Snow Leopard Trek

Moderate Trek

Area: Ladakh Himalayas
Duration: 12 Night / 13 Days
Grade: Moderate - Challenging
Altitude: 4090 mts/13415 ft
Best season to visit: November - March

The Snow Leopard trek is one of the popular treks in the Ladakh region that stretches from an elevation of about 3,500 meters to 6,000 meters. The journey continues through the Hemis National Park, which is one of the national parks in the Indian Himalayan belt and largest national parks in India with an area of 3,350 meters, is the abode of many different species of wildlife. Snow Leopards are the major attractions in the valley and can be generally found at an altitude between 3,000 meters to 4,500 meters. The snow leopard trek takes you through the bedazing Trans Himalayan mountainscapes with scant vegetation and extreme temperature. Note it down that snow leopards are mostly active at dawn and dusk and spotted close to broken terrain, rocky outcrops and ravines. One traversing along River Indus towards Zingchen George passes through the claw traces left by the snow leopards at the base of rocks surrounding the cliffs and that shrills the moment and adventure. The other attractions are Ibex, Tibetan Antelope, Blue Sheep, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare etc. Among the avifauna population you spot the Snow Patridge, Golden Oriole, Snow Cock, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark, Red Billed Chuff etc.

The snow leopard trek starts from Zingchen, which is at a drivable distance from Leh and thereafter from Zingchen the trek goes deep into the wild where you may first get acquainted with the Tibetan wolf. Thereafter, you embark upon a herd of blue ship, which is a common sight. While you move more deep into the zone, the large horned sheep, a.k.a. argali, is a jaw breaking sight. Your shivering days will turn to pulsating being in the wilderness as you walk along the tracks of Eurasian Brown Bear and further, spot some of the rare species of Himalayan and migratory birds.

The snow leopard trek leads to Rumbak Valley in the next couple of days where you can explore the folklore at the local villages and even experience a hospitable home stay. The trek downhill follows the same route and reaches Leh via Hemis Monastery.