snow leopard expedition
TRAVEL NOTES
WEATHER: Usually sunny days but with dry chilly winds, the temperature can drop to minus
Centigrade at nights but will warm up as the sun comes out during the day. December maximum temperature averages 7°C which can fall to -
15°C. and Feb – March goes to 5°C and fall to -20°C
EQUIPMENT (to be brought by the individual): High quality trekking gear is difficult, if not impossible; to buy in India, so check the equipment
list before leaving home. Please sort out and divide your trekking equipment into three categories:
1. To wear on the trail 2. To carry in the day pack 3. To pack in the duffel bag
You will not have access to your duffel bag once you leave camp in the morning, as it will be carried by pack ponies or porters. Therefore, you
must anticipate all your daytime needs and carry these items in your day pack. Your day pack should be large enough to accommodate your
water bottle. Personal first aid kit, sun cream, sweater or down jacket and lunch box
Clothing and equipment: A list of suggested clothing and equipment for the snow leopard trek has been mentioned below. This is a
comprehensive list and experienced trekkers will often take only a selection of these items based on what has worked in the past- it is worth
pointing out that you will need a 4 season sleeping bag for this trip. Trekkers should bring all their gear in one large duffel bag and a small
backpack (30 to 50 litres). Each day you will carry the small pack containing items that you might need while trekking such as warm clothes,
jacket, camera, water bottle and some snacks. The rest of your personal equipment, contained in your duffel bag, will be carried by ponies.
Footwear
Warm boots with preferably Vibram soles for that extra grip
Running shoes or sandals. To be used in camp in the evenings or for lighter walking days
Gaiters. A pair used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground
Heavyweight wool socks.
Clothing
Goretex shell pants and jacket with hood. Heavy weight down jacket with hood. Light trekking trousers for warmer days. Mid to heavyweight
fleece jacket. Light to mid weight fleece pants. Fleece gloves. Warm wool or fleecy hat. Sun hat. Light weight climbers’ headlamp for use at
night around the camp. Bring extra batteries. High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection. High quality Binoculars / Telescope. However
we will provide 01 spotting telescope for the trip
Personal Equipment
A 4 season sleeping bag with hood to withstand Negative 30 Degrees. 30 to 50 litre backpack large enough to carry water bottles, camera,
lunch and extra clothing. 1 litre water bottles with a wide mouth. Sunscreen and lipsalve with an SPF 30 or better. Pocket knife swiss army
style (optional)
Travelling
1 large duffle bag for transporting your personal gear on the trek and during flights. Bring small combination padlocks. large plastic bin
bags/drybags for keeping gear dry in the duffel and backpack.
Travel clothes. You will need street/casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Delhi and Leh.
Personal First Aid Kits- Any personal medications. Antibiotics for gastrointestinal problems- eg. CiproflaxinBlister treatment
Notes: In case of medical emergencies or high altitude sickness both Zingchen and Saspoche are within a day’s reach to the government
hospitals. Zingchen to Leh is 1hrs drive. First 2 days is recommended for complete rest and acclimatization to ensure rest of the trip carries off
smoothly. The homestays are basic & simple rooms with dry compost toilets and do not have shower
Facilities- Hot water will be provided in buckets if needed. Medical/ safety Information: We carry and provide a small Medical Box with basic
first aid
Camp Type / Movement:
We will provide 02 men DOM or Alpine tents during the trek, Daily we trek about minimum 2-3hrs and on an average 4-5hrs.
Typical Day:
Scan the ridge lines from Camp till about 7.30 am- Breakfast around 7.30 am- Around 8 am- Head out into either Tarbung, Husing Nala, or
Rumbak Doh depending upon the movement of the cat and scouting information.
Around 12.30 pm – Packed lunch will be bought to wherever we are scanning with Hot Soup, Lunch & Black Tea with Dessert. Post lunch we still
carry on scanning and scoping with little movement depending on the cats information. Around 5pm – we start to head back to camp and have
a hot cup of tea/coffee. Continue Scanning till it gets dark as there is a good chance the cat may finally move from a day’s rest on some
vantage point on the ridge line. Around 6.30 pm – Soup will be served followed by dinner and desserts.
At Dinner time I will go through the days events, photography and anything else with the group and discuss the next day’s plan of action along
with clarifying any doubts or problems from clients. It will be an amazing trip and one you will never forget.
Recommended Photography Equipment
You will need to provide your own photographic equipment; lenses ranging from a wide-angle right up to a 500mm will be perfect, ideally with
two camera bodies, however, this is not essential. The landscapes here will be truly amazing so please bring a wide angle lens to capture its
beauty. A tripod/Monopod and a beanbag are a must. Also protection for your camera equipment from the weather is very important.
Tour Information
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1
ARRIVAL DELHI
Meeting assistance on arrival and transfer to hotel. Overnight at hotel
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2
DELHI TO LEH (FLIGHT)
Morning departure transfer to airport to board the flight for Leh. Assistance on arrival at Leh and transfer to hotel
Leh is situated at an altitude of 3500 mts 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.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
3
AROUND LEH
After breakfast, guided tour to Thiksey monasteries to give you an experience of Tibetan Buddhism which has been prevalent since centuries.
Post the monastery visit – 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.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
4
LEH / JINCHEN (DRIVE – 02 HOURS) – RUMBAK (TREK – 04 HOURS)
Drive one hour into the Hemis High National Park. On reaching Zinchen village we commence trek further into the gorge towards the Rumbak
Village. This will take about 04 – 05 Hours. Overnight at Tented Camp
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
5
RUMBAK
(From this day onwards the itinerary depends on the movement of the Snow Leopard and thus the itinerary has to be very
flexible as we trek and camp depending on the movement of the cat)
Early morning scouting for snow leopard signs and possible sightings at the junction of Husing Nala and Tarbung nala including the high ridge
lines. After breakfast hike up the main Lato Nala till the vantage point at Rumbak Sumdo. Spend the day scanning the Kharlung and adjoining
areas. Overnight in camps.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner -
6
RUMBAK
(The Mountains around Rumbak provide a unique bio diversity as you find four different species of wild sheep and goats namely – Ibex, Blue
Sheep, Ladakh Urial and the Tibetan Argali. However it is predominantly the Blue sheep that accounts for the major prey base for the Snow
Leopard population in the area.)
After breakfast, hike 2 to 3 hours to Rumbak village (known as the Snow Leopard capital of the world) Rumbak lies at 4050 mts and we have
the choice of staying at homestays for the night. Spend the day exploring the Rumbak Mountains for Snow Leopards and other wild life. During
the scouting trips we will be climbing up to 4600mts and we will also a trek up towards Yurutse pasture looking for the Tibetan Argali (Great
Tibetan Sheep). Overnight in camps.
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
7
RUMBAK
After breakfast hike up to Husing pass (4450mts) and spend the day at the vantage point on the pass scanning surrounding area for wildlife like
theTibetan Argali, the Eurasian Lynx and theTibetan Wolf
Overnight in camps
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
8
RUMBAK
The pattern of events for the following days are very much the same as we search for the Snow Leopard and where our guide and trackers
come into their own.
Meal PlanEach day – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
9
RUMBAK
The pattern of events for the following days are very much the same as we search for the Snow Leopard and where our guide and trackers
come into their own.
Meal PlanEach day – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
10
RUMBAK
The pattern of events for the following days are very much the same as we search for the Snow Leopard and where our guide and trackers
come into their own.
Meal PlanEach day – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
11
RUMBAK
The pattern of events for the following days are very much the same as we search for the Snow Leopard and where our guide and trackers
come into their own.
Meal PlanEach day – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
12
RUMBAK – ZINCHEN - LEH
After breakfast trek down to Zinchen. On arrival drive to Leh. Overnight in hotel
Meal Plan – Breakfast, Lunch, Diner -
13
LEH TO DELHI
Early morning transfer to airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival Delhi transfer to hotel for day use purpose.
Meal Plan – Breakfast -
14
DELHI DEPART
In time departure transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey
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15
RETURN
Tented camps in Ladakh consist of a row of “two persons” crawl - in - tents with comfortable mattresses and hot water bottles. The camp has a
basic toilet tent as well as a dining tent (with table and chairs). All meals are cooked fresh in the kitchen tent and cuisine varies from basic
Chinese, Ladakhi and Continental. The camp is manned by an experienced cook and support staff -
16
DELHI DEPART
In time departure transfer to airport to board the flight for onward journey
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