In Search of the Snow Leopard 2027

In Search of the Snow Leopard 2027

February, 1 – 12, 2027  | With Edward Yount

A winter expedition in Ladakh that pairs ancient monasteries and local culture with a focused search for the elusive snow leopard. Spend your days hiking high-altitude valleys with expert trackers and your evenings in welcoming Rumbak homestays for an unforgettable blend of wildlife, landscape, and tradition.

Trip Length

12 Days / 11 Nights

Group Size

14

Difficulty Level

Strenuous

Trip Length: 12 Days / 11 Nights
Group Size: 14 Travelers
Difficulty Level: Strenuous

Start Your Adventure

Trips start at a cost of $3400 and include snow leopard tracking experiences, all lodging, meals, and more. Please review the trip details below for more information.

LET THE ADVENTURE BEGIN! 

Hosted by Local Guides and Amazonia’s Experienced Trip Leaders

Snow Leopard Expedition Highlights

February is an ideal time to explore Ladakh’s high-altitude valleys, when crisp winter conditions increase wildlife activity and visibility. You’ll acclimatize in Leh, visit revered Buddhist monasteries, then spend four dedicated days based in Rumbak guided by expert local trackers searching for signs of the elusive snow leopard.

Other highlights include:

  • Exploring Leh and visiting Thiksey, Shey, Hemis, and Spitok monasteries

  • Daily hikes in Hemis High Altitude National Park (weather/sightings dependent)

  • Chances to spot blue sheep, ibex, golden eagles, and lammergeyers

  • Rustic Rumbak homestays with traditional meals and warm Ladakhi hospitality

Day 1 - Arrival to Delhi, India

Arrive Delhi

  • Arrive to Delhi by the afternoon on this day to meet with the rest of the group. If you are interested in an earlier arrival to Delhi or an optional PreTrip (tour visiting Delhi, Taj Mahal or both) this is available upon request.
    Upon arrival in India staff will meet you upon arrival for transfer to hotel. (Rooms will be available from 1400 Hrs).

Accommodation: Hotel Welcomhotel By ITC or similar

Meals: None

Day 2 - Delhi to Leh

Dehli to Leh

  • Breakfast & Transfer to airport in time for flight to Leh (Appx. 1.5hr flight).
  • Take an hour spectacular flight to Leh over the Trans-Himalayas and Zanskar ranges into Leh. The airport is at 11,500 ft above sea Level. Transfer into Leh Hotel.
  • Rest of the day at leisure for acclimatization, afternoon stroll around Leh market.

Accommodation: Hotel Singge Palace or similar

Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3 - Explore Leh

Explore Leh

  • Today we will visit the Ladakh most famous monasteries, (Shey-Thiksey-Hemis), Shey used to be the capital of Ladakh until 16th century. Visit the most Popular 12 mtrs high Copper gilded statue of Buddha built in 1640. Continue to Thiksey monastery belongs to yellow hat school of Tibetan Buddhism. It is the largest Monastery in Ladakh, about 90 monks live here. The Morning Prayer held with sun rise by all monks is a peaceful and soothing atmosphere never to be missed. From Thiksey drive to Hemis monastery, located at the southern bank of Indus River.
  • Hemis is the largest and most famous monastery of Ladakh, there are many interesting statues and painting to see inside the chapel and the newly open museum has the thousand-year-old collection of frescos and statues.

    Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

     

Day 4 - Explore Leh

Explore Leh

  • Today we will visit Spitok Monastery; oldest part was founded in the 15th CE. The Monastery belongs to Yellow hat School of Tibetan Buddhism. There are about 30 monks reside in the monastery. You could visit several temples, which dedicated to different Deities. Most famous ones are Crown Buddha and 21 Taras which was brought from Tibet. Later, drive further to Stakna Monastery, founded in the late 16th century by the Bhutanese scholar and saint Chosje Modzin. Stakna, also known as “Tiger’s Nose”, for its hilltop location, houses approximately 30 monks.
  • In the afternoon enjoy a gradual hike to the Shanti Stupa on hill lock located in Changspa built by Japanese in 1984. You can get a good orientation and ideal for picturing the Leh valley and the Ladakh range.

Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5 - Leh to Rumbak Village

Leh to Rumbak Village

  • Breakfast and depart hotel towards Rumbak Village along the scenic Indus River. Depending on snow conditions and road access near Zingchen, continue by vehicle or trek to Rumbak — a journey taking us through pristine Himalayan terrain.

    Accommodation: Homestay in Rumbak
    Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6-9 - Rumbak Village - Search For Snow Leopard

Rumbak Village – Search For Snow Leopard

Rumbak Village will be the base for our snow leopard search. Nestled within the Hemis High Altitude National Park, this region will serve as our base for the next four days as we search for the elusive snow leopard. The park spans 3,200 sq km and is home to Blue Sheep, Tibetan Argali (Great Tibetan sheep), Ladakh urial (wild sheep akin to the Marco Polo sheep), golden eagles, lammergeyers, snow cocks, partridges, and finches. Tibetan Argali (Great Tibetan sheep) and, occasionally, the Tibetan wolf and Himalayan Lynx also inhabit this area. Expert wildlife trackers will guide you through the terrain, interpreting signs and sharing insights into the ecology of the region.

Day to Day: Depending on weather conditions, animal activities patterns (any reported snow leopard sightings) we will take daily hikes exploring into different valleys of the area each day (Husing, Tarbung, Kharlung, Rumbak Sumdo, and Yurutse).

Rumbak village host trekkers in their traditional homes outfitted as homestays. The increase in household income has allowed families to send their children to better schools and to invest in improved livestock care. These herders-turned snow leopard stewards now voluntarily head outside in the dead of winter to report snow leopard tracks, kills and activity to tour groups, knowing that their families and community members will benefit from such sightings. Instead of seeing Snow Leopard as a threat to their livelihood (snow leopards will occasionally hunt domestic sheep’s) they are now seen as a benefit to the community.

Accommodation: Homestays in Rumbak
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 10 - Rumbak Village to Leh

Rumbak Village to Leh

  • After breakfast, descend to Zingchen via the same trail or drive if road conditions are good and continue drive back to Leh.
    Upon arrival, check in to your hotel and enjoy a well-earned afternoon of comfort and reflection.
  • In the evening – free time to explore the Leh markets.

Accommodation: Singge Palace or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 11 - Leh to Delhi

Leh to Delhi

  • Morning transfer to the airport to board your flight back to Delhi. (Appx. 1.5hr flight).
  • Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel for an overnight stay.
  • Dinner & Overnight at the hotel in Delhi.

Accommodation: Hotel Welcomhotel By ITC or similar
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 12 - Delhi Departure

Delhi Departure

  • After breakfast, in time transfer to the airport for your flight back home or to your onward destination. (Rooms will be available till 1200 hrs only)

Costs and Logistics to Prepare for your Journey

Practical Details

Deposit: $500 / person

$3400.00 per person (double occupancy)

For a single room + $700.00

Delhi / Leh / Delhi USD $375.00. Airfare cost is subject to change

NOTES:

    • Dates may change by +/- 1 day depending on flight schedules which are announced 11 months prior to the trip

    • All passengers must have an Identification Card/Passport with them
    • Itinerary subject to changes only if beyond our control
    • Reservation made with deposit of $1000 per person
    • Payment can be made by credit card on our PayPal site
    • We strongly recommend the purchase of travel insurance. https://buy.travelguard.com/TGI2/proc/stateselector.aspx?br=agentlink&arc=51868&agentlinkasp=yes

This Trip Includes:

  • Accommodation on twin-sharing basis.
  • Daily breakfast in Delhi, half board on the last night in Delhi, and full board in Leh & Ladakh.
  • Non-AC Toyota Innova’s in Leh & Ladakh.
  • Services of a Leh based English-speaking tour guide for Leh & Ladakh portion only, including for the Snow leopard trek portion.
  • Monument entrance fees as per the program.
  • Specialist naturalist in Rumbak with spotting scope (1 up to 9 guests; 2 for 10+ guests).
  • All meals at homestays + tea/coffee with cookies twice daily.
  • All entrance fees, wildlife permits.
  • Binocular & spotting scope as per group size.
  • Oxygen cylinders & first-aid kit.

This Trip Excludes:

  • Any airfares.
  • Any natural crises, road blockages, or flight delay charges.
  • Personal expenses: drinks, tips, laundry, phone calls, etc.
  • Any new government taxes. 
  • Any optional activities mentioned in the program
  • Warm jackets, gloves, thermal wear, sleeping bags, and trekking shoes (guests must bring their own).

What Our Guests Are Saying

★★★★★

“We had the most memorable trip of our lives. To be in the midst of tens of thousands of wild animals was mind-blowing. Thank you for arranging this. Thank you fantastic trip leader Dolly, attentive, thoughtful, energetic and kind.”

Mac and Julie: Serengeti Expedition

★★★★★

“Outstanding, life changing experience. I was just in awe of so much beautiful nature. Everything went smoothly with leader Dolly always ready to assist.”

Karen and Tom: Serengeti Expedition

★★★★★

“Incomparable with anything we’ve ever seen. To be in the middle of so many animals was just pure joy.”

Catherine and Sarah: Serengeti Expedition

★★★★★

Best trip of my life. Incredible abundance of wildlife. We hit the mass of migration in the right place and time.

Roger: Serengeti Expedition

Amazonia Expeditions, Inc., Travel Agency, Tampa, FL

Estefani Mishel Maytahuari

Mishel got her degree in tourism from Nauta Institute in 2016. After working as a guide with other companies, Mishel came to study with Amazonia Expeditions as a training guide in 2023. Mishel was promoted to head guide in 2025.

Leyner Arian Ijuma

Leyner got his degree as a tour guide in 2010 at the Nauta Institute and came to work at Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. He has biological field work experience from supporting Nicholas Gardner of the University of Florida who he helped study the adaptations of birds in seasonally flooded igapo forests. Birding is one of Leyner's strongest skills.

Julio Pacaya

Julio finished his studies as a tour guide at the Nauta Institute in 2016 and came to work as a training guide with Amazonia Expeditions in 2021. He was promoted to head guide in 2023. Nature photography and birding are among Julio's strongest skills. Julio is fluent in English and French, as well as his native tongue of Spanish.

Claudio Huayllahua Sánchez

Claudio was born and grew up in El Chino Village on the Tahuayo River. He studied primary school in El Chino and continued his education in Iquitos, earning a technical degree from SENATI Institute. He started working for Amazonia Expeditions in 2014 as a field research assistant with several biologists and as an assistant guide. Claudio was promoted to head guide in 2017 and is our camping and jungle survival specialist.

Hersog Chavez Yuyarima

Hersog first got the idea of becoming a guide after watching the tourist boats going by his village every day. He was fascinated that tourists would come to see his home and he loved the way that the guides he saw did their work. He knew that someday he wanted to be just like them. Hersog studied at technical school for 3 years leaning the basics of guiding. After graduating, Hersog worked as a guide for several years working with Peruvian tourists, later coming to work for Amazonia in 2017. Hersog was promoted to head guide in 2019. He has worked as a field research assistant in the study of the elusive pygmy marmoset. Hersog is known for his sharp eyes and his unique stories about the jungle.

Lander Juan Peña Ramirez

Lander was born in the remote jungle community of Santa Victoria. His boyhood dream was to become to best jungle guide in the Amazon. Lander studied at a local institute for several years where he learned basic English and the foundations of the being a tour guide. Later he worked for several years at other jungle loges as a guide, honing his skills as a survival camping guide. Lander came to work for Amazonia Expeditions in 2017 and along with a strong interest in birding and fishing is also one of our lead camping and survival guides.

Aladino Jr. Hidalgo

Aladino was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River and attended school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. During this period, Aladino worked with his father as a trailblazer, assisting primate researchers who came to study at a local field station. Afterwards, he moved to Lima where he worked for several years while studying guiding & English. Upon returning in 2019, he was hired by Amazonia as a field assistant and actively supported researchers studying giant river otters, pygmy marmosets, and various bird species. He then joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was later promoted to head guide in 2022.

Jhony Hidalgo

Jhony was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. He attended primary school in his home village and high school in the community of “Valentin” on the Tahuayo River. Jhony later pursued further studies in Iquitos, where he obtained a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. After graduating, he worked at the Amazon Rescue Center in Iquitos (CREA), guiding visitors to the center. In 2021 he joined Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2023.

Sila Hidalgo

Sila was born and raised in El Diamante Village along the Blanco River. She attended primary school in Diamante village and high school in the community of “El Chino” on the Tahuayo River. Her family moved to El Chino so Sila could attend high school, as it was the closest village offering secondary education. Later, Sila joined our Angels (AoA) scholarship program to further her education in Iquitos, where she earned a guide degree from the Milagro Fe & Alegria Institute. She completed her internship at Tahuayo Lodge. After graduating, Sila began her career with Amazonia Expeditions as a guide assistant and was promoted to head guide in 2022.

Welister Perez

Welister grew up in the small community of Padre Cocha just outside of Iquitos City. He lived there for most of his life, and later worked at several jungle lodges before starting at Amazonia Expeditions. Welister has proven himself as both a talented jungle man and team player with an eagle eye for spotting wildlife. After several months of training with Amazonia he was promoted to a head guiding position in 2017.

Javier Anibal Alván Arévalo

Javier has worked at the Amazonia Expeditions lodges since 2006, starting as a young teenager as an assistant in building repair, then moving up to motorboat pilot, then camping assistant and assistant guide, and after passing his guide exams with high grades was promoted to head guide in 2014. Javier is also our Canopy Zipline specialist and has taken professional certification classes in Costa Rica. Javier is also a fishing specialist and is beloved by families with children.