QUEST FOR SNOW LEOPARDS IN LADAKH INDIA

APRIL 5-17, 2022 (FULL)

Ulley Valley

ULLEY – LADAKH REGION – INDIA

Join Toft Photo Safaris on another small-group wild Snow Leopard photography tour in India’s Ulley Valley, situated in the Ladakh region, to photograph the fabled big cat Snow Leopard! Travel though the rugged terrain of the Indian Himalayas in the Jammu and Kashmir state with Roy Toft as your leader on our Quest for Wild Snow Leopards photo tour.

This extroverted journey takes you along an extraordinary route, full of lore and splendor, punctuated by photographic attractions and diversity.

Leh

Leh is situated in a very scenic part of India as it is bounded by 2 of the world’s biggest mountain ranges which are home to numerous monasteries. We will visit a few palaces and monasteries that will also be helpful for the visitors to get acclimatized with high altitude gradually before we start our snow leopard safari that involves a good amount of strenuous trekking in Husing valley in search of Snow Leopard.

West Ladakh – Ulley

West Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas is one of the best areas to see the elusive snow leopard and this is where we run our wild Snow Leopard photography tours. It’s not only about the snow leopards as there are a host of other animals and birds to see, apart from the scenery and getting to know more about the people that live here.

Ulley itself is a hamlet of just about 7 houses beyond which are the high summer pastures of yak and dzo. This is excellent Ibex country and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male Ibex standing vigil on some impossibly narrow outcropping, a few thousand feet over a plunging cliff. This is an area that has only recently been developed for Snow Leopard tracking and has quickly gained a reputation not just for the high numbers of snow leopards, but as one of the best areas to see Ibex, Urial, wolf, red fox, bearded and Himalayan griffon vultures and golden eagles.

$6,700.00

Out of stock

ITINERARY

  • DAY 1: APRIL 5

    Arrive in Delhi

    On your arrival at international airport in Delhi and after clearing customs & immigration, our representative will greet you and transfer you to the hotel (Check in time 1400 hrs). Overnight in Delhi at Radisson Blu Hotel.

  • DAY 2: APRIL 6

    Delhi - Leh

    Morning transfer from hotel to airport for flight to Leh. Meeting and assistance on arrival at Leh airport and transfer to hotel. Rest of the time at leisure for acclimatization to the high altitude. Overnight at Grand Dragon hotel (B,L,D).

    DAY 2: APRIL 6

  • DAYS 3: APRIL 7

    Leh

    Day at leisure for proper acclimatization, it is very important, to move slower, drink lots of water / tea, and not to put much stress on the body. We want to be in proper shape when exploring the Himalayas. If at all interested walking, it should be bare minimum and one can visit one of the several possibilities like Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. We will head right before sunset to Leh Palace in order to photograph Shanti Stupa from a distance. Overnight at Grand Dragon hotel (B,L,D).

  • DAY 4: APRIL 8

    Leh - Ulley

    Drive west (3 hrs) today on the road towards the village of Ulley in West Ladakh, north of the Indus River. At the
    head of the valley of the Ulley Chhu at an altitude of about 13,000 feet is the Snow Leopard Lodge. It Overnight Snow Leopard Lodge (B,L,D)

    DAY 4: APRIL 8

  • DAY 4-10: APRIL 8-14

    Ulley

    After breakfast the day’s plan is discussed then based on findings of the spotters from earlier that morning (guest can join the spotters early in the morning if they wish to). Based on information, excursions will be organized using vehicles at lodge, coupled with short walks (easy to medium difficulty) to vantage points or possible sighting areas. Hot lunch at lodge or in the field based on day’s plan. Return to lodge in evening and debrief in common room. Evening dinner at lodge. Overnight Snow Leopard Lodge (B,L,D).

  • DAY 10: APRIL 15

    Ulley to Leh

    Drive back to Leh. Upon arrival in Leh, check into hotel and rest of day at leisure. Overnight at Grand Dragon hotel (B,L,D).

    DAY 10: APRIL 15

  • DAY 11: APRIL 16

    Leh to Delhi

    After breakfast transfer to Leh airport for flight to Delhi. Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Farewell dinner in the hotel. Rooms will be until departure. Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza (B,L,D).

  • DAY 12: APRIL 17

    Delhi

    After breakfast transfer to Delhi International airport to board flight for home.

    DAY 12: APRIL 17

1
2
3
1

Delhi: Arrival & Departure – Overnight at Radisson Blu Plaza

2

March 10-12: 2 nights lodging at Grand Dragon Hotel in Leh to acclimatize to high altitude.

3

April 17-20: 4 full days in Bandhavgarh National Park

LODGING

Radisson Blu – Delhi

The Radisson Blu hotel is an upscale accommodation that is located within 10 minutes of Indira Gandhi International Airport. The hotel offers free high speed internet, on-site spa services, fine dining restaurant, and fitness center with swimming pool.

Grand Dragon Hotel

The Grand Dragon Hotel is located in the heart of Leh and is considered the best luxury hotel in the area. There are 82 rooms, 2 restaurants, a bakery, and a library.

Snow Leopard Lodge

The Snow Leopard Lodge is located in the village of Ulley in West Ladakh, north of the Indus River and at the head of the valley of the Ulley Chhu at an altitude of about 13,000 feet. It is 2 – 3 hours driving time from Leh.

The Snow Leopard Lodge is the only dedicated wildlife lodge in Ladakh. It began originally as a home stay owned by one of Ladakh’s top snow leopard trackers – Tchewang Norbu – under the auspices of a programe initiated by the Snow Leopard Conservancy. The program is designed to use tourism as a conservation tool for the preservation of snow leopards and their ecosystem by putting tourism revenue directly into local community. The home stay was rebuilt as a 6 rooms lodge with 3 common bathrooms and 2 attached bathrooms. There are dining and sitting rooms looking out over the valley and the surrounding hills.

At the Snow Leopard Lodge, the idea is to create a comfortable home base with heat, good food and little luxuries like real coffee, comfortable beds, toilets and washing facilities. It is here where one can search for snow leopards and other high altitude wildlife in relative comfort without having to deal with the exhausting issues of camping in the intense cold aggravated by high altitude.

The lodge is simple but attractively furnished with A/V equipment that allows you to enjoy wildlife and regular movies, plus board games to make the long winter evenings convivial and fun. Most importantly you are hosted by an expert naturalist cum manager who lifts the entire experience to a different level by answering your natural history questions while simultaneously interacting with guests to ensure that every individual guest is well cared for!

The Lodge commands an excellent view down the valley and the high mountains surrounding it. You are certain to see Ibex from here, and if you are lucky, much other wildlife including wolf, red fox and perhaps even snow leopard! The advantage of Ulley is that it is relatively free of tourism and the chaos that has enveloped the first snow leopard destination – Rumbak. The other advantage is that from here you explore 3 valleys.

LEADERS

Roy Toft

My first experience with India was under the mentor-ship of Michael “Nick” Nichols of National Geographic Magazine as we embarked on a two year project focused on Tigers. We concentrated our efforts in Bandhavgarh National Park and logged nearly 1000 hrs on the backs of Indian Elephants as we searched for our elusive stripped subject. Needless to say, the chance to work with the great Nick Nichols and spend so much quality time in the Indian Jungle, was one of the best times of my life. Look for the cover article, “Sita: Life of a Wild Tigress,” which came out Dec. 1997, National Geographic magazine.

GALLERY

PRICING

2022 Wild Snow Leopard Photography Tour Price

Photographer: $6,700 USD (per person, sharing)
Single-Supplement: $2,500 USD
Single-Supplement for private bathroom: $520 USD
Supplemental add-on for private bathroom: $320 USD

Tour Includes:

  • Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis at hotels mentioned above
  • All meals included
  • All transfers as per the itinerary
  • National park / monuments / monastery fee
  • Ladakh Environment entry fee (subject to change)
  • Ladakh hill counsel fees
  • Meeting assistance on arrival/departure at both airports and hotels
  • National parks entry fee, activities and all trekking excursions with your expert naturalist and widlife experts
  • Entrance fee to national park
  • Wildlife permit and community fee for Snow Leopard
  • Government service tax

Tour Excludes:

  • Any airfare and any insurance fee(s)
  • Tips
  • Indian tour leader / escort
  • Any meal other than what is specified above or anything not mentioned in inclusion above
  • Any expenditure of personal nature, like tabled drinks, camera fee, laundry, telephone calls, hard/soft drinks
  • Any sudden increase in price due to steep hike in park Entry Fee, steep hike in fuel cost, change in government tax policy or for any reason beyond our control like acts of god, natural calamity, law and order situation, riots etc. and any forced change in itinerary for any unforeseen situation or reason beyond our control

NOTE:

Due to the nature of this tour and the area visited, there might be possibility for schedule / itinerary changes.

Wildlife Viewing

Please note that seeing a snow leopard is not in any way guaranteed. In fact it must be regarded as a great privilege to even catch a glimpse of one, such is the elusiveness of these creatures. They are wild and by necessity elusive creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires not only the skill and patience of the trackers/guides but also considerable luck!

Conservation Commitment

We work closely with an organization called Snow Leopard Conservancy who help work with communities in the Himalayas to secure Snow Leopard Habitat. We encourage everyone to make a contribution of USD $200 per person. We will have the opportunity to witness their work first hand in Ladakh.

One bona-fide Tour Leader will be free on land arrangements in a Single Room. Airfare will however be applicable like normal guest.

Cancellation Policy

Please read our Policies page for more information on cancellation and refunds.

Travel Insurance Recommended

Please consider obtaining Trip or Travel Insurance to cover eventualities which may cause travel difficulties or losses you may incur, of which Toft Photo Safaris is not responsible. We strongly suggest Trip or Travel Insurance to all our guests to cover any unseen situations occurring prior to or during the trip which would cause losses not covered by our policy.

Emergency evacuation insurance is required

PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR EXPECTATIONS

Our goal is to provide a successful nature experience with wonderful photographic opportunities of the extraordinary wildlife found in India.

To meet these goals please consider the following:

  • Photographing wild animals involves dedication and patience
  • Expect to spend considerable time in a vehicle, in shade or sun, searching and waiting for our subjects
  • Extended periods of time may be required in order to capture amazing imagery of wildlife in action — could be hours
  • Toft Photo Safaris (or anyone for that matter) can NOT guarantee with 100% certainty that a particular wildlife will be spotted and photographed
  • In order to achieve the highest degree of success, we have chosen the best area and guides who in previous tours have had tremendous success finding tigers and other wildlife.
Moderate to Difficult
We are in high altitude – roughly 13,000 feet and getting acclimated can be difficult for people not reasonably fit. In order to participate in this trip, you must be able to walk unassisted at a steady pace for at least one mile over uneven terrain.
Participants are strongly encouraged to consult with their physician regarding their health at high-altitude. Using Diamox (Acetazolamide) as a prophylaxis for high-altitude sickness is recommended.
Emergency evacuation insurance is required.

PACKING LIST

PACKING LIST FOR INDIA EXPEDITIONS

PACKING SUGGESTIONS

Before you spend hundreds of dollars on a new wardrobe, please talk with us for some perspective on safari attire. Below are some general suggestions that can serve as guidelines for your planning. Please bear in mind that in small aircraft or other vehicles, there can be luggage restrictions of between 15 kg (33 lbs.) and 20 kg (44 lbs.), often in a soft bag with no wheels, frames or rigid structures.

CLOTHING

This region of India is very cold, so we strongly recommend the following:

  • Good heavy-weight down jacket
  • Gortex jacket with hood
  • Gortex shell pants
  • Mid-weight fleece pants
  • Light trekking pants
  • Warm fleece gloves
  • Sun hat or beanie
  • Warm outer clothing for dressing in layers
  • Warm boots with extra grip for hiking
  • Alternate footwear like running shoes or sandals
  • Heavyweight wool socks
  • Good quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection
  • Travel clothes for air travel and time spent in Delhi and Leh

CAMERA GEAR/EQUIPMENT/OTHER

Photographing wild Snow Leopards requires big lenses as they are often fairly distant.

  • 2 DSLR bodies (that you know well and work)
  • 500mm, 600mm or even 800mm prime lens
  • 200mm or 400mm medium lens
  • 2x Converters
  • 24mm (or under) wide lens for panoramic views
  • Sturdy tripod/monopod with gimbal head and mount that fits camera bodies
  • Beanbag
  • Polarizer filter(s)
  • Batteries and charger, memory cards, USB drive/stick to transfer image to free up memory cards. Bring owner’s manuals
  • Good quality binoculars