India – Snow Leopard Photo Expedition 2021
SPACES AVAILABLE
17 Feb 2021 – 27 Feb 2021
This Snow Leopard Photo Tour is a rare opportunity to spot elusive Snow Leopards in the wild. During this expedition, we will use the same guides and trackers as BBC’s Planet Earth II and the majority of this trip is based deep in Hemis National Park in Ladakh, where one of the world’s highest concentration of Snow Leopards is found. The high reaches of the Ladakh Range are prime territory for the magnificent Snow Leopard. As the winter sets in and the snow line descends, these shy and elusive creatures move down to lower altitudes in search of their prey; the Bhairal, Urial, and the Arghali – the mountain sheep and antelope of this region. We’ll explore Hemis National Park on daily treks with our expert spotters to spot and track snow leopards on this once-in-a-lifetime trip.
Why this Photo Expedition is for You
ORYX LEADER
Behzad Larry
- Destination
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Departure
Leh
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per person sharing
US$4,986
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Single Supplement
US$846
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Photographic Highlights
Snow Leopard, Argali (Great Tibetan Sheep), Bharal (Blue Sheep), Shapu (Ladakhi Urial), Asiatic Ibex, incredible scenery
- Guide
From our gallery
Best of Ladakh
Day 1: Arrival in Leh
Day 2: Explore Leh
Day 3 to 9: Looking for Snow Leopards
Day 10: Leh
Day 11: Leh and depart
The recent first ORYX expedition for Snow Leopards was outstanding. The communication from the first e-mail enquiring about the trip to the time we got back, was very good. Trouble broke out between India and Pakistan in another part of India during our expedition; you ensured our family were informed immediately of our well-being. Thank you!
The expedition was very well organized. Behzad ensured each of us acclimatized to the high altitude in the first two days. None of us felt altitude sickness. Behzad and the team also kept a close watch on our physical ability and mental awareness throughout the trip. Their attention was key in a very enjoyable experience.
The camp site was perfect. Behzad had pitched the tents well in advance of our arrival, to take the best position. The tents themselves were luxurious, with a bed ensuring we were not sore or cold by sleeping on the ground. The food was delicious, with pizzas, pastas, noodles, dumplings and Indian food for lunch and dinner. Breakfast was elaborate, with porridge, eggs, bread and cereal. Many varieties of tea and coffee were always available through the day.
The sightings were exceptional. Khenrab Phuntsog, the renowned tracker from BBC Planet Earth 2, is not only a great tracker, but also one of the lead conservationists in Hemis National Park. He gave many, many insights into the ecology, animal behaviour, culture and conservation aspects of what we experienced. He delivered in spades each day: we had 7 snow leopard sightings including one from a few hundred feet and two from the camp (a first, I am told), 5 tibetan wolf sightings, including one from the camp (a first again). We also saw a red fox, many blue sheep and birds. The calls on four different mornings of 'snow leopard' even before the first cup of tea, and the first time I saw a snow leopard, will always remain with me.
Behzad went over and beyond in helping us with our photography, setup portrait sessions, cultural experiences and helped with astro photography. He is an exceptional photo mentor, tour leader, cultural and snow leopard expert, and above all a very warm, funny and extremely friendly person.
This trip was supposed to see the snow leopard, to take it off my bucket list. Instead, it has turned into the first of hopefully many more trips to see the snow leopards again.
Thank you for such a wonderful experience!