Snow Leopard Trail

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What you'll do

Overview

Uley has gained a reputation for the high number of snow leopards as well as a fantastic spot to see Himalayan Fox, Bearded and Himalayan Griffon Vultures and Golden eagles.

Ideal period for spotting Snow Leopard is from October to March, that’s from end of autumn to beginning of spring. These elusive cats are spotted throughout the Hemis National Park. Beside Snow Leopard there is always a good chance of spotting many other famous and rare animals like “Nyan” or “Tibetan Argali” (Ovis Ammon); Himalayan Blue Sheep, called “Bharal” or “Napo” (Pseudois Nayaur); Uriel, locally called “Shapo” (Ovis Orientalis), Asiatic Ibex (Capra Sibirica), and among the predators are Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Lynx, Pallas Cat, and many others.

Arrival in Let (3,500m)

You will be met at Let airport and taken to your hotel where you will have a chance to acclimatise to the altitude.

Flights from Delhi to Leh are scheduled early morning .

In the evening you will be taken on a leisurely walk in Let market.  Make sure you drink lots of water to help with the acclimatisation.

 

Leh

Today we set out for some sightseeing. We tour around Leh visiting Hall of Fame, Shankar Gompa, Leh Palace and Shanti Stupa which is a Bhuddhist white domed stupa on a hilltop in Changspa, after enjoying panoramic views of the lit up Leh city and sunset from the top we recommend that you walk down, making use of this opportunity to acclimatize further and walk through the back lanes into Leh.

Explore the bazaar of Leh and head back to the hotel for dinner. Dinner and overnight stay at hotel in Leh.

Transfer to Uley (4050m)

Today post breakfast, we drive west on the road to Kargil and Srinagar, generally following the Indus River. We will pass through the small town of Nimmu – one of the most important in Ladakh, where the Zanskar river meets the Indus. After a little over an hour you head north on a road marked to Likir – one of Ladakh’s famous Buddhist monasteries. This is all Snow Leopard country. The landscape here is even bigger, more expansive and open, until you turn off onto a dirt road, winding up a narrow valley, following a stream called the Uley Chhu.

Uley village, west of Leh is an area that is only recently being developed for Snow Leopard watching. Settle in on arrival and acclimatize to the higher altitude of Uley. We will be based here over 04 nights and the advantage of Uley is that it is relatively free of tourism and the chaos that has enveloped the first Snow Leopard destination – Rumbak. 

Uley Excursions

The advantage is that from here you explore 3 valleys, which, apart from Snow Leopards, are great for finding Urial, Ibex, Wolf and Himalayan Fox. Over the next few days we will explore the area on foot and SUV’s with spotter tracking the Snow Leopard. You will be amazed at the sheer dedication and commitment the local spotters bring to their trade and the effort they make to ensure that the guests leave happy. In the process there will also be plenty of  opportunity for us to get insights into local folklore, as well as learn about local customs and traditions. Whenever there is a report of a sighting, we will be taken to the spot by dedicated vehicle comfortably. As per the sighting Lunch will be either at the lodge or will be served in the field.

Dinner and overnight stay at the lodges. Lodges are luxurious with well insulated rooms having heaters installed in rooms. Hot water bags under the sheets are provided. Also 24 hours hot water and electricity backup, well- appointed chef having mastery in multiple cuisines. Full multiple course meals. This is a place that has been selected as it is where you will feel comfortable even at that high altitude. 

Drive back to Leh

After another morning out, we say our goodbyes to our host after lunch and drive back to Leh town. Enroute we visit the Alchi monastery if time permits

(The morning can drag longer if there is good wildlife movement). Alchi Gompa is one of the oldest monasteries dating back to the 11th century. It is the only low land monastery in the region as it was built in a time of peace, before the marauding armies forced the monasteries to take shelter amongst the slopes and gorges. Overnight at Leh hotel.

Your local host

Shailendra Singh

I’ve been in the travel industry for 18 years, and although I’m an economics graduate I was bitten by the travel bug and have led tour groups in many different parts of the world, from many different nationalities.

I’ve led tours across India and many different parts of the subcontinent, and in doing so have learned so much about India as a country and a destination. It also taught me a huge amount about how other nationalities feel about other countries, and all of this together has helped me in my current role in curating experiences that are truly memorable.

What inspired you to work in the travel industry?

My family used to take us on big vacations, exploring new areas almost every month and thi... Read All

I’ve been in the travel industry for 18 years, and although I’m an economics graduate I was bitten by the travel bug and have led tour groups in many different parts of the world, from many different nationalities.

I’ve led tours across India and many different parts of the subcontinent, and in doing so have learned so much about India as a country and a destination. It also taught me a huge amount about how other nationalities feel about other countries, and all of this together has helped me in my current role in curating experiences that are truly memorable.

What inspired you to work in the travel industry?

My family used to take us on big vacations, exploring new areas almost every month and this is what really got me bitten by the bug.

When seeing India you realise the diversity in culture, in cuisine and in people is just so huge, and the people are still very emotive and really value human emotions and human connections. It is this sense we endeavour to get across in our tours.

If you had to choose one, what would be your favourite place in India?

Of all the places I have been to if I had to choose a favourite place it would be Uttarakhand. A hill state in the Himalayas, there aren’t too many tourists and it has such a well-preserved culture, it is a piece of real India. Of course in the Himalayas, there are so many hikes and the scenery is so beautiful.

What makes HI Tours different?

Our tours are made different by the very fact that we have a real emphasis on experiencing a destination, rather than just seeing it, to the extent that we actually have a separate experience division.

We are very keen on sustainability and all our experiences have a focus on the right practices and social sustainability. Our ticket sizes aren’t huge, we’re more about bringing value to customers and communities rather than just about making money.

All our experiences are more about people rather than places, as this helps customers really connect and understand the place they’re visiting.

All this is reflected in Hi Tours as a company. We are medium-sized and family-run, and we focus on giving our business to smaller places, which not only gives our customers more authentic experiences but helps to give back to communities.

What do you love most about Delhi?

Delhi is a place with an amazing history, it’s the only city that has been established and raised to the ground seven times, so the version of Delhi you see today is actually in its 8th state! It is the gateway to all cultures in India, Hinduism, Islam, and this results in amazing vibrancy and amazing stories.

In many ways, it is a ‘mini-India’. It keeps evolving, it keeps bouncing back, it’s chaotic, but makes it through everything and just seems to work.

What are the ‘must-sees’? Where would you take a first-time visitor?

You have to see the obvious places, the Taj Mahal, Parliament Street, but the best ways to introduce a newcomer to India is by taking them on an experience where they really learn about the people and the culture of Delhi.

Having someone that can connect what you are seeing to the history of Delhi and how it has come about is so important. Seeing the other side to what normal tourists see really helps you get an idea of what a place its really like.

When you cycle round the back of the Taj, you see the people who live there and what they experience day-to-day. The inside view is so important to really experience a place.

What makes sustainable travel important to you?

It’s high time we make travel more sustainable. If people are going to travel, it has to be as sustainable as possible now. The idea of sustainable travel is not only for ecology but for communities also. Money can seep down to the lowest level, it’s a cycle and tourism can be used as a great tool for getting benefits to the poorest communities.

It’s also an opportunity for us as a business. We have been working with our partners for more than two decades now, so there is an understanding of mutual trust between us and the communities. People recognise the efforts we make to give back to the community, and that has helped us carve out a niche in Delhi of really authentic experiences.

Sustainability Efforts

What Sustainability Efforts are we Taking?

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Location

You will be picked up directly from Leh airport and taken to your accommodation.

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