Snow Leopard Expeditions

High-Altitude Hunts For The Ghost Cat

Spotting a Snow Leopard in the wild is one of the most elusive and exhilarating wildlife experiences on Earth. These solitary cats roam the high-altitude cliffs of Central and South Asia, and expeditions to Ladakh, Spiti Valley, and Hovd, Mongolia offer some of the best chances to track them ethically. Along the way, you’ll encounter Himalayan wildlife such as Blue Sheep, Lammergeiers, Tibetan Wolves, and more. The best time to go is January to March, when snow leopards descend to lower altitudes. Travel via Leh, Kaza, or Ulaanbaatar, depending on your destination

At A Glance
Nearest Airports
Leh (Ladakh), Kullu (for Spiti), Ulaanbaatar (for Hovd)
Best Time
January–March
Habitats
Cold Desert, Alpine Cliffs, Trans-Himalayan Plateaus
Min Recommended Stay
08–10 Days
Main Destinations
Ladakh, Spiti Valley, Hovd (Mongolia)

These are the world’s best regions for wild snow leopard sightings. We can tailor each journey to your fitness, interest, and photography needs.

Places to Go:

1
Ladakh (India) (~3,500–5,000 m; alpine cliffs): Snow Leopards, Blue Sheep, Lammergeier, Red Fox; led by expert trackers, this is India’s most reliable and iconic location for winter sightings.. 
2
Spiti Valley (India) (~3,600–4,500 m; cold desert): Excellent snow leopard tracking with high chance of ibex, wolves, and Himalayan griffons in one of India’s most culturally rich highlands.. 
3
Hovd Region (Western Mongolia) (~2,500–3,800 m; rocky steppe & cliff habitat): Wild snow leopards, argali sheep, cinereous vultures; low human presence and high encounter rates in remote Mongolian mountains. 

Suggested Itineraries

Wildlife, History, Exploration Privately Guided

Explore Ladakh

12 nights, 13 days

Drive up to Khardung La Pass

Visit ancient monasteries in Leh

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History, Art, Exploration Privately Guided

Mongolia’s Altai Mountains Expedition

13 nights, 12 days

Meet Kazakh eagle hunters

Trek Altai Tavan Bogd peaks

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Special Interest, Wildlife, Exploration Privately Guided

The Silent Ghost of the Altai

11 nights, 10 days

Begin in Ulaanbaatar with visits to monasteries, national museums, and bustling markets.

Track snow leopards alongside local rangers and conservation researchers.

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Special Interest, Wildlife, Exploration Privately Guided

Tracking Shadows in a Silent Land

11 nights, 10 days

Track snow leopards and learn fieldcraft: reading scat, scrapes, and pugmarks.

Acclimatize in Leh with monastery visits, heritage walks, and local food tastings.

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