overview
Welcome to The UnChartered exclusive Snow Leopard Trek! Join us for an extraordinary journey into the heart of Ladakh's Himalayas, where you'll have the rare opportunity to witness the elusive Snow Leopard in its natural habitat. With our expert guides and naturalists, who have worked with renowned projects like BBC's Planet Earth II, you'll explore the stunning landscapes of Ulley, Saspoche, and Hemis Shukpachen.
This adventure offers not just the thrill of spotting Snow Leopards, but also the chance to encounter other unique wildlife and experience the rich cultural heritage of Ladakh.
Expedition dates:
2-15 January 2026
2-15 February 2026
2-15 March 2026
accommodation amidst action
Hotel Chospa is a stunning retreat nestled in the heart of the vibrant city centre of Leh, located on the Old Leh Road. This enchanting abode has been curated to cater to the discerning explorer and those who appreciate the finer things in life.
Chospa is the union of contemporary hospitality with the scenic and material biome of Ladakh. The architecture mirror the traditional Ladakhi construction and materiality, rendering an ambience familiar to locals and unique for visitors.
Above & Beyond offers a unique and comfortable experience in the prime habitat for wildlife in western Ladakh. Unlike typical experiences of searching for the snow leopard, this lodge provides a comfortable stay, ideal for wildlife enthusiasts who appreciate comfort while being out in the wild.
Most wildlife sightings occur around the lodge itself, as it is situated at a higher altitude compared to other homestays in the village.
destinations
Leh, perched at 3,500 meters, is the cultural and administrative hub of Ladakh and a gateway to high-altitude adventures. Once the capital of an ancient Himalayan kingdom, it now draws visitors for its wildlife, landscapes, and heritage.
It’s also a prime base for birding along the Indus River, where species like the Ibisbill, Solitary Snipe, and harriers can be spotted on guided excursions.
Leh’s highlights include the Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace, and Namgyal Tsemo monastery—offering panoramic views and a window into Ladakh’s rich Buddhist heritage.
Ulley, Ladakh is a remote village located in the Sham region, about 70 km west of Leh. Nestled at an altitude of around 4,000 meters, it's renowned for its rugged mountain landscapes and as a prime location for snow leopard spotting in winter. The village is part of the Ulley-Chanthang Wildlife Conservation area, where local communities collaborate in conservation and tourism efforts.
Snow leopard sightings in Ulley are among the most reliable in Ladakh, especially during the winter months (December to March) when the big cats descend to lower altitudes in search of prey. While sightings are never guaranteed, visitors on focused snow leopard tracking expeditions often have a high success rate—sometimes up to 70–80%—thanks to expert local trackers and spotters.
Saspoche and Hemis Shukpachen are two serene villages in the Sham Valley region of Ladakh, known for their beautiful landscapes, traditional Ladakhi culture, and peaceful atmosphere.
Saspoche (also spelled Saspul) lies along the Leh-Kargil highway and is surrounded by rocky terrain ideal for Himalayan wildlife.
Hemis Shukpachen, named after the juniper trees ("shukpa") found here, is one of the most picturesque villages in Ladakh, with lush fields, streams, and mountain views.
itinerary
detailsArrive at Leh and transfer to Hotel in Leh. Leh is situated at an altitude of 3500mts and is the capital of the once ancient Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh.
Upon arrival at the hotel – a warm cup of tea will be served and you will be briefed about the trek. Spend the day acclimatizing in the Hotel as your body needs to adjust to the low oxygen levels.
Your stay will be at Chospa, premium accommodations in the heart of Leh.
After breakfast, we drive along the Indus River to look for the Ibisbill or the Solitary Snipe. You may find a Harrier and also a few species of ducks. Spend the 1st half birding and then we head back to the hotel for Lunch.
Post lunch take a little rest and by evening head out to see the Shanti Stupa, Leh Palace and Namgyal Tsemo.
After an early breakfast head to Ulley in Western Ladakh. Enroute you will come across the confluence of Zanskar & Indus river. At Nimoo you can stop for a Tea break and the head west wards to visit the Likir Monastery. Post the monastery visit we head to Ulley.
The total drive time will be 3-4 hrs. Ulley is situated and an altitude of 4100mts. It is essential to again rest at Ulley for atleast an hour before attempting and physical activity. Ulley has a total of 5 households and we will be staying at the Above & Beyond Lodge, a centrally heated accommodation in the village.
Early morning scouting for snow leopard signs and possible sightings just above the lodge. The lodge has magnificent views of the valley and one can easily look at the ridge lines for almost 360 degrees. In the past we have had many Snow Leopard, wolves and Ibex sightings from the lodge grounds. After breakfast hike up to the North towards Ulley Phu. The trek will be about 2-3 hours walk. From higher ground we have better chances of spotting the cat and also tracking any possible movements of the cat. Spend the day scanning the ridge lines of Ulley phu.
Early morning scan around the ridgelines of the lodge. Post breakfast we head towards Spango Nala. The trek time is about an hour. Spango has been one of our most successful sighting areas for the snow leopard. The valley is quiet and undisturbed by human habitation thus we have found many kills in this valley.
From Day 7 to Day 9 we may also explore the neighboring villages of Saspoche and Hemis Shukpachen. Both these village have regular Snow leopard and wolf sightings.
The drive time to both these villages is about an hour from Ulley. Between these 3 villages we have mostly seen a pack of 5 to 8 wolves at a time.
After Breakfast, walk down for an hour to reach the car-drive back to Leh for a hot shower!
Expedition on a map
Gallery
All Meals
All Stay on Double Occupancy in AC Rooms
All Surface Transfers
Private Guides with years of experience in all places
All Entry fees and Expertise
Expert Unchartered Expedition Naturalist
Flights international or domestic
Things which are not mentioned in the itinerary
Gratuity
Travel Insurance is recommended but not included
Alcohol
Laundry
Any food & Beverages other than mentioned above
Dhiraj
expedition Leader
Dhiraj is a passionate wildlife biologist and herpetologist specialising in King cobras and rainforest ecology. For over 14 years, he has dedicated himself to field-based research on reptiles and amphibians in the Western Ghats rainforests. He worked extensively with Whitaker, honing his skills. Later, as a senior Naturalist at Jamtara Wilderness Camp, he became intimately conservant with the great wilderness of Central India.
Dhiraj was honoured as a Disney conservation hero in 2011 for his outstanding education and outreach efforts. Dhiraj firmly believes in inspiring the younger generation to develop a love for nature and wildlife, fostering their contribution to conservation. Since his teenage years, he has organised captivating workshops and awareness programs for schools and colleges. He excels at simplifying the intricate world of behavioural ecology, allowing him to engage with guests and effectively communicate the wonders of wildlife.
Gaythri Devi
expedition leader
A trailblazer in wildlife photography, Mrs. Gaythri Devi brings over 20 years of experience and an unparalleled passion for nature to The unChartered Expeditions. Hailing from Pollachi and shaped by the biodiversity of the Nilgiris, Gaythri is one of Tamil Nadu’s first women to make her mark in this field. Her lens has captured India’s diverse sanctuaries and the iconic Masai Mara, earning her accolades like Photographer of the Year at the 2017 International Camera Fair and first prize from Tamil Nadu Tourism.
As a government-certified trainer, Gaythri’s expertise shines through workshops and wildlife tours, inspiring and mentoring photographers—novice and pro alike. At The unChartered, she leads explorations that go beyond the ordinary, guiding adventurers to see the wild through her extraordinary perspective.
KC Namgyal
meet your guide
Working with the Snow Leopard Conservancy for more than 20 years, KC Namgyal has been our expert Snow Leopard Guide and he is easily one of the top Snow Leopard spotters in the world. He has successfully led over 40 Snow Leopard Sightings in the past years- you are in the best hands while on the tour. Murup is second to none; this year he has spotted a Mother & 2 cubs of snow leopard and led independent tours with top travel companies.
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Have Any Question?
Do not hesitate to give us a call. We are an expert team and we are happy to talk to you.