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SNOW LEOPARD TREKKING IN LADAKH
"Ladakh is known as the capital of Snow Leopards, and Hemis National Park is the venue to realize your dream"
Ideal period for spotting snow Leopard is from October to March, that’s from end of autumn to Beginning of Spring in Ladakh.
The Snow Leopard is the most elusive among all the large wild cats that exist. These cats are spotted throughout the Hemis National Park, and in Sham area west of Leh the famous spots are Ney Phu, Ule Phu, and hills of Skindyang village and Matho.
Other than Snow Leopard there is always a good chance of spotting many other famous and rare wild animals like “Nyan” or “Tibetan Argali”,(Ovis ammon); Himalayan blue sheep, called “Bharal” or “Napo”, (Pseudois nayaur); Uriel, locally called “Shapo” (Ovis orientalis), Asiatic ibex Skin(Capra sibirica), and among the predators are Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Lynx, Pallas Cat, and many others.
For bird watchers, it’s a dream destination. Besides Golden Eagle, Lammergeier vulture and the Himalayan Griffon vulture, the park is home to Brown Accentor, Robin Accentor, Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Streaked Rosefinch, Tibetan Snowfinch, Chukar, Fork-tailed Swift, Red-billed Chough, Himalayan Snowcock, and the Fire-fronted Serin. Pollution free environment and noise free surroundings make birding a joyful experience.
Specialist & Reputed Snow Leopard Guides
To lead a successful Snow Leopard sighting trek we need exceptional instinctive guides keen and active with immense patience always capable to lead from the front. We feel proud to tell you that we have reputed and experienced wildlife guides, like Tsewang Gyalson, Stanzin Chamba T.Nurbu, Jigmet Namgyal & Tsering Gurmet.
We feel honored to tell you that overall 75 % of our Snow Leopard trekkers have sighted the Snow Leopard in 2017 The credit goes to our team and specially the guides, as they have vast knowledge of the Valleys and the movements of Leopards and other wild animals. Secondly our team good relationship and understanding with the local community which is equally important, as local shepherds and farmers are always aware of their movements and they know most recently sighted areas and we take full advantage of their information.
Snow Leopard Trails 11 days trek :
Cost: 2200 Euros/person for a private group of 2-3 Pax
Cost: 1950 Euros/person for a group of 4-8 Pax
Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
Highest Point: Stokla Pass 4850mts
Grade: Medium
Duration: 11 Days
Wild life Trek 8 days :
Hemis National Park is situated in the eastern part of Ladakh with a general elevation over 3000 meters. It covers an area of 600 sq.kms in the valleys of Markha and Rumbak. This high altitude protected area was created in 1981 for the conservation and protection of it’s unique flora and fauna. The terrain surrounding the Park is generally rocky with thin soil cover supporting a poor vegetation growth. Streams and Rivers have laid a thick deposit of sand along their banks. There are many rare and endangered animal species found in this cold desert, amongst these are the elusive Snow Leopard, Ibex, Tibetan Antelope, Blue Sheep, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare etc. Among the avi fauna population found are the Snow Patridge, Golden Oriole, Snow Cock, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark, Red Billed Chuff etc.
Cost: 1650 Euros/person for a private group of 2-3 Pax
Cost: 1450 Euros/person for a group of 4-8 Pax
Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
Highest Point: Stokla Pass 4850mts
Grade: Medium
Duration: 8 Days
Trekking in Hemis National Park 6 days :
This is a part of the Markha Valley trek, famous for wild animals, National Geographic made an award winning documentary in the Rumbak valley regarding Snow Leopards. This is the perfect trek if you are looking for a shorter option, beautiful view and moderate difficulty.
Cost: 1450 Euros/person for a private group of 2-3 pax
Cost: 1200 Euros/ person for a group of 4-8 Pax
Size Of group: Min 2 & Max 8
Highest Point: Stokla Pass 4850mts
Grade: Medium
Duration: 6 Days
Whats included ? For the Trek it Includes:
Transportation both ways (to the starting point and coming back from the finishing point by Jeep)
Homestays
Tents
Mattresses
Pack Horses
Food
Wildlife Guide
Assistant Guide
Cook
Cooking gears
Spotting Scope
Walkie-talkies
wildlife fees
First aid Bxo
Oxymeter
Portable Oxygen Cylinder
camping fees
and inner line permission where ever it’s needed.
For the Package it includes:
Accommodation on twin sharing Basis in The Grand Dragon Hotel
All Meals (Bed Tea, Breakfast, Hot / Pack Lunch, Dinner)
Flight Tickets between Delhi & Leh
To & Fro Airport Transfer in Leh
All sightseeing as per the itinerary
All Transportation by Toyota Innova
Innerline Permit
It does not Include:
Monument & Museum Entrance Fees
Any Kind of Personal Expenses or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
Camel Riding & Rafting Charges
Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices included
Why this trip is so interesting:
1) Ladakh is known as the capital of Snow Leopards, and Hemis National Park is the venue to realize your dream.
2) Our success rate for Snow Leopard sighting is 75%. Means out of hundred, Seventy-five participants have seen the elusive cat, who particularly came for snow Leopard Trek.
3) Beside the Leopard there is always chance to see many other rare wild animals like “Tibetan Argali”, Himalayan blue sheep, Uriel, Asiatic ibex and among the predators are Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Lynx, Pallas Cat, and many others.
In birds Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, and the Himalayan Griffon vulture, the park is home to Brown Accentor, Robin Accentor, Tickell's Leaf Warbler, Streaked Rosefinch, Tibetan Snowcock, Chukar, Fork-tailed Swift, Red-billed Chough, Himalayan Snowcock, Ibisbill and the Fire-fronted Serin etc;
4) In winter you can experience many monastic festivals Like Spituk Gustor Leh and Likir Dosmoche, Stok Guru Tseschu and Matho Nagran. With very few Tourist you can experience the festival more naturally as compared to Summer festivals.
5) Dreamladakh will provide Specialist Monastery Guides separately for the festival and monastery tours during acclimatization period.
6) During the trek one or two night you will be doing Homestays, there you can experience Ladakhi village lifestyle and Ladakhi food.
Trekking Menu:
Our cooks are careful to prepare your meals with your enjoyment in mind. Typically these plentiful meals will be primarily vegetarian in nature with some meat or protein in the form of canned fish or tofu. This is typical of the Ladakhi diet in general.
Our cooks are encouraged to use hand sanitizers such as alcohol based gels prior to food preparation. You are encouraged to do the same.
Dishes are typically stainless steel bowls and pans and are cleaned after meals with scrub pads and soap.
Our staff will provide rehydrating liquids in large quantities throughout your trek. Take advantage of tea, coffee, juice boxes and water whenever you can.
At altitude it is typical not to feel much hunger or thirst. Make sure you stay adequately fed and drink plenty of fluids, both at meals and along the trail. During the summer, heat can be a real factor requiring significant intake of liquids while you trek. Carry 2 liters of water with you.
MENU
Breakfast :
Porridge, Cornflakes, Muesli, Omelette, Fried or Boiled Eggs, Bread, Apricot Jam, Honey, Butter, Peanut Butter, Cheese,
Pan-Cake, Omelet, Tea and Coffee.
Lunch :
We will provide Hot Lunch:
Soups, Fried Rice, Thukpa, Fried Momo and Plain Rice and Dal curry etc.
Tea Time :
You will have Instant Noodles Tea & Coffee with Biscuits, Snacks, and Cookies when you end the days trek.
Dinner :
Soup, Rice, Curry (Veg. Mushroom, Paneer, & Dal) Noodles (Thukpa & Chowmien) Veg Momos, Tuna Momos, Spring Rolls, and for Deserts Custards, and Fruits Cocktail.
Please Note: All of the above items are served different on different days, and the items are subjected to the availability in the market.
Drinking Water :
Being a local and an Eco friendly organization we encourage you to kindly use boiled water instead of plastic bottled mineral water coz that will help us to keep the trekking routes/environment clean For the first day we will provide two liters of pressure boiled water, and from 1st evening of the trek our staff will supply boiled water, the source would be either glacier or Spring and the supply will continue till the end of the trek.
Snow Leopard trails 11 days
Day 1: Arrival at Leh airport, to be received by our representative and transferred to the Hotel
Day 2: A complete day of visit to the monasteries (104 Kms) After breakfast, drive for full day of sightseeing to the Shey Palace, Thiksey, Hemis monasteries and Stok Palace Museum.
Day 3: After Breakfast drive to Alchi enroute visit Basgo Palace, Liker Monastery and Phyang. Overnight Hotel.
Day 4: Leh to Phey, Trek to Camp: After a hearty pre-trek breakfast, drive to Phey bridge, and start walking along the Indus River towards Zingchen Gorge.
Day 5: Wildlife Viewing: Proceed for full day of tracking snow leopard and its wildlife prey. Hemis National
Day 6: Wildlife Viewing: Spend another day on the look-out for snow leopard
Day 07-09 : Wildlife Viewing, Visit Villages and Homestays: Trek to nearby sites where snow leopard may have been sighted recently.
Day 10: Trek to Zingchen, and Return to Leh: Say goodbye to your hosts and hike down-valley
Day 11: Transfer to airport and fly back to Delhi with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.
For a detailed itinerary and information kindly email us at
Snow Leopard Trek 8 Days
Day 1: Arrival at Leh airport, to be received by our representative and transferred to the Hotel.
Day 2: Leh to Lamayuru to Ule (160 Kms) After breakfast drive to Lamayuru enroute visit Liker Monastery and Gurudwara Pathar Sahib.
Day 3: Alchi to Leh (70 Kms) After the Breakfast drive to Leh enroute visit Alchi monastery,Rizong, Phyang, Basgo Palace and Hall of Fame.
Day 4 to Day 07: Hemis National Park and Rumbak Valley , trekking/wild life watching with Homestays
Day 7 :Trek to Zingchen, and Drive back to Leh, and check into a hotel for your first real bed in a week.
Day 8: Transfer to airport and fly back to Delhi with Sweet Memories of Ladakh.
For a detailed itinerary and information kindly email us at
Snow Leopard trails trek 6 Days
Day 1: Drive from Leh to Zingchen and walk around overnight camping at Hoosing bagh. 3-4hrs
Day 2: After breakfast walk from Hoosing Bagh to Tarboong Bao here is the best chance to spot a Snow Leopard and walk back to Hoosing Bagh overnight in Tents. 4-6 hrs
Day 3: On this day we will change the route and hike towards the Kharlung Lungpa another paradise for the snow leopards, overnight again at the camps at Hoosing Bagh. 5-6 hrs
Day 4: Today you should be ready for a tougher and harsher day as you have to trek 6-7 hrs to Yurutse
Day 5: Yurutse to Kharlung Lungpa Lungpa again and overnight at the camps at Hoosing bagh. 5-6 hrs
Day 6: Bagh to Tarboong Bao and trek to Zingchen where you will find our jeeps waiting for you there and ultimately drive back to Leh 4-5 hrs.
For a detailed itinerary and information kindly email us at
A Typical Day of Trekking
Our typical day of trekking is based on an average level of client physical fitness coupled with the nature of our weather and terrain. This could include very warm days during summer, high passes, and the need to move between campsites which ensure adequate grazing for the ponies.
06:00 Bed tea is served to your tent. A great way to warm up before packing up your gear.
06:30 Hot water is provided for your morning wash.
07:00 Breakfast is served
08:00 Your personal packing is complete and your trail lunch is available to place in your day pack. Your guide will go over the day’s travel plans highlighting those areas along the route you will want to visit.
08:15 Off on the trail with your guide, or with instructions as to the route and where he will meet you if he needs to assist with pony packing (dependant on party size).
12:00 Lunch along the route, often in a meadow or beside a stream. A typical lunch might consist of a sandwich, juice box, cheese, boiled egg, boiled potato, apple, cookies or chocolate bar.
17:00 In camp with a pot of tea after a great day of sights and trekking. The tent is up and you are making notes in your journal and taking photos of the picturesque landscape.
18:30 Supper is served. Time for more tea and, perhaps, an early bed.
Expect to have rather lengthy days of travel with plenty of time to take photos and look at the scenery, visit tea tents or local villages as you pass through. You will have plenty of time in camp each evening to meet with other travelers, compare notes, read a bit, take photographs or visit surrounding villages or sites either before or after your supper is served.
By starting early you will have made substantial progress in the cooler part of the day, and will be able to take your time ascending the passes which can be up to 17,000 feet (5,180 M) on some routes, arriving at your next camp with some reserves of energy for the evening.
In search of Snow Leopard. March 26th 2017
Joseph, George, Emma, & Tom
From Switzerland
Our Trip to Rumbak (Hemis National Park) was organized by Dreamland Trek and tour and our main ambition was to see the Snow Leopard. Excellent service and logistics food was nutritious and tasty. More importantly Gyalson the Snow Leopard guide was amicable he has vast knowledge not only about Snow Leopard but he has lot of things to tell you about the rare species of birds in Ladakh. Over all it was a great team work including local villagers that resulted positive outcome yes we spotted two solitary leopards on different days. Thanks to Gyalson & Javeed and the whole crew we will come back to LADAKH again definitely !!!!!!
An Unforgettable experience with Dreamladakh Team (February2016)
It was an amazing winter in Ladakh, amazing in the sense that my dream of seeing a Snow Leopard came true. In Feb 2016 we hired dreamladakh for this trip including me we were five. From day one we felt that we are in safe hand and the trek was amazing Gyalson the lead guide was experienced, from his every day briefing I could imagine that he has vast knowledge about wildlife in Ladakh, beside that the cook was awsome, I can’t imagine that he can cook so many varieties in that climate, more importantly whole crew was supportive and friendly.
For the first 4 days of the trek we just saw older and fresh foot prints of the Leopard, and with each passing movement my wish to the Snow Leopard was slowly dying, though with his best efforts Gyalson was also looking grim. Suddenly around 11:00 am we had an unbelievable news, Stanzin was running towards us he was sent by Dreamladakh owner Mr Javeed. Stanzin told us that there is a Kill at Matho Vaillge, that means the Leopard won’t be moving away from the kill atleast for a couple of days. Matho Village approximately 50 kms from Rumbak. Gyalson said, “look guys we have to move as soon as possible , and we won’t have to waste any time in packing our team will pack everything and will bring to Matho, so without waiting for our equipment we just took our cameras and spotting scopes and rushed to Matho Village along with Gyalson the driver and 5 of us.
After the motorable road we walk for half an hour than suddenly my life time dream came true, Yes it was truly a Snow Leopard with a long tail feeding on a Blue sheep. Could you believe we kept on seeing this single leopard for complete two and half days, eating, sleeping and threatening the birds coming near his kill.
I will highly recommend dreamladakh & Gyalson, WE MADE IT just because of their sincere efforts.
Visitors: Eric, Jean Marc, Linda, and Kannika
From France & Switzerland
Marielle Thirion . Lorgues. Voyage effectué en février 2015
Excellente équipe que celle qui nous accompagnés pour notre periple au ladakh en hiver. Que ce soit notre guide Padma, notre tracker Gyelson ou le reste
de l'équipe tout le monde a été aux petits soins pour nous. La cuisine était tres bonne et tres copieuse, les conditions vraiment dures mais supportables
grace aux attentions de tout le monde. Seule déception du voyage: notre trek pour voir les leopards des neiges ne nous a pas permis d'en approcher un de
suffisamment près pour pour faire des photos. Encore un grand merci à dreamladakh .....
marielle.thirion@wanadoo.fr
Humbert Schaffer & Friends Jan 2013
Humbert Schaffer (Swiss)
"Ladakh is known as the capital of Snow Leopards, and Hemis National Park is the venue to realize your dream"
An unforgettable winter trek in search of Snow Leopard, When we booked with Dreamland I was sceptical whether it’s possible to sight a Snow Leopard. However it proved to be perfectly organized trip on the very second day of the trek we spotted the Snow Leopard with its kill a Blue Sheep, and we got amazing shots beside the Leopard we saw Golden Eagles, Eagle Owl, Fox and Tibetan Argali. Our guide Gyalson was outstanding, great team good food better than the restaurants in Leh and overall an unforgettable experience. I will definitely come back to Ladakh.
humbert.schaffer5@gmail.com
Important Questions :
How long does it take to get acclimatize?
Abruptly going to a height of 3500 m, one naturally feels a difference. Your body reacts and behaves differently in rarified air at high altitude. What you need to do is just take it easy and give some time to your body to adjust in to less oxygen (hypoxia) by a slow physiological process called Acclimatization. Time taken for acclimatization varies from person to person; usually you nee atleast 2-3 days in order get well acclimatized and you need to take complete rest for the 1st day even if you are feeling fine. Drink plenty of fluids at least 3-4 litres. Diet should be high in carbohydrates, less oily and predominantly vegetarian. Avoid excess of alcohol and tobacco in any form.
Why are some treks more expensive than others?
If we have to organize a trek near Leh than it's less expensive for transportation and same is for the pack horses as we have to send them to the starting point. Even after finishing the trek we have to pay for the horses for reaching Leh. That's why there are different rates for different trek routes.
Who carries the things/gears and food during the trek?
In Ladakh normally you have to trek around the height of 4000mts and the passes are around 5000mts so its very difficult to carry heavy loads at this height, that's why we provide pack horses/ponies they will carry everything, trekkers will have to carry only the pack lunch, water, camera, note book, and some delicate things which they don't want keep with the horses.
What we do with the garbage that are produced during the trek?
We are very keen to keep Ladakh clean, that's why we strictly instruct our staff to bring back all the garbages produced during the trek.
What about the temperature (maximum and minimum) during the trekking season?
The average temperatures in the trekking routes during the trekking season are as under:
October..............(Max 8*C Min -8*C)
November.............(Max 5*C Min-10*C)
December.............(Max -5*C Min-15*C)
January .............(Max -10*C Min-20*C)
Feberuary ...........(Max -2*C Min-12*C)
March ...............(Max 5*c Min-5*C)
April ...............(Max 10*C Min 5*C)
How we look after your health while trekking?
Our guides are careful to prepare your meals with your enjoyment in mind. Typically these plentiful meals will be primarily vegetarian in nature with some meat or protein in the form of canned fish or tofu. This is typical of the Ladakhi diet in general. Our guides are encouraged to use hand sanitizers such as alcohol based gels prior to food preparation. You are encouraged to do the same. Dishes are typically stainless steel bowls and pans and are cleaned after meals with scrub pads and soap. Our staff will provide rehydrating liquids in large quantities throughout your trek. Take advantage of tea, coffee, juice and water whenever you can. At altitude it is natural not to feel much hunger or thirst. Make sure you stay adequately fed and drank plenty of fluids both at meals and along the trail. During summer, heat can be a real factor requiring significant intake of liquids while you trek. So always carry 2 liters of water with you.
Our guides will make every effort to pace your day so you are not pushed to your physical limits. This means you will be getting up and away in good time so your day will allow a consistent but moderate pace.
If you have any pre-existing medical conditions such as asthma or other chronic illness it would be wise to let Dreamland Trek and Tour know of this condition prior to leaving Leh. This way your guide will understand that you have medication along with you should someone other than yourself have to administer the drugs.
Preparation for altitude during the trek is vital. Acclimatize in Leh prior to departure on your trek. Take at least 4 days doing tours or other easy to moderate physical activity prior to beginning your trek. If possible start low and go slowly for the first few days of your trek. Some routes will not allow this, so acclimatization is even more important in these cases.
Prior to your trek meet with your doctor and discuss your overall physical condition and your doctor's recommendation for high altitude medication. You may also wish to discuss treatment and medication for traveler's diarrhea as you experience new foods and bacterial environments.
With these simple ideas in mind, your trekking experience will be most enjoyable for you and other travelers along the way.
What do we do if someone is sick or injured during the trek?
During the trek our guides will make every effort to pace your day so you are not pushed to your physical limits. This means you will be getting up and away in good time so your day will allow a consistent but moderate pace. And in case it hits a member of the tour then our assistant guide will immediately bring him/her down asap. He will use the ponies to ride for the sick person in the mean time he will inform us through a satellite phone (now we have satellite phone in almost every remote villages of Ladakh) and we will soon send a jeep to bring her/him to the hospital in Leh.
Rescue in Emergency:
In case if someone is critically sick or injured and requires helicopter evacuation, this can be done with the cooperation of JK Tourism Department & Indian Airforce as long as you have the insurance to cover this so it would be useful to let us know which insurance.