Snow Leopard Expedition - Group Trip (Jan 23-Feb 3, 2027)
1) Jan 23 - 24: Andaz Delhi , Delhi
2) Jan 24 - 26: The Grand Dragon Ladakh, Ladakh
3) Jan 26 - February 1: Snow Leopard Lodge - Ulley, Ulley
4) Feb 1 - 2: The Grand Dragon Ladakh, Ladakh
5) Feb 2 - 3: Andaz Delhi , Delhi
DAY 1: SAT · JAN 23, 2027
Transfer from Delhi Airport to Hotel. Upon your arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi, you will be greeted by one of our representatives who will escort you to your Hotel for check-in.
Check in at Andaz Delhi
One King Bed (Breakfast Included)
1 Night
Property Overview
Andaz Delhi is a luxurious lifestyle hotel located in Aerocity, close to Delhi’s international airport. Blending contemporary design with traditional Indian elements, the property offers a vibrant yet serene retreat. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms and suites, each thoughtfully designed with local influences and modern comforts. Culinary experiences abound with multiple dining options, including the award-winning AnnaMaya, a European-style food hall inspired by local produce, and Juniper Bar – India’s first gin bar. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, a wellness-focused spa, and state-of-the-art event spaces.
DAYS 2 & 3: SUN & MON · JAN 24 & 25, 2027
Check out from Andaz Delhi. Flight from Delhi Airport to Leh Airport
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a representative and escorted to your hotel.
Welcome to Leh. Today you will arrive in Leh
Leh is situated in a very scenic part of India as it is bounded by 2 of the world’s biggest mountain ranges which are home to numerous monasteries. We will visit a few palaces and monasteries that will also be helpful for the visitors to get acclimatized with high altitude gradually before we start our snow leopard safari that involves a good amount of strenuous trekking in Husing valley in search of Snow Leopard.
Check in at The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Deluxe Room with Mountain View (Full Board)
2 Nights
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Stok Kangri range, The Grand Dragon Ladakh is one of Leh’s most refined and luxurious hotels—an elegant blend of Ladakhi heritage and contemporary comfort. Family-owned and locally inspired, the hotel combines traditional architecture with modern design, its interiors adorned with hand-painted ceilings, intricate woodwork, and vibrant murals that reflect the artistry of the region. Large picture windows throughout the property frame sweeping views of snow-capped peaks, the Leh Palace, and the surrounding valley, creating a constant connection to the dramatic landscape outside.
Rooms and suites are spacious, tastefully decorated, and thoughtfully heated—essential for the high-altitude climate. Each offers modern amenities alongside touches of local character, from traditional carpets to carved furnishings. The Grand Dragon’s commitment to sustainability is evident throughout, with solar panels providing much of its power and eco-conscious systems supporting Ladakh’s fragile environment.
Snow Leopard Day At Leisure
Activity overview
Take the day to rest and allow your body to properly acclimatize. It’s crucial to move at a slower pace, stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water or tea, and avoid putting unnecessary stress on your body. This will help ensure you're in good condition when we begin exploring the Himalayas.
If you feel up for a short walk, keep it minimal and consider visiting nearby spots such as Sankar Gompa, Shanti Stupa, or Leh Palace. Later in the day, we’ll head to Leh Palace just before sunset to capture stunning photographs of Shanti Stupa from a distance.
DAY 4: TUE · JAN 26, 2027
Check out from The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Transfer from Let to Ulley
Duration: Approx. 2-3 hrs
Welcome to Ulley. Today you will arrive in Ulley. Tucked high in the western reaches of Ladakh’s Sham Valley, Ulley is a tranquil mountain hamlet renowned for its dramatic landscapes and thriving population of snow leopards. Perched at an altitude of around 4,000 metres, it sits above the Indus River, framed by rugged cliffs, deep gorges, and snow-dusted peaks. The village, with just a handful of traditional homes scattered across terraced slopes, offers a glimpse into authentic Ladakhi life—simple, self-sustained, and closely attuned to the rhythms of nature.
Ulley has quietly emerged as one of Ladakh’s best locations for snow leopard tracking, offering an alternative to the busier Hemis National Park. Here, wildlife enthusiasts venture out with expert spotters to scan the slopes for the elusive “Ghost of the Mountains,” alongside other high-altitude species like Himalayan ibex, urial, and red fox.
Beyond its wildlife appeal, Ulley exudes an atmosphere of profound stillness—crisp mountain air, endless horizons, and nights illuminated by a sweep of stars. Whether you’re based at a cosy homestay or a remote mountain lodge, Ulley’s solitude and stark beauty create a rare sense of connection with both the landscape and the resilient people who call it home.
Check in at Snow Leopard Lodge - Ulley
Standard Rooms (Full Board) - 6 Nights
The Snow Leopard Lodge is located high in the beautiful village of Ulley in the Sham region of central Ladakh, north of the Indus River, at the head of the valley of the Ulley Chhu at an altitude of about 13,000 ft.
Snow Leopard Lodge offers a comfortable base with heat, good food, and little luxuries like real coffee, comfortable beds, toilets, and washing facilities, from where one can search for snow leopards and other high altitude wildlife in relative comfort without having to deal with the exhausting issues of camping in the intense cold and altitude of these high mountains.
The lodge is simple but attractively furnished, with a/v equipment that allows you to enjoy wildlife and regular movies plus board games to make the long winter evenings convivial and fun. Most importantly you are hosted by an expert naturalist cum manager who lifts the entire experience to a different level.
Experience & Activities
Over the past 10 years this area has been developed for snow leopard tracking and has gained a reputation not just for the high numbers of snow leopards but as one of the best areas to see ibex, urial, wolf, Himalayan fox, bearded and Himalayan griffon vultures and golden eagles.
Wildlife viewing excursions are mainly carried out in the lodge's own dedicated vehicles. However, guests are encouraged to explore the landscape on foot – depending upon your fitness.
Ulley itself is a hamlet of just about 7 houses beyond which are the summer pastures of Yak and Dzo. This is classic ibex country and there are few more evocative sights than a magnificently horned male ibex standing vigil on some impossibly narrow outcropping, a few thousand feet above a plunging cliff.
Accommodations
Standard Rooms
Rooms vary in size. They are all twin bedded with views and natural light. All rooms also have light fittings and plug points with baggage tables. At night hot water bottles are used to warm up your beds.
DAYS 5 - 9: WED - SUN · JAN 27 - 31, 2027
Day Excursions: Tucked deep within the mountains of western Ladakh, Snow Leopard Lodge in Ulley offers one of the most immersive wildlife and cultural experiences in the Himalayas. Days here unfold at a gentle, mindful pace—rooted in the rhythm of the mountains and the watchful search for the elusive snow leopard.
Mornings begin early, with tea and a sweeping view of sunlit ridgelines as expert trackers scan the slopes for signs of wildlife. Accompanied by naturalists and local spotters, guests venture out on daily excursions across the valleys of Ulley, Saspoche, and Hemis Shukpachan, following fresh pugmarks, listening for the calls of blue sheep, and learning to read the landscape the way Ladakhi herders do. Each outing brings its own reward—whether spotting a herd of ibex silhouetted against a ridge or catching a rare glimpse of the snow leopard itself, perfectly camouflaged among the rocks.
Afternoons often invite a slower tempo. Guests return to the lodge for a warm Ladakhi meal and time to share stories with the hosts—members of the village who have transformed their home into one of Ladakh’s first community-based wildlife lodges. Later, short hikes to nearby ridgelines or monasteries offer a chance to stretch your legs and take in the grandeur of the Trans-Himalaya at golden hour. Evenings settle into a cozy, communal atmosphere as temperatures drop outside. The living room glows with the warmth of a bukhari stove; over butter tea and thukpa, guests and guides recount the day’s sightings, compare photographs, and learn about local conservation initiatives that have helped protect both predator and prey.
DAY 10: MON · FEB 1, 2027
Check out from Snow Leopard Lodge - Ulley
Transfer from Ulley to Leh
Check in at The Grand Dragon Ladakh
Deluxe Room with Mountain View x 1 (Full Board)
1 Night
Established in the year 2007, The Grand Dragon Ladakh, one of the first 5-star hotels in Leh Ladakh, is owned and operated by the Abdu family from Leh, who have more than 40 years of experience welcoming visitors to the beautiful region. It is decorated magnificently with handmade paintings by Gulam Mustafa (first modern artist of Ladakh) around every corner, and fixtures that are reminiscent of royalty.
The Grand Dragon Ladakh is the first hotel with a host of state of the art amenities. The entire facility is wheelchair accessible, providing differently abled guests with a comfortable sojourn. The hotel is also centrally heated and solar powered, not only ensuring warmth but also ensuring that all services are eco-friendly. The attention to detail offered by the associates, coupled with the magnificent views, will guarantee you take home sweet memories.
Accommodations
DAY 11: TUE · FEB 2, 2027
Check out from The Grand Dragon Ladakh. Flight from Leh Airport to Delhi Airport
Upon arrival, you will be greeted by a representative and escorted to your hotel.
Check in at Andaz Delhi
One King Bed (Breakfast Included)
1 Night
Andaz Delhi is a luxurious lifestyle hotel located in Aerocity, close to Delhi’s international airport. Blending contemporary design with traditional Indian elements, the property offers a vibrant yet serene retreat. Guests can enjoy spacious rooms and suites, each thoughtfully designed with local influences and modern comforts. Culinary experiences abound with multiple dining options, including the award-winning AnnaMaya, a European-style food hall inspired by local produce, and Juniper Bar – India’s first gin bar. The hotel also features an outdoor pool, a wellness-focused spa, and state-of-the-art event spaces.
DAY 12: WED · FEB 3, 2027
Check out from Andaz Delhi
Transfer from Hotel to Delhi Airport. On time transfer to Delhi Airport for your Flight home or onward travels.
COSTS
Total per person based on 2 guests in shared accommodation: $7,900
Single Price for this trip - 10,500 USD.
Airfare Supplement
USD 470/- Per Person
For sectors Delhi –Leh– Delhi in economy class (Baggage allowance 20 kg per person per sector).
Notes:
Wildlife viewing: Please note that seeing a snow leopard is not in any way guaranteed. In fact, it must be regarded as a great privilege to even catch a glimpse of one, such is the elusiveness of these creatures. They are wild and by necessity elusive creatures with no fixed routine and finding them requires not only the skill and patience of the trackers/guides but also considerable luck!
Conservation Commitment – We work closely with an organization called Snow Leopard Conservancy who help work with communities in the Himalayas to secure Snow Leopard Habitat. We encourage everyone to contribute of USD 200 per person. We will have the opportunity to witness their work first hand in Ladakh. (encounter asia)