guided snow leopard
expedition in ladakh

Upon arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, you will be greeted by our airport representative, who will be waiting in the arrival hall holding a placard with your name. After a warm welcome, you will be transferred to your hotel conveniently located near the airport for your onward flight to Leh the following day.

Our representative will provide a brief introduction to Delhi, explain the arrangements for your upcoming journey and confirm your flight details and pick-up time for the next morning. He will also assist you with hotel check-in and check-out procedures to ensure a smooth and comfortable start to your adventure. Overnight in Hotel with breakfast basis.

After breakfast, our airport representative will assist you with check-out from the hotel and transfer you to Delhi Airport for your flight to Leh. If a tour escort is accompanying the group, they will assist with all airport formalities and ensure a smooth journey. The flight to Leh takes approximately one hour and offers spectacular views of the Himalayan mountain range with countless snow-capped peaks visible along the way.

We always try our best to arrange window seats so guests can enjoy these incredible views. Upon arrival in Leh (3,500 metres / 11,500 feet above sea level) please put on a warm jacket and cover your head before leaving the aircraft. Inside the arrival hall, you may be required to complete a simple tourism registration form with details such as your name, passport number, visa number, address, country of origin, duration of stay, and local reference.

After collecting your luggage, you will be welcomed by your local guide outside the airport and transferred to your hotel in Leh, just a 10-minute drive away. Your guide will assist with check-in and provide a briefing on acclimatisation, expedition plans, important dos and don’ts  and the schedule for the coming days. All meals are included during your stay in Leh. The remainder of the day is reserved for complete rest to help your body acclimatise to the high altitude. Please scroll down to learn more about acclimatisation and staying healthy at altitude.

Today begins with an early morning wake-up call, followed by tea or coffee before departing for a 30-minute drive to the famous Thiksey Monastery. Perched on a hilltop overlooking the Indus Valley, Thiksey is one of Ladakh's largest and most beautiful monastery known for its impressive architecture and magnificent 15-metre-high Maitreya Buddha statue.

We will attend the morning prayer ceremony, offering a unique opportunity to experience monastic life, observe the monks' daily rituals and enjoy excellent photography opportunities. During our visit we will explore the main prayer hall, the giant Buddha statue, protector chapels, the Dolma (Tara) temple, and rooftop areas where monks often perform traditional conch shell blowing ceremonies.

After approximately two hours at the monastery, we return to the hotel for breakfast. The remainder of the morning is free for relaxation and acclimatisation until lunch. In the afternoon, your guide will take you on a walk through Leh's historic old town where you can experience local daily life and purchase any last-minute items needed for the upcoming snow leopard expedition. As this day is also kept flexible for wildlife opportunities.

All guests should keep their cameras, warm clothing, and personal gear ready at all times even visiting Thiksey monastery. If we receive reliable information about a snow leopard sighting or a recent kill in the surrounding region, your guide may organise an immediate excursion to the area before returning to the hotel in the evening.

After breakfast, we check-out from the hotel and drive for approximately one hour into the heart of Ladakh's famous snow leopard habitat. Upon arrival you will check in to your luxury snow leopard lodge, located at an altitude of around 3,800 metres. Take some time to settle into your room, enjoy the beautiful mountain surroundings and become familiar with your new home for the coming days.

During lunch, your guide will provide a detailed briefing about the expedition, daily schedules, wildlife tracking activities and what to expect during your stay. The lodge offers excellent comfort in a remote wilderness setting, featuring centrally heated rooms with attached bathrooms, hot and cold running water, an oxygen concentrator and humidifier in every room and comfortable heated lounge and dining areas. Delicious meals are prepared daily, including Indian, Continental, and traditional Ladakhi dishes. Depending on wildlife activity and recent sightings an optional introductory excursion may be organised later in the day.

Click to know about how daily snow leopard tracking works

After an early breakfast at the lodge, drive for about one hour to Leh Airport to catch your flight to Delhi. Upon arrival in Delhi, our representative will meet you at the airport with a name placard and transfer you to your hotel in Aerocity for check-in. Later, according to your international flight schedule, you will be picked up from the hotel and transferred to the international airport for your journey back home.

Flight from Delhi to your onward destination. Tour concludes with unforgettable memories of Ladakh—its breathtaking landscapes and rare snow leopard encounter.