Swati V
Snow Leopard Trek Overview
Trip Location: Leh
Starting and ending point: Leh Airport
About the Snow Leopard Trek:
You are invited to take part in a Snow Leopard Trekking package that offers eight days of complete adventure and excitement. It starts once you arrive the wonderland of Leh. Begin the expedition with an exploration of the glistening town when the Himalayas are forming the best background every time. Zingchen is the gateway to the entrance of the most awaited Rumbak Gorge. You will be climbing up to an impressive altitude of 3050 meters and come at the narrow gorge.
Then you are invited to unfold the wild paths of mystical land of Husing by understanding the mountainous slopes. In extreme winter, the Snow Leopard and other animals are forced to come down from the high altitudes they live usually and that is why Hemis National Park is a perfect winter trek. You will have chances widened to spot them easily.
Explore Husing and walk around the Rumbak Valley and watch the Argali Sheep roaming around. Come back to Leh after capturing the manipulative sights of Husing and wind up your Snow Leopard trek.
About the Destination:
Snow Leopard Trek is one of the most sought after treks in Ladakh. It is situated in the eastern part of Ladakh, at an altitude of 3000 meters. Being a dominant part of the famous Hemis National Park, it spreads an area of 600 sq.kilometers in the valleys of Markha and Rumbak. Since it is a protected area, the trek to spot the rare animals here would be a thrilling experience. Not just about animals, birds and other species of insects will make the bio diversity an attractive one here.
On this trek, you may get chances to spot the rare and endangered species live only in the cold desert among which the snow leopard, Ibex, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare, Antelope etc are the very unique ones to have a look. Birds like Snow Patridge, Snow Cock, Horned Lark, Red Billed Chuff etc. And these animals are one of the major attractions in Ladakh and it is a favourite spot for many adventure lovers as well as animal lovers.
Snow Leopard Trek is a popular winter trek which let each of the trekkers would come to see the end of human interference and just the world of wild. The rugged mountains, the wild stretches of greenery and the points where those rare species of animals and birds can be spotted make this trek amusing. At each turn of the trail, you may get surprises that can be cherished a lifetime. It enables you to know the stories behind Rumbak Valley too.
Snow Leopard Trek Highlights:
– This offers you the exotic sights of snow-clad Himalayas from everywhere and never miss the chance to negotiate with the frozen pathways in your expedition to spot the rare Snow Leopards.
– Enjoy walking around the beautiful kingdom of Ladakh where you can find architecture and nature are blended in a perfect proportion.
– Revel in the soothing ambience created by the unique flora and fauna of the cold deserted land.
– Marvel at the particular Buddhist culture and preserved traditions of the town.
– Get excited to click pictures of the very rare Snow Leopards, blue sheep, yaks and unique birds.
– Walk on frozen river
Quick Facts About Snow Leopard Trek:
Altitude: 9,842 ft
Temperature: Daytime; –25°C to +6°C, Nighttime; -10°C to – 25°C
Snow Leopard Trek Difficulty Level: Difficult
Starting and ending point: Leh Airport
Base Camp: Zingchen
Snow Leopard Trek Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrive in Leh
Upon your arrival at Leh Airport, you will be greeted by our representatives. They will conduct you to your hotel where you will have a chance to rest and refresh yourselves. Warm beverages, snacks and lunch will be served at the hotel.
As the afternoon draws to a close, you will have a chance to visit the magnificent Shanti Stupa. After watching the sunset over Leh, you will head over to the Leh Palace for a quick tour. Later, you can explore the local markets of Leh.
After these expeditions, you will return to the hotel for a good night’s rest.
Day 2 – Leh Local Sightseeing including Chilling
After an early breakfast, you will begin a drive towards the confluence of the Zanskar and Indus rivers. There are many important Ladakhi landmarks on the way and stops will be made at each of them.
Spituk Gompa, Gurudwara Pathar Sahib, Ladakh Hall of Fame, Magnetic Hill will be among the places we will stop at on the way to the Zanskar-Indus confluence.
Take the road opposite of confluence towards Zanskar river and travel to Chilling. You can actually walk over Zanskar River on this route as some part of the famous Chadar Trek where people walk over Zanskar River as it freezes in winters from Padum in Zanskar Valley to travel to Leh.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 3 – Leh- Zingchen – Rumbak Valley
Today, we begin the Snow Leopard Trek. After an early breakfast, it will be time to check out of the hotel. Once this is done, we will drive over to Zingchen, which is the starting point of our trek.
The trek trail will stretch from Zingchen to Rumbak valley. The route is one of gradual ascent, so your endurance will be put to test today.
Rumbak Valley is the place where Snow Leopards can be sighted, so once here keep an eye out for those majestic creatures.
Overnight stay at the camps/homestay.
Day 4 – Rumbak Valley – Stok La – Rumbak Valley
The Snow leopard trek continues today. The day will be spent trekking from Rumbak Valley to Stok La and back. This stretch of the route has the most sightings of snow leopards, so definitely be on the alert. We will also climb up to the Stok La pass and gaze out at the magnificent landscape spreading out below.
Overnight stay at the camps/homestay.
Day 5 – Rumbak Valley
The whole of this day is dedicated to exploring the Rumbak Valley and its neighbouring areas like Husing Valley, Tsarbung Valley, Kharlung Valley, and Tarbung Valley.
All these places are known for sheltering the Snow leopard and the chances of sighting them here are high.
The day will be spent in following known snow leopard trails as well as their footprints.
Overnight stay at the camps/homestay.
Day 6 – Rumbak Valley
Day 6 is a day free from all formal itinerary plans. You have the chance to explore the entire Rumbak valley upon your own initiative and enjoy yourselves as you like.
There is also the option of visiting nearby villages to experience traditional village life in Ladakh.
Overnight stay at the camps/homestay.
Day 7 – Rumbak Valley – Zingchen – Leh
On Day 7, you will return to Zingchen from Rumbak valley.
There will be many interesting sites on the way and we will make sure to stop at these places.
On the drive back, a stop will also be made at the famous Spituk monastery.
Before night, we will arrive back in Leh.
Overnight stay in hotel.
Day 8 – Leh to onwards journey
Day 8 sees your Snow Leopard Trek come to a conclusion.
After an early breakfast, our representatives will drop you off at the Leh Airport from where you will catch a flight back home.
Stay
- Stay at The Hotel / Camps/homestays on Double/Triple sharing basis.
Meal
- All Meals during trek
Activity
- Trekking
- Camping
- Sightseeing
Other Inclusions
- Qualified & experienced team of Guide, Cook, Helpers & Porters
- Dining, Kitchen & Toilet tents
- First Aid Kit along with oxygen cylinder
- Cost of fees towards permits & camping
Transport
- Transport from Airport to Airport as per Itinerary
- All transfers in SUV/Sedan Car/Tempo Traveler (depending on group size)
Things To Carry
- Wardrobe essentials like woolen and fleece clothes, synthetic or waterproof track pants, rain-proof jackets, sunglasses, waterproof gloves, wind-proof jackets, thermal innerwear
- A sturdy backpack with a plastic or water-proof lining
- High-ankle trekking shoes with good grip, trekking pole or stick
- Moisturizers, chap sticks
- Torch, water bottle, extra polythene bags for wet clothes and a whistle
Advisory
- Tour does not include below mention points:
- Airfare to & from Leh
- Personal equipment including trekking pole, gumboots, headlamp & water bottles etc
- Porter to carry personal luggage, if required, shall be chargeable@300/- per bag
- Anything not mentioned under the head Inclusions
Tour Type
- This is a group tour
Snow Leopard Trek: Cancellation Policy
- If cancellations are made 30 days before the start date of the trip, 25% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made 15-30 days before the start date of the trip, 50% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- If cancellations are made within 0-15 days before the start date of the trip, 100% of total tour cost will be charged as cancellation fees.
- In case of unforeseen weather conditions or government restrictions, certain trips or activities may get cancelled. In such cases operator will try their best to provide an alternate feasible. However a cash refund will not be applicable for the same.
- Cancellations are strictly subjected to cancellation policies mentioned on the website & are irrespective of the date of booking.
Snow Leopard Trek: Refund Policy
- The applicable refund amount will be processed within 15 business days
- All applicable refunds will be done in traveller’s thrillophilia wallet as Thrillcash
Snow Leopard Trek: Refund Policy
- The customer receives a confirmation voucher via email within 24 hours of successful booking
- In case the preferred slots are unavailable, an alternate schedule of the customer’s preference will be arranged and a new confirmation voucher will be sent via email.
- Alternatively, the customer may choose to cancel their booking before confirmation and a full refund will be processed
