Location
India
Snow Leopards & Himalayan Trekking
Details
20 DAYS FROM 38000 PP
Best time to go
March
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Snow Leopards & the High Himalayas
Tracking in Ladakh, Trekking in Kumaon
Journey deep into the Indian Himalayas on a wildlife and walking adventure that combines the search for elusive snow leopards in Ladakh with an immersive exploration of the remote villages and mountain landscapes of Kumaon.
Begin in Leh, acclimatising to the high altitude while discovering centuries-old Buddhist monasteries before travelling into Hemis National Park, one of India's most important snow leopard habitats. From a specialist wilderness camp, spend six days working with expert trackers and spotters, scanning ridgelines and valleys for the legendary "ghost of the mountains", alongside blue sheep, Ladakhi urial and other high-altitude wildlife.
The second half of the journey reveals a gentler side of the Himalayas. Fly south to Kumaon and travel on foot between beautifully restored village houses, walking through oak, pine and rhododendron forests with views towards the Nanda Devi range. Finish at remote Shakti Prana, where days can be as active or relaxed as you choose, with guided hikes, village walks, cooking experiences and dinners beneath the stars.
This is a Himalayan safari of contrasts, bringing together rare wildlife, Buddhist culture, remote mountain communities and some of northern India's most spectacular walking country.
Why you'll love this trip
- Spend six days searching for wild snow leopards with specialist trackers in Hemis National Park.
- Look for blue sheep, Ladakhi urial and other wildlife of the high Himalayas.
- Discover the Buddhist monasteries and mountain culture surrounding Leh.
- Walk between remote Kumaoni villages through forests, terraced farmland and Himalayan foothills.
- Enjoy spectacular views towards Nanda Devi and the surrounding Himalayan peaks.
- Stay in beautifully restored village houses that combine traditional character with comfort.
- Finish at remote Shakti Prana with flexible guided hiking, exceptional food and time to slow down.
Day by Day Itinerary
Day 1: Arrive in Delhi
Arrive in Delhi, where you will be met and transferred to your hotel. Spend the remainder of the day relaxing after your international flight before your journey into the Himalayas begins.
Overnight: Roseate House
Day 2: Fly to Leh in Ladakh
Fly north to Leh, set at approximately 3,500 metres in the mountains of Ladakh. Transfer to your hotel and spend the remainder of the day resting, hydrating and adjusting to the altitude.
Overnight: Grand Dragon Ladakh
Days 3–4: Explore Leh & Ladakh's Buddhist Monasteries
Allow further time to acclimatise before exploring some of Ladakh's most important cultural sites. Visit Shey, Thikse and Hemis monasteries alongside Stok Palace, discovering centuries of Tibetan Buddhist heritage against the dramatic backdrop of the Indus Valley.
Overnight: Grand Dragon Ladakh
Day 5: Enter Hemis National Park
Leave Leh for Hemis National Park and your specialist camp in the heart of snow leopard country. Join the field team for your first opportunity to scan the surrounding valleys and ridgelines before returning to the warmth of camp.
Overnight: Lungmar Snow Leopard Camp
Days 6–10: Snow Leopard Tracking in Hemis National Park
Spend five full days tracking snow leopards with expert spotters who know these mountains intimately. Travel by 4x4 and on foot, adapting each day according to fresh tracks, sightings and wildlife movements.
Snow leopards are the focus, but keep watch for blue sheep, Ladakhi urial and argali amongst the stark Himalayan landscape. Short hikes may be required to reach the best viewing positions when wildlife is located.
Overnight: Lungmar Snow Leopard Camp
Day 11: Return to Delhi
Leave Hemis National Park and return to Leh for your flight to Delhi. Transfer to your hotel and enjoy an evening at leisure before beginning the trekking section of your journey.
Overnight: Roseate House
Day 12: Journey into the Kumaon Himalayas
Fly to Pantnagar and continue by road into the Almora region of Kumaon. The final approach to Kana is on foot, giving you your first taste of the landscapes you'll explore over the coming days.
Settle into your traditional village house before drinks and dinner prepared by your chef.
Overnight: Shakti Kana
Day 13: Walk from Kana to Jwalabanj
Walk through terraced fields to the ancient Jageshwar Temple Complex before continuing into forests of rhododendron, pine and oak. Stop for a picnic lunch and enjoy your first views towards the Nanda Devi mountain range.
Overnight: Shakti Jwalabanj Village House
Day 14: Trek to Panchachuli
Rise early for the chance to watch the first light illuminate Nanda Kot and Nanda Devi before setting out through forests and mountain settlements.
Continue along trails bordering Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary, stopping for a picnic with views across the Nanda Devi range and keeping watch for Himalayan goral.
Overnight: Shakti Panchachuli Village House
Your Accommodation in India
Roseate House
A contemporary upscale hotel located in Aerocity, renowned as one of the best hotels in the area, it blends traditional elegance with modern innovation to cater to cosmopolitan guests. Conveniently situated 30 minutes from Delhi, the hotel is just 4.5 kilometres from Indira Gandhi International Airport and a short walk from the Aerocity metro station. Roseate House offers a tranquil retreat from the city's hustle and bustle, combining luxury and comfort for travellers.
Grand Dragon Ladakh
Set amid the mountain landscapes of Leh, Grand Dragon Ladakh combines contemporary comfort with traditional Ladakhi influences. Its location makes it an ideal base for acclimatisation and exploring the monasteries of the Indus Valley before travelling into Hemis National Park.
Mountain views surround the property, offering an immediate sense of the extraordinary landscape ahead.
Lungmar Snow Leopard Camp
Set at the meeting point of three valleys inside Hemis National Park, Lungmar Snow Leopard Camp places you directly within active snow leopard territory.
Designed specifically for winter wildlife expeditions, the camp provides a warm and comfortable retreat after long days tracking in the mountains, while its location allows the field team to respond quickly to sightings and wildlife movements.
Shakti Village Houses
The intimate Shakti village houses at Kana, Jwalabanj and Panchachuli provide an authentic way to experience life in the Kumaon Himalayas.
Carefully restored traditional homes combine local character with modern comforts, from cosy ensuite bedrooms to fireside living spaces. Each occupies a distinctive mountain setting, with forests, farmland and spectacular Himalayan views right outside the door.
Small private village houses | Traditional Himalayan accommodation
Shakti Prana
Surrounded by wilderness with glorious views towards the Nanda Devi range, Shakti Prana is a beautifully remote base for exploring Kumaon on foot.
Seven suites are complemented by two dining areas, live kitchens, an outdoor yoga pavilion and sauna. Constructed from stone, glass, timber and copper and powered by solar energy, it balances contemporary design with an extraordinary sense of place.
7 suites | Sauna | Yoga pavilion | Solar powered