Upon arrival at Delhi airport, meet your representative and transfer to the hotel.

Check-in and enjoy rest of the day at leisure,

Where to rest your head ?

Andaz - a concept by Hyatt, Delhi

Today, transfer to the airport to catch your flight to Leh. Upon arrival at Leh Airport, you will be met by your guide and transferred to the hotel. Check into the hotel and rest of the day is at leisure.

The day will be spent at leisure as it is medically mandated to undergo minimal exertion to enable you to acclimatize to the rarefied oxygen levels at this high altitude.

Late afternoon, you may take a stroll through the peaceful village of Stok and engage with the joyous local community.

You will enjoy a welcome dinner with Ladakhi Folk Dances at the Stok Palace

Where to rest your head ?

The Grand Dragon, Ladakh

Today, spend the day exploring the town of Leh at a relaxed pace.

Walk through the labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. Visit the Leh Palace and the white-domed Buddhist Shanti Stupa.

Later, visit the Snow Leopard Conservancy.

Meet the staff from the Snow Leopard Conservancy for a briefing on the history of snow leopard conservation in Ladakh with insight given into the current threats to snow leopards and the strategy’s adopted to combat these threats.

Where to rest your head ?

The Grand Dragon, Ladakh

After breakfast, set out for an extraordinary drive eastwards towards the Taglang La pass and the villages of Gya, Lhato, and Meru.

The drive is spectacular, taking you away from the valley of the Indus, up a subsidiary valley, to an extraordinary area that marks the line where the Indian mainland collided with and drove under the Asian landmass. The scenery is dramatic and you have a chance to spot wildlife including blue sheep, golden eagles, and bearded vultures.

On your way back, visit the Thikse Monastery and receive a special blessing from the monks.

Where to rest your head ?

The Grand Dragon, Ladakh

Today, a private vehicle will transfer you to Ulley.

The road journey of approximately three hours takes you westward on the road to Kargil and Srinagar. Following the Indus River, you will pass through the small town of Nimmu, one of the most important settlements of Ladakh, where the Zanskar River meets the Indus. After a little over an hour you will head north on the road to Likir, one of Ladakh’s famous Buddhist monasteries.

The landscape here is expansive until you turn onto a dirt road, winding up a narrow valley, following a stream called the Ulley Chhu. Smaller valleys intersect this area and your guides will have their heads craned at all times, scanning the hillsides and skyline for any silhouettes. Along with the snow leopard, this is also an excellent ibex spotting country and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male ibex standing vigil on an impossibly narrow outcropping, a few thousand feet over a plunging cliff.

Ulley village, west of Leh, is an area that is only recently being developed for snow leopard viewing. It is in the center of three interlocking valleys that support approximately 12 snow leopards according to the last census.

You will be based in Ulley for five nights and the advantage of Ulley is that it is relatively free of tourism and from here you will explore three valleys, which, apart from snow leopards, are great for finding urial, ibex, wolf, fox and an array of birds that survive the harsh winter landscape.

On arrival in Ulley, check into your lodge.

The Lodge is located at an altitude of about 13,000 feet. The lodge has 6 rooms that are simply furnished with 3 bathrooms and dining and sitting rooms looking over the valley and the surrounding hills. The setup is basic but has comfortable beds, toilets and washing facilities.

Where to rest your head ?

The Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

After breakfast, spend the next few days venturing into the area on foot and by 4WD vehicle, with your guide and his team of expert trackers.

They will interact closely with the local people and use their network of local intelligence to narrow down the likely sites. In the process, there will also be plenty of opportunities for you to gain insight into the region’s folklore, customs, and tradition.

Where to rest your head ?

The Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

Continue your expedition to spot the snow leopard and other impressive wildlife. 

Learn more about the local community and their culture.

Where to rest your head ?

The Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

Continue your expedition to spot the snow leopard and other impressive wildlife. 

Learn more about the local community and their culture.

Where to rest your head ?

The Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

Continue your expedition to spot the snow leopard and other impressive wildlife. 

Learn more about the local community and their culture.

Where to rest your head ?

The Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley

Today, drive back to Leh passing by the 11th century Alchi Monastery, one of the two oldest monasteries in Ladakh.

The wooden sculptures, stucco images, and Indo-Tibetian art are exclusive and the style is not to be found in any other monastery in Ladakh.

After your visit, continue to Leh and on arrival, check into your hotel.

Where to rest your head ?

The Grand Dragon, Ladakh

Today, a private vehicle will transfer you to the airport to catch your flight back home.

Where to rest your head ?

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