Overview

Snow leopards are one of the most enigmatic yet iconic of the wild cats. They live and travel in solitude over vast distances of isolated and rugged mountain range across 12 countries in central Asia, and are supremely adapted to thrive in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. Seldom observed in the wild, or at best a fleeting apparition, snow leopards have earned the title ‘Ghost of the Mountains. This Grey ghost roams the mighty high altitude ranges. It is widely considered to be one of the most beautiful of cats. The thick, long- haired, whitish to yellow-buff grey fur is very soft, heavily marked with dark-grey spots overhead, nape and limbs with a distinct black line along the lower back and open rosettes on the black and sides. Under parts are paler and almost unmarked. It feeds mainly on wild sheep and goat, preferably Blue sheep, Argali and Ibex. The sexes are alike but the male is larger weighing 40-50kg and the female weighing 30-40 kg.
Snow leopards are highly vulnerable to poaching and recent evidence suggests that the demand for snow leopard parts is increasing. The illegal trade in pelts and bones presents a serious and immediate threat to the species sadly; as few as 3,500 to 7,000 snow leopards may remain in the wild.  Another big threat to snow leopard is the conflict with the Herders and villagers. Herders often lose livestock to hungry snow leopards looking for easy prey, especially where natural prey numbers have declined. Even in protected areas, snow leopards are being killed by people in retaliation for preying on livestock.

The Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, India is dominated by a unique and fragile cold desert ecosystem and in winter provides you the unique opportunity of experience and finding the elusive and endangered snow leopard.
You can potentially encounter the Snow Leopard all throughout Ladakh, but more commonly in the south and central regions due to appropriate habitat, between 3000m to 5000m. There is no recorded incident of the Snow Leopard attacking a human, in fact it is a very shy creature and a master of camouflage and before the advent of high technical photography and video captured the cat in the wild, the Snow Leopard was considered a mythical creature.Area of Encounter: Best chances of sighting are within Hemis National Park including the Zanskar valley (in winter accessible only through Chaddar trek), Rumbak, Ullay and Lamayuru. Recently it has been officially declared by snowleopard experts and naturalist ,that Husing area of Hemis National park as the best spot in the world to spot snow leopard.

 We have a team of highly professional local wildlife experts, wildlife photographers and naturalist who have around one decade of field experience of spotting snow leopard and other wildlife. During the snow leopard trek we will use Local Ladakhi “homestays” in order to contribute towards the village economy but we will also use the campsites. which are mostly run by the women alliance group of the village and the money goes to the welfare of the whole village. The potters, horses, guides, transportation and most of the vegetables and other rations are also local produce .So that the maximum benefit goes to the local economy.