The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a mysterious creature that inhabits the remote peaks of the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau: it moves like a ghost, disappearing into the icy breeze. Its coat, dense and beautifully spotted, seems to be a part of the very landscape – a white veil that gently blends with the snow and rocks. 

In the silence of the winter mountains, it rarely appears. This solitary hunter is perfectly adapted to the harsh beauty of the land, where every step is a challenge. It climbs steep slopes and rocks with grace that even the wind would envy. It hunts quickly and quietly, with prey that is as rare as its presence – blue sheep and markhor goats, which hide in the mountain’s nooks to avoid this majestic predator. 

Our expedition, with the help of local guides and spotters, will attempt to track and observe this rare creature. The harsh landscape of Ladakh, however, offers the possibility of encountering other rare and wild animals, such as the Ladakh urial (Ovis vignei vignei), the Siberian ibex (Capra sibirica), the Tibetan wolf (Canis lupus chanco), the Tibetan red fox (Vulpes ferrilata), the Himalayan griffon vulture (Gyps himalayensis), or the golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos). 

Location

Our base camp is located in the village of Uley in western Ladakh (Northern India - Eastern Kashmir), north of the Indus River, at an altitude of around 3,000 meters. It’s about a 2-hour drive from Leh. 

Uley is a small village with six houses, surrounded by high summer pastures. It is a typical snow leopard habitat and an excellent starting point for wildlife photographers. It has gained a reputation not only for its high number of snow leopards but also as one of the best areas for spotting other rare wildlife (see above). The slopes of the high mountains offer stunning views of the rugged terrain of Ladakh. 

Program 

Upon arrival in Uley, we will acclimatize to the higher altitude and spend 5 nights here. We will explore the nearby valleys and villages on foot and by jeep, which are not only great for spotting snow leopards but also for encountering other local wildlife. 

Our local expert guide has a network of contacts in surrounding villages and valleys, using a network of local 'informants' to narrow down the likely locations of the current snow leopard sightings. During this process, we will have opportunities to learn about the local folklore, customs, traditions, religion, and family dynamics, all while enjoying tea and conversations with the villagers. 

On the seventh day, after breakfast, we will say goodbye to our hosts and head back by jeep to Leh, where we will catch our flight home the following day.

Service

Leh:
Cozy hotel Gyalpo residency

Uley:
4 comfort rooms with running hot and cold water, 
2 rooms with 24/7 ​running hot and cold water in the bucket
1 room with common bathroom with 24/7  hot and cold water.

A pleasant dining area with a traditional wood-burning stove. 

We will stay warm with electric heaters in the rooms. 

Continuous 24-hour power supply with a backup generator. 

We will enjoy Indian, continental, and local dishes, including fresh green vegetables from our polycarbonate greenhouse in the yard, even during the harsh winter months. 

We will explore the cultural and natural heritage of the region with our experienced naturalist, who is fluent in Ladakhi, Hindi, and English. 

Guided village tours will be provided. We will enjoy comfortable transport throughout our stay with shared SUVs for 4 people. 

We’ll treat ourselves to warm lunches with tea and coffee at various scenic locations.
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Ladakh offers an incredible number of ubiquitous Buddhist monasteries. Many of them resemble castles perched on high rocky cliffs.

Accommodation in Leh is in a hotel of European standard. The entire expedition lasts 9 days, and we will undertake it with the company of Slovak Himalayan guide Michal Gabriž, in addition to local guides. The expedition group is limited to a maximum of 8 people.

More about Ladakh in this article.