India’s spectacular diversity of landscape is home to some of the world’s most iconic cats. This unique tour takes you in search of snow leopard in Ladakh, Asiatic lion in Gujarat and both leopard and tiger in the southern state of Karnataka.
Building on years of success with cats in India, we set out on the ultimate cat challenge: to see this fabulous country’s four largest, most charismatic cats in a single tour. From a comfortable lodge in Ulley, Ladakh, we explore rugged mountains for the snow leopard. From here we travel to India’s far west, where Gir National Park is the home of the Asiatic lion. Our final stop is beautiful Nagarhole National Park in South India, one of the finest sites for leopard and the exquisite tiger.
Typical Itinerary
Day1: Depart the UK
Depart the UK on an overnight flight to Delhi.
Day2: Arrive Delhi
We reach Delhi this morning and take a short transfer to our hotel located near the airport. The rest of the day is at leisure.
Accommodation: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, 1-night
Day3: Fly to Leh
This morning we have an early start with a morning flight to Leh. On arrival, we transfer to our hotel. The remainder of the day is at leisure as we acclimatise to the high altitude of Leh, which is situated at 3,500 metres above sea level.
Accommodation: The Grand Dragon Hotel, 2-nights
Day4: Explore the Indus Valley
Continuing our acclimatisation to the high altitude of Ladakh, today we explore three of the celebrated Buddhist monasteries of the Indus Valley: Shey, Thiksey and Hemis. Along the way we are likely to see wildlife including horned lark, hill pigeon, white-winged redstart, red-billed chough and ibisbill.
Day5: Drive to Ulley
We drive west from Leh following the Indus River to Ulley, passing through the small town of Nimmu, one of the most important in Ladakh, where the Zanskar River meets the Indus. Continuing west for around another hour, we then turn north towards Likir Gompa, one of Ladakh’s famous Buddhist monasteries and enter snow leopard country.
The landscape here becomes even more expansive and by now our guides will have their eyes peeled, constantly scanning the hillside and the skyline. This is excellent Asiatic ibex country and both the rare Ladakh urial and the long-coated Tibetan wolf are also frequently seen here.
Days6-9: Explore Ulley for snow leopard & other mountain wildlife
We have four full days to enjoy the wildlife and habitats of the high Ulley Valley and surrounding area. Our exact programme each day will be dictated by the latest sightings.
From Ulley we are able to explore three valleys: Hemis Shukpachen, Saspoche, and Ulley itself, all of which support a healthy population of snow leopards, wolves and other Himalayan wildlife. Our guide is an exceptional tracker and spotter with an uncanny knack for finding snow leopard. Over the next few days we explore the area with him on foot and by 4WD in search of snow leopards. During our stay we also have plenty of opportunities to learn about Ladakhi customs and traditions.
Day10: Drive to Leh
After a final morning in the field we return to Leh. Time-permitting, we stop en route to visit Alchi Gompa, an 11th century monastery and one of the region’s oldest.
Accommodation: The Grand Dragon Hotel, 1-night
Day11: Fly to Delhi
This morning we take a return flight to Delhi and spend the rest of the day at leisure.
Accommodation: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, 1-night
Day12: Fly to Rajkot & travel to Gir
This morning we fly to Rajkot in Gujarat and from there travel to Gir National Park where this afternoon we take our first jeep safari in search of the endangered Asiatic lion.
Days13-15: Explore Gir National Park for Asiatic lion
We spend three full days in Gir National Park, in search not only of its majestic lions, but also its wealth of other wildlife. The forest here has many herbivores, including chital, sambar, nilgai and chowsingha, which are they prey of both lion and leopard. Smaller mammals commonly seen here include grey langur, Indian grey mongoose and five-striped palm-squirrel.
Our days here will typically follow a pattern of early morning and late afternoon jeep safaris, with a break during the heat of the day.
Day16: Transfer to Bengaluru
This morning, we depart Gir and return to Rajkot for a flight to Mumbai and connecting flight to Bengaluru in the southern state of Karnataka. We spend the night in a hotel close to the airport.
Accommodation: DoubleTree by Hilton Bengaluru Airport, 1-night
Day17: Transfer to Nagarhole National Park
This morning we drive to Nagarhole National Park, giving us time to have lunch and settle into our charming lodge before our first afternoon safari.
Days18-21: Explore Nagarhole National Park for tiger & leopard
We have four full days in this beautiful park, with morning and evening jeep safaris in search of tiger, leopard, Asian wild dog, sloth bear, Asian elephant, stripe-necked mongoose, Indian giant squirrel and the many other charismatic inhabitants of this peaceful and beautiful park.
At least one of our safaris will be taken on the Kabini River, which has been dammed to create a huge lake. This is a magnificent experience, with flocks of river terns and small pratincoles overhead, osprey, grey-headed fish-eagle and white-throated kingfisher on dead trees, and in the afternoon large herds of herbivores, including Asian elephants, on the grassy banks.
Day22: Final safari in Nagarhole & transfer to Bengaluru
After our final drive among the tigers, leopards, gaur and Asian elephants of Nagarhole we make the journey by road back to Bengaluru where we spend the night. Early the following morning we transfer to the airport for our flight back to the UK.
Accommodation: Taj Yeshwantpur, 1-night
Day23: Fly back to the UK
Key info
Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 23 daysfrom £9,695 pp
Duration and price excluding international flights: 22 daysfrom £8,995 pp
Single supplement:
On request – please contact us.
Choose your preferred departure date below, then make a booking request, or enquire if you would like to ask us a question.
Departure date
Group size
Duration & price from
Single supplement
Sharing *
* Sharing: We offer single travellers the option to share with another passenger to avoid single room supplements. M/F indicates male or female share
Tour leader(s)
Tour status
6 Feb 2027
5–6
23 days:
£9,695 (inc. flights)
On request
On request
Sharing *
* Sharing: We offer single travellers the option to share with another passenger to avoid single room supplements. M/F indicates male or female share
Anurag Yadav or Varun Devraj
†
†: This tour is led by one of our expert naturalist leaders, each with a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the region’s wildlife. On occasion it may be necessary to appoint an alternative leader and we will notify you at the earliest opportunity.
Sharing *
* Sharing: We offer single travellers the option to share with another passenger to avoid single room supplements. M/F indicates male or female share
Anurag Yadav or Varun Devraj
†
†: This tour is led by one of our expert naturalist leaders, each with a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the region’s wildlife. On occasion it may be necessary to appoint an alternative leader and we will notify you at the earliest opportunity.
Sharing *
* Sharing: We offer single travellers the option to share with another passenger to avoid single room supplements. M/F indicates male or female share
Anurag Yadav or Varun Devraj
†
†: This tour is led by one of our expert naturalist leaders, each with a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the region’s wildlife. On occasion it may be necessary to appoint an alternative leader and we will notify you at the earliest opportunity.
Sharing *
* Sharing: We offer single travellers the option to share with another passenger to avoid single room supplements. M/F indicates male or female share
Anurag Yadav or Varun Devraj
†
†: This tour is led by one of our expert naturalist leaders, each with a wealth of experience and in-depth knowledge of the region’s wildlife. On occasion it may be necessary to appoint an alternative leader and we will notify you at the earliest opportunity.
Anurag's love of wildlife began in his childhood, sparked by observing animal behaviour. This passion led him to pursue a degree in zoology and steered him into a life in the field.
Anurag qualified as a field guide in South Africa before returning to India, where he has guided at safari lodges across the country. With extensive experience and a broad, in-depth understanding of India's wildlife, he brings a wealth of knowledge to the safaris he guides.
His wildlife experiences across India and beyond have inspired a lifelong commitment to conservation, and he's passionate about leading tours that are not only memorable, but also educational, sustainable and responsible.
Varun has been working in wildlife and conservation for the last nine years. A fascination for the wilderness started at a young age, spending his school holidays exploring the wilds of the Western Ghats with his parents.
After a brief and stint in the corporate world, Varun joined The Keystone Foundation in the Nilgiris and worked on conservation and afforestation projects in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
In 2011 Varun moved to Satpura Tiger Reserve in Central India to work as a naturalist and wildlife guide at Forsyth’s Lodge, a pioneer in alternative wildlife experiences such as walking and canoeing in tiger country. After a productive five years, he spent the next couple of years consulting with wildlife properties around the country, helping them set up wildlife programmes and aid in marketing activities.
Varun is now working as a wildlife guide, focusing on Central India, Karnataka, the Western Ghats and Ladakh.
The village of Ulley, which lies at the centre of three interlocking valleys, is surrounded by spectacular mountainous scenery, where you can observe the diverse wildlife of Ladakh. Highlights of the valley include Asiatic ibex, bharal, urial, Himalayan red fox, Himalayan wolf and the elusive snow leopard.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Ladakh State
Ideal for viewing: snow leopard, bharal, red fox, Tibetan partridge, Asiatic ibex
Excellent for: Wildlife photography, Photography tours With Nick Garbutt, Snow leopard watching, Rare mammal watching
Leh, the capital of the ancient Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, is surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, and has a distinctly Tibetan feel. Sights include the Royal (Leh) Palace and the Shanti Stupa. It is the ideal place to acclimatise to the higher altitude before venturing into snow leopard territory.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Ladakh State
Ideal for viewing: bharal, golden eagle, lammergeier, urial, Asiatic ibex
Excellent for: Photography tours With Nick Garbutt
Sasan Gir National Park preserves the remaining population of critically endangered Asiatic lion, whose territory once extended as far afield as Persia. The terrain is one of arid, rocky hills separated by deep, well-watered valleys, with beautiful stands of teak, acacia and dhak trees interspersed with grassy plains.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Nagarhole is a mixture of forests and rolling hills, criss-crossed by streams, waterfalls and swamps. Formerly a Maharaja’s hunting reserve, it is now dedicated to saving wildlife, and is considered one of the best places in India to see elephant. In the summer months they congregate in large herds along the river.
Find Out More about {acc:title}
Where: Karnataka State
Ideal for viewing: Asian elephant, tiger, leopard, wild dog, gaur
With breathtaking views across the Hiran River and scenic forest surroundings, this hotel is just a short drive from Sasan Gir National Park, home to around 400 Asiatic lions. There is a choice of superior rooms, and executive or deluxe suites, all of which are spacious and offer modern amenities.
Find Out More about Gateway Hotel Gir Forest
This is a typical Indian safari lodge, formerly the hunting lodge of the Maharaja of Mysore. It accommodates up to 50 guests in spacious rooms or cottages, and a wealth of wildlife can be found in nearby Nagarhole National Park, such as elephant, sambar, gaur and even sloth bear.
Find Out More about Kabini River Lodge
In the heart of Ladakh lies this comfortable lodge, the ideal base for a snow leopard quest. This renovated lodge provides en suite accommodation and western-style facilities amongst the peaks of the Himalayas. With superb views across the valley, you may see ibex, bharal or even snow leopard.
Find Out More about Snow Leopard Lodge
