Ladakh: Snow Leopard Expedition
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Introduction
Trek Grade: Easy
On the snow-covered, high Himalayas, in the valley and ridges of Little Tibet, the land of high passes called La, lies the Indus River Valley and the Pir Panjal mountains of Ladakh, The Land of High Passes. Through these cold and high altitude deserts lurks a most elusive and ghost-like predator, the beautiful, agile, and furry snow leopard. The sighting of this elusive big cat is a memory for life. Come and spot these amazingly beautiful carnivores that have never been known to attack a human being.
Tour Highlights
- A 12 days adventure with 4 nights in Leh & 7 nights in Ulley for potential sightings of snow leopards, ibex, bharals, wolves and many birds and other animals during the snowy winter months
- Overnight in Delhi & Leh in hotels & at Ulley in lodge
- Expert spotters and wildlife guides
- Transport in SUVs in Ladakh with assistance during airport transfers
- Fly in and out of Leh and porterage of personal baggage of 20 kgs
- Prices on request
Destinations Covered
Leh Ladakh
A land of scenic beauty and creations
Ulley
Thrill of the unexpectedLying north of the Indus River at the head of the Ulley Chhu Valley, the small village of Ulley in West Ladakh stands at almost 4,000 metres above sea level. The village and surrounding Ulley Valley area has only recently been developed for snow leopard tracking. From home stays, good views down the valley and the high mountains surrounding it, ulley is a place to visit both in winters and summers.
Delhi
The City of GloryDelhi is said to be one of the oldest existing cities in the world, along with Jerusalem and Varanasi. It is the Capital Territory of India and a modern-day citadel that's dotted with ancient monuments.
History and Culture
Legend estimates it to be over 5,000 years old. Over the millennia, Delhi is said to have been built and destroyed 11 times. The oldest alleged incarnation of the city shows up in the Indian mythological epic Mahabharata as Indraprastha.
Detailed Itinerary
- Day 1 Fly Delhi - Leh by flight: sg 123 at 1000/1130 hrs..
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Day 2
Leh
Leh Ladakh
After leisurely breakfast will take touring around Leh - Heritage walk in old market, visit Shanti Stupa. A Buddhist white-domed stupa (chorten) on a hilltop in Chanspa located just outside the town, to get a better view of the neighboring exotic locales. The various monasteries which are located in this region also add to the beauty of the region.
Afternoon visit Leh market (Bazaar) on your own or relax at hotel.
Overnight at Hotel (B, L, D)
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Day 3
Leh
Leh Ladakh
In the morning, visit the Hemis Gompa, the biggest monastery in Ladakh. Located 45 Km to the south of Leh, it is built on a green hillside surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery and hidden in a gorge. The Monastery belongs to Dugpa Kargyutpa order and houses monks of the Brokpa or Red Hat sect. One can see beautiful frescoes (paintings) on the walls and the largest Thangka painting in Ladakh, which is over 12 m in length. Within the monastery there are to be seen a copper-gilt statue of the Lord Buddha, various stupas made of gold and silver, sacred thankas and many objects. The Monastery was founded by the first incarnation of Stagsang Raspa Nawang Gyatso in 1630, who was invited to Ladakh by King Singay Namgial and offered a religious estate throughout the region.
From Hemis, we make our way towards the Thiksey Gompa – an impressive imitation of Lhasa’s Potala Palace dramatically perched on a slope overlooking the Indus Valley. Thiksey is the most beautiful of all monasteries in Ladakh, belonging to the Gelukpa order. The Gompa was first build at Stakmo by Changsem Sherab Zangpo of Stod. Later the nephew of Sherab Zangpo, Spon Paldan Sherab, founded the Thiksey Gompa on a hilltop to the north of the Indus River in 1430 AD. There are sacred shrines and many precious objects to be seen there.
After lunch at a local restaurant, we visit Shey, the King’s old Palace. The Palace was built by King Deldan Namgyal in the beginning of the 17th century AD as a summer residence for the Kings of Ladakh. It is the oldest palace in Ladakh and above it is an even older fortress. The Palace and Fort are in ruins but the monastery is in use to this day. Inside is a 39-foot statue made of gilded copper of the Shakyamuni Buddha, which was made by King Deldan Namgail in the memory of his father Singay Namgail. The statue is the only of its kind in the region.
Dinner will be at the Hotel.
Overnight at Hotel (B, L, D)
- Day 4 Leh to Ulley by road: approx. 87 kms/ 2 hour drive
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Day 5
Ulley
Ulley
After breakfast, proceed for wildlife viewing for full day tracking of Snow Leopard and its wildlife prey. You are likely to see a sign of snow leopard, as winter is the time that they descend to lower elevations. If lucky once can actually see one perched high in the rocks or balanced on a near vertical ridge. Ulley is situatied at the closed valley head nestled under the towering mountains on three sides.
In the evening return to the Hotel and relax.
Overnight at Homestay (B, L, D)
- Day 6 Ulley
- Day 7 Ulley
- Day 8 Ulley
- Day 9 Ulley
- Day 10 Ulley
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Day 11
Ulley to Leh by road: approx. 87 kms/ 2 hour drive
Leh Ladakh
After relaxed breakfast at the Hotel, drive back to Leh, enroute visit Alchi Monastery. A Buddhist monastery, known as monastic complex (chos-'khor) of temples is Ladakh’s most valuable heritage. Alchi monastery is a Buddhist worshipping place and study centre and is managed by the monks of Likir. The monastery was built, according to local tradition, by the great translator Guru Rinchen Zangpo between 958AD and 1055AD. The building is said to have been built during the 11th century and the architecture of the place is also excellent.
Dinner will be at the Hotel.
Overnight at Homestay (B, L, D)
- Day 12 Leh To Delhi By Flight: SG124 At 1210/1330 Hrs
