JOURNEYS

INTO THE WILD: Track the Rare, Witness the Untamed.

Ladakh’s stark landscapes are home to some of the world’s most elusive and iconic high-altitude wildlife. From tracking the mysterious Snow Leopard in Hemis National Park to seeking out the rare Eurasian Lynx and the enigmatic Pallas’s Cat in the remote Changthang plateau, these journeys are led by seasoned local guides with deep knowledge of the terrain. Birding enthusiasts can spot high-altitude specialties like the majestic Black-necked Crane, Lammergeier, Himalayan Snowcock, and Tibetan Snowfinch. Whether you're a wildlife photographer, birder, or nature lover, Ladakh offers rare encounters in an untouched Himalayan wilderness.

SNOW LEOPARD:
TRACKING THE GHOST OF THE HIMALAYAS

The snow leopard is one of Ladakh’s most iconic and elusive wildlife species, thriving in the region’s rugged trans-Himalayan terrain. Ladakh holds one of the highest densities of snow leopards in the world, with Hemis National Park, Rumbak Valley, Ulley, and the broader Markha and Sham regions serving as important habitats. The landscape of steep ridges, rocky cliffs, and high-altitude pastures provides ideal conditions for this apex predator, which preys on bharal, ibex, marmots, and domestic livestock in remote areas. Winter is the prime season for sightings, as snow leopards descend to lower altitudes and their movements become more trackable against snowy terrain. Conservation initiatives involving local communities, such as livestock insurance programs and homestay-based tourism, have played a significant role in protecting the species while supporting sustainable livelihoods. For wildlife enthusiasts, spotting a snow leopard in Ladakh is an extraordinary experience that combines patience, fieldcraft, and the stark beauty of the high mountains.

BIRDING

Birding tours in Ladakh offer a rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most dramatic high-altitude ecosystems while observing an exceptional range of migratory and resident bird species. The region’s unique geography—spanning cold deserts, alpine wetlands, river valleys, and high-altitude lakes—creates habitats that attract birds found nowhere else in India. Wetlands such as Tsomoriri, Tsokar, Hanle, and the Indus River basin are prime birding zones where enthusiasts can spot the iconic black neck crane, bar headed geese, Brahminy ducks, ruddy shelducks, and a variety of shorebirds and raptors. The Changthang plateau and Nubra region support species adapted to extreme conditions, including Tibetan snowcock, Himalayan griffon, lammergeier, horned lark, and the elusive Tibetan sandgrouse. Summer months bring an influx of migratory birds from Central Asia, turning Ladakh’s wetlands into vibrant breeding grounds. Birding tours here also offer insight into the region’s ecology, nomadic culture, and conservation efforts that safeguard fragile wetlands and endangered species. With its pristine silence, vast open skies, and rich biodiversity, Ladakh stands out as a premier destination for high-altitude birdwatching.