Overview
Join us for an extraordinary wildlife expedition on the trail of the near-mythical snow leopards of the Himalayas and the Bengal tigers in legendary Kanha and Pench national parks! We’ll seek the elusive snow leopard in the high Himalayas of Ladakh, where soaring peaks glitter with snow and prayer flags flutter from whitewashed monasteries. Ladakh is a magical place—and the best on the planet to see a snow leopard in the wild. We’ve timed our visit for the winter months, when leopards come down from the snowy heights to follow their main prey, ibex and blue sheep. (Sightings of snow leopard have been excellent from November to March and are not dependent on snow conditions in the mountains). We’ll be based in the remote village of Ulley (13,000'), where a comfortable mountain lodge will welcome us (no camping!). Each day, our expert naturalist and local trackers, who know all the haunts of the “gray ghost,” will get us to the ideal locations to spot these rare creatures. We’ll also be on the lookout for other wildlife including Tibetan wolf, red fox, and Himalayan griffon vulture. A dramatic change of scene finds us in the subtropical world of Kanha National Park, India’s great tiger reserve, where prime teak forests are home to royal Bengal tigers. Spotting one of these magnificent predators is a true privilege, and the park is also home to a rich array of other Indian wildlife. From our award-winning lodge, we have exclusive access at the remote north gate of the park. With fewer travelers around, it means we’ll have a chance for more tiger sightings as well as leopards and Indian wild dog! We invite you on the ultimate experience of the great cats of India!
The trip operation was seamless for the guests. The trip leader and the assistant leader, as well as all the ground staff, made this trip easy to navigate, understand, and enjoy, making it a highly successful experience.
— Carol B., Novato, CA
Itinerary at a Glance
Days 1-3
Delhi / Leh
Fly to Leh (11,500'), Ladakh’s capital, once a stop on the ancient Silk Road. Ladakh is a remote enclave of Tibetan Buddhism in a spectacular Himalayan setting. We’ll explore the Old Quarter and visit Leh Palace at sunset for vistas across the valley.
Days 4-10
Ulley / Snow Leopard Tracking
In the remote village of Ulley (13,000'), with its prayer flags and yak corrals, our community-owned lodge puts us in the best spot to track snow leopard in three valleys renowned for sightings. We track first by vehicle, which allows us to cover a lot of ground each day, then set out on foot to prime viewing spots. Keeping an eye out for ibex, Tibetan wolf, and soaring griffon vultures in this spectacular landscape, we follow our trackers to high points for the best viewing opportunities. Our trip directly supports local community efforts critical for the survival of the magnificent snow leopard. Overnight in Leh on Day 10.
Days 11-16
Kanha National Park / In Search of Tigers
Kanha National Park’s lush meadows and sal forests are ideal habitat for tigers and their prey. We explore by 4WD vehicle, enjoy village visits, and have a cooking demonstration at our award-winning lodge. Depart on Day 16 via Delhi, or join our unique Pench National Park Extension at an outstanding lodge with exclusive access to the realm of leopard and wild dog.
Days 16-19
Pench National Park Extension
If Kanha is known for its tigers, Pench will complete the experience with leopards (as well as tigers), jungle cat, dhole (Indian wild dog), sloth bear, wild boar, mongoose, and gaur (Indian bison). Our award-winning accommodation, Jamtara, named on Conde Nast Traveler’s Hot List, is an experience in itself. Depart on Day 19.
Snow Leopards and Tigers of India
Highlights
Highlights
Details
Rugged road travel with occasional light hikes, cold weather in Ladakh, altitudes between 11,000-14,000 feet, wildlife viewing by vehicle
