Snow Leopard Special in Ladakh

You will be met and transferred to the hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we can arrange some birding in the Delhi area, most likely at Okhla Bird Sanctuary. Despite the pressures of an urban population approaching 20 million people, this small sanctuary on the banks of the polluted Yamuna River offers some excellent birding, with a good chance of the resident Striated Grassbird, Striated Babbler and possibly White-tailed Stonechat.

A morning flight to Leh gives some spectacular Himalayan mountain views, with the peaks of K2, Nanga Parbat, Gasherbrum on one side and the Nun Kun massif on the other. The rest of the day will be spent at leisure. With Leh being at an altitude of more than 3,500 m, it is important to acclimatise to avoid acute mountain sickness (AMS), and the best way is to rest as much as possible for the first day or so. Nothing more strenuous than a chat over tea in the hotel today!

Another rest day in Leh, although in the afternoon we will so some relaxed birding in the local area to get used to some of the common species. We can also take a short stroll through Leh’s main bazaar and enjoy a taste of the local Tibetan cuisine!

Zinchan is the entry point to the Rumbak Valley, in Hemis National Park, the home of the Snow Leopard. The bleak but spectacular landscape supports animals and birds uniquely evolved to handle life in this harsh region.

We have six full days to spend exploring different areas of this picturesque, open landscape. Expect lots of scanning of distant hillsides, and see if you can be the first to spot our target: it’s very difficult to beat our expert local trackers whose eyesight seems to be bionic! Birds are certainly not to be ignored and our frequent scanning of the hillsides should find Himalayan Snowcock and Tibetan Partridge, whilst Bearded and Himalayan Vultures and Golden Eagles should be regularly encountered. Both Red-billed and Yellow-billed Choughs are present here, along with Eurasian Magpie, Horned Lark, Robin and Brown Accentors, Great Rosefinch, Black-headed Mountain Finch and Twite. The beautiful White-browed Tit-Warbler is also a possibility.

With our time in Hemis National Park over, and hopefully some incredible Snow Leopard encounters to remember, we head back to Leh with some time for birding along the Indus River.

Those who are leaving this morning will take a flight back to Delhi, whilst the rest of us will enjoy some more birding in the marshes around Leh, looking for a few species that we did not find in the Rumbak Valley, prior to leaving for more exciting large mammal hunting tomorrow!