At a Glance
Join an expert-guided, 14-day wildlife quest through the majestic Indian Himalaya to search for the elusive snow leopard in Ladakh's Hemis National Park. Led by celebrated mountain guide Valerie Parkinson, this full-service camping and wildlife trek is an adventurous, high-altitude winter tour, offering unparalleled opportunities to spot rare wildlife and experience the rich culture of Himalayan Buddhist communities. From witnessing a vibrant monastic festival to enjoying a traditional homestay, this journey into the remote winter landscapes of Ladakh is an intimate exploration of a world cut off from the ordinary.
Your adventure begins in the lively Delhi. Join an early flight to Leh and have a gentle orientation walk around the city and its bazaars. Visit the most important monasteries in the Indus Valley: Shey and Tikse. Journey to Jinchen and ...
Trip Highlights
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What's Included
- Meals: All breakfast, 10x lunch, 11x dinner
- Expert tour leader and specialist wildlife guide to enhance your adventure
- Arrival and departure transfers
- 13 nights of accommodations in a mix of classic and deluxe hotels on a twin-share basis including 5 nights of full service camping and 1 night in a homestay
- Immersive itinerary with all transport (on foot, by jeep and two internal flights) and listed activities (masked dance festival visited on most departures)
- Kitbag to keep
Itinerary
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Our journey starts in Delhi, a city known for its vibrant energy and historic landmarks. Today is a free day for you to explore the city at your own pace or relax and recover from your flight. You could visit landmarks like Humayun's Tomb or the bustling markets of Chandni Chowk. At approximately 6 PM, you'll have a welcome meeting where you can meet your tour leader and the rest of the group. This is a great opportunity to get to know your fellow travelers and hear more about the trip itinerary. After the meeting, your tour leader will take the group out for a welcome dinner at a local restaurant. Located in the heart of Delhi, Hotel Regent Grand offers a 4 star retreat with easy access to the city's major commercial hubs and tourist attractions. Guests can unwind in elegantly designed rooms and indulge in a variety of culinary delights at the on-site multi-cuisine restaurant. If you'd like to arrive early and have more time to explore Delhi, please contact us to book extra nights at the hotel before the tour begins. |
Hotel Regent Grand, Delhi (or similar)
Dinner  |
We'll have an early start today, likely leaving the hotel around 3 a.m. for our flight to Leh. This early morning flight offers spectacular views as we soar over the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. Upon landing in Leh, you'll notice a significant drop in temperature, so have your down jacket ready. Assuming a timely, weather-permitting flight, we should arrive at our hotel in Leh (altitude: 11,485ft/3,500m) in time for breakfast. The rest of the morning is dedicated to rest, allowing you to catch up on sleep and begin acclimatising to the high altitude. In the afternoon, we will take a gentle orientation walk through Leh's labyrinthine old town and bustling bazaars, where you can browse local handicrafts and get a feel for the local culture. Nestled just a short walk from Leh's main market, the Mahey Retreat offers a tranquil escape with stunning mountain views. The hotel features modern, centrally-heated rooms and an on-site restaurant serving a variety of cuisines, ensuring a comfortable and convenient stay. |
Mahey Retreat, Leh (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Today, we visit the most important monasteries in the Indus Valley. We start with a 30-minute drive to Shey, once the residence of the Ladakhi royal family. Below the ruins of the old palace is a small temple housing a two-storey-high gilded statue of the Buddha. From Shey, we walk across the fields to Tikse, bird spotting en route. Set on a hill is one of the most impressive gompas in Ladakh. It has several temples, one of which contains a majestic statue of the Future Buddha. We return to Leh in the late afternoon. There may be an opportunity to attend a local monastic festival depending on the lunar calendar. Usually, we time the trips so we can visit a festival on either Day 3 or Day 11, keeping plans flexible. Valerie and our local team will advise what’s possible on the day. |
Mahey Retreat,Leh (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
After leaving Leh, the capital of Ladakh, we'll drive across the Indus River and head towards the village of Jinchen. The route will take us past Phe and lead to the entrance of the stunning Rumbak Gorge. Here, we'll leave our vehicles near a bridge to begin our trek. The trail leads us up into the narrow gorge, where our search for signs of snow leopards and blue sheep begins. Tonight, we will set up camp at our basecamp in Rumbak Sumdo, situated at an altitude of 12,470ft/3,800m. |
Full-service camping
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Over the next five days, our entire focus will be on finding snow leopards. Our expert wildlife guides will create a flexible daily plan based on the latest information. They are in constant communication with a network of local spotters, who share real-time updates on recent sightings. This collaborative effort significantly increases our chances of success—in our 2025 season, guests spotted seven snow leopards, numerous blue sheep, and even a lynx. Our base camp will be strategically located at Rumbak Sumdo, providing access to several prime leopard habitats. From here, our daily walks will take us into the breathtaking Rumbak Valley, a renowned area for leopard activity. We will also explore further afield, heading towards Yurutse and the base of the Ganda La pass. Depending on recent tracking reports, we may also venture into the nearby Husing and Tarbuns valleys, both well-known haunts of these elusive cats. To help you scan the vast mountain slopes, we recommend bringing a good pair of binoculars. Additionally, our team includes dedicated wildlife spotters (at a ratio of one per five guests) equipped with high-powered spotting scopes. They will set up these scopes at camp and on ridges during our walks to survey distant areas. These spotters also head out during the early mornings and late evenings—peak activity times for wildlife—to search for fresh tracks and other signs of animal movement. A full trekking crew will accompany us to ensure your comfort and safety. This includes guides, assistant guides, a cook, kitchen assistants, and porters. Our camp crew will even bring hot lunches and drinks directly to you while you're out spotting. If you have a heavy camera bag, you can hire a private porter to carry it for you. Accommodation will consist of camping for all but one night, which will be spent in a traditional Ladakhi homestay. This offers a unique opportunity to experience local culture firsthand, enjoy authentic Ladakhi cuisine, and interact with the villagers. |
Full-service camping and one night in a homestay
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Today, we trek back to Jinchen, where we meet our transport and drive back to the relative comforts of our hotel in Leh. |
Mahey Retreat, Leh (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Once a year, each monastery in Ladakh hosts a festival. During these events, monks don elaborate silk and brocade costumes to perform religious dances, re-enacting centuries-old stories from Tibetan Buddhism. These festivals are significant social and religious gatherings, drawing people from across the region. They offer a unique opportunity to witness local culture and traditions. For those interested, Valerie and our local team can arrange a visit to a festival if one coincides with our itinerary. We would spend the entire day immersed in the festivities before returning to our hotel in Leh for the evening. Please note: The masked dance festival runs on the Tibetan calendar. Dates can and do change. Festivals can be a day earlier or later than advertised due to the moon. We do our utmost to ensure you have the opportunity to visit a festival either on Day 3 or Day 11, where possible. |
Mahey Retreat, Leh (or similar)
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner  |
Upon your return flight to Delhi, the remainder of the day is yours to explore the city at your leisure. You can dive into some last-minute shopping at bustling markets like Chandni Chowk or Connaught Place, or take in the sights of historical landmarks such as India Gate or Humayun's Tomb. |
Hotel Regent Grand, Delhi (or similar)
Breakfast  |
Today is a free day in Delhi to use as a buffer in case of any flight delays from Leh. If all flights run on schedule, you'll have the entire day for your own sightseeing adventures. Delhi offers a wealth of sights. You could explore Old Delhi, home to the magnificent Red Fort, a massive 17th-century fortress, and the impressive Jama Masjid, one of India's largest mosques. Another highly recommended site is Humayun’s Tomb, a stunning example of early Mughal architecture that served as an inspiration for the Taj Mahal. In New Delhi, you can see landmarks like the India Gate, a prominent war memorial, and drive past the grand Parliament House. For shoppers, the city is filled with interesting shops and bustling markets. If you're interested, your tour leader can organise a group walk through the narrow lanes and vibrant chaos of Old Delhi. Alternatively, an optional day trip to Agra to visit the world-famous Taj Mahal can be arranged. Your tour leader will provide details on pricing and logistics for this excursion. Please note that this trip is not possible on Fridays, as the Taj Mahal is closed. |
Hotel Regent Grand, Delhi (or similar)
Breakfast  |
The tour ends after breakfast, and we begin our return journeys home. Alternatively, if you’d like a little more adventure. Consider joining a five-day Golden Triangle extension. Encompassing Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra, the trip is a whirlwind of culture, taking in the Taj Mahal, Akbar's Red Fort, and much more. NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation. |
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Breakfast Dates & Prices
Please contact us for private departures and group bookings. Single Supplement is available on request.
More Info
- The departure and finish point is Delhi
- Major commercial flights provide convenient access to Delhi. The closest airport to Delhi is Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and is about 15–20 km from central Delhi.
- Airport transfers are included. The start hotel is approximately 35 minutes drive from Delhi Airport.
Ladakh in winter is very cold. From January to March, the days can be sunny but there is a chill in the air. January is the coldest month. By March, the days can be up to 7C (45F). The early mornings, evenings and nights are extremely cold. You must be prepared for temperatures well below freezing. Daytime temperatures in Leh and on trek are approximately -10C to 6C (14F to 43F). It is a very dry cold in Ladakh and we can expect sunny weather with a windchill. Nightly temperatures can be -10C to -25C (14F to -13F).
There is usually snow around from January to March. You must be adequately equipped and prepared to deal with the cold on this trip. Please read the equipment section thoroughly.
In Delhi, the weather is mild and pleasant in February with daytime temperatures up to 25C (77F), rising to 30C (86F) in March.
This trip is rated 3 out of 7, Moderate.
Level 1 Easy: Ideal for those new to walking trips. The pace will be easy, and the itinerary often includes some half-day walks to allow for visits or free time. Expect two to four hours of walking per day on easy paths, with some minor ascent or descent.
Average distance per day: 2.5mi-4mi (4km-6km)
Maximum distance per day: 5mi (8km)
Average elevation gain per day: 165ft-985ft (50m-300m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 1,640ft (500m)
Level 2 Easy & Moderate: Expect generally easy trails, but with some ascent and descent on most days. Some walks may meet the criteria for Activity Level 3 (Moderate). Therefore, you should be comfortable with three to five hours of walking per day and enjoy reasonably regular walks at home. The paths will be non-technical but could involve some short uneven sections. Maximum ascents will be no more than 2,295ft (700m), while longer days with less ascent could cover up to 8.5mi (14km).
Average distance per day: 4.5mi-7mi (7km-11km)
Maximum distance per day: 8.5mi (14km)
Average elevation gain per day: 655ft-1,970ft (200m-600m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 2,295ft (700m)
Level 3 Moderate: The inclusion of more hilly or even mountainous terrain makes this grade suitable for fit and frequent hikers. Underfoot conditions could be rocky or with some loose gravel; on wider trails, we may encounter some steep drops to one side. The maximum ascent could be up to 3,600ft (1,100m) in one day. We typically walk for four to seven hours per day.
Average distance per day: 5mi-9mi (8km-15km)
Maximum distance per day: 11mi (18km)
Average elevation gain per day: 985ft-2,625ft (300m-800m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 3,600ft (1,100m)
Level 4 Moderate & Challenging: An adventure made for experienced hikers and hill walkers with good fitness, normally in mountainous terrain and sometimes at altitude with varied and occasionally challenging conditions underfoot. Walks on some days may meet the criteria for Activity Level 5 (Challenging). Expect five to seven hours of walking per day.
Average distance per day: 5.5mi-10.5mi (9km-17km)
Maximum distance per day: 12.5mi (20km)
Average elevation gain per day: 1,640ft-2,955ft (500m-900m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 4,265ft (1,300m)
Level 5 Challenging: Ideal for experienced mountain hikers and trekkers with very good fitness. You could be walking longer distances (maximum 15.5mi/25km) for consecutive days. In the mountains, the maximum ascent would be 4,920ft (1,500m) in a day. You should feel comfortable walking six to eight hours per day, with sections of technical terrain (uneven ground with some loose rock, some narrow paths). Most itineraries include some days walking at altitude.
Average distance per day: 6mi-12.5mi (10km-20km)
Maximum distance per day: 15.5mi (25km)
Average elevation gain per day: 2,955ft-3,280ft (900m-1,000m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 4,920ft (1,500m)
Level 6 Challenging & Tough: For experienced mountain hikers and trekkers only. Expect high mountain terrain, remote areas and probably consecutive days at high altitude. Excellent fitness and mobility levels are essential. Expect technical terrain on some days and walks of seven to nine hours per day.
Average distance per day: 6mi-12.5mi (10km-20km)
Maximum distance per day: 15.5mi (25km)
Average elevation gain per day: 2,955ft-3,940ft (900m-1,200m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 5,580ft (1,700m)
Level 7 Tough: Our toughest Walking & Trekking trips normally involve the ascent of a summit, usually above the snowline and at high altitude. Expect technical terrain on most days, often using crampons and ice axes. Average daily hikes are between eight and 10 hours. Previous experience and excellent fitness and mobility are essential.
Average distance per day: 6mi-12.5mi (10km-20km)
Maximum distance per day: 15.5mi (25km)
Average elevation gain per day: 2,955ft-4,265ft (900m-1,300m)
Maximum elevation gain per day: 6,230ft (1,900m)
Trek essentials: This is an adventurous tour, which takes place in winter, when Ladakh is cut off from the rest of the world by road and temperatures drop well below freezing point. 7 days of wildlife spotting on foot, led by Valerie Parkinson. The walking distances each day are moderate. Most of the walking is optional dependent on your enthusiasm for tracking animals each day. While out spotting, we have professional wildlife spotters to guide us and one spotting scope for every five clients.
Altitude: This trip spends time above 9,842ft (3,000m). Maximum altitude: 14,930ft (4,550m)
Average altitude: 12,470ft (3,800m). Maximum sleeping altitude: 13,123ft (4,000m)
Flexibility: The tour is designed to maximise your chances of spotting a snow leopard and means you need to be flexible. We may need to adjust or change the itinerary at short notice should snow conditions or other adverse conditions deem it wise to do so.
Flights: Internal flights to Leh are operated throughout winter when the weather is clear. Delays and cancellations cannot be ruled out.
Connecting to the internet: Ladakh is ideal if you want to be present and enjoy a digital detox, as there is no coverage across the region. Therefore, we do not recommend that you purchase e-sims or local sims for use during the trek. There is wifi in Leh; however, there is no mobile coverage for international phones in Ladakh.
Tour Leaders: All departures are led by Valerie Parkinson, who has spent the last 35 years leading groups in Ladakh and other parts of the Himalaya.She is supported by local guides/spotters, who are experts on the local wildlife. A full camping crew, including cook and assistants, are also available.
Luggage: Luggage is carried from the roadhead to base camp by Jeep or mules. You only need to carry your backpack when we are out spotting. It is possible to hire a porter locally to carry any heavy camera gear.
Hotels: In Delhi, we use a hotel with air-conditioned rooms. In Leh, we stay in a hotel close to the local market and town centre.
Camping: The trek itself is on a full-service camping basis, meaning our camp staff establish the base camp before you arrive. We have camp staff and cook who do all the camp chores. You need only carry your backpack for the day. We use two-person tents, which have enough room inside for your kitbags and include a mattress, sheet, pillow, blanket, and a hot water bottle at night. We also have a dining tent with a table, folding chairs and a heater for use during the evenings. No running water is available while camping. The camp staff collect stream water or melt snow to provide bowls of warm water (to wash with).
Homestay: We spend one night in Rumbak village, where we stay in a traditional Ladakhi house. The dining room and bedrooms have small wood-burning stoves, and there is electricity available at the homestay to charge your electronic devices. At the homestay you sleep on a mattress on the floor. The bedrooms have thick mattresses and blankets and you can take your sleeping bag from the camp.
Toilet: For both the homestay and camping, there is a basic long-drop toilet available.
Single supplement: If you require a single room in Delhi and Leh and a single tent while camping, there is a single supplement. Please note, single rooms are not available in the homestay.
Food
All breakfasts are included and all food is included in Ladakh. In Leh, the food is a mix of Indian, Tibetan, Chinese and Continental. On trek, we provide a full breakfast including porridge, cereals, eggs and toast and a choice of hot drinks. Lunch is a packed hot lunch consisting of rice and chapattis, vegetables, tuna and cheese, which is carried for us. Dinners are mostly pasta, rice or potato based and a mixture of Indian, Continental and Chinese cuisines. In the afternoon, hot drinks and biscuits are served and, in the daytime, camp staff bring us hot drinks while we are out spotting.
Drinking water
Staying hydrated is important when undertaking any physical activity. However, we strongly encourage you not to buy bottled water as this contributes to the growing problem of plastic pollution in India
On trek, the cooks collect and boil drinking water from the mountain streams and fill up your water bottles for you, but you may need to collect water during the day and may wish to use your own water purification treatment as well. Purification tablets can be an economical way to treat your water, most taking between 30 minutes to one hour to purify one litre of water and are easy to used in water bladders/hydration packs. Purification tablets which contain chlorine dioxide are reported not to leave an obvious taste as other tablets may.
We suggest you may like to bring a reusable bottle with a wide opening and use a Steripen to treat any non-boiled water. A Steripen is a handheld UV water purifier – small, lightweight and battery powered, so easy to pack. It’s quick to use, far more effective than purification tablets, and the water is ready immediately. It’s fine to use a Steripen on non-boiled water so long as it isn’t cloudy or full of sediment (which is uncommon in these regions).
Steripens are widely stocked on Amazon, outdoor shops and other online retailers; look for the latest models but avoid USB charging ones. Models that take lithium batteries are best as they last longer, especially in cold conditions.
Onlyluxe Travel acts as travel agency and work with different tour operators.
Payment Detail
All pricing is in Australian dollars and are quoted on a per person twin share basis. A supplementary price is available (see below). Bookings are not confirmed until full payment and the signed Booking Form has been received by Onlyluxe Travel.
A non-refundable 30% deposit is payable within 7 days of your booking, with the final balance due 100 days prior to departure. If a booking is made 100 days or less before departure, the full payment is payable immediately. Last minute bookings are payable before arrival. Failure to pay on time may result in automatic cancellation of a booking with cancellation penalties payable to Onlyluxe Travel. If you pay by credit card or PayPal a surcharge will be added to the total price.
Single Supplement
All accommodation is twin share. Single guests will share with someone of the same gender. If a single room is demanded, a supplementary price of will apply. The supplementary price refers to our quotation and needs to be stipulated at the time of booking.
General Cancellation Policies
- Outside of 100 days monies will be refunded less 30% of full fee
- Within 100 days prior to arrival all monies will be forfeited
- No refunds will be given in the event of non-arrival, any unused services or unused nights due to flight or weather disruption
- We strongly recommend guests protect themselves with travel insurance and medical insurance
Please Note: Cancellations must be advised in email and will take effect from the date they are received.
Liability
The participant agrees to indemnify Onlyluxe Travel, and its servant, tour operator and agents, in relation to any liability, loss and damage which the tour operator, or its servants and/or agents may incur as a result of the participants, negligence or misconduct during the tour.
Smoking is not permitted on the bus, or in tents or in other accommodation being used by tour operator at the time that a trip is being conducted.
Child Policy
Please consult travel consultant on age limit.
Changes to Itineraries
Local conditions may necessitate changes to sightseeing, walking and driving routes, camping and accommodation locations. While every effort will be made to provide the services and experiences as offered in our brochure, on our website, and in our trip letters, we reserve the right to vary your itinerary. In the event that we are forced to change your arrangements, substitute arrangements of a similar standard will be provided. The tour operator will not be liable where interruptions to itineraries are caused by weather conditions, technical problems to transport used by the tour operator, industrial action, political or civil commotion or other circumstances beyond our control. We refer you to the conditions regarding travel insurance.
Changes in Prices
While we will do its utmost to honour its pricing unforeseen circumstances may mean that prices may be subject to change without notice.
Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and Age Limits
You need to advise Onlyluxe travel and the tour operator on any pre-existing medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability that might reasonably be expected to increase the risk of your requiring medical attention, or that might affect the normal conduct of a trip and the enjoyment of other trip members. Onlyluxe Travel and the tour operator may require an assessment of your medical condition from a qualified medical practitioner. If you fail to adequately notify the tour operator of any pre-existing medical conditions and/or disability, the tour operator reserves the right, at its reasonable discretion, to cancel your participation in a trip at any time, including after the commencement of your trip, with no right of refund if your medical condition, mobility impairment and/or disability could be reasonably expected to affect the normal conduct of the trip and the enjoyment of other trip members.
Cancellation by The Tour Operator
The tour operator is at the mercy of nature in all her beauty and all her fury. The tour operator will under no circumstance knowingly place at risk the health and well-being of our guests and guides. In the case of natural threats, acts of God and the like (e.g. bushfires, impassable snow, etc) the tour operator may need to cancel a tour with very little notice. In some cases, this can occur after the tour has commenced. The tour operator reserves the right to cancel any tour up to 60 days prior to departure if the minimum number requirement is unable to meet for a tour. If the tour operator needs to cancel for any reason, the cost of the tour or any other costs associated with travel to the designated pick up point, overnight accommodation, meals, etc will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore we strongly recommend travel insurance be taken out prior to travel.
Force Majeure
'Force Majeure' means (without restriction) any event which Onlyluxe Travel or its third party providers could not, even with due care, foresee or avoid. Force Majeure covers events such as, but not limited to, adverse weather conditions, fire and all similar events beyond our control. In the case of Force Majeure Onlyluxe Travel will not accept liability, and reserves the right to change and cancel trips.
Evacuations
In rare circumstances, due to injury or unforeseen illness, the tour operator may need to evacuate you from a remote part of the walk. Helicopter evacuations are expensive and in most cases will be at a cost to the customer.
For Australian residents, under the Australian Government Medicare Act, it is prohibited for any domestic travel insurance product to provide any financial reimbursement with regard to ambulance or air ambulance services. We therefore strongly advise our customers to take specific ambulance cover through their health insurance provider. Evacuation cost will not be covered by the Onlyluxe Travel and therefore it is also strongly recommended that our customers take out travel insurance to cover (amongst other things) the costs associated with evacuation.
Travel Insurance
In view of the heavy cancellation penalties applied to cancelled reservations in certain circumstances, we strongly recommends suitable travel insurance be purchased at the time the holding deposit is paid. We recommend insurance cover that covers any loss which may be suffered due to cancellation. We also strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance against loss of baggage and medical expenses.
