Ladakh Snow Leopard Summer Trek

Catch an early morning flight to Leh. Get ready to experience the winter season in Ladakh, it's freezing as you touch down at 11,500 ft above sea level. Our representative will welcome you at Leh airport, and transfer to your hotel. Rest of the day free to acclimatize yourself to the high altitude of Ladakh. Overnight stay at the hotel.

Make an early start for the day with a cup of tea or coffee, before heading toward the Thiksey Monastery built in 1430 AD. At Thiksey Monastery, join the mystical Morning Prayers session, be mesmerised by the sound of hundreds of young and old lamas chanting together to the amazing sound of their singing bowls. Later, visit a local restaurant for a delicious Ladakhi breakfast. Afterwards visit the Hemis Gompa of Drukpa Lineage, the monastery was re-established in 1672 by the Ladakhi king Sengge Namgyal. On the way back to leh visit Shey Gompa. Overnight stay at the hotel in Leh.

This day marks the commencement of the Snow Leopard Trek. Today, we have to make our way to Zingchen after having an early breakfast. You are advised to carry extra water as it may take many hours to find a source of drinking water during the complete day's trail. Amidst the drive to Zingchen, you will come across the guards of Hemis National Park.

The trek on foot will begin from Zingchen, and we will head towards Rumbak valley, over a mild, gradual trail that climbs uphill. We will maintain a steady pace today, as the trail is mostly ascending. It's important to observe meticulously, for your first sighting of the Snow Leopard will most likely be here in Rumbak valley. Your guide will be communicating with others in the area and checking local information on snow leopard whereabouts. After lunch, you will hike to a nearby viewpoint and scan for snow leopards and other wildlife. Dinner and overnight at the campsite.

Next four days will be spent in Hemis National Park, using your Rumbak camp as a base. Our guide will search the trails looking for signs of Snow Leopards throughout the Rumbhak, Husing, & Tarbung valleys, in these area we can find around 9 to 10 different cats. After breakfast, our guide will make a decision on where to take you for the day to trace Snow Leopards. Dinner & overnight stay at the camp in Rumbak Valley.

Today, we'll trek to Chortenchan, which is at 4.084m. We'll pass through Stok La, from where one can see the upper Indus valley and Stok Gorge with beautiful rock formations. Later, we'll climb down to Khilchay, which is a summer pasture of Stok village, climb over two small humps and get down to Stok Nallah. Then walk uphill on the left bank of Stok Nallah for about twenty minutes and enter into another summer pasture, called Chortenchan. If we are lucky enough, then we might see a snow leopard here. This location also provides the best opportunity to look for the snow leopards primary wild prey - the blue sheep, which inhabit the steep slopes and rocky ledges. We can also spot other wildlife here, including Wolf, Himalayan fox, marmots and several exciting species of birds, which include the chukor partridge, snow cocks, lammergeyer, accentors, rose finches, redstarts, Eurasian hobby's and kestrels. Dinner & overnight stay at the camp in Chortenchen.

Start the day with a luscious breakfast, before bracing yourself for some adventure. Start the day with a steady climb for about three hours, which takes you to the base camp of Stok Kangri. Dinner & overnight in tents at the base camp.

Explore the valley, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks, and give excellent opportunities to spot Snow Leopards, a variety of birds and animals. Dinner & overnight in tents at the base camp.

Trek to Stok valley through willow groves and alpine meadows, past the ruins of an ancient Ladakh fortress - Styang La Khar. From here, we'll drive back to the hotel in Leh. Dinner & overnight in tents at the hotel in Leh.

The day is free for own leisure activities. Dinner & overnight in tents at the hotel in Leh.

It's time to say farewell to the Ladakh Snow Leopard Summer Trek. Leave on time for Leh airport for onward journey to Delhi.

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