Snow Leopard Expedition Lungmar Remote Camp, Ladakh

Welcome to incredible India and to the start of your tour! An Ekno representative will meet you at the airport and escort you to your hotel. After checking into the hotel, spend the rest of the day at your leisure exploring the local area and soaking up the vibrant atmosphere.

Overnight: Hotel, Delhi

Today you’ll fly to Leh, the spectacular capital of Ladakh. Your flight will pass over multiple Himalayan ranges, which serve as a fantastic photo opportunity. Located in a valley of the Upper Indus River, Leh is a small town steeped in grand history. Situated at 11,550 feet (3,520 metres) above sea level, the town is ringed by peaks of the Ladakh Range, a southeastern extension of the magnificent Karakoram Range, home of K2. Leh is also one of the highest permanently inhabited towns in the world, and was an important trading centre on the Great Silk Road. As a result, Leh is a cultural and religious melting pot with a warm and hospitable culture, making its inhabitants very welcoming to travelers.

After arriving in Leh you’ll be transferred to your hotel. Due to the altitude of the region, acclimatisation is very important. The first day is one of total and complete rest. Just relax in your room, stay hydrated, and enjoy the view. No walks, no exploring, and no physical exertion.

Overnight: Hotel, Ladakh

After breakfast, you’ll set off on a day of easy sightseeing. Get a feel for the rich history of the region, with visits to the 15^th century Thiksey Gompa (considered to be one of the most beautiful monasteries in Ladakh), and the Central Asian Museum. You’ll also explore Leh’s main market, an important stop on trade routes dating as far back as the third century.

Sightseeing will be split between the morning and evening, with a rest period around lunch. If you’re interested in picking up souvenirs or one of the fine Pashmina shawls that Ladakh is famous for, you can do so during the market visit.

Overnight: Hotel, Ladakh

After an early breakfast you’ll get ready to head to the Lungmar Remote Camp, where you’ll change your sightseeing cap for your explorer’s hat. The road journey will take just over an hour, however the transformation between Leh’s urban landscape and the wild environs of Lungmar is breathtaking. Nestled deep in the Ladakh Range, beyond medieval Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and past ancient shepherding hamlets, the spectacular location strikes the perfect balance between remote luxury and rugged adventure.

Your transfer team will take you to camp to check in unless they receive word of an active wildlife sighting, in which case they will explore that opportunity first. When you arrive at the camp you’ll be given a tour of your accommodation as well as a briefing, before setting out in search of wildlife with your tracking team.

Overnight: The Lungmar Remote Camp

Guests visit Lungmar for snow leopards. Snow leopards are crepuscular, meaning they are most active at dawn and dusk. The camp wildlife spotters leave camp at dawn, and are dropped off at various points in different valleys. They scan the ridge lines and slopes for wildlife, reporting any sightings back to camp. Usually, guests start waking up around 7 a.m., when the camp Sumdo Sarāi restaurant is already warm and inviting.

Trackers and spotters work through the day, carefully scanning for wildlife and looking for signs. If a snow leopard is seen, you’ll be transferred to the closest vantage point. You may be driven or guided along a walking track, depending on the spotter’s location. Spotters at other locations then converge on the sighting location, where under the leadership of the Chief Tracker, they’ll plan on how to best track the snow leopard for as long as possible.

Trackers always take care to ensure they maintain appropriate distance and that the snow leopard, or other wildlife, is never stressed. Meals, coffee, tea, and snacks will be delivered from camp for as long as guests are at a sighting. Based on the day’s plans, guests will accompany the spotters and trackers to various parts of the valley as they search for the snow leopard. Along the way, the spotters, trackers and field team will point out interesting birds and wildlife, as well as share details about local life and culture.

During the day there will also be opportunities to visit local homes and villages to explore local culture and traditions. These visits are an important way to understand what life is like in this beautiful region of the world, and how essential communities are to conservation.

Overnight: The Lungmar Remote Camp

After breakfast, we’ll transfer to Leh airport for our return flight to Delhi. After arriving and checking in to our hotel, the rest of the afternoon is at your leisure to relax or shop for last-minute souvenirs. You may also wish to enjoy one of our bespoke optional extras such as a cooking lesson on heritage tour.

Overnight: Hotel, Delhi

Our tour concludes after breakfast. We will transfer you to the airport for your onward international or domestic flight. We look forward to seeing you on another Ekno experience soon.