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Join wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt in Ladakh's remote Ulley Valley on a quest to photograph snow leopards and other Himalayan wildlife, including ibex, fox, bharal, Tibetan partridge and red-billed chough.

On this snow leopard photography tour, we use specialist local trackers from the Snow Leopard Conservancy to maximise our chances of finding and photographing these elusive cats. Other Himalayan wildlife we hope to see, both by vehicle safari and on walks, include ibex, bharal, red fox, Tibetan partridge, and even wolf, 

Accommodation is in a comfortable lodge in the heart of Ulley Valley, which lies at the centre of three interlocking valleys amidst spectacular mountain scenery. This beautiful setting, combined with expert guidance and tips from Nick Garbutt, offers all the ingredients for a perfect wildlife photography trip.

Typical Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Depart UK

  2. Day 2: Arrive Delhi

    On arrival, transfer to our hotel, located a short drive from the airport.

    Accommodation: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity Hotel, 1-night

  3. Day 3: Fly to Leh

    Today we take an early morning transfer to the airport for the flight to Leh. 

    Accommodation: Grand Dragon Hotel, 3-nights

  4. Day 4: Leh

    Today we have an extraordinary drive east towards Taglang La and the villages of Gya, Lhato and Meru. It is a fantastic drive away from the Indus Valley with dramatic scenery and chances of sighting wildlife including blue sheep, golden eagles and lammergeiers. Flocks of red-billed choughs perform synchronized aerobatics and in the fallow fields there may be beautiful Tibetan partridge and the more common chukor partridge. On our return we can stop at one of the great monasteries like Hemis, Thikse or Matho.

  5. Day 5: Explore Leh & environs

  6. Day 6: Drive to Ulley Valley

    Today we drive west, following the Indus River Valley, on the road to Kargil and Srinagar. We pass through the small town of Nimmu – one of the most important in Ladakh where the Zanskar River meets the Indus. After a little over an hour we head north on a road to Likir – one of Ladakh’s famous Buddhist monasteries. This area is all snow leopard territory.

    The landscape here is even more expansive and open until we turn onto a dirt road and wind up a narrow valley, following a stream called the Ulley Chhu.

    Smaller valleys intersect and by now our guides will have their eyes peeled, constantly scanning the hill sides and the skyline for any possible silhouette. This is also excellent ibex country and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male ibex standing vigil on some impossibly narrow outcrop a few hundred metres over a plunging cliff.

    Accommodation: Snow Leopard Lodge, 7-nights

  7. Days 7-12 : Search for snow leopard in & around Ulley Valley

    Ulley lies at the heart of three interlocking valleys that support between eight and ten snow leopards (based on the most recent census data). These valleys also support the villages of Saspol and Hemis Shukpachen. All three of these valleys are connected by road and over the period of our stay we will explore the area by vehicle and on foot. All the time our guides will be tracking snow leopards, as well as looking for wolf, urial, ibex, fox and an array of birds that surprisingly thrive in this harsh winter landscape.

    Ulley village and its surrounding area have only recently been developed for snow leopard watching. Unlike Rumbak Valley, there will be no other tourists in the area.

  8. Day 13: Drive to Leh via Alchi

    We drive back to Leh via Alchi monastery. Alchi Gompa is located near the small village of Saspol, and was one of the earliest monasteries built in Ladakh, dating from the 11th century. Built by King Rin-chen-Izghimpo, one of the first Ladakhi kings to engage in foreign relations, and built prior to the invading wars of the 15th century, Alchi is unusual in being situated in the lowlands, rather than on a hilltop as other later monasteries were, in order to protect them from marauding armies.

    Afterwards we continue onto Leh.

    Accommodation: Grand Dragon Hotel, 1-night

  9. Day 14: Transfer to Mangyu

    Following our night in Leh, we transfer by road to the village of Mangyu where we spend three nights at a lodge in the hope of having more opportunities to photograph snow leopard and any other species we may encounter. South of the Indus River, the remote and beautiful village of Mangyu boasts a fascinating monastery and a temple to Vairocana with traditional Ladakhi homes built on the slopes of the Zanskar Mountains in the Himalays. The sheer cliffs and steep-sided valleys around Mangyu are the perfect habitat for a rich variety of wildlife, including snow leopard.

    Accommodation: Mangyu Lodge, 3-nights

  10. Days 15-16 : Explore Mangyu & surrounding area in search of wildlife photography opportunities

    For the next two days, we will explore the habitat around Mangyu in search of snow leopard and other wildlife as well as hopefully enjoying some excellent photographic opportunities. Adopting a similar routine as Ulley, we will cover the longer distances in vehicles where possible and head out on foot when we spot wildlife and to capture our images.

    Depending on sightings, we spend the whole day out in the field and the lodge will provide us with lunch. Alternatively, we may return to the lodge to enjoy lunch there before heading out again in the afternoon for more snow leopard photography. In the evenings, dinner will be served in the lodge's dining room when we can also discuss the day's sightings and the images we've managed to take.

  11. Day 17: Return to Leh

    Today, we return to Leh for a final night in Ladakh and after what will have been a rewarding few nights exploring Ulley and Mangyu.

    Accommodation: Grand Dragon Hotel, 1-night

  12. Day 18: Fly to Delhi

    We transfer to the airport and depart Leh for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, we will transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon there may be a chance to visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary a small area of wetlands that provides a safe haven for up to 300 different bird species.

    Accommodation: Pullman Hotel, 1-night

  13. Day 18: Fly to Delhi

    We transfer to the airport and depart Leh for Delhi. On arrival in Delhi, we will transfer to our hotel. In the afternoon there may be a chance to visit Okhla Bird Sanctuary a small area of wetlands that provides a safe haven for up to 300 different bird species.

    Accommodation: Pullman Hotel, 1-night

  14. Day 19: Fly to the UK

    We transfer to the airport in time to check-in for our return flights to the UK. 

Please note: The price of this tour includes a donation of US$200 to the Snow Leopard Conservancy.

Key info

  • Duration and price including flights from/to UK: 19 days from £9,995 pp
  • Duration and price excluding international flights: 18 days from £9,295 pp
  • Single supplement: On request – please contact us.
  • Trip type:
    Group Tour
    Tailor-made can be arranged
  • Group size: 9
  • Group Departures:
    Make a booking request.
    1. , Limited spaces Book
  • Tailor-made Departures:

    A tailor-made holiday or private departure can be arranged, please contact us to tailor a trip to suit your requirements.

  • Included in the price/package:
    • Domestic flights between Delhi and Leh
    • Transfers
    • 6 nights hotel accommodation
    • 10 nights homestay
    • Most meals (breakfast only in Delhi, full board elsewhere)
    • Photography tuition
    • US$200 donation to the Snow Leopard Conservancy
  • Activities available:
    • Culture
    • Nature drive
    • Photography
    • Walking

Expert leader

Nick Garbutt

Photo of Nick Garbutt

An award-winning photographer and author, with a background in zoology, Nick has forged a career by combining these skills with leading tours and lecturing.

Nick has written and photographed several critically acclaimed books, including: ‘100 Animals to See Before They Die’, ‘Mammals of Madagascar: A Complete Guide’, ‘Wild Borneo’, and ‘Chameleons’. He is a regular contributor to international magazines such as National Geographic, BBC Wildlife, Africa Geographic and Geographical.

Nick has twice been a winner in the BBC Wildlife Photographer of the Year Competition. In 2000, he won the prestigious Gerald Durrell Award for Endangered Wildlife. His photographs appear widely in books, calendars and other publications worldwide. He is a Special Lecturer on the MSc course in the Wildlife Photography and Imaging at Nottingham University, where he studied.

View all tours led by Nick

Featured locations:

Ulley Valley

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

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
Featured accommodation:

Snow Leopard Lodge

In the heart of Ladakh lies this comfortable lodge, the ideal base for a snow leopard quest. The small guesthouse provides comfort at sub-zero temperatures, with the added experience of living with a Ladakhi family. With superb views across the valley, you may see ibex, bharal or even wolf. Find Out More about Snow Leopard Lodge