India

Day 1: Fly to Delhi

Day 2: Fly from Delhi to Leh

The tour starts at Leh airport in the morning, as all flights from Delhi are scheduled to arrive early in the day, normally offering spectacular panoramic vistas of the Himalayas and the Ladakh range. On arrival, we will transfer to our comfortable hotel for a two-night stay.

Leh is at an altitude of around 11,400 ft (3,475m), so the reduced oxygen level needs adjusting to and we will have a very gentle first day, during which we offer only birding around the hotel grounds and nearby gardens, fields and streams with very limited walking.

With prayer flags fluttering everywhere, and monasteries and shrines atop nearby hills, it is often said that this part of India is very much like Tibet used to be before the Chinese took control and the Dalai Lama fled to India. Night Leh hotel

Day 3: Birding and mammal watching in the Indus Valley near Leh plus visit to Thikse Monastery

We will spend the day on a minibus excursion looking for wildlife along the banks of the Indus River and with an optional visit to Thikse or Spituk Monastery.  Thikse is perched, citadel-like, on a low hill and often likened to the winter palace of the Dalai Lamas in Tibet. Throughout the area, there are several monasteries and Buddhist prayer wheels, chortens, statues of Buddha and prayer flags abound.

In the cultivated areas close to the river, and along the riverbanks themselves, we will seek out several iconic birds including the extraordinary Ibisbill which is undoubtedly one of the world’s most unusual looking waders with its grey and black head and brilliant red decurved bill. Another target is the elusive Solitary Snipe, and we can also expect to enjoy good numbers of the dramatic-looking Güldenstädt’s Redstart.

Other possibilities include Black-eared Kite, Upland Buzzard, Cinereous Tit, Blue Whistling Thrush, White-capped Redstart, Black-throated Thrush, Brown and Robin Accentors and Mongolian Finch.

If you opt to visit a Monastery, you will learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture, see extraordinary buildings and artwork, plus you may witness Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon or a Golden Eagle soaring overhead.  Night Leh hotel

Day 4: Depart Leh, drive to Hemis Hational Park

After breakfast, we will leave Leh and drive to Hemis National Park. A straight drive of around 90 minutes, but we are likely to stop for roadside wildlife and to enjoy the dramatic scenery, including a viewpoint high above a deep gorge along the Indus prior to its confluence with the Zanskar river.

Our comfortable homestay is at an altitude of around 13,000ft (3,960m), so only a little higher than the hotel in Leh.  The heated bedrooms are cosy and a warm welcome and good food awaits in the dining room, freshly prepared by our own chef team.

After lunch, we will continue our exploration of the area and are likely to spend at least part of the afternoon at the vantage point a short distance from the homestay, looking for Snow Leopards, other mammals and birds. Afternoon tea and biscuits will be brought to us, wherever we are, before we return to our homestay for dinner, thereby setting the trend for the following days.  Night comfortable homestay in Hemis National Park

Days 5-8: Exploring around base for Snow Leopards and other wildlife.

We will have the equivalent of five days to look for Snow Leopards and with around 12 hours of daylight, there will be plenty of time to look for wildlife and get a good night’s rest.

Prior to dawn, the calls of Himalayan Snowcocks and Chukars are likely to be the first sounds of the day, although the mating calls of a Snow Leopard or the howling of Grey Wolves are also possible.

Our guides will already be on the lookout for Snow Leopards, either from our base or nearby. You have the option to join them or take your time and have a more leisurely start.  Tea, coffee and biscuits are served in your room and at the nearby watchpoint and you will have the opportunity to enjoy both.

After the dawn watch, a hearty breakfast will either be served at the homestay or, if we are already watching Snow Leopard(s), then the team will bring this to us “in the field”.

Afterwards, if a Snow Leopard has not yet been spotted, we will likely drive to another vantage spot, to carry on searching for them.

The amount of walking you choose to do each day is entirely up to you. You may choose to stay around our comfortable base all day and just head out when a Snow Leopard is spotted, or take a ride in the minibus to a new vantage point with the spotters. Alternatively, for those who wish, there will usually be the option of a hike of about a mile or so most days, with any uphill walking being at a slow pace. For those who wish to push on uphill and expend more energy, there will be opportunities, but generally Snow Leopards can readily be seen from the valley floor.

Most of the walking will be on gentle inclines, on simple trails or jeep tracks, although occasionally we may need to get into a better position for viewing which can involve steeper walking for short distances.

If you wish to make your walking significantly more comfortable, we can arrange a personal porter for your stay in Hemis National Park who can then carry your backpack, camera gear, tripod, scope etc. It is remarkable how much this helps when you are walking up even the gentlest of gradients.

Other mammals that are found here include Eurasian Lynx, Woolly Hare, Grey Wolf, Mountain Weasel, Large-eared Pika and plenty of the Snow Leopards’ favourite prey, Blue Sheep (Bharal). There are some great birds too including Himalayan Snowcock, Tibetan Partridge, Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon, Hill Pigeon, both Red and Yellow-billed Choughs, Wallcreeper, the extraordinary, purplish-coloured White-browed (Stoliczka’s) Tit-Warbler, Brown Dipper, Brown and Robin Accentors, Red-fronted Serin and both Great and Streaked Rosefinches.

Whenever we are away from our base, our amazing support team will bring us hot tea, coffee and a snack, mid-morning and mid-afternoon, whilst in the middle of the day, we will also get a substantial hot lunch delivered to wherever we are. Evening meals at the homestay are a sociable time, as we recap on the day’s sightings before heading to comfortable beds in heated bedrooms, taking a hot-water bottle with you if you so wish. Four further nights in homestay in Hemis National Park

Day 9: Leave Hemis National Park and return to Leh

Our plans for the day will largely be determined by what we have seen. If we have already had some good Snow Leopard encounters, we are likely to leave in the morning and take a gentle drive back to Leh looking for Ladakh Urial (Red Sheep) and Ibisbills along the River Indus. Alternatively, we may spend most of the day in Hemis National Park. Overnight Leh hotel

Day 10: Depart Leh and drive to Changthang Plateau, looking for wildlife enroute

After breakfast, we will leave Leh and drive southeast up the mighty Indus River valley towards its source in Tibet. The road follows the river and whilst it occasionally detours to avoid deep gorges, it does not go over any high mountain passes.

It is a spectacular drive, and we plan to make multiple stops to look for wildlife. We will be looking for Ladakh Urial, Solitary Snipe, Brown Dipper, Wallcreeper, Tibetan Lark and Great Rosefinch. It is likely that we will see our first Kiang (Tibetan Wild Ass) before we reach the Changthang Plateau.

Once we near the Tibetan border, we will begin our quest in earnest for the special mammals and birds of this region, most especially Pallas’s Cat.  Night at comfortable homestay/guesthouse

Days 11-12: Exploring the Changthang Plateau

Two full days of exploring the area and its sweeping panoramas that look very different to the mountain valleys around Leh and Hemis National Park.

Using our minibus for transport, we will search the plains of the plateau and adjacent hillsides for the specialist mammals that are regularly seen,with our major target being the delightful Pallas’s Cat. Although this species has a range that spans from the Caucasus Mountains to southern Siberia, it is tricky to access much of its range. However, we have a great chance to see this small feline with our local team having an excellent knowledge of where to find it in this remote but spectacular region.

Other mammals we will hope to see include Tibetan Gazelle, Grey Wolf, Tibetan Fox (occasionally), Argali – the largest species of wild sheep in the world, and Kiang (Tibetan Wild Ass), so we can expect to see some fantastic mammals during our time here.

In addition, the area is also home to multiple iconic birds with Tibetan Sandgrouse, Ground Tit (formerly known as Hume’s Groundpecker), Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Tibetan Lark, Blanford’s and Black-winged Snowfinches, Black-headed Mountain Finch and Great Rosefinch all amongst those we hope to see. Indeed, if the Spring is advanced, we may also see Bar-headed Geese or early returning Black-necked Cranes, such as the two we saw on territory in mid-March 2026.

As with our time spent in Hemis National Park, we will make use of expert Ladakhi spotters who know the habits of the animals, and have local contacts, thereby hugely increasing our chances of a successful visit.

We plan to keep our plans flexible and if we have not found all our main targets, we may delay our return to Leh by one day. Two further nights at comfortable homestay/lodges

Day 13: Return to Leh

We plan to leave after breakfast driving slowly back westwards along the spectacular Indus valley. We will make stops as we travel, taking the opportunity to enjoy the scenery and wildlife opportunities and expect to arrive back in Leh in the mid-late afternoon. Night at Leh hotel

Day 14: Leh

A final day in the Leh area that, depending on recent sightings, may involve heading out in follow-up of Snow Leopard, Lynx, or other mammals, plus a final chance to see any birds that we may have missed.   Further night at Leh hotel

Day 15: Depart Leh

After breakfast, it is a short transfer to the airport from where it is an approximately 75-minute flight back to Delhi with onward connections to international flights, arriving later the same day.

EXTENSION

Days 15-17

We have three full days of vehicle-based excursions where we plan to focus on looking for Eurasian Lynx and Asiatic (Siberian) Ibex. Whilst there are possibilities of seeing both species on the main tour, the extension is the best bet to find this elusive feline, along with its favoured prey – the Woolly Hare and there are good places to find the Ibex as well.

In addition we will look for any birds or other species we may have missed on the main tour. Both Himalayan and Tibetan Snowcocks can be found in this area providing further opportunities to see these amazing birds and if we hear about any Snow Leopard sightings we may well go and look for these as well. Three nights at Leh hotel

Day 18: Depart Leh

After breakfast, it is a short transfer to the airport from where it is an approximately 75-minute flight back to Delhi with onward connections to international flights, arriving later the same day.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Unparalleled scenery, excellent chances to see Snow Leopard and Pallas’s Cat, as well as a host of other special mammals and great birds.

We stay in a warm and well-appointed hotel in Leh and use comfortable homestays in our quest to see Snow Leopards and Pallas’s Cats staying in what we consider are the best places at the perfect time of year.

Our objective is to maximise on our chances of not only seeing Snow Leopards but also hopefully see them hunting or mating, with both these activities observed on our recent tours. As Snow Leopards are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, staying inside the national park is, therefore, crucial and sets the WildWings tour apart from many of the trips offered by others.

The trip is entirely vehicle based throughout, but for those who wish there will be optional walks of a mile or two most days, although we will generally spend a significant portion of the day sitting and scanning, and enjoying hot food and drink wherever we are. If you wish, however, you can remain at our base and scan from there and await a call on the radio.

We have an experienced support crew and spotters throughout our stay in Hemis National Park, as well as a great cook team. We will enjoy freshly cooked, very lightly spiced, hot meals three times a day, with plenty of variety, as well as tea and snacks mornings and afternoons.

After our stay in Hemis we then head east down the Indus valley where we stay in a warm, clean and comfortable homestay and explore by minibus looking for Pallas’s Cat, Tibetan Gazelle, Argali and Kiang plus yet more fantastic birds.

After the main tour concludes, there is then an optional extension (based at our comfortable hotel in Leh) which provides the opportunity to look for Eurasian Lynx and Asiatic (Siberian) Ibex plus further chances for Snow Leopards and birds such as Himalayan and Tibetan Snowcocks.

ACCOMMODATION

Our hotel in Leh is warm and comfortable, with spacious rooms, ensuite facilities, running hot and cold water, central heating mornings and evenings, electricity and internet. Bottled water, and freshly boiled water is available for drinking, as well as hot tea and coffee, and we will enjoy freshly cooked meals in the hotel dining room. All rooms have a kettle.

The Homestay Guesthouses in Hemis National Park and on the Changthang Plateau are simple, but warm, clean and very comfortable, and we will have our own cook team to provide us three cooked meals a day. Depending upon our success on the Changthang Plateau, and on local information, we may opt to spend one night at a more basic lodge.

PERSONAL PORTER

Nearly all our previous Snow Leopards sightings in Hemis National Park have been within the valley floor region and a mile or two of our base, however, the reduced oxygen at this altitude, means carrying your scope/tripod/camera/daypack will involve more effort than at sea level.

As a result, you have the option to hire a personal local porter, which will make your walking more comfortable and speedier. The porter can carry up to two peoples’ optical equipment, plus spare clothing etc.

Personal porters need to be booked at least one month before the trip. The cost is £295 per porter (2027) and covers their pay, food, lodging and entrance fees in Hemis National Park.

FOOD

In Leh, we eat in the hotel’s restaurant, however, for the rest of the trip, we will have hearty meals which are freshly prepared by our own excellent cook team. Most special diets can be catered for as long as these are requested in advance.

Set meals, with multiple dishes and courses, are served three times a day, featuring Western, Indian, Chinese, Tibetan and Ladakhi dishes, with the latter only very gently spiced. Fresh eggs, chicken, pulses and cheese will form a significant part of our dining, alongside homemade soups, potatoes, fresh vegetables, rice, pasta, freshly baked local breads, local jams and porridge and fresh fruit.

Even though Ladakh is cut off by road for much of the winter, we will have fresh vegetables and fruits, and the supply of these has significantly increased in recent years.

In Hemis National Park, we generally eat breakfast and dinner at our homestay whilst lunch is often a picnic in the field, with hot soup, hot main courses, dessert and tea/coffee, brought to us no matter where we have driven or walked to.

Tea, coffee and snacks are available throughout the day at the hotel, homestay and in Hemis National Park. When we are out in the field, we will be brought hot tea/coffee and snacks mid-morning and again mid-afternoon, delivered to us by our “runners”, who utilise insulated canteens, thermos flasks and the jeep to ensure that we get hot food and drink wherever we are.

WEATHER/CLIMATE

Our trip is timed at the start of Spring and as Ladakh is in the rain shadow of the Himalayas, the climate is typically very dry.

Daytime temperatures will be cool with highs of up to 10C (50F) or more, but feeling much warmer in the sun.

Overnight low temperatures are mostly in the range -15C to -10C (5F to 15F), however, the very dry climate ensures that it is significantly more tolerable than similar temperatures in moister climates such as the UK.

Clear conditions are likely to be interspersed with occasional cloudier days and we may get a light powdery snowfall at some point of around 2-4cm. Given that Ladakh has annual precipitation of only c.10cm of rain equivalent, heavier falls are very unusual but we are likely to be walking on a thin layer of snow at times.

Generally, there is not much of a breeze in Hemis, although a slight breeze is not unusual in the afternoons. On the Changtang Plateau the afternoon breezes are more noticeable.

FITNESS LEVEL

This trip requires the ability to walk short to medium distances on uneven terrain, mainly in river valleys. Walking uphill will be taken much more slowly due to the altitude, but this is not an extreme high-altitude trip.

ALTITUDE

The majority of the tour is between 11,500 to 13,000 feet (3,500-4,000 metres) above sea level, prior to reaching a slightly higher altitude at our homestay lodge on the Changthang Plateau. Most people do not have any significant problem acclimatising, so long as they do virtually no exercise for the first 24 hours after arriving. For this reason, we spend two nights in Leh at the start of the trip.

If you have not travelled to these altitudes before, you may wish to talk to your doctor about whether Acetazolamide (Diamox) may be appropriate or useful for you. If you take it, it is advised to be even more attentive to staying hydrated.

• Ladakh Trip Report 2023
• Ladakh Systematic List 2023
• INDIA Ladakh Snow Leopards Trip Report and Systematic List 2018
• INDIA Ladakh Snow Leopards Trip Report and Systematic List 2017