Snow Leopard Trek in Ladakh
On these hikes, wildlife photographers and enthusiasts have the unusual opportunity of seeing Ladakh’s wild animals and the big cat, along with other interesting species of Ladakh wildlife, including blue sheep, Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolves, red foxes, and even lynx.
The optimum time for trekking snow leopards in Ladakh is between November and March, when snow drives the herbivore animals down into valleys, raising the prospect of leopard encounters.
In contrast to ordinary treks, this is a snow leopard tour in Ladakh guided by experienced spotters with scopes, binoculars, and a keen understanding built over years of monitoring wildlife activity in the Rumbak, Uley, and Shang valleys.
Trekkers must be prepared for cold weather and high-altitude conditions, but the difficulty level is moderate, making it suitable for wildlife lovers, photographers, and adventure travellers.
Whether your dream is to capture a snow leopard photograph in Ladakh or simply to witness one of the rarest big cats in the world, this trek promises an unforgettable Himalayan experience inside Hemis National Park, the true capital of snow leopards.
Outline Itinerary
Snow Leopard Trek Itinerary and Trekking Packages – 8 and 11 Days
Each traveller is unique in their interests, and that is why our Snow Leopard Trek Itineraries are offered in adjustable options of 8 and 11 days. All packages are a blend of wildlife tracking, cultural immersion, and Himalayan adventure.
- Day 1: Arrival at Leh airport, to be received by our representative and transferred to the Hotel
- Day 2: A complete day of visit to the monasteries (104 Kms) After breakfast, drive for full day of sightseeing to the Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemis monasteries and Stok Palace Museum.
- Day 3: After Breakfast drive to Alchi enroute visit Basgo Palace, Liker Monastery and Phyang. Overnight Hotel.
- Day 4: Leh to Phey, Trek to Camp: After a hearty pre-trek breakfast, drive to Phey bridge, and start walking along the Indus River towards Zingchen Gorge.
- Day 5: Wildlife Viewing: Proceed for full day of tracking snow leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National
- Day 6: Wildlife Viewing: Spend another day on the look-out for snow leopard
- Day 07-09 : Wildlife Viewing, Visit Villages and Homestays: Trek to nearby sites where snow leopard may have been sighted recently.
- Day 10: Trek to Zingchen, and Return to Leh: Say goodbye to your hosts and hike down-valley
- Day 11: Transfer to airport and fly back to Delhi with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.
Cost Includes:
- Cost: 2200 Euros/person for a private group of 2-3 Pax
- Cost: 1950 Euros/person for a group of 4-8 Pax
- Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
- Highest Point: Stokla Pass 4850mts
- Grade: Medium
- Duration: 11 Days
Our snow leopard trekking tours can be tailored based on whether you are coming as a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, or with a private group. Every expedition has been planned to provide you with the maximum experience of the snow leopard expedition in Ladakh. For full information and a detailed itinerary kindly Contact us at:
- Phone: +91 9419178197
- Mail: dreamladakh@gmail.com
- Day 1: Arrival at Leh airport, to be received by our representative and transferred to the Hotel.
- Day 2: Leh to Lamayuru to Ule (160 Kms) After breakfast drive to Lamayuru enroute visit Liker Monastery and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
- Day 3: Alchi to Leh (70 Kms) After the Breakfast drive to Leh enroute visit Alchi monastery,Rizong, Phyang, Basgo Palace and Hall of Fame.
- Day 4 to Day 07: Hemis National Park and Rumbak Valley , trekking/wild life watching with Homestays
- Day 7 :Trek to Zingchen, and Drive back to Leh, and check into a hotel for your first real bed in a week.
- Day 8: Transfer to airport and fly back to Delhi with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.
- Cost: 1650 Euros/person for a private group of 2-3 Pax
- Cost: 1450 Euros/person for a group of 4-8 Pax
- Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
- Highest Point: Stokla Pass 4850mts
- Grade: Medium
- Duration: 8 Days
Our snow leopard trekking tours can be tailored based on whether you are coming as a wildlife enthusiast, photographer, or with a private group. Every expedition has been planned to provide you with the maximum experience of the snow leopard expedition in Ladakh. For full information and a detailed itinerary kindly Contact us at:
- Phone: +91 9419178197
- Mail: dreamladakh@gmail.com
Snow Leopard Trek Route Map
To give you an idea about the journey, here's a preview of the Snow Leopard Trek route. All treks begin from Leh, the entrance to Ladakh. From here, we travel by car to entry points such as Zingchen and then hike into Hemis National Park. Based on the package, trekkers venture into primary wildlife areas such as Rumbak Village, Tarbung Valley, Husing Point, Uley Valley, and Shang Valley. These are major snow leopard sighting zones, and there are good chances of spotting their prey, such as blue sheep and ibex.
Snow Leopard Trek Ladakh – Inclusions & Exclusions
All Snow Leopard Trek Ladakh packages are planned meticulously to ensure comfort, safety, and the highest opportunities of wildlife sighting.
Included in Package:- Wildlife fees/National Park entrance fees
- Swarovski Spotting Scopes
- Homestay or camp accommodation during the trek
- All meals (tea, dinner, lunch, and breakfast)
- Services of trained wildlife guides and trackers
- Porters or ponies for carrying gear
- First aid medical kit with oxygen cylinder
- Transport from and to the trek start points
- Personal insurance of any sort
- Additional snacks, drinks, or bottled water
- Photography equipment or camera gear
- Tips for guides or local staff
- Flights or train fare to Leh
Essential Gear and Packing Guide for Snow Leopard Trek
The Snow Leopard Trekking in Ladakh takes place in extreme winter conditions, so proper equipment is a necessity. Here's a functional packing guide:
-
Clothing & Trek Equipment
- Upper & lower thermal base layers
- Insulated down jacket (a must for sub-zero nights)
- Fleece jacket & woollen sweaters for layering
- Trekking pants, waterproof outer shell, windproof jacket
- Gloves (inner fleece + waterproof outer)
- Woollen cap, balaclava, and neck warmer
- Comfortable trekking shoes with good grip
- Snow gaiters (optional but handy)
- Headlamp with spare batteries
-
Toiletries & Personal Care
- Sunscreen (SPF 50+) and lip balm with UV protection
- Hand sanitiser & personal medications
- Wet wipes & toilet paper (biodegradable if possible)
- Moisturiser (dry weather leads to skin cracks)
-
Miscellaneous / Optional Items
- Binoculars or spotting scopes for wildlife watching
- Camera with telephoto lens (for Ladakh snow leopard photography)
- Power bank or solar charger
- Reusable water bottle with thermal cover
- Trekking poles (useful in snowy conditions)
We at Dreamland being a local Ladakhi adventure company specialize in real Himalayan experiences beyond mere trekking. Here's why guests book with us for the Snow Leopard Trek in Ladakh:
- Local Expertise: Being a Ladakh-based company, we possess unparalleled insight into the terrain, wildlife, and culture of this region.
- Expert Guides & Spotters: We have some of Ladakh's most experienced snow leopard trackers on our team, with hundreds of successful sighting guides behind them.
- Responsible Tourism: We give back to local people by means of homestays, practice environmentally friendly trekking, and have close collaborations with villagers, who provide us with the latest information on wildlife movements.
- Personalised Service: We maintain intimate groups and provide a customised itinerary for photographers, videographers, researchers, or private groups.
- Proven Success: With experience spanning decades and a high success rate of sightings, we're thrilled to make once-in-a-lifetime experiences for wildlife enthusiasts across the globe.
The best time is November to March, when snow leopards descend to lower valleys in search of prey.
Prime locations include Hemis National Park, Rumbak Valley, Uley Valley, and Shang Valley.
It is moderate, with short hikes in cold weather and at high altitude. The focus is on wildlife tracking rather than long-distance trekking.
Depending on the package, options range from 6, 8, to 11 days.
Expect to see blue sheep, ibex, Tibetan wolf in Ladakh, red fox, lynx, Himalayan birds like golden eagles and lammergeiers.
A mix of homestays in villages and tented camps, depending on the itinerary.
Accommodation, meals, guides, first aid, and local transportation.
Thermal clothing, trekking gear, toiletries, and optional photography equipment (see packing guide above).
Thermal clothing, trekking gear, toiletries, and optional photography equipment (see packing guide above).
Absolutely. We offer tailor-made snow leopard trekking experiences in Ladakh.
Most trails are between 3,000 and 4,800 metres (9,800 and 15,700 ft).
Costs vary based on itinerary (6, 8, or 11 days) and group size. Contact us for customised pricing.
