimatization and rest.
Ladakh’s Spectacular Landscapes
Mountains, Marmots & Monasteries
Ladakh
Your Journey
Ladakh, the land of high passes, is a region in the northernmost stretches of India with blurred boundaries of culture and traditions between neighbouring countries like Tibet and China. In the past, the region’s strategic location at the crossroads of several trade routes was a lifeline for its people, which tourism today provides. Ladakh’s tranquil, turquoise lakes, adventure sports like river rafting and trekking, and the numerous Buddhist monasteries, high altitude wildlife, make it among the most unique destinations in India.
This itinerary takes you to the wilderness of Ulley and Chuu valley, an excellent Ibex country. The area has only recently been developed for Snow Leopard tracking and has quickly gained a reputation not just for the high numbers of snow leopards but as one of the best areas to see Himalayan Ibex, Urial, Blue sheep, Tibetan Wolf, Himalayan fox, Bearded and Himalayan griffon vultures and Golden eagles. These are animals that have seldom been studied and most don’t even know of their existence. Our experts in Ladakh allow us a peek into their lives and show us these magnificent species. The sparse human population of Ladakh is settled along habitable river valleys in agrarian communities ranging from tiny hamlets to substantial villages and small towns often dominated by a picturesque monastery. Nomadic herders roam the high eastern plateau with their flocks of sheep and Pashmina goats.
wildlife
Accompanied by expert wildlife trackers, observe some of the rarest species on the planet.
adventure
Drive on some of the highest mountain roads in the world at an average altitude of 13000 ft. Hike through stunning valleys in search of specialized high-altitude wildlife. Experience living in snow leopard country.
habitat
Towering snow-covered mountains and wide valleys carved out by the mighty Indus and Zanskar rivers, Ladakh has jaw-dropping landscapes in every direction. This high-altitude cold desert is a truly distinct habitat with changing colors in every season.
tribes
Peak into the lives of the people who brace the harsh conditions of Ladakh. Interact with families who share their space with snow leopards, their stories are invaluable.
conservation
Ladakh has many successful community-led conservation tourism models. The Snow Leopard Conservancy India (SLC) has set up many homestays and trained individuals in tracking and spotting wildlife in their surroundings. Every team member on this trip believes in an overall common ethos of saving the fragile environment of Ladakh.
Unique Experiences
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Snow Leopard tracking is one of the most unique wilderness experiences on the planet. It is nearly impossible to even find signs of a cat by one’s own efforts, let alone finding them. Today, the reason one has a chance of encountering a cat on these expeditions, despite all these odds, is the brilliance of the trackers. Their knowledge of the cats and the landscape, their superhuman eyesight and the depths of patience that they exhibit while tracking a cat is something that can’t be explained easily in words.
Interact with the communities of this region and observe how their lives are shaped by the harsh conditions of the cold desert. We share meals with Ladakhi families and have a taste of their cuisine made with produce grown in their fields.
Be a part of a conservation tourism program that ensures that conservation and wildlife monitoring is spearheaded by the communities themselves. The benefits of snow leopard tourism has spread through the communities, the goodwill was leveraged to persuade people to reduce grazing competition with wild ungulate species as that would also benefit snow leopards while simultaneously reducing livestock predation.
Snow Leopard tracking is one of the most unique wilderness experiences on the planet. It is nearly impossible to even find signs of a cat by one’s own efforts, let alone finding them. Today, the reason one has a chance of encountering a cat on these expeditions, despite all these odds, is the brilliance of the trackers. Their knowledge of the cats and the landscape, their superhuman eyesight and the depths of patience that they exhibit while tracking a cat is something that can’t be explained easily in words.
Interact with the communities of this region and observe how their lives are shaped by the harsh conditions of the cold desert. We share meals with Ladakhi families and have a taste of their cuisine made with produce grown in their fields.
Be a part of a conservation tourism program that ensures that conservation and wildlife monitoring is spearheaded by the communities themselves. The benefits of snow leopard tourism has spread through the communities, the goodwill was leveraged to persuade people to reduce grazing competition with wild ungulate species as that would also benefit snow leopards while simultaneously reducing livestock predation.
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Itinerary Snapshot
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RECOMMENDED
Stays
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CONSCIOUS LUXURY
Leh – Grand Dragon Hotel
Leh’s only star-rated hotel, the Grand Dragon is a luxury hotel a short distance away from the main markets. The Grand Dragon is centrally heated, solar powered, with state-of-the-art amenities from lounges to restaurants, an indoor gym and conference space – making it a great all-year-round accommodation. Apart from the hospitality and the food, the Grand Dragon’s highlight are the beautiful paintings by Gulam Mustafa – a Ladakhi painter, and the regal fixtures, that lend charm and character to this modern endeavour.
WILDERNESS
Ulley – Snow Leopard Lodge
Ladakh’s only dedicated, all-year-round wildlife lodge, the Snow Leopard Lodge is one among a handful of wood and stone cottages in the Ulley village. It was started as a homestay to harness tourism revenue for the local community and was then taken over to promote the exclusive snow leopard experience. Ulley is part of the high-altitude pastures, where the Ibex and Urial roam free – the snow leopard’s preferred prey species.
UNDERSTATED LUXURY
LUNGMĀR
The LUNGMĀR emphasises exclusivity and an intimate approach to the wilderness. They have ten tents in two styles for adventurous travellers looking for the grey ghost. The SHAN SUITE Suite and the IRBIS SUITE are two large geodesic dome tents with en-suite bathrooms. Six Quonset-style KURKHANG Tents provide a traditional take on the remote bush camp. They provide a warm and well-furnished bedroom in the main tent and also separate showers and toilets.
CONSCIOUS LUXURY
Leh – Grand Dragon Hotel
Leh’s only star-rated hotel, the Grand Dragon is a luxury hotel a short distance away from the main markets. The Grand Dragon is centrally heated, solar powered, with state-of-the-art amenities from lounges to restaurants, an indoor gym and conference space – making it a great all-year-round accommodation. Apart from the hospitality and the food, the Grand Dragon’s highlight are the beautiful paintings by Gulam Mustafa – a Ladakhi painter, and the regal fixtures, that lend charm and character to this modern endeavour.
WILDERNESS
Ulley – Snow Leopard Lodge
Ladakh’s only dedicated, all-year-round wildlife lodge, the Snow Leopard Lodge is one among a handful of wood and stone cottages in the Ulley village. It was started as a homestay to harness tourism revenue for the local community and was then taken over to promote the exclusive snow leopard experience. Ulley is part of the high-altitude pastures, where the Ibex and Urial roam free – the snow leopard’s preferred prey species. In winters, the snow leopard sights are good, whereas in summers, the flora and fauna of this trans-Himalayan wilderness are worth discovering. The highlight of the lodge is the team of local spotters and trackers, who have years of experience in sighting the elusive wildlife, led by Tchewang Norbu, who was featured on a BBC episode on Ladakh.
UNDERSTATED LUXURY
LUNGMAR
The LUNGMAR emphasises exclusivity and an intimate approach to the wilderness. They have ten tents in two styles for adventurous travellers looking for the grey ghost. The SHAN SUITE Suite and the IRBIS SUITE are two large geodesic dome tents with en-suite bathrooms. Six Quonset-style KURKHANG Tents provide a traditional take on the remote bush camp. They provide a warm and well-furnished bedroom in the main tent and also separate showers and toilets. The accommodations are all centrally heated and elegantly furnished. Hand-knotted Afghan rugs, Tibetan-inspired furniture, king or twin sized beds, and comforts previously unseen in remote winter accommodations in High Asia are featured in the tents.
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