Snow Leopard Group: In Search of the Ghost Cat
Tour Introduction
This phenomenal group tour offers as good a chance as anywhere in the world of seeing a wild snow leopard. Eventually reaching the remote Ulley Valley in Ladakh, a local, expert team of spotters and trackers will do what they can to find you this elusive cat.
The itinerary begins in Delhi, where we’ll be able to enjoy a restful night of acclimatisation, after first heading out for an afternoon sightseeing tour of some of Delhi’s most famous landmarks. Get to know the other members of the group while enjoying the excellent choice of restaurants and facilities at five star Roseate House. In the morning we venture into the upper Indian Himalaya to begin our search for the ghost cat. A flight will take us from Delhi up to Leh, the historical capital of Ladakh. The Grand Dragon Hotel will be our base as we acclimatise to the conditions of being in the mountains. Leh lies at an altitude of 3,500 metres so there will be a full day of acclimatisation in Leh, whilst we start to explore the culture of this ancient buddhist kingdom. Witness the morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery and take a walk to Hemis Monastery at Gotsang. After two nights in Leh we will continue deeper into the Himalayas as we drive for two and a half hours along winding mountain roads to the remote Ulley Chuu Valley.
The superb Shan at Uley will be our homely mountain base for the next four nights. From here, the lodge’s expert team of trackers and spotters will take us out on excursions by vehicle and on foot, into the neighbouring valleys to look for the Himalayan wildlife that call this incredible landscape home. These spotters and trackers will do their best to locate snow leopards throughout each day, communicating with the guides and drivers as to their whereabouts if found. You travel to the location where spotters are seeking wildlife. The wildlife we’ll be aiming to seek out includes Snow Leopard, Tibetan Wolf, Red Fox, Ladakh Uriel, Ibex Blue Sheep, Pika, Woolly Hare, along with birds such as the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Red-billed Chough, Alpine Chough, Himalayan Snowcock, Tibetan Partridge, and Chukar. After our four night stay at Shan at Uley, we will head back to Leh for a night before returning to Delhi, completing this extraordinary tour.
Full Itinerary
Arrive in Delhi. Met at the airport by our representative and transfer to the hotel. Depending on when you arrive, we have organized a half day sightseeing tour of Delhi this afternoon. In the evening you'll be able to become acquainted with the rest of the group as well as the tour leader.
Staying at Roseate House. Includes Breakfast.
This morning we'll make our way into Ladakh in the upper Himalayas, via a morning flight from Delhi to Leh. The remainder of the day is spent here acclimatising in Leh, at an altitude of 3,500m.
Staying at The Grand Dragon Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
This day too is dedicated to acclimatising, though some cultural excursions are planned. Attend the early morning prayers at Thiksey Monastery, followed by a short hike to Gotsang to view the Hemis Monastery.
Staying at The Grand Dragon Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
Transfer by road to Ulley, a two and a half hour drive away. Once settled in at the lodge, the remainder of the day will consist of our first recce searching for the local wildlife.
Staying at Shan at Uley. Includes All Meals.
Full day of excursions from Shan at Uley.
Staying at Shan at Uley. Includes All Meals.
Full day of excursions from Shan at Uley.
Staying at Shan at Uley. Includes All Meals.
Full day of excursions from Shan at Uley.
Staying at Shan at Uley. Includes All Meals.
Spend the final morning in Ulley Valley seeking out its wildlife. Return to the lodge and later depart for Leh. We'll have the opportunity to visit the Tibetan Buddhist monastery of Alchi, or the Sikh memorial of Gurdwara Pathar Sahib en route.
Staying at The Grand Dragon Hotel. Includes Breakfast and Dinner.
This morning after an early breakfast transfer to the airport and catch a flight back to Delhi. Transfer back to Roseate House. No activities are planned on this day, allowing you to unwind before catching your flight back home, or continue your travels onward from Delhi.
Staying at Roseate House. Includes Breakfast.
Transfer to Delhi's international airport.
Includes No Meals.
Download the full details of this itinerary and start planning your trip today.
Download FileTour Accommodation
Roseate House
Overview
Located in the capital city’s hospitality district, Aerocity, this hotel offers luxurious comfort, exceptional dining options, and a convenient location close to the airport. There are 216 spacious and tastefully well furnished rooms, including 15 suites. Roseate House is only a two minute walk to the Aerocity Metro Station, providing easy access to both the Old and New Delhi centres.
The ‘Del’ bistro provides both alfresco and indoor dining options throughout the whole day, offering European and oriental cuisine, along with a sushi island. ‘Kheer’ is a lavishly decorated, award-winning Indian restaurant, and ‘Tara’, an open rooftop lounge by the infinity pool, serves drinks and light bites. For a more opulent evening, ‘Chidya Ghar’ is the upscale bar offering fine wines, spirits and cocktails, in addition to an exclusive dining menu.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Spa, business centre, rooftop infinity pool, all-day bistro, café, bar, Indian restaurant, sushi bar, buffet breakfast, poolside bar.
Optional Activities
Tours into New and Old Delhi, as well as the city's historic and religious sites of interest.
The Grand Dragon Hotel
Overview
The Grand Dragon Hotel is a stunning accommodation offering the comforts of luxury at 3,500m above sea level in the remote Himalayan town of Leh. Located just a 10 minute walk from the centre of Leh and main market square, this is one the most comfortable and modern hotels in the town.
The hotel has an incredible view towards the impressive Stok mountain range from most floors including the smart and friendly restaurant, which offers a range of local Ladakhi and Tibetan cuisine as well as Chinese and Western dishes. There is also a specialty coffee shop and bakery for light snacks and room service is available 24 hours a day. With magnificent views, the hotel offers 82 rooms including 3 beautiful suites, each of which comes with all modern amenities like an LED TV with entertainment channels, telephone, and Wi-Fi Internet access. Rooms have different views either overlooking the Stok Mountains, Khardung La Pass, Leh Palace or Shanti Stupa.
Other facilities include central heating, Wi-Fi access (although rarely works during the winter), 24-hour heated water supply, generator backup and laundry service. Make the most of the well-appointed travel desk, garden, jogging track, wellness center and enjoy indoor games, cultural shows and a bonfire on demand.
They are now practicing a more sustainable philosophy too, using 95 solar panels for their hot water supply and heating system. The incredible views blended with the traditional interior architecture and smart accommodation creates a unique experience in such a remote location.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Modern private bathrooms, air-conditioning in the rooms, international restaurant, coffee shop, free Wi-Fi, 24 hour room service, laundry service, wellness centre and jogging track.
Local Wildlife
The Grand Dragon Hotel offers a perfect starting point for trips to Ulley and Hemis National Park to search for snow leopards, Tibetan wolves, blue sheep, Ladakh urial, Asiatic ibex and birdlife including lammergiers, golden eagles, robin and brown accentors, Himalayan snowcocks and more. Nearer to the hotel is the Indus River Valley home to the peculiar ibisbill, elusive solitary snipe, flocks of Tibetan snowfinches and colourful white-winged redstarts.
Optional Activities
Wildlife watching excursions in Ulley and Rumback Valleys, birdwatching in the Indus Valley, trekking, visits to local Buddhist Monasteries and Festivals, white water rafting, cycling and exploring the bazaars of Leh.
Shan at Uley
Overview
Exceptionally warm hospitality is sure to greet you at this family-run lodge, a two hour drive from Leh, in the ancient buddhist kingdom of Ladakh. Shan at Uley is the product of another successful lodge nearby. The family chose to expand on this success to focus on providing an especially personalised and intimate experience for guests coming to this little-visited corner of the Himalaya.
There is a beautiful communal lounge space with a wood stove, where documentary screenings are shown during some evenings. Bedrooms are comfortable and warm with modern amenities, traditional Ladakhi decor and wall art showcasing elite wildlife photography of local species. The windows throughout the lodge elegantly frame the breathtaking views of the surrounding mountain ranges. A Dining room provides a social space where delicious traditional cuisine is served up, whilst the day’s experiences are shared amongst guests.
Norboo and his team of wildlife spotters and trackers excel in their field. He has guided wildlife filmmaking teams from both the BBC and National Geographic on trips to document snow leopards. His team are some of the best in the business and they do all that they can to try and find snow leopards for their guests. Whether snow leopards make an appearance or not, the culture, hospitality, landscape and other wildlife on offer here make this a truly unforgettable location to venture to.
Swimming Pool
Air Conditioning
Rooms
Facilities
Six rooms (five with en suite facilites), hot and cold running water, communal lounge and dining room, traditional wood stove.
Local Wildlife
Snow leopard, Asiatic ibex, Ladakh urial, Tibetan wolf, Tibetan red fox, Himalayan marmot, Himalayan pika.
Griffon vulture, bearded vulture, golden eagle, chukar partridge, Himalayan snowcock, yellow-billed chough, red-billed chough.
Optional Activities
Snow leopard spotting, photography workshops, wildlife tracking.
Route Map
Departure Dates
Tour Dates
Adult Price
Single Supp
Travel Information
Are International Flights Included?
No. Please contact us for a quote if required.
Flight Info:
Domestic flights included.
Best Visited:
January to February
Are you ATOL Registered?
Yes. This means we are legally able to book your international flights in conjunction with your ground arrangements so you can book with us with complete confidence. Read more about our ATOL license here.
Jonathan Morris
Area Specialist
If you have any questions regarding this Tour, please feel free to contact me on +44 (0)1803 866965
Another excellent holiday from Reef and Rainforest. Everything was well organised and coordinated throughout our trip. Very knowledgeable and friendly guides, clearly keen to ensure we had an excellent experience. Highlights were Udaipur, Tigers, rural India and the three wildlife lodges.
