Arrive Delhi and overnight at Orchid Hotel which is close to the airport.

Delhi / Leh - Early morning fly to Leh. On arrival you will be met by Snow Leopard Representative. Acclimatisation begins it requires complete rest for first two days.

Leh is Ladakh's capital, is built into the base of the snow-covered Karakoram Range at over 11,500-ft. An important Buddhist center since the 3rd century B.C, Leh has also been a major commercial hub on the Silk Road in central Asia. The 20th century has turned Leh into an important India Military base and tourist boomtown. Leh lends itself to walks and relaxation. The narrow lanes behind the main bazaar have tempting little shops.

Leh Palace in the North beyond the Old village, has been described as a miniature version of Lhasa's Potala Palace. Built in the mid - 16th century, Leh Palace was partly in ruins by the 19th. It has nine storeys, slopping buttresses and projecting wooden balconies. Built by King Singe Namgyal and still owned by the royal family, it is now un-occupied - the royal family now lives in the Palace at Stok.

In Leh we stay in Grand Dragon Hotel In winter as most hotels are shut. The Grand Dragon is on Old road Leh 10 minutes walk to main Bazar. This is the only star category hotel in Leh.

Acclimatisation will continue. Meet the team and preparation plans. O/N at hotel.

Easy first day out. Drive to Shey, Tikse and Hemis monastries.

Shey, about 10 miles from Leh, was once the residence of the royal family and is famous for its high gilded statue of Buddha. The monastery has a two-floor statue of the sitting Buddha. Shey was the former summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. The gompa, still partially used, is being restored. There is a small library and a collection of thankas, and some stupas and Mani walls nearby. The 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue made of copper but gold plated, is the largest in the region, built by King Singge Namgyal's son.

Shey is easy to get to and can be easily combined with a visit to Thiksey by any form of transport. 12 miles from Leh, spectacularly situated, and one of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture, Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive gompas. There are several temples in this gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a twenty-foot statue of Buddha, which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder. This monastery has an outstanding collection of art in its chambers. This gompa, part of the Gelukpa order, has an important collection of Tibetan books in its library, some excellent artwork and a new Maitreya temple. It’s a busy place, with almost incessant chanting and music, and there is a good chance to witness a puja. The great views of the valleys and villages can be seen from the roof.

Twenty-five miles from Leh, Hemis is one of the richest, biggest and most famous gompas in Ladakh. Built during 1630s, it has numerous tankhyas, silver chortens studded with precious and semi precious stones, and various images of Buddha. The Hemis monastery belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17th century. It has an excellent library, well-preserved frescoes showing some Kashmiri influence and good Buddha figures. Of its many frescoes here, the most famous is the Wheel of Life . O/N at hotel

Early start, Drive to Spituk monastery and continue to Zingchen. Stops for Lunch on the bank of partially frozen Indus river, scan for Ladakh Urial (wild sheep), one of the most endangered species of wild sheep of the world. At Zingchen transfer equipment and baggage on to pack horses and trek to lower Husing. We are in snow leopard territory, on the way scan slopes for blue sheep and look for signs for recent snow leopard movements.

Search for snow leopard begins. Rumbak valley named after the largest village of the valley, now well known for its snow leopard sightings, and due to two films made on snow leopard here. Dr. Chundawat had spent over fifteen years in the area and did his Ph, D. on snow leopard in 1986 to 1991.

It is also a unique place where four species of wild sheep and goats are found together in one valley. December will also be the rutting season for blue sheep which means lots activities. A few days can be spent watching rutting behaviour, when in peak it provides very interesting observations. Largest of the sheep the Tibetan Argali occupy higher slopes, their rut will be over but a few days can be spent looking for them, once we have gathered information on herd's whereabouts. These higher slopes also provide opportunity to see wolves and lynx.

Most of our time will be spent in Husing valley which offers better opportunity to see snow leopard. First few days will be spent searching for fresh movement to decide camp site. Other animal likely to be seen during the stay in the valley are Tibetan wolf, wild dogs (extremely rare), lynx not very common, Tibetan argali, ibex, golden eagle, mouse hares, woolly hares, chakur partridges, Himalayan snow cocks and vultures.

SNOW LEOPARD SEARCH. We will also visit the Rumbak village.

Exact location of the camp will be decided based on the recent snow leopard movements in the valley.

Trek to Zingchen and drive to Leh. On the way scan slopes for Ladakh urials. Overnight in Leh Hotel.

Early morning fly to Delhi. Arrive Delhi and overnight in Orchid hotel .Later transfer to the international airport for flight home.