Discover INDIA - SNOW LEOPARDS

Top Destination:

Ulley and Hemis National Park (Ladakh, India)

Location: 

Union Territory of Ladakh, northern India

• Altitude: 3,000–5,000 meters (9,800–16,400 ft)

Best time to visit: January to March (when snow leopards descend to lower altitudes in search of prey)

Experience Highlights:

Trekking & camping in high-altitude terrain

Tracking snow leopards with expert naturalists and local spotters• Incredible Himalayan scenery—icy ridges, deep valleys, frozen rivers• Rich cultural exposure to Ladakhi Buddhist life and remote mountain villages

Wildlife photography in extreme conditions, often with a spotting scope and long lenses Wildlife You May Encounter: 

Snow leopard

Blue sheep (bharal)

Himalayan ibex

Eurasian lynx

Tibetan wolf

Lammergeier (bearded vulture), Himalayan griffon

 Accommodation: 

• Homestays with local Ladakhi families (rustic but warm hospitality)

• Expedition-style camping

• Some small eco-lodges and snow leopard conservancy centers

Challenges & Considerations:

• High altitude (acclimatization is essential)

• Extreme cold (temperatures can drop to -20°C or lower)

• Physically demanding (walking in snow, thin air)

• Limited luxury—this is for true adventure seekers

• Spotting is not guaranteed but sightings have increased dramatically with local community involvement 

Add-on Destinations: 

• Leh – ancient monasteries, Tibetan culture

• Pangong Lake, Nubra Valley – for stunning post-safari extensions

• Can be paired with other Indian wildlife parks for a “Big Cat Circuit”: snow leopard (Ladakh), Bengal tiger (Madhya Pradesh), Asiatic lion (Gujarat)