Day 01 Delhi (270 m) to Leh (3500 m)
Reception at Kushok Bakula Rinpochey Airport,Leh, and welcome in traditional Ladakh style by extending white scarf to each and every guests, transfer to Hotel, Leh. Complete day rest for acclimatization (it is very important for those coming from lower altitude) to Leh’s high altitude of 3450 mtr. Hot lunch at the Hotel. Evening easy walk/stroll in the Leh Market for orientation with English speaking Guide. Today is also Dosmochey Festival of Leh and hence a short visit to the Avaokiteshvara Temple/Chamba Temple bellow the Leh Palace for Mask Dances performance that would be the beginning of understanding culture and religious practice of Ladakh.
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Spituk Gonpa near Bakula Rinpochey Airport. The Leh Airport is named after Head Rinpochey Skyabje Bakula Rinpochey of spituk Gonpa.
Day 02 Leh to Spituk and back
After breakfast (b/f) drive to Spituk Gonpa, about 8 km from Leh attend the Festival. Last Day of Annual Mask Dance Festival of the Monastery called the Spituk Gustor is being celebrated at the Monastery. Hundreds and thousands of people from all over Ladakh come to witness this spiritual festival. Packed Lunch at the Monastery while witnessing the Himalayan spiritual and secret Mask Dance presentation. Great opportunity to take photos of people of Ladakh and the Monastic life of Ladakh Himalaya. Evening return to Hotel.
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Oracle of Spituk Gonpa performing during the Spituk Monastic Mask Dance Festival in the Winter in Ladakh.
Day 03 Leh to Husing (Hemis National Park)
After b/f drive (1 hr) to Zingchen in the Hemis National Park and trek for about 1 hr to reach the Husing Camping (3650 m). Camp at Husing for the coming number of days for spotting snow leopard and other wild animals including Blue Sheep, Pica, Wolf, Redfox, Wooly Hare, Eurasian Lynx, Tibetan Argali, Asiatic Ibex, etc.
Snow Leopard often prey domestic lifestocks and enter villages in search easy preys.
Day 04 Snow Leopard Spotting at Husing / Rumbak Sumdo (Hemis National Park)
Full Day snow leopard spotting walks/treks into different valleys with inputs and guidance from Spotter(s) who scan the whole valley from morning till evening with breaks for morning tea/breakfast/lunch and evening tea. On spotting snow leopard, the spotters convey the message to our guests with the help of walky talky and also by getting message personally by spotters who come to help guests in getting their heavy camera gears to the spotting point - normally a mount, ridge about 100-250 meter above the camp depending on the sighting spot.
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Rumbak Sumdo junction view from Tsarlung entrance - the hotspot for Snow Leopard Mating and Movements
Day 05 Snow Leopard spotting at Husing / Rumbak Sumdo (Hemis National Park)
Full Day snow leopard spotting walks/treks into different valleys with inputs and guidance from Spotter(s) who scan the whole valley from morning till evening with breaks for morning tea/breakfast/lunch and evening tea. On spotting snow leopard, the spotters convey the message to our guests with the help of walky talky and also by getting message personally by spotters who come to help guests in getting their heavy camera gears to the spotting point - normally a mount, ridge about 100-250 meter above the camp depending on the sighting spot.
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Domestic Sheeps being preyed and killed by snow leopard in village.
Day 06 snow Leopard Scouting at Husing / Rumbak Sumdo (Hemis National Park)
Full Day Snow Leopard spotting walks/treks (similar to previous day), The camp is surrounded by few valleys popular for spotting Snow Leopards, like Husing Valley, Tsarbung Valley,Kharlung Valley, Tarbung Valley and Rumbak Valley . Spotter(s) will scan the Valleys on tip-offs and on their own experiences and convey messages to the camp and location of the guests.
A snow leopard with its kill - a Blue Sheep at Husing, Hemis Natioanal Park, ladakh.
Day 07 Snow Leopard Search at Husing / Rumbak Sumdo (Hemis National Park)
Full Day Snow Leopard spotting walks/treks (similar to previous days).
Besides mammals the Rumbak Valley in Hemis National Park is also home to many species of birds like Golden Eagle, Lemmergeier/ Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, White-winged Redstart, Fire-fronted Serene, Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar, Redbilled Chough, Yellow Billed Chough, Wall Creeper, White-browed Tit Warbler, Great Rosefinch, Mapie, Great Tit, etc.
Brandt's Mountain finches in winter in and arround Leh, Ladakh.
Day 08 Snow Leopard Quest around Husing / Rumbak Sumdo (Hemis National Park)
After great spotting of snow leopard - in the evening at the camp and last Dinner Farewell Party with the local staff.
Robin Accentor and Plain Mountain Finch, Leh Ladakh.
Day 09 Husing to Ulley / Rong Valley
After an early b/f, while the staff packs the camp, guests can have some time for scanning the mountain slopes for last spotting of the leopard. Trek down to Zingchen and drive to Ulley or Rong Valley. Rong Valley / Ulley is another snow leopard destination hamlet in sham region of ladakh. It is about 70 km from the Zingchen and the drive is about 3 hrs. Homestay at Ulley / Rong Valley.
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Looking for wildlife on the way - Ibex, Ladakh Urial, Red Fox, Wolf and Blue Sheep
Day 10 At Ulley / Rong Valley
Whole Day at Ulley for spotting snow leopard and other wild animals like Asiatic Ibex, Wolf, Ladakh Urial, Redfox, etc.
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Homestay Thayok Pa at Ulley, Ladakh.
Day 10 Ulley/ Rong Valley to Leh
After b/f one last time scan the slopes surrounding the village, drive to Hotel in Leh. Hot lunch at Hotel, Leh and whole of the evening for checking photos, connecting with the families back home by phone/email and shopping for souvenirs from Leh Market.
Ibisbill, Leh Ladakh.
Day11 Leh to Delhi
Transfer to BKR Airport Leh for further travel home with great memories of Ladakh and good photos of Snow Leopards and other winter wild animals of Ladakh
