Embark on a Himalayan adventure searching for seldom seen species across the world's tallest mountain range. Pallas's cat, snow leopard and Himalayan brown bear are all realistic prospects as you journey across Ladakh.
This unique itinerary takes you from east to west across Ladakh, where you can experience the region's varied but always rugged habitats, with different species to be found at each destination.
After entering Ladakh through the town of Leh, you begin heading east towards the village of Hanle, your base for exploring the marshlands and Tibetan plateau of the vast Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary. The rocky outcrops are the perfect spot to observe one of the smallest felines in the world, Pallas’s cat, along with myriad bird and mammal species.
The next location is the Ulley Valley, where you search for a glimpse of the ‘ghost of the Himalayas’, the enigmatic snow leopard, as they patrol the steep slopes of the valley in pursuit of their favourite prey, bharal and Asiatic ibex. Ulley is regarded as one of the best locations in the world for seeing this immensely elusive cat, and serves as your base during your time here.
Heading to the west, you reach Drass, a town surrounded by extraordinary alpine scenery and one of the most reliable locations to find Himalayan brown bears. Staying at a dedicated lodge, local spotters are on hand to increase your chances of finding this critically endangered subspecies.
Suggested Itinerary
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Day 1:
Depart UK
Fly from London to Delhi. Once you've collected your bags and cleared immigration, there will be a driver expecting you at arrivals ready to transport you to your overnight hotel.
Accommodation: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 2:
Fly to Leh
Following an early morning rise, a transfer collects and returns you to Delhi airport to take a domestic flight to the Himalayan city of Leh.
After a short scenic flight from Delhi, you're met at the airport and transferred to your hotel. Depending on the impact of altitude, you may choose to take a gentle stroll around Leh or alternatively spend the day relaxing in the comfortable confines of the hotel. Adjusting responsibly to altitude is paramount before leaving Leh for the higher altitude destinations ahead.
Accommodation: The Grand Dragon Hotel, 2-nights
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Day 3:
Sightseeing in Leh
It's important to take things slowly during your time in Leh and to allow your body to adjust to the altitude. Therefore, today is at leisure to explore the rich heritage of the city and to admire the surrounding landscape.
A private half-day sightseeing tour to the ancient monasteries of Shey, Thiksey and Hemis can be arranged, allowing you to stretch your legs at your own pace and provides a fascinating insight to this historic city.
Should you be interested in seeing some of the region’s birdlife, including a good chance of ibisbill at a site just outside Leh, this can be incorporated into your programme to make a full-day trip.
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Day 4:
Transfer to Hanle
An early start is in order as you prepare for your transfer to the village of Hanle. Your driver collects you from the hotel as you traverse the Himalayas for 250 kilometres, taking approximately five hours. Along the way, you may stop for lunch at Chumathang Hot Springs before continuing your journey. The evening is free to relax and those who wish to can visit the Indian Astronomical Observatory.
Accommodation: Padma Homestay, 4-nights
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Days 5-7
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Search for Pallas’s cat
Hanle is part of the expansive Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and the next three days are spent exploring the surrounding area in a closed vehicle with your local naturalist guide, leaving the vehicle to take photos when the guide deems it appropriate. You drive around the marshes and plains as you search for signs of Pallas’s cat and other wildlife such as Tibetan wild ass (kiang), Tibetan sand fox, and Himalayan wolf. You will no doubt be treated to sightings of various species of raptor such as upland buzzard, golden eagle and bearded vulture.
The intriguing Pallas’s cat is often found amongst abandoned marmot burrows and rock cavities on steppes and grasslands. These grumpy looking felines can be observed hunting an array of rodent species, including marmots, pikas, ground squirrels and birds such as Tibetan sandgrouse. Their technique often involves periscoping, this is where they repeatedly raise their head above the terrain they're using to conceal themselves with to monitor the movements of their prey.
Evenings can be spent relaxing at the homestay whilst enjoying some spectacular interstellar displays.
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Day 8:
Return to Leh
Following a final morning searching for wildlife, you're transported back to Leh in preparation for your next adventure. The evening is spent at leisure to relax prior to heading into the Ulley Valley.
Accommodation: The Grand Dragon Hotel, 1-night
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Day 9:
Transfer to Ulley
Today, you begin the 77-kilometre drive west (around two to three hours), following the Indus River on the road that eventually leads to Kargil and Srinagar in Kashmir.
You pass through the small town of Nimmu - one of the most important in Ladakh - where the Zanskar River meets the Indus before turning north onto a road towards Likir Gompa, one of Ladakh’s famous Buddhist monasteries.
Eventually, you turn off onto a dirt road that winds up a narrow valley, following a stream called the Ulley Chhu. Several smaller valleys intersect with the main one, making for some magnificent views. The terrain is very good for Asiatic ibex, and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male poised on an impossibly narrow outcrop hundreds of metres above.
On arrival, you can settle in and start to explore your new surroundings. You have three full days to enjoy the wildlife and habitats of the Ulley Valley and surrounding area - with your exact programme dictated by the latest sightings.
Accommodation: Snow Leopard Lodge, 4-nights
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Days 10-12
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Search for snow leopard around Ulley
Over the course of the next three days, you explore the surrounding valleys through a mix of slow-paced walks and drives. The lodge employs an expert team of spotters and trackers who venture out every morning at first light and report back on any sightings or evidence of snow leopard movements.
Depending on what they find, a plan is formulated and relayed to you at breakfast. If a snow leopard has been sighted, you'll likely travel to the nearest accessible point by vehicle and then walk a short distance to view it through a scope. Snow leopards are typically active at dusk, through the night and in the early morning, resting up in the middle of the day. Therefore, if a snow leopard has been located, you have a very good chance of seeing it.
If the initial scouting proves unsuccessful, the lodge guides will likely propose a visit to a neighbouring valley, where it's possible to see a range of birds and mammals including urial (red sheep), Asiatic ibex, Tibetan wolf and red fox. However, you'll remain in contact with the lodge and should any sightings be reported, you'll be in a position to respond. It's no mean feat to locate a snow leopard in the vast wilderness of Ladakh and inevitably there are always periods of low activity, but things can change very quickly, and the key is to remain patient and to keep looking.
Over the years numerous Wildlife Worldwide clients have been fortunate enough to see snow leopards in Ulley Valley and indeed on occasions it has been possible to view them directly from the lodge. You can be assured that the lodge guides will work tirelessly to find you a snow leopard and there's always plenty to keep you entertained around the property, with chukar, white-winged redstart, red-fronted serin and great rosefinch all possible in the lodge grounds and golden eagle and lammergeier often seen overhead.
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Day 13:
Transfer to Drass
Today, you once again meet your driver and transfer to your next destination, Drass. After approximately six hours of driving with a stop for lunch, you arrive at your accommodation. Along the way there are optional stops at Alchi and Lamayuru Monasteries and Saspol Caves. On arrival, you're greeted by a spotter from the lodge and be provided with a briefing. The rest of the evening is free to relax following your journey.
Accommodation: Drenmo Lodge, 3-nights
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Days 14-15
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Searching for Himalayan brown bear
The next two days begin at 5am. You visit the Mushkow Valley for an early morning walk along the Mushkow River, which can be quite a prolific location for both resident and migratory birds. You return to the lodge for lunch before visiting nearby Shina villages towards Goshen or Padrass. This valley can also yield excellent wildlife viewing results for a plethora of species such as pika, Asiatic ibex, Himalayan red fox, Himalayan rubythroat, bluethroat, Brandt’s mountain finch and golden eagle.
Searching for Himalayan brown bears from Drenmo is carried out in a similar way to looking for snow leopards in Ulley. Spotters spend all day surveying the area for bears and will alert the lodge to bring guests to the location where they have been found. It's also possible to see bears foraging on the slopes next to the lodge on occasion. During excursions, your guide will stay in contact with the lodge and trackers, meaning that you'll still be alerted if a bear is found.
At this time of year, the bears wake from hibernation and are therefore very active as they traverse snowy slopes, looking for food to relieve their hunger after months in their den.
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Day 16:
Return to Leh
Following a final search for brown bears, you'll return to Leh for your penultimate night in India. The evening is free to spend at leisure.
Accommodation: The Grand Dragon Hotel, 1-night
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Day 17:
Return to Delhi
This morning, after breakfast, you're collected and driven to the airport for your flight back to Delhi.
On arrival in Delhi, you're transferred to your overnight hotel and the afternoon is free to either relax or to venture into the city.
Accommodation: Pullman New Delhi Aerocity, 1-night
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Day 18:
Return to UK
Following breakfast, you're transferred to the airport for your onward travel arrangements.
