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.
In the first month of Lunar Calender, Buddhist of Ladakh engage in various spiritual activities intensely. Here faithfuls are performing rGo Chag or Full Boday Prostration.
Day 02 Leh to Stok and back to Leh
After breakfast (b/f) drive to Stok Monastery to witness the Stok Guru Tseschu Festival. Stok Monatsery popular for its annual Oracle performances and prophesy. Packed Lunch at the Festival while witnessing the Mask Dance and Oracle Performances. This is a great opportunity to take great photos of spiritual lifestyles and lives of Ladakhis and monks in Ladakh. After the Festival, drive back to Leh.
A drive along the Leh Manali road to Choglamsar and Indus Belt.
Day 03 Leh to Rumbak Village (Hemis National Park)
Drive (1 hr ) to Rumbak Valley and check into assigned homestays/guest house for the coming number of days for spotting snow leopard. The valley also popular for sighting other wild animals including Blue Sheep, Pica, Wolf, Redfox, Wooly Hare, etc. and many high altitudue wintering birds like Lammergeire, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Eagle Owl, Wall Creeper, Great Rosefinch, etc.
Day 04 Snow Leopard Spotting in Rumbak Valley
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 sites
Day 05 Snow Leopard spotting in Rumbak Valley
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.
Day 06 snow Leopard Scouting in Rumbak Valley
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 location of the guests.
Day 07 Snow Leopard Search in Rumbak Valley
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.
Day 08 Snow Leopard Quest around Rumbak Valley
After great spotting of snow leopard - in the evening at the camp and last Dinner Farewell Party with the local staff.
Day 09 Rumbak to Ulley
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.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
Day 10 At Ulley
Whole Day at Ulley for spotting snow leopard and other wild animals like Asiatic Ibex, Wolf, Ladakh Urial, Redfox, etc.
Day 10 Ulley 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.
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
