Snow leopards are so elusive that they are called ‘Ghosts of the Mountains’. For a long time, sighting one was the privilege of those embarking on serious mountain expeditions. During winter, snow leopards and their prey base descend from the high Himalayas to altitudes that are more accessible to keen wildlife enthusiasts.
The Eurasian lynx and the Pallas’ cat are enigmatic and beautiful cat species that are only found high up in the Himalayas, and sightings of these never fail to bring a big smile on everyone’s faces.
This tour endeavours to spot these elusive cats in their remote rocky abodes, along with several other rare high-altitude wildlife species.
This tour requires a good level of physical fitness. Time needs to be spent to acclimatise to high altitudes. Winters in Ladakh are extremely harsh, with temperatures well below freezing point. We will have the help of professional wildlife spotters to guide us to the right places to spot wildlife. The daily walking/trekking distances are moderate, but in tough weather conditions.
The focus of this tour is on wildlife sightings, rather than luxury. Some of our accommodation will be simple, clean and warm home stays. Home cooked food will be served.
Our group will be accompanied by a team of expert trackers from the local communities. They have an intimate knowledge of the terrain and snow leopard behaviour. With our help, they are earning their fair share of tourism revenue, while helping us get the most out of our visit to their land. We use homestays and local experts not just for convenience and expertise but for building strong relationships with these remote communities whose goodwill and care is the best security for snow leopards and indeed, all wildlife here.
For those looking for a real adventure and a very special wildlife experience, this is an excellent tour.
