Difficulty
Moderate
Duration
9 Days
Group Size
Minimum 2
Accommodation
5 star hotels and wilderness wildlife lodge
Type of trip
Wildlife expedition and cultural tour
Transportation
Flight Delhi to Leh return, local transfers by private car/jeep
Start / End
Delhi
This is a fantastic short trip into Ladakh's remote and beautiful region, nestled in the Western Himalayas. Often referred to as "Little Tibet," Ladakh is rich in ancient Tibetan Buddhist culture and boasts jagged Himalayan peaks, high mountain passes, and breathtaking landscapes. The region is also home to centuries-old monasteries filled with exquisite treasures and artistic wonders.
From Delhi, embark on a short yet scenic flight to Leh, Ladakh, soaring over spectacular Himalayan peaks. Spend a few days acclimatising and exploring the local area, visiting remote villages and ancient Buddhist monasteries. Your Ladakh trip continues with an unforgettable stay at Lungmar High Camp, your base for thrilling wildlife expeditions. With expert trackers, set out on an adventure to spot incredible local wildlife, including the rare and elusive snow leopard.
Experience the magic of Leh and Ladakh on this extraordinary winter wildlife expedition—truly a lifetime trip!
Welcome to Delhi! After completing immigration formalities, you'll be met by one of our local representatives for your transfer drive through the city to your hotel.
This morning, you'll be picked up for the transfer to the airport for the short flight (1 hr 20 minutes) to Leh, the gateway to Ladakh and the start of your amazing Snow Leopard adventure. Depending on flight times for your dates of travel, it may mean an early start but it's worth it for the spectacular flight over the snow capped peaks on the Himalayas to reach Leh.
Today is a full day to acclimatise and to explore the interesting sites in and around Leh.
After breakfast, it's a short drive of around 19km to reach Thiksey village and visit Thiksey Gompa (Monastery). Thiksey is one of the largest and architecturally most impressive Gompas in Ladakh. There are several temples here to explore and enjoy the exquisite images, stupas and wall paintings of Lord Buddha. From Thiksey we drive on to nearby Shey village where you'll be able to visit Shey Palace and Gompa. Situated on a hillside 15 kms upstream from Leh, this was once the residence of the royal family. According to tradition, it was the seat of power in pre-Tibetan times. Here you'll see the impressive 7.5 m high copper statue of Buddha, plated with gold and the largest of its kind. After time to explore, we continue the drive to reach Hemis monastery, one of the most famous monasteries of Ladakh.
Hemis Gompa is the wealthiest, best known and largest monastery of Ladakh and is also the site of the large annual summer festival. popularity stems from the major annual festival, held to honour Guru Padma Sambhava’s birth anniversary. Hemis also has the largest Thangka in Ladakh (a thangka is a large, hand painted pictorial religious scroll) which is unfurled only once every 12 years. Hemis monastery was built in 1630 during the reign of Singge Namgyal, an illustrious ruler of Ladakh.
This evening before returning to the hotel, we visit the magnificent Shanti Stupa, a large white domed Buddhist stupa.
Now you've had time to acclimatise, today begins the quest for a sighting of the most elusive big cat - the magnificent Snow Leopard. After an early breakfast it's time to depart Leh for the drive of just over an hour. Nestled deep in the Ladakh Range, beyond medieval Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries and past ancient shepherding hamlets, the spectacular location of the lodge and timeless Silk Road feel strike the perfect balance between remote luxury and rugged adventure.
Now you've had time to acclimatise, today begins the quest for a sighting of the most elusive big cat - the magnificent Snow Leopard. After an early breakfast it's time to depart Leh for the drive through narrow valleys along the Indus river. Nestled deep in the Ladakh Range, beyond medieval Tibetan Buddhist Monasteries and past ancient shepherding hamlets, the spectacular location of the lodge and timeless Silk Road feel of the location strike the perfect balance between remote luxury and rugged adventure.
Arriving at the lodge, your transfer team will take you to check in, unless they receive word of an active wildlife sighting, in which case they will explore that opportunity first with check in later. After a tour of your accommodation and a briefing, it's time to set out in search of the Snow Leopards and other local wildlife with your tracking team.
The hotels we use are all very comfortable and good quality and we’ve selected 5 star luxury hotels in Delhi and Leh to make your trip as comfortable as possible during the winter months. At Rumbak Wildlife Lodge you’ll stay in comfortable cottages. The lodge is set on a plateau overlooking the snow-capped mountain and the Rumbak river, with stunning 360-degree views of the mountains consisting of the Glacier valley towards the south east and the Tarbung Hill towards the south west - both of which are main spots for Snow Leopard sighting. On a good day you might even spot a Snow Leopard through the window!
There are just 6 cottages, thoughtfully designed to blend in with the local surroundings using local materials, with amenities and facilities to make your stay as comfortable as possible in this remote high-altitude terrain. Rooms are well heated with floor heating and insulated roofs to traditional wood stoves and double-glazed windows for sufficient insulation and heat to keep the cold out. Heating blankets, and hot and cold water in the bathrooms ensure that you can freshen up comfortably after long eventful days.
You'll spend today and the next few days tracking wildlife through the Rumbak valley and surrounding landscapes of Ladakh, with your expert local trackers and guides. Snow leopards are most active at dawn and dusk and the spotters leave camp at dawn to visit various points in different valleys. They scan the ridge-lines and slopes for wildlife, reporting any sightings back to camp. The trackers and spotters work through the day, carefully scanning for wildlife and looking for signs. If a Snow Leopard is seen, you'll head to the closest vantage point by vehicle or walking, depending on the spotter’s location. The rare and beautiful Snow Leopards are the highlight of this trip and a chance to see them in their natural habitat is the memory of a lifetime. You'll also have the chance to spot other local wildlife such as Lynx, Wolves, Golden Eagles, Blue Sheep, Himalayan Griffon Vultures and more. As well as wildlife spotting, you'll meet local people and learn about their culture and traditions and how they work to support conservation efforts to protect the Snow Leopards. During you time outside, meals, coffee, tea, snacks, all keep arriving from camp for as long as guests are at a sighting. You will also get opportunities to visit local homes and villages as well and talk with the people who live in this remote and beautiful region. These visits are an important way to understand what life is like here and how essential the local communities are to conservation. Daily guided wildlife tracking may include driving, walking, hiking, sometimes sitting and waiting patiently or a mix of all.
This is another full day of wildlife spotting and exploring the valley, guided by your expert local trackers and wildlife teams based here.
Today is another full day of wildlife spotting and exploring the valley and another chance to spot the rare and elusive Snow Leopards in the wild.
After spending four days in search of the Snow Leopards, also known as the “ghost of the mountains”, it’s time to head back to Leh to board your flight to Delhi. The flights depart around midday so you'll be back in Delhi by mid afternoon with the rest of your day to rest and relax, explore and perhaps do some local shopping or enjoy an optional guided tour of Old and New Delhi.
This morning you'll be picked up for the short transfer drive to the International Airport for your flight home/onwards or to begin any additional extension trips you may have requested (available on request).
Ladakh is known for its breathtaking Himalayan landscapes, Tibetan Buddhist culture, ancient monasteries, and the chance to spot the rare Snow Leopard.
One Himalaya offers expert-guided expeditions, ensuring a well-planned and enriching journey through Ladakh’s stunning scenery and diverse wildlife.
Yes, One Himalaya offers expertly guided wildlife expeditions, increasing your chances of spotting the elusive Snow Leopard in its natural Ladakh habitat.
The best time to visit Ladakh is from May to September for sightseeing and the winter months (December to February) for spotting Snow Leopards.
You can take a direct flight from Delhi to Leh, which offers stunning aerial views of the Himalayas before landing in Ladakh’s scenic valley.
Yes, Leh and Ladakh are at high altitudes, so it’s essential to rest and acclimatise for a day or two before starting your adventures.
Ladakh is home to Snow Leopards, Tibetan wolves, Himalayan blue sheep, and various bird species, making it a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts.
Yes, Ladakh is rich in culture, featuring ancient Buddhist monasteries, prayer wheels, and traditional Tibetan architecture in its villages and towns.
We provide a full list of suggested and required clothing and equipment as part of your booking confirmation for this and all our trips and are happy to discuss with you in advance. In general for this trip you’ll need to pack thermal clothing, insulated boots, gloves, and sunglasses to stay warm and comfortable while trekking or searching for Snow Leopards.
Yes, many Ladakh itineraries cater to beginners, with easy acclimatisation days, guided wildlife tours, and comfortable stays at high-altitude camps.
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