Snow Leopards and Tigers of India

Met on arrival in Delhi and transfer to the hotel close to the airport.

Private transfer to Delhi Airport. Take Jet Airways flight to Leh over stunning Himalayan scenery. Met on arrival in Leh and transfer to hotel.

At an altitude of 3,500m (11,500ft) Leh is the capital of the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh and the starting point for much of the trekking done in the Indian Himalayas. You will have the rest of the day free to relax and adjust to the altitude and climate. A visit to a local market will be offered in the evening.

Another day for acclimatisation and sightseeing. Today visit the impressive Thiksey Monastery, the largest buddhist monastrey in Ladakh built on top of a hill with excellent views.

There will also be a visit to the Indus River Valley to look for ibisbill and white-winged redstarts. A short and gentle paced (60 minutes) walk with a local guide along the river may alsp produce sightings of other birdlife including the brown accentor, black-throated thrush and solitary snipe.

Today, you will have your first attempt at looking for snow leopard as you drive to the small Himalayan area of Ulley. En route, you can stop at the frozen river of Chadar which is used by the locals to travel to the remote Zanskari villages. Depending on conditions there may be an opportunity to walk along the frozen river and look for the Ladakh urial sheep. In the afternoon, you can begin to search the Ulley Valley for snow leopards as well as urial, Asiatic ibex and Himalayan wolf.

A full day spent looking for snow leopards and other wildlife in the Ulley Valley. Based on the current survey results there are thought to be between 8 and 10 different snow leopards in this area. Trackers will be out throughout the day searching the mountain ridges and following tracks in search of the cats and other wildlife such as Himalayan wolf and Asiatic ibex.

During the months of January, February and March the snow leopards found here tend to become more visible as they spend more time walking ridges calling and searching for mates. Also snowfall at this time can bring their prey lower into the valleys and also makes the tracking of their prints easier.

Another full day to search the Ulley Valley for snow leopards, wolves, ibex and Ladakh urial. The birdlife in the valley is not particularly diverse in the winter, but some spectacular mountain species such as lammergier, golden eagle, Himalayan griffon vulture, Himalayan snowcock and robin accentor can all be seen.

Even with an expert team of local trackers finding snow leopards in this vast landscape is a challenge. This is why having as long a stay here as possible will maximise your chances. Please note that some short walks on uneven (sometimes snowy) terrain may be required to track the leopards. There will also by long periods of scanning from good viewpoints with binoculars and telescopes.

Another day searching for snow leopards and other wildlife. The snow leopards here also share their habitat with the magnificent Tibetan wolf and these fluffy canids can often be spotted in similar locations to the leopards.

Another day exploring the area for snow leopards and other wildlife. Please note that patience will be required while local trackers scan the mountain ridges for signs. When a snow leopard is located it may necessary to drive and then walk some distance to view the cat but all walks can be done at your own pace.

Another day exploring the area for snow leopards and other wildlife.

Another day exploring the area for snow leopards and other wildlife.

Another day exploring the area for snow leopards and other wildlife.

A final morning to search for snow leopards and other wildlife found in the Ulley Valley. In the afternoon transfer back to Leh to enjoy a hot shower back in the hotel.

Transfer to the airport. Take flight back to Delhi. Met on arrival back in Delhi and transfer to hotel. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure or take OPTIONAL excursions in Delhi.

Today transfer to the airport by private vehicle. Take an early morning Jet Airways flight from Delhi to Nagpur. Met on arrival in Nagpur by private vehicle and local guide and transfer 3 hours to your lodge on the edge of Tadoba National Park. After lunch and some time to settle in, take your first game drive in the National Park.

A full day of shared morning and afternoon game drives (private drives are also available). The reserve comprises a beautiful mix of meadows, lakes and dense mixed forests of bamboo and teak that support a wide diversity of wildlife. Tadoba is home to large populations of spotted and sambar deer, wild boar, gaur and antelopes such as nilgai and the elusive four-horned antelope (chousinga). Carnivores are well represented with leopard, sloth bear, dhole (wild dog) and jungle cat all being seen here from time to time; however, the top predator is the Bengal tiger. The tiger population in Tadoba has surged in recent years from a population of around 40 in the 1990s to a present day adult population of almost 70, and sightings are now very reliable.

Enjoy another full day of shared morning and afternoon game drives in the National Park in search of tigers and other wildlife. With luck a pack of wild dogs or a leopard might also be encountered, these species are usually found away from the main tiger territories and sloth bears are occasionally spotted early in the mornings.

Besides its larger mammals the park is home to many reptiles, insects and a good birdlife including Indian roller, orange-headed thrush, Asian paradise flycatcher, rufous treepie, spotted owlet, changeable hawk eagle and oriental honey buzzard.

Enjoy a final morning game drive inside Tadoba National Park with a packed breakfast. Later transfer 3 hours back to Nagpur airport and take flight to Mumbai and connect with your onward international flight home.