In Search of the Snow Leopard 2022
February 6 – February 19, 2022 (14 Days, 13 Nights)
Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Interested in joining us for this expedition? Let us know here!
Trip Highlights
Throughout this journey, you will get to experience historic and cultural sites in India in addition to a dedicated search for Snow Leopards. The trip includes:
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Visiting the Red Fort with its exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens
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Exploring Leh, and visiting the peaceful and soothing monasteries including the Spitok Monastery, Shey Monastery, Thiksey Monastery and more
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Finally, an extensive tour of India mountains in search of the Snow Leopard.
Accommodations
During your trip, you will experience many locations in India. Amazonia aims to provide you with the best experience, and so will be traveling to the following locations for accommodations. Please note that locations are subject to change with equivalent accommodations based on availability, and for a large portion of this trip we will be camping in search of Snow Leopards.
Full Itinerary
Day 1 - Feb 6
Arrive Delhi
- On arrival in India you will be greeted and escorted by Indo Asia Tour’s Executive to your hotel. (Rooms will be available from 1400 Hrs)
- In its 3000 years of existence; seven cities have risen where the present capital of India stands. Here you’ll encounter a fascinating blend of the ancient and the contemporary. Where government buildings, medieval palaces and bazaars exist beside a modern metropolis, Delhi is a city waiting to be explored.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla
Meals: None
Day 2 - Feb 7
Explore Dehli
- After breakfast full day city tour of Old & New Delhi which includes the following:
- Red Fort: The 17th century imposing fortress built in red sandstone is surrounded by a huge 33m high boundary wall. Inside are exquisite palaces and beautiful gardens.
- Jama Masjid: Jama Masjid (Friday Mosque) made of red sandstone and white marble. It is India’s largest mosque where more than 20.000 people can kneel in prayer at one time, the interior of the prayer hall is divided into aisles by arches. The walls and floors are of marble inlay panels.
- Raj Ghat: Visit the Raj Ghat on the banks of the river Yamuna is Mahatma Gandhi’s Memorial, where he was cremated following his assassination in January 1948. The memorial lies in the midst of landscaped gardens and made of a simple square platform of black marble inscribed with his last words “Hey Ram”.
- India Gate and Government Buildings: Drive through Lutyens Delhi and see India Gate which commemorates the 70,000 Indian soldiers who died in the 1st world war. Photo stop at Rashtrapati Bhawan once the Viceroy’s residence is now the official residence of the President of India.
- Humayun’s Tomb: Visit the Humayun’s Tomb, built by his wife Haji Begum in the 16th. Century, an early example of Mughal architecture considered the predecessor of the Taj Mahal.
Accommodation: Crowne Plaza New Delhi Okhla
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 3 - Feb 8
Fly from Delhi to Leh
- After breakfast transfer to airport to connect flight for Leh
- Take an hour spectacular flight to Leh over the Trans-Himalayas and Zanskar ranges into Leh. The airport is at 11,500 ft above sea Level. You will be transfer to hotel.
- Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization, afternoon stroll around Leh market.
Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 4 - Feb 9
Explore Leh
- Today we will visit Spitok Monastery; oldest part was founded in the 15th CE. The Monastery belongs to Yellow hat School of Tibetan Buddhism. There are about 30 monks reside in the monastery. You could visit several temples, which dedicated to different Deities. Most famous ones are Crown Buddha and 21 Taras which was brought from Tibet. On the way you could stop at Hall of fame, a small Museum to display arms and picture of Indian war history.
- Back to Hotel for Lunch, afternoon a gradual hike to the Shanti stupa on hill lock located in Changspa built by Japanese in 1984. You can get a good orientation and ideal for picturing the Leh valley and the Ladakh range.
Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Day 5 - Feb 10
Explore Leh
- After breakfast drive to visit the Ladakh most famous monasteries, (Shey-Thiksey-Hemis), Shey used to be the capital of Ladakh until 16th century. Visit the most Popular 12 mtrs high Copper gilded statue of Buddha built in 1640. Continue to Thiksey monastery belongs to yellow hat school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the largest Monastery in Ladakh, about 90 monks live here. The Morning Prayer held with sun rise by all monks is a peaceful and soothing atmosphere never to be missed. From Thiksey drive to Hemis monastery, located at the southern bank of Indus River.
- Hemis is the Largest and most famous monastery of Ladakh, there are many interesting statues and painting to see inside the chapel and the newly open museum has the thousand year old collection of frescos and statues.Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Day 6 - Feb 11
Leh to Zingchan to Husing
- Today post breakfast drive to Zingchan about an hour drive along the Indus river to Zingchan then Trek to Husing for about 2 hrs. This will be your base for next 4 days while searching for the endangered snow leopard. Beside Snow leopard one could get to see Blue sheeps and Ladakh urial. Beside wild sheep good chances to spot Golden Eagle, Lammergeyer, Snow cock, Partridges and finches.
- Husing is located between Rumbak and Zingchen villages in the Hemis high altitude national park, National park covers an area of 3200 sq kms. Our camp will be set up in a narrow gorge on the bank of Rumbak stream.Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast/Lunch/Dinner
Day 7 Feb 12
Begin Search for Snow Leopard in Husing
- Today we will search for Snow Leopard for 4 to 5 Hours of trek at an altitude of 3800 meters.
- Trek up to Husing nallah which is known for frequent snow leopard movements, trail takes you through a narrow gorge where you may spot your first blue sheep, which are the main source of prey for the elusive cats. You will also witness fresh signs of snow leopard rock scents along this trail. The camp is located around 50 minutes from Zingchen, surrounded by rugged broken slopes at a junction where two side valleys meet – a good place for sighting snow leopards.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch / Dinner
Day 8 - Feb 13
Continue Search in Husing
- Morning trek up to Tarbung and Kharlung Valley (4 to 5 Hours at 3800 m) looking for snow leopard signs and possible sightings. Tarbung is also known for frequent snow leopard movements. Spend day looking for snow leopards and prey animals around the valley. Overnight in tents in Junction camp.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Day 9 - Feb 14
Continue Search in Rumbak
- Trek up to Rumbak Sumdo (4 to 5 hours of trek) 4050 Meters where the narrow gorge suddenly opens into a wide valley surrounded by high mountains including the mighty Stok Kangri at 6120mts. The Sumdo is where the three valleys meet with Rumbak hamlet to the east, Lungnak to south and the Kharlung towards the west. Trek further up to Rumbak, which is a small hamlet of few houses situated at an altitude of 4050m. The whole of this day is dedicated to exploring the Rumbak Valley. Afternoon return to the sumdo to look for cats in the opposite valley. Overnight in Rumbak. Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Day 10 - Feb 15
Continue Search in Rumbak
- Trek up to Yurutse (4 to 5 Hours of trek at an altitude of 4200 Meters) which lies at the base of Gandala pass to the West past Sumdo. This area serves as an ideal habitat for the Tibetan Argali/ Great Tibetan sheep and also known for sightings of Tibetan wolf (depending on cat movement). Later in the afternoon walk back to camp. Overnight in tent at Rumbak.
Accommodation: Campsite
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Day 11 - Feb 16
Husing – Zingchan – Leh
- Morning walk down to Husing/Tarbung. Later trek back to Zingchen via the same route and drive back to Leh. Overnight in Leh Hotel. Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast
Day 12 - Feb 17
Leh
- Day at leisure for own activities Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast/ Lunch/ Dinner
Day 13 - Feb 18
Leh to Delhi
- Morning transfer to Leh airport to connect flight for Delhi. On arrival at Delhi airport you will be greeted and escorted by Indo Asia Tour’s Executive to your hotel. Rest of the day at leisure Accommodation: Pride Plaza Hotel
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 14 - Feb 19
Delhi Departure
- In time transfer to Delhi airport to connect flight for onward destination
Meals: Breakfast
Reserve Your Expedition Today!
Deposit – $750
$3400 per person in double occupancy room
Single in a room adds $700.
Airfare Supplement:
Delhi / Leh / Delhi USD $375.00. Airfare cost is subject to change
NOTES:
- Note: The best time to witness snow leopard in Ladakh will be in the month of January, February and mid-March. These are the coldest months in Ladakh with very cold temperatures. Our trips are specially planned to optimize your chances of seeing snow leopards, namely when they are lower down in the valleys following the domestic flocks and prey. At these months most passes will still be snow bound, the nights are very cold and even during the day the temperature drops when out of the sun.
- All the passengers must have an Identification Card/Passport with them
- Itinerary subject to changes only if beyond our control
- Payment can be made by credit card on our PayPal site
- We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. https://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=agentlink&arc=51868&agentlinkasp=yes
Cancellation Policy: 50% of cost up to 120 days before departure. Purchase of travel and evacuation insurance is required. https://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=agentlink&arc=51868&agentlinkasp=yes
This Trip Includes:
- Double / twin room / tents on sharing basis
- Daily breakfast & Dinner in Delhi. And Full board in Leh & Ladakh part.
- All land transfers and sightseeing using air-conditioned Indian-made Mini coach in Delhi and Non AC Toyota Innova’s / Similar in Leh & Ladakh portion (03 Pax per car).
- Services of English Speaking accompanying tour Escort from arrival till the departure of the guests (Tour escort will not stay in the same hotels in Delhi & Leh)
- Monument entrance fees as per the Program.
- Inclusions in Leh & Ladakh portion –
• Naturalist at Camps.
• All Camping Equipment Like Tents, Sleeping Bag, Mattress & Toilet Tents.
• All Entrance fees, Wild Life Fees.
• Binocular + Spotting Scope as per group size.
• All meals at Camp.
• English speaking guide, Cook, Helper throughout the trek.
• All Kitchen utilities with staff as per group size.
• Camping Fees.
• Hot Water Bags in Camps.
• Oxygen Cylinder.
* Currently applicable taxes & Service Tax
This Trip DOES NOT Include:
- Any airfares.
- Any airport taxes.
- Any expenditure of personal nature such as drinks, tips, laundry, telephone charges, etc.
- Any new tax imposed by the Govt.
- Any optional activities mentioned in the program
Erika
Our time in the jungle was an absolute highlight on our trip to Peru! Truly amazing! …Again, we had the most wonderful time. Almost more than words can say. The jungle and the Tahuayo Lodge hold very special places in our hearts and CAN NOT WAIT to return. Thank you again for offering such an amazing trip.
Renee
Our trip was INCREDIBLE. The lodge was great, the food was amazing, and the staff were all so friendly. We loved our stays at the B&B, the main lodge, and the ARC.
Tia & Paula
It was incredible and a trip of a lifetime Paul! My sister Paula and I had an amazing time and loved everything — your facilities and staff are top notch and I want to come back with my husband and daughters!!