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Tour Code : TGL
The journey is provided by
Exodus Adventure Travels
Destinations : India
Tour Starts : Delhi
Tour Ends : Delhi
Group Size : 5 - 16
Ages : 16+
Activity :
14 days from
ON REQUEST

Overview

A rare chance to see the elusive Snow Leopard and attend a monastic festival

Snow leopards are one of the world's most elusive mammals but in winter they descend from the high Himalaya in search of food. Inhabiting some of the most remote and mountainous regions of Central Asia, the mission to see this enigmatic cat is really more of a pilgrimage. Other rare high altitude wildlife and isolated Himalayan Buddhist communities only add to this quest's allure. The itinerary varies slightly by departure date to fit in the different festivals. All departures led by specialist Himalayan trekking guide Valerie Parkinson. Valerie won Best Tour Leader in the prestigious annual Wanderlust World Guide Awards 2021. Valerie was born by the seaside in Blackpool and spent much of her younger days walking with her parents in the Lake District. After finishing her studies, Valerie worked in Germany and Switzerland, until 1984 when she took a break that would change her life forever. She travelled to India for a three-week trek through Kashmir and Ladakh and found her spiritual home in the high Himalaya and developed her passion for this part of the world. Valerie has spent the rest of her life leading treks (and bike trips) in the Himalayan Region and her knowledge of the culture, religion, art and wildlife of the area is second to none. Her enthusiasm for trekking developed into climbing and in 2008 Valerie became the first British woman to summit Mount Manaslu at 8,163m, without the use of supplementary oxygen, and in 2009 she attempted Everest. Over the years Valerie has been instrumental in setting up and running Himalayan Community Projects which now operate through the Exodus Travels Foundation.

Highlights
  • Chance to see the rare and elusive Snow leopard
  • Wonderful winter walking in mountainous Ladakh - when it is cut off from the rest of the world
  • Visit ancient monasteries and attend a colourful monastic festival with masked dancers
  • Enjoy a homestay night and traditional meal with a friendly Ladakhi family
  • Look out for lynx, Blue sheep, wolves, lammergeyers, Red fox, Himalayan Griffin Vultures and Golden Eagles
Key Information
  • 7 nights hotels, 5 nights full-service camping and 1 night homestay
  • 7 days wildlife spotting on foot
  • Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader and appropriate staff.
  • Altitude max. 4550m, average 3800m (maximum sleeping 3900m)
  • Travel on foot, by jeep and 2 internal flights
  • Festival visited varies by departure date
  • All departures led by Valerie Parkinson
Included
  • All breakfasts, 10 lunches and 10 dinners
  • All accommodation
  • All transport and listed activities
  • Tour leader throughout
  • Flights from London (if booking incl. flights)
  • Free arrival and departure transfers for everyone (in Delhi)
  • Specialist wildlife guide
Not included
  • Travel insurance
  • Single accommodation (available on request)
  • Visas or vaccinations

Itinerary

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Important Information

The trip destination
  • 7 nights hotels, 5 nights full-service camping and 1 night homestay
  • 7 days wildlife spotting on foot
  • Group normally 5 to 16, plus leader and appropriate staff.
  • Altitude max. 4550m, average 3800m (maximum sleeping 3900m)
  • Travel on foot, by jeep and 2 internal flights
  • Festival visited varies by departure date
  • All departures led by Valerie Parkinson
Food
All breakfasts are included and in Ladakh all food is included. In Leh the food will be 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 will be a packed hot lunch consisting of rice and chapattis, vegetables, tuna and cheese, which will be carried for us. Dinners will be mostly pasta, rice or potato based and a mixture of Indian, Continental and Chinese style. In the afternoon hot drinks and biscuits are served and in the daytime our camp staff will bring us hot drinks whilst we are out spotting.
Weather

Ladakh in winter is very cold. From January to March the days can be sunny but there will be a chill in the air. January is the coldest month in Ladakh. By March the days can be up to 7°C The early mornings, evenings and night times will be extremely cold. You must be prepared for temperatures well below freezing. Daytime temperatures in Leh, and on trek, will be from approximately – 10°C to + 6°C. It is a very dry cold in Ladakh and we can expect sunny weather with a wind chill. Night-time temperatures can drop to - 10°C down to - 25°C. 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. The January trips will be colder than the March trips. In Delhi the weather will be mild with daytime temperatures up to 15°C.

Is this trip for you?

This is an adventurous tour and you need to be flexible in your approach to the trip. The trip takes place in winter when Ladakh is cut off from the rest of the world by road and temperatures drop well below zero.  The hotel in Leh is simple but comfortable and has central heating. Out of Leh conditions will be more basic. Five nights will be spent at a base camp, which consists of two-person tents (with mattress, sheet, pillow, 2 blankets and a hot water bottle included), dining tent with tables, chairs, solar lights and heaters and a local long drop toilets. There will be a full camp crew and cooks, who will look after us. One night is spent in a local Ladakhi house, which will be heated with a wood burning stove. Whilst out spotting we will have professional wildlife spotters to guide us and a spotting scope for every 5 clients.

The tour is designed to maximise the chance of spotting a Snow leopard and this will mean you need to be flexible and we may need to adjust or change the itinerary at short notice should snow conditions or other adverse or local conditions deem it wise to do so.

What makes this trip challenging is the weather conditions in Ladakh at this time of year. The walking distances each day will be moderate. Most of the walking will be optional dependent on your enthusiasm for tracking animals each day.

Internal flights to Leh are operated throughout the winter when the weather is clear. Delays and cancellations cannot be ruled out.

If you are prepared to be flexible and patient and have a spirit of adventure then this is a magnificent trip into one of the world’s most incredible best kept secrets.

The leader for all departures is Valerie Parkinson a woman with a real spirit for adventure and a great love for the wilderness of Ladakh.

Prices / Dates

By accepting our offer in writing, you/you confirm that our terms and conditions have both been read and understood and that cancellation fees may apply if the trip is cancelled.

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