Quest for the Snow Leopard

This safari adventure expedition takes you along an extraordinary route, full of lore and

splendor, punctuated by photographic attractions, and features great diversity. You visit

Hemis National Park situated in Ladakh region, famous for elusive Snow Leopard.

ITINERARY….

DAY 1,2 Nov 17 , 18 2017 : ARRIVE DELHI ( B & B)

Arrive Delhi the capital of India. Our tour representative will welcome you at the airport arrival

lounge. Transfer to hotel where you receive a traditional welcome with Garland while the hotel

formalities are completed. (You could add in an extra night in Delhi to recover if you so wish !)

Delhi, the capital of India, is a city that offers a glimpse of both ancient and modern day India.

It is the third largest city in India and one of the fastest growing in Asia. This city is rich in

culture, always changing with time but never hiding its splendid past. The various ancient ruins

seen in the city are silent witnesses to its magnificent history. The city of Delhi is a blend of two

different yet perfectly balanced parts, the Old and the New Delhi. With its intricate streets,

elegant mosques, forts, monuments, and bazaars that sell a variety of goods, Old Delhi speaks

volumes about its Mughal past. With its multi-ethnic, multi-cultural population, New Delhi is

truly cosmopolitan.

Overnight at Imperial Hotel Half Day tour of the Old city of Delhi on Nov 18.

DAY 3 Nov 19 : DELHI – LEH (B, L & D)

Early Morning transfer from hotel to airport for flight to Leh

Air India departure 0625 / arrival 0745 hrs (time subject to change)

Meeting and assistance on arrival at Leh airport and transfer to the hotel

Rest of the day at leisure to explore Leh and for acclimatization to the high altitude

Ladakh in the Indian Himalayas is one of the best areas to see the elusive snow leopard and this is where

we will run our snow leopard safari. It is not only about the snow leopards, as there are a host of other

animals and birds to see, in addition to spectacular scenery and getting to know more about the people

that live here.

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 you to gradually get acclimatized to the high altitude before we start our safari that will

involve a good amount of strenuous trekking in the Husing valley in search of Snow Leopard.

Overnight at Grand Dragon

DAY 4 Nov 20 : LEH (B, L & D)

Day at leisure for further acclimatization, (3,200m – 10,500ft) it is very important, to move slower, drink lots of water / tea, so as not to put much stress on the body. We want to be in proper shape when exploring the Himalayas!

If at all interested walking, one could visit either

Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa & Leh Palace. We

will head right before sunset to Leh Palace in

order to photograph Shanti Stupa from a

distance. Overnight at Grand Dragon

DAY 5 Nov 21 : LEH – ULLEY (B, L & D)

Drive west (2-3 hrs) today on the road to Kargil and Srinagar, generally following the Indus River. You pass

through the small town of Nimmu – one of the most important in Ladakh, where the Zanskar River

meets the Indus. After a little over an hour you head north on a road marked to Likir – one of Ladakh’s

famous Buddhist monasteries. This is all snow leopard country. The landscape here is even bigger, more

expansive and open, until you turn off onto a dirt road, winding up a narrow valley, following a stream

called the Ulley Chhu.

Smaller valleys intersect and the guides have their heads craned all the time, scanning the hill sides and

the skyline for any silhouette. 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! Ulley village, west of Leh is an area that has only recently opened for

Snow Leopard watching.

Our base for this expedition is the Snow Leopard Lodge – which apart from being more comfortable

than camping out in sub-zero temperatures – puts money directly into local hands and strengthens the

constituency of the snow leopard. From here we ill hike out daily searching for snow leopards and other

high altitude wildlife. The lodge is built separately from

the main house with a dining room and kitchen – all in

the same low stone built building. We will bring in our

own cook and camp staff with an assortment of

important luxuries like extra gas heaters, warm shower

(and bathroom!), long drop toilet but with a

comfortable thunder box, comfortable mattresses,

linen, an assortment of coffees, teas, snacks etc. that

will go a long way to alleviate the cold and the altitude.

Add to this the interest of living with a Ladakhi family as

they approach winter and understanding their life-style

and you have a very special experience in store - especially sharing the large and warm kitchens that are

the heart of a Ladkahi home in winter, resplendent with their personal brass, copper and silver

ornaments.

From the house and its terraced fields, you enjoy a superb view across the valley and are almost certain

to see Ibex from here, and if you are lucky, a lot of other wildlife such as wolf, Himalayan fox and yes,

perhaps even a snow leopard !

Settle in on arrival and acclimatize to the higher altitude of Ulley (4,200m – 13,800ft). A real advantage

of Ulley is that, so far, it is relatively free of tourism and the chaos that has enveloped Rumbak - the

more popular and first snow leopard destination.

Also from here you have the chance to explore 3 different valleys, which, apart from snow leopards, are

great for spotting urial, Ibex, wolf and Himalayan fox.

Norbu, your personal tracker

and spotter is an exceptional

individual, whose entire being

seems to be narrowed down

to the field of vision of his

binoculars. Being based at the

Lodge is the most comfortable

way of looking for snow

leopards and I much prefer this

to camping out in the cold!!

Let me know if you must

though, and we can arrange it

some nights out under canvas!

Adding to the mixture is the exceptional tracking skills of

Norbu and his team, and the exclusivity of the location, this makes for a truly superb high-altitude wilderness experience.

Over the next few days you explore the area on foot and vehicle with Norbu tracking the snow leopard.

You will be amazed at the sheer dedication and commitment he brings to his trade, and the effort he

makes to ensure that you, his guests and new best friends, leave happy. Norbu interacts closely with the

local people and uses their network of local intelligence to narrow down the likely sites. In the process

there will also be plenty of opportunity for you to get insights into local folklore, as well as learn about

local customs and traditions.

Overnight stay at The Snow Leopard Lodge

DAY 6 -10 Nov 22 – 26 : ULLEY (B, L & D)

Spend days exploring and photographing all that you come across. IT should be stated that this is an

expedition, and snow leopard are elusive, so no guarantees can be given …. other than that of a life

changing experience!

Overnight stays at The Snow Leopard Lodge

DAY 11 Nov 27: ULLEY – LEH (B, L & D)

Pm Drive back to Leh. Upon arrival in Leh, check into the hotel.

Overnight at Grand Dragon

DAY 12 Nov 28 : LEH – DELHI – AGRA (B)

After breakfast transfer to Leh airport for flight to Delhi Air India departure 1100 / arrival 1220, (time

subject to change). Meeting assistance on arrival at Delhi airport and drive to Agra (210 kms/4 hrs)

Agra - Badal Singh established the city of Taj in 1475 AD. Agra finds mention in the Mahabharat as

Agraban. Sikandar Lodi made Agra his capital but Babur defeated the Lodis to capture not only Agra but

also laid the foundation of the Mughal

Empire. In the mid 16th century and earlier

17th century AD, Agra witnessed a frenzied

building activity and it was during this time

when the symbol of love Taj Mahal was built.

Rest of the day at leisure

Sunset visit of Taj Mahal: Little needs to be

said about this architectural wonder, which is

always the soul raison-detre for every

tourist's visit to Agra. Built by Shah Jahan, the Taj is a white marble memorial to his

beautiful wife Mumtaz Mahal. This monument took 22 years to be completed and was designed, and

planned by Persian architect Ustad Isa. Apart from its stunning design balance and perfect symmetry,

the Taj is also noted particularly for its elegant domes, intricately carved screens and some of the best

inlay work ever seen.

Overnight at Oberoi Amarvilas with evening tour of the Taj Mahal.

DAY 13 Nov 29 : AGRA - DELHI (B & D)

Revisit in the morning if you wish, and after your leisurely breakfast visit Agra Fort, a massive structure

with 70-foot high, 1.5-mile long walls encompassing an astounding collection of well preserved

buildings, many of them completed during the reign of Emperor Shah Jahan.

Later drive on to Delhi and transfer to hotel for room until departure, farewell dinner at the hotel **

Later mid night transfer to Delhi International airport to connect flight for onward destination.

Notes: We will need a minimum of 6 pax for this trip to go. Please contact me as soon as possible to let

me know your interest. This is an expedition, a comfortable but not luxury trip.

**There will be a second trip continuing on from Agra to photograph Tigers and much of the other great Indian wildlife in the isolated reserves of Suptura, Pench (Jamtara) and Kanha which will end departing Delhi on Dec 7th pm. Contact us for costs and details of this extension trip, which also can be done on its own.

HOTEL ENVISAGED: J.W.Marriott

THE COST INCLUDES:

• Accommodation on double/twin sharing basis at hotels mentioned above or in similar

category.

• Your accommodation in Delhi & Agra is inclusive of breakfast only where as your program

from arrival in Leh till your departure from Leh is inclusive of all meals.

No. of Persons Traveling Per Person Cost in USD on Twin Sharing

06 Passengers USD 8,990 Per Person

08 Passengers USD 8,097 Per Person

10 Passengers USD 7,659 Per Person

Single room Supplement USD 5,264 Per Single

*Airfare Supplement (Economy Class) USD 404 Per Person

From Delhi – Leh – Delhi, with 20 kgs baggage

City / Nights Hotel Name Room Category

Delhi / 2 Imperial Hotel Deluxe Room

Leh / 2 Grand Dragon Deluxe Room

Ulley / 6 Snow Leopard Lodge Basic Standard Room

Leh / 1 Grand Dragon Deluxe Room

Agra / 1 Oberoi Amarvilas Premier Balcony Room

Delhi / Day Use JW Marriott Day Use Room for few hrs

TIP and Conservation fee Per Person Amount

Guide Tips - At your discretion, but we suggest USD 300 Per Person

Conservation fee contribution USD 200 Per Person

• Accompanying English speaking tour escort (India) from arrival (Delhi-day 1) until departure

(Delhi-day 12).

• One farewell dinner at Delhi on day 12.

• All transfers as per the itinerary

• National Park / monuments / monastery fee.

• Generator for charging batteries etc while camping.

• Ladakh Environment entry fee (subject to change). Ladakh hill counsel fees.

• Meeting / assistance on arrival/departure at both airports & hotels.

• National parks entry fee, activities and all trekking excursions with your expert naturalist

guides and wildlife experts, English speaking tour leaders, local guides.

• Govt. Service Tax.

COST DOES NOT INCLUDE:

• Tipping at hotels/lodges, restaurants, porters, safaris guide/drivers, local guides, resident

naturalist and the accompanying tour escort.

• Any Airfare, any insurance fee

• Any meal other than what is specified above or anything not mentioned in the inclusions

above.

• Any expenditure of personal nature like tabled drinks, camera fee, laundry, telephone calls,

soft/ hard drinks.

• Any sudden increase in price due to a steep hike in park Entry Fees, 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:

• Airfare is quoted on the basis of best available average fare which is subject to change. This

fare can be low or can be higher at the time of booking. Exact fare will be advised at the

time of booking.

Please bear in mind that due to the nature of this safari and the area visited, there may have to

be schedule / itinerary changes.

Wildlife viewing: Please note that seeing a snow leopard is not in anyway 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. It is the “holy grail” of wildlife photography!

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 – Our system works closely with an organization called Snow

Leopard Conservancy who help work with communities in the Himalayas to secure the future of

the Snow Leopard.

Habitat. We encourage everyone to make a contribution of USD 200. We will have the

opportunity to witness their work first hand in Ladakh.

Our Spotters: Our Ladakhi Snow Leopard experts will lead the field visit, directing the viewing

outings and tracking the snow leopards' movements.

Tim Lapage Independent Safari Consultant

P.O.Box 680098 Park City UT 84068-0098 - Tel +1 435 649 4655 - e-mail: safari@safariexperts.com

www.safariexperts.com