SNOW LEOPARD
PHOTO TOUR
A once-in-a-lifetime expedition for the Ghost of the Himalayas, and other animals.
Venture into the high-altitude wilderness of Ladakh, India, in search of three of the region’s most elusive predators: the Snow Leopard, Eurasian Lynx, and Pallas’s Cat.
This is a landscape of stark beauty and silence - vast Himalayan valleys, frozen rivers, and jagged peaks. Accompanied by award-winning photographers and experienced local trackers, we’ll explore these remote regions with patience and purpose, following signs, and reading the terrain, to find these ghosts of the Himalayas.
For those seeking an adventure and something profoundly rewarding, this is a true once-in-a-life expedition unlike any other.
AT A GLANCE
LADAKH, INDIA 4 - 8 17 DAYS
Tour Leaders: Paul Alistair Collins & Sumit Suhai
Deposit: £1500; balance due 3 months prior to departure.
Meeting: At arrival airport; details to follow.
This tour requires a good level of physical fitness, with time to acclimatise to high altitude and cold weather conditions. Please get in touch for further information.
HIGHLIGHTS
5 full days in search of the elusive Snow Leopard hunting its prey, with expert local trackers and photographers
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3 days on the trail of Pallas's Cat, often seen with kittens
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3 days looking for Eurasian Lynx
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Develop a rich portfolio of Himalayan and Tibetan wildlife - including Grey Wolf, Sand Fox, and Snow Cock
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Expert 1-on-1 tuition from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins & local guide Sumit Suhai of Instep Adventures
ITINERARY
The following is a proposed itinerary, subject to animal activity and weather conditions.
The tour begins with arrival in Leh on Day 1. Following an early morning flight from Delhi to Leh, arriving for 10:30am, we will transfer to our hotel where you'll receive a warm welcome and tea. Leh's high altitude (c3500m) means it is essential to acclimatise. Relax at the hotel for the rest of the day, and admire the Himalayan views and perhaps some curious wildlife.
LOCATION
We'll be staying in comfortable accommodations in Hanle, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary (4,200m), and Ulley. We will allow a day to acclimatise to altitude.
Our main base, the Hanle River, is home to an incredible range of biodiversity: from Pallas's cats and wolves to eagle owls and black-necked cranes.
Our home-stays are the best in the area for comfort, convenience, and expertise, whilst also supporting local communities and ongoing protection of these areas.
Snow Leopard
Our snow leopard quest will involve 5 full days of tracking this cat and its prey base as they descend to lower altitudes in winter.
Often called the “Ghosts of the Mountains”, the leopards have long been the holy grail of naturalists visiting this region. In winter, both the cats and their prey descend to lower altitudes, offering excellent opportunity for sightings in more accessible terrain.
With fewer than 750 individuals remaining in India, every encounter feels deeply significant.
Pallas's Cat & Lynx
The Pallas’s Cat and Lynx add to the sense of rarity and intrigue. An elusive, high-altitude specialists, sightings are never guaranteed - but when they do happen, they are unforgettable.
We often find mothers with kittens at this time of year, with some dens holding up to six kittens.
Other Wildlife
There are good chances of spotting the leopard's prey: blue sheep, ibex, woolly hare, urial, and pika.
Other smaller predators such as Tibetan wolf, mountain weasel and stone marten are present. Lammergeier and Himalayan griffon are often soaring above the crags.
Other Himalayan specialities include Tibetan snow cock, Tibetan sand fox, Argali sheep, Tibetan gazelle, and grey wolf.
WANT TO EXTEND YOUR HOLIDAY?
Why not extend your trip with one of our cultural or other wildlife extensions?
Paul Alistair Collins Photography is thrilled to be partnering with Instep Adventures, who specialise in curating exceptional cultural and wildlife holiday experiences across India, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Bhutan.
We can arrange pre/post tour extensions in Calcutta and Darjeeling tea country, or further afield in the subcontinent.
WHAT MAKES THIS TOUR FOR YOU?
For this tour, we will visit the realm of the Himalaya's rarest cat and most spectacular wildlife, during the peak season for mammal sightings and bird migrations.
With expert photographic guidance from award-winning photographer Paul Alistair Collins, we'll ensure you capture truly unique images. We are proud to be in partnership with local Ladakhi trackers, who have an intimate knowledge of the terrain and wildlife. With our help, they also earn their fare share of tourism revenue while helping us get the most out of our visit to their land. We'll also be joined by Sumit Sahai of Instep Adventures, who has over three decades of experience leading wildlife tours in the Himalayas. We believe no one knows a land better than those who’ve lived there and travelled its length and breadth, and they will help you make the most of every opportunity.
‘Wildlife tourism, done right’ is the best way to ensure long term survival of wildlife and habitats against threats such as deforestation, human-animal conflict and poaching. Our wildlife encounters create everlasting memories for you while contributing positively to conservation. For every India holiday we sell, we contribute financially back to local wildlife organisations.
WHAT'S INCLUDED?
✓ Services of two professional photography leaders, local Ladakhi wildlife guides and trackers
✓ All entrance fees and permits to the National Parks visited
✓ All transfers, using air-conditioned vehicles
✓ Evening image review and edit sessions (optional)
✓ Welcome presentation & materials on local fauna and sites
✓ Accommodation - often on twin-sharing basis, with shared washrooms. Single supplement applies where clients prefer to have a room to themselves.
✓ All meals listed on the itinerary (from lunch on day 1 to breakfast on day 17)
✓ Airport pick-up and drop-off
✓ Ground transportation in 4x4 photography jeeps
✓ All currently applicable government taxes
✗ Return flights to Delhi (I will recommend the best flights upon contact)
✗ Domestic flight from Leh to Delhi
✗ Any Visa charges or airport taxes
✗ Camera fee wherever levied
✗ Personal and cancellation insurance*
✗ Any meals not specified
✗ Personal expenses
✗ Laundry
✗ Any additional overnight stays or excursions
Have any other questions? Check out our Tour FAQs below.
EXCLUSIVE
ACCESS
Gain access to private locations where other tours don't go - and capture unique shots that no one else is getting.
INTIMATE
ENCOUNTERS
Enjoy regular sightings of our target species, in diverse light and weather conditions - allowing you to build a rich portfolio of stunning images.
DEEP
IMMERSION
Develop your vision at your own pace - with thoughtfully curated itineraries, expert guiding, small groups and 1-on-1 learning.
For full terms and conditions, including our cancellation policy and personal travel insurance, please click to see the Terms & Conditions
* To take part in our trip, you must be covered by adequate insurance for its entire duration. The insurance must cover for cancellation, medical and emergency expenses. We recommend insurance against damage or loss of baggage, camera equipment, instruments and personal items.