The grey ghost, also called the Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), is known for its shy, elusive behaviour and an uncanny and almost mythical ability to blend into the rocky vastness it inhabits. For even the hardy mountain people who share the rugged Himalayas with the cat, rarely see it.
Snow Leopard in the wild like you've never seen before. These giant boulders are often the den sites for Snow Leopards ; their camouflage is usually brilliant - and the ghost of the Trans Himalayas truly lives up to its reputation. Photo Courtesy : The Snow Leopard Lodge.
About the Snow Leopard :
Snow Leopards are distributed along the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia, in China, Bhutan, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Krygyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia and Mongolia. Its distribution is patchy and fragmented across the entire 3 million sq km range.
In India, we find them along the Himalaya and northern border with China; Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh, between the elevation of 1800 and 5800 meters.
Mountains primarily within the alpine and subalpine zone, which are treeless or only lightly forested, is the preferred habitat of this cat. They prefer steep terrain broken by cliffs, ridges, gullies and rocky out crops, this type of terrain provides them the necessary cover, enabling the cat to stalk its prey in otherwise open alpine grassland or areas devoid of tall vegetation.
The Snow Leopard’s skull is short and broad with an elevated forehead, and with an imperfectly ossified hyoid so that it cannot roar. They have an exquisite smokey-grey pelage tinged with yellow and patterned with dark grey, open rosettes and black spots.
Besides its amazing camouflage for life amongst bare rocks and patchy snow, they have a noticeable long thick tail, which is 75-90% of its head to body length. Their adaptations for cold include an enlarged nasal cavity, long body hair with a dense wooly underfur and a thicky and large tail.
The home of the Snow Leopard is rich with life. The awesome views that this landscape offers will blow you away. Explore the last true wilderness of the Indian Subcontinent on safaris at Ulley in the habitat of the Snow Leopard. Photo Courtesy : The Snow Leopard Lodge.
Ulley, a small hamlet in Ladakh, India :
The Best Place in the World to see the
Wild Snow Leopard
The village of Ulley, at an elevation of 13000ft. is situated in the western region of Ladakh, in the Ladakh Range.
Having only 6 families in the village, its one of the best places to explore within snow leopard territory.
It is probably one of the best areas to find other high-altitude mammals like the Asiatic Ibex, Himalayan Fox, Grey Wolf, Urial and Pika.
It also has a rich avifauna consisting of Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Solitary Snipe, Robin Accentor, Himalayan Snowcock, Chukar Partridge, and many more fascinating species.
How to get to Ulley for Snow Leopards :
03 hour drive away from Leh Airport – well connected by flights from New Delhi.
Best Time of the Year to for the Snow Leopard Tour :
November to April is the best time of the year to visit Ulley for Snow Leopards.
How many days for the Snow Leopard Tour :
A minimum of 5 nights at The Snow Leopard Lodge at Ulley, Ladakh, is recommended to see the Snow Leopard. [with 3 nights additional night in Leh, for acclimatization].
Type of Safari for the Snow Leopard Tour :
A Toyota Innova vehicle will accompany throughout your journey and to the locations where the spotters decide – however sometimes one might have to walk a short distance to the vantage point.
Teams of local Spotters are on the lookout ahead, and in touch with the accompanying team in case of any sightings.
What is the type of Accommodation for the Snow Leopard Tour :
An Experiential Lodge part of Community-based Conservation : The Snow Leopard Lodge.
2 rooms ensuite & 4 rooms with 3 shared bathrooms. [at the main lodge]
3 rooms ensuite & 2 rooms with 1 shared bathroom. [at the Annexe]
Note: Because of constant freezing temperatures, there is no running water. Hot and Cold water is constantly available in buckets. Toilets are western style with ‘bucket flush’.
Homestay & Facilities :
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.
Morning tea and coffee is served either in your room or in the lounge depending on your preference.
Lounge furnished in local style and colours with good heating. Tea and coffee station.
Comfortable dining area.
Both main and annexe lounges have a/v equipment. Electricity: Mains power with generator back-up.
Heating: New design “Himalayan Rocket Stove” wood burners; electric heaters.
Highly experienced spotters.
Experience the comforts of home at the Snow Leopard Lodge in Ulley. Allow us to responsibly take you into the home of the Snow Leopard on your wildlife expedition in India. Photo Courtesy : The Snow Leopard Lodge.
Highlight Mammal Species :
Snow Leopard
Himalayan Wolf
Asiatic Ibex
Himalayan Fox
Urial
Highlight Bird Species :
Robin Accentor
Golden Eagle
Himalayan Griffon Vulture
Bearded Vulture
Solitary Snipe
White Winged Grosbeak
Himalayan Snowcock
Chukar Partridge
Black Throated Thrush
Alpine Chough
Eurasian Magpie
A small group of Ibex graze in the dry deserts of the Trans Himalayas. One of the prey species of the Snow Leopard, these strong ungulates are experts at manouevering through this tough landscape. A beautiful sight to see, are the Asiatic Ibex .
Photo Courtesy : The Snow Leopard Lodge.
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