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.

Route: Leh – Thiksey – Sakti – Chemrey – Warila Region
Driving Distance: Approximately 85–100 km
Driving Time: 3–4 hours
Altitude: 3,800–4,200 m

Today we leave Leh early in the morning and begin our journey towards the Sakti, Chemrey and Warila region, one of the important wildlife areas for our Eurasian Lynx expedition. Our first stop is Thiksey Monastery, where we arrive in time to experience the morning prayer ceremony. Perched on a hill overlooking the Indus Valley, Thiksey is one of Ladakh’s most impressive monasteries and is famous for its beautiful architecture and magnificent 15-metre-high Maitreya Buddha statue. We will explore the main prayer hall, giant Buddha statue, protector chapels, Dolma (Tara) Temple and monastery rooftops while experiencing the peaceful atmosphere of morning monastic life.

After our visit, we continue towards Sakti and Chemrey, passing through scenic mountain landscapes and traditional Ladakhi villages. We stop for lunch along the way before continuing towards our accommodation in the Warila region. After checking in, we head into the field for our first wildlife search.

Our experienced guides and local spotters will monitor recent wildlife information, fresh tracks and signs of animal activity as we begin looking for the elusive Snow Leopard and other wildlife.

The surrounding landscape also offers opportunities to photograph Blue Sheep, Tibetan Wolves, Red Foxes, Golden Eagles, Bearded Vultures, Himalayan Griffons and other Himalayan wildlife. As the evening light falls across the mountains, we return to our accommodation for dinner and discuss the day’s observations before preparing for the following days of wildlife exploration.

Altitude: 3,900–4,300 m

Today begins before sunrise. After an early breakfast, we head into the field as the first morning light reaches the mountain slopes and valleys where Snow Leopards are known to move. The next six days are dedicated primarily to tracking and photographing the Snow Leopard, giving us ample time to explore different habitats and respond to fresh wildlife information. Our plans remain flexible throughout these six days according to recent sightings, fresh tracks, local information and wildlife activity.

Our experienced guides and local spotters continuously monitor the surrounding valleys and mountain slopes around Chemday and the nearby Hemis National Park area. When reliable information about a Snow Leopard sighting is received, we immediately adjust our route and travel to the area where the animal has been observed. Hemis National Park is approximately 15 km from Chemday House, around a 20- minute drive, allowing us to reach the area quickly when there is a confirmed or promising sighting. Tracking Snow Leopards requires patience, experience and careful observation. We search for footprints, fresh tracks, scrapes, scent-marking areas, prey activity and other signs that may reveal the movement of the animal. Once a Snow Leopard is located, guests are positioned at a safe and respectful distance to observe and photograph it without disturbing its natural behaviour.

Although the Snow Leopard is our main target, the surrounding landscape is also home to a rich variety of Himalayan wildlife. Depending on the season and location, we may have opportunities to see Eurasian Lynx, Blue Sheep, Tibetan Wolves, Red Foxes, Himalayan Marmots, Golden Eagles, Bearded Vultures, Himalayan Griffons and other high-altitude species. The Eurasian Lynx is particularly elusive, and any opportunity to encounter this rare cat would be an added highlight of the expedition. Even when the Snow Leopard remains hidden, the spectacular high-altitude landscape offers excellent opportunities for wildlife and landscape photography.

Depending on wildlife activity, there may also be opportunities to visit nearby villages, meet local people and learn about their traditional way of life. Takthok and Chemrey Monasteries are located nearby and may be visited when wildlife activity allows. Return to Chemday House each evening for dinner, relaxation and a briefing on the following day's Snow Leopard search.

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.