Traverse the awe-inspiring Himalaya region of Ladakh in search of the elusive snow leopard and other iconic wildlife.
Snow Leopard Expedition
Delhi, Leh, Rumbak Valley
Join a group of max 8 like-minded travellers on this set-departure journey
Privately guided and hosted by local specialists and skilled guides
Track the elusive snow leopard and learn more about its important conservation
Trek the Himalaya in search of other wildlife like the ibex and bharal
Meander through bustling cities, exploring ancient sites and temples
SURYA RAMACHANDRAN – SPECIALIST GUIDE
Surya is an engineer from the south-Indian city of Chennai who later pursued his passion for the wild. His jungle journey commenced in the forests of Satpura at Forsyth Lodge, where he started as an intern and then later turned into a fulltime naturalist. His interests vary to all types of life forms, especially the lesser fauna of the region and their microhabitats. His vehement enthusiasm led to pioneering central India’s first walking safari, various canoeing excursions, wilderness camping opportunities and night drives at Satpura. His love for wildlife and eagerness to learn has led him to explore India’s special and rare mammals, birds, reptiles and butterflies. Surya enjoys the idea of guiding and explaining the little secrets of the jungle to others rather than just seeing it for himself.
Your journey at a glance
This incredible 11-day winter expedition* through some of India’s most remote destinations sets out in search of the elusive snow leopard and other incredible Himalaya wildlife.
The Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh is one of the last frontiers for wildlife tourism. The isolated barren wilderness of Ladakh with its snow-capped Himalaya mountains, bright blue water lakes and ever-changing sand dunes remind you that you are at the ‘Roof of the World’. A winter trip meets the elements head-on in a breathtaking yet, at times, bleak landscape in the high-altitude cold desert Ladakh region. But within these high valleys created by folds of the great Himalaya is perhaps the highest density of the most elusive of the great cats – the snow leopard. Its very name evokes all that is most wild and mysterious in nature – for this is an animal that comes cloaked not only in the subtle beauty of its coat but also in all the high drama of the harsh and magnificent environment that it dominates.
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Guided by one of the most seasoned snow leopard guides in the industry, you will not only gain invaluable insights into the region’s breathtaking wildlife but also receive profound understanding of the area’s cultural heritage and its people during this 10-night adventure.
Visit the Snow Leopard Conservancy and learn about the efforts made by the local authorities, and community, to conserve this endangered species. Set out as a group of maximum 8 explorers in search of the elusive snow leopard, and explore the surroundings valleys, which are also home to other unique wildlife including wolf, lynx, ibex, bharal (blue sheep), shapo, argali and Tibetan hare. An attractive contrast also lies between the rugged, stone-hard mountain people of the area and the gentle and compassionate Buddhism that they practice. During your journey, you will have ample time to explore some of the region’s magnificent monasteries and picturesque villages. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage with the small Tibetan farming communities and witness their daily lives, as they inhabit isolated villages nestled along the valley floors.
*A USD 1,500 group donation will be going to the Snow Leopard Conservancy in Leh, an initiative that fights for the survival of the species.
1 night New Delhi | 3 nights Leh | 6 nights Rumbak Wildlife Lodge
TAILORMAKE YOUR STAY
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A taste of what to expect
Day 1 | Arrival
New Dehli
- Upon your arrival in bustling Delhi at Indira Gandhi International Airport, you will be warmly welcomed by a representative from &Beyond who will personally assist you through customs and immigration and the baggage collection process.
- Afterwards, you will be chauffeured to the Trident Hotel Gurgaon.
- Located approximately 20 minutes from the airport, Trident Hotel Gurgaon is conveniently close to a range of magnificent city attractions. A mixture of lively international metropolis, medieval chaos and regal splendour, New Delhi is crammed to bursting point with tombs, temples, monuments and ruins, all of which exist side by side with modern suburbs and glass and chrome skyscrapers. If time allows, enjoy some of the sights and sounds of India’s capital city.
Day 2
Leh
- After breakfast, you will be met by a representative from &Beyond and transferred to the airport for your flight to Leh in Ladakh.
- Upon arrival at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh, you will be met by your expedition leader and transferred to your hotel, The Grand Dragon Hotel (an approximate 10-minute drive) where you will be staying for the next two nights.
- Recognised as one of the most remote places in the world, Ladakh’s extraordinary landscapes and Buddhist culture and history makes it unlike any other place in India. Sparsely populated with huge and expansive mountains, Ladakh is a cold desert that has one of the world’s greatest rivers flowing through it – the Indus.
- Leh is the capital of Ladakh, it is the largest town in the region and houses the only airport in the area. Dotted with stupas and crumbling mud-brick structures, the old town is extremely enchanting with an abandoned Tibetan-style palace and fort previously occupied by the king who was overthrown. Below this is the bustling main bazaar with shops selling trekking gear, Tibetan jewellery, and dry fruits among many other things along with a few restaurants and tour operators. There are also several fabulous monasteries perched on mountain tops that are a few kilometres away from the city.
- As Leh sits at 3,474 m (11,400 ft), it is a great place to gently acclimatise to the high altitude without over-exerting yourself. Spending two and a half days here is the minimum medical requirement as you will soon be travelling to a higher altitude where you will be doing a fair amount of walking.
Day 3
Leh
- Today you will explore the ancient town of Leh, a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. Enjoy the unique culture – Leh is very Tibetan; the national dress, ‘stovepipe’ hats and felt boots with turned-up toes are evident wherever you look. Visit the Royal Palace, which dominates the town, and is very reminiscent of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
- You will also meet the staff from the Snow Leopard Conservancy for a short briefing on the history of snow leopard conservation in Ladakh. Here you will gain an insight into the current threats that snow leopards face and the strategies adopted to combat these threats.
- Weather depending, set out for an extraordinary drive east heading towards Taglang La Pass to the gorges of Gya, Lhato and Meru. It’s a fantastic drive taking you away from the valley of the Indus and up a subsidiary valley to an extraordinary area, even by Ladakhi’s standards, that marks where the Indian mainland collided with and drove under the Asian land mass. The scenery is dramatic, and you have a chance of sighting wildlife including blue sheep, golden eagle and bearded vulture. Rafts of red-billed chough perform synchronised aerobatics and in the fallow fields you have the chance of seeing the very beautiful Tibetan partridge and the more common chukar partridge.
- Time permitting, discover the Thiksey Monastery on the way back, the most beautifully situated monastery in Ladakh perched high on a hill above the Indus. Located on a hill-lock with formidable views of the Indus Valley, Thiksey is especially noteworthy for its gigantic, seated statue of the Maitreya and is also known for its assembly hall (Dukhang) which houses hundreds of rectangular prayer books, stacked between wooden covers, and bound in silk.
Day 4
Rumbak Village (Rumbak Valley)
House of Rumbak Wildlife Lodge
- Following breakfast at the hotel, set off on a scenic one-hour drive to Rumbak Village, which is well-known for numerous sightings of the snow leopard.
- Drive past Zingchen Village, home to only two or three households, driving further off road before crossing a wild stream as the terrain starts getting more rugged. Soon after passing an empty office and crossing over a small bridge adorned with Buddhist prayer flags, you’ll reach base camp just below Rumbak Village – your final destination.
- Enjoy a traditional Ladakhi welcome before checking in at the House of Rumbak Wildlife Lodge. This is where you will be staying for the next six nights.
- Nestled in the remote wilderness of Ladakh, the House of Rumbak Wildlife Lodge is an undiscovered gem located on the periphery of Hemis National Park, deep within the heart of snow leopard territory. Standing as an oasis of tranquillity this yet unexplored area of Ladakh offers wildlife enthusiasts and adventurers the opportunity to spot the elusive snow leopard in its natural habitat. The region is a treasure trove of surprises, with a rich tapestry of wildlife that includes rare bird species and diverse animal life.
Day 5 – 9
Rumbak Village (Rumbak Valley)
House of Rumbak Wildlife Lodge
- Over the next five days your experts guides will take you to quaint and remote places such as Kharlung Valley, Hosing Valley and Tarbung Valley and towards Rumbak and Yurutse Village, all in search of the snow leopard. This is officially their land.
- Smaller valleys and villages intersect this area, and your guides will have their heads craned at all times, scanning the hillsides and skyline for any predatory silhouettes.
- Apart from snow leopard, these areas are great for finding bharal, urial, wolf and Himalayan fox. It’s also excellent ibex country and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male ibex standing vigil on an impossibly narrow outcropping, a few thousand feet over a plunging cliff.
- With the guidance of experienced spotters and high-quality optics, every day is filled with anticipation as you seek these magnificent creatures through the rugged terrain.
- Your guide and spotters will interact closely with local communities, using their network of intelligence to narrow down the likely sites of where these elusive big cats may be hiding.
- During this time, there will also be plenty of opportunities to engage and interact with the people from neighbouring communities learning more about the region’s folklore as well as local customs and traditions.
Day 10
Leh
- This morning, after breakfast, you will be driven to Leh (an approximate 1-hour drive).
- Upon arrival, you will be driven to your hotel, The Grand Dragon Hotel where you will be staying the night.
- Enjoy the remainder of your day at leisure.
Day 11 | Departure
New Delhi
- After breakfast, you will be met by a representative from &Beyond and transferred to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport for your flight to Delhi.
- Upon arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, you will be met by a representative from &Beyond and transferred to Trident Hotel Gurgaon, where you can freshen up before your onward flight later this evening or tomorrow morning, depending on your flight timings.
Departure dates
26 February to 08 March 2025 Sold out!
05 to 15 April 2025 Sold out!
11 – 21 April 2025 (Book before 31 March and save 10%)
24 April – 4 May 2025 (Book before 31 March and save 10%)
2 – 12 May 2025 (Book before 31 March and save 10%)
16 – 26 May 2025 (Book before 31 March and save 10%)
14 – 24 Nov 2025
29 Nov – 9 Dec 2025
14 Dec – 24 Dec 2025
22 Jan – 1 Feb 2026
10 – 20 April 2026
What's included
- All meals and accommodation as mentioned in the itinerary
- Internal flights in economy (baggage allowance 20 kg (44 lbs) per passenger) - guests can pre-purchase excess baggage on request at an additional cost
- Day 1 night at Trident Hotel Gurgaon in Delhi on Bed and Breakfast Basis
- All sightseeing activities in Ladakh as mentioned in the itinerary
- Entrance fee for monasteries as mentioned in the itinerary
- Transportation for snow leopard sightings
- Donation fee for snow leopard conservation
- Services of a tour leader from Day 2 to 10 in Ladakh only
- Day 2 picnic lunch
- In-house naturalist while staying at Rumbak
- Wildlife spotters while staying in Rumbak
- Spotting scopes
- Bottled mineral water in hotel and lodge rooms as well as during sightseeing excursions
- Boiled filtered water while trekking
- Basic first aid kit with oxygen cylinders
What's not included
- Any International airfare / airport taxes
- Any change in tax structure resulting from the hike in published tariff
- Any expenses of personal nature including alcohol, laundry, gratuities etc.
- Medical / Travel Insurances
- Any expenses arising due to unavoidable circumstances beyond our control
- 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 our control
Conditions
- The rate is based on a minimum of 4 guests travelling and a maximum of 8 guests - should the number of guests be less than 4, we would need to re-quote
- Check in time at the hotels is 13h00 and check out time is 12h00 (noon)
- The quote is per person and based on sharing the same room
- Single room will attract a single room supplement
- Transport in Delhi and Leh will be in Toyota Innova car
- Air fare for internal flights is based on present schedule fare in economy class and is subject to increase .
- This offer only applies to the hotels specifically mentioned in the itinerary
- Rates are subject to change
- &BEYOND trading terms apply
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