✦ More Adventures ✦
Join our expert-led winter expedition deep into Hemis National Park — the world's best place to spot the magnificent snow leopard. Guided by local trackers, this once-in-a-lifetime journey combines thrilling wildlife sightings with serene Himalayan landscapes, traditional Ladakhi homestays, and unforgettable stargazing nights.
Few wildlife encounters on Earth rival the thrill of spotting a snow leopard in the wild. Every winter, as prey descends to lower altitudes, these magnificent cats follow — and Hemis National Park becomes the best place in the world to see them.
Our expedition is led by a team of expert Ladakhi trackers who have spent decades studying these elusive animals. With their trained eyes and local knowledge, your chances of a sighting are among the highest anywhere — while the journey itself, through frozen valleys and traditional villages, is an experience to treasure.
Evenings are spent in warm local homestays, sharing stories over butter tea, with some of the darkest, clearest night skies on Earth overhead. This is not just a wildlife tour — it's a deep, respectful journey into one of the last great wildernesses of the Himalayas.
A carefully paced 7-day expedition designed for both wildlife sightings and comfort at altitude. All activities are weather-dependent and flexible to maximise your chances.
Fly into Leh, where our team meets you at the airport and transfers you to your hotel. The day is deliberately slow — rest, hydrate and let your body adjust to the altitude. In the evening, a short orientation walk through Leh market and a briefing on the expedition ahead over dinner.
A gentle day of acclimatisation and culture: visit Thiksey Monastery, Shey Palace and the Leh Palace. After lunch, meet your tracking team and receive a briefing on snow leopard behaviour, safety and photography tips. We also check and pack all expedition gear.
After breakfast, drive to the trailhead at Zingchen and hike into Hemis National Park with your trackers and ponies carrying supplies. The first afternoon is spent scanning ridges and learning to read signs — pugmarks, scrapes and scent marks. Settle into a traditional homestay in Rumbak village for the night.
The heart of the expedition. Spend the full day with your trackers, moving quietly through the valley and scanning the cliffs for movement. Mornings and late afternoons are best for sightings. Along the way, look out for ibex, blue sheep (bharal), bearded vultures and golden eagles. Return to the homestay by dusk.
Another full day of tracking, exploring different valleys and ridges to increase sighting chances. After dinner, step outside for a guided stargazing session — Ladakh's winter skies are among the clearest on Earth, with the Milky Way and countless constellations visible to the naked eye.
One last morning of tracking — often the most productive, as animals move with the warming sun. After lunch, hike back to Zingchen and drive to Leh. Check into your hotel, freshen up, and enjoy a celebratory farewell dinner with your expedition team.
After breakfast, our team transfers you to Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport for your onward flight. Depart with memories of a lifetime — and, hopefully, unforgettable photographs of the ghost of the Himalayas.
Winter in Ladakh is brutally cold — daytime temperatures can dip well below freezing. Layering is key. Bring a full set of high-quality winter gear.
Leave your details and we'll send you the 2027 expedition calendar & full brochure on WhatsApp.
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