Snow Leopards & Tigers: India’s Ultimate Big Cat Quest

Trip Overview

India, a country renowned for its rich biodiversity and stunning landscapes, is home to some remarkable big cats, including the snow leopard and the Bengal tiger.

Ladakh, located in the far north of India, is prime snow leopard habitat. Surrounded by some of the world’s greatest mountain ranges, this former Tibetan Buddhist kingdom offers the best opportunity on Earth to see snow leopards. This trip is designed to immerse you in the region’s rich culture and history while in pursuit of these elusive big cats.

Each day, our expert trackers will fan out across the valleys, scanning the rugged ridges around camp for snow leopards, blue sheep, and other wildlife. Your expedition leader will offer fascinating insights into the area’s deep history, diverse wildlife, and conservation challenges, while also providing guidance on viewing and photography to help you capture the essence of this extraordinary landscape.

After leaving the snow leopard kingdom, we’ll fly to Kanha Tiger Reserve in central India for a completely different wildlife experience. As one of India’s largest and most scenic parks, Kanha is home to tigers, sloth bears, wild dogs, and more, with its lush forests, meadows, and ravines providing ideal habitat for these creatures. Our days will begin early, tracking tigers in the dark and listening for signs of movement, aiming to spot them whether they are resting, moving, or drinking from a waterhole. Seeing a tiger in the wild is an experience that words can barely capture. The sense of exhilaration and awe that comes with spotting one of nature’s most powerful creatures is unmatched, leaving a lasting impression long after the moment passes. As you move through the dense forests, your senses sharpen, attuned to every sound and movement around you. The anticipation grows with each step, building to a crescendo that makes the eventual sighting all the more unforgettable.

Join Reefs to Rockies for a special 20^th Anniversary Trip into the heart of India’s untamed wilderness.

About Your Expedition Leader: Sheridan Samano, co-founder of Reefs to Rockies and lead biologist guide, is thrilled to lead this unique expedition alongside local naturalist guides and wildlife trackers. This trip was developed with an emphasis on getting you to the “right place at the right time” for exceptional sightings. Together, your guide team will take you to some of the region’s best locations for wildlife viewing, with a focus on finding leopards, tigers, and other charismatic species in the heart of India.

CONSERVATION IMPACT: The High Asia Habitat Fund is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to protect the region’s critical ecosystems by conserving wildlife, restoring habitat, and empowering communities. During this trip, you will have the opportunity to learn more about the Fund’s work firsthand. A conservation donation will be made on behalf of all participants to support the organization.

 

REALM OF THE SNOW LEOPARD ITINERARY

Day 1 (Sat, April 4): Arrival to New Delhi ~ Arrival in New Delhi and overnight stay at the Roseate House, a contemporary hotel with a vibrant ambience located near Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL).

Accommodations: The Roseate House

Meals: None

Day 2 (Sun, April 5): New Delhi to Leh ~ Early morning transfer to the airport in New Delhi for your flight to Ladakh, arriving at Leh, a historic town nestled in the Upper Indus River valley at 11,550 feet. Surrounded by the Ladakh Range and the Karakoram mountains, Leh is one of the highest inhabited towns globally and a former trading hub on the Silk Road. This rich history has shaped its warm, welcoming culture. Due to the altitude, acclimatization is crucial, so our first day is for rest—stay hydrated, relax, and enjoy the view without any physical exertion.

Accommodations: Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 3 (Mon, April 6): Exploring Leh ~ After acclimatizing on the first day, we’ll explore Leh’s rich history on day two with easy sightseeing. Visit the 15th-century Thiksey Monastery, Leh’s bustling market beneath the 16th-century Leh Palace, and, if open, the Central Asian Museum. The day will be split between morning and evening activities, with a rest period around lunch. For those interested, today is also a great opportunity to shop for souvenirs, including famous Pashmina shawls.

Accommodations: Grand Dragon Hotel in Ladakh

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 4 (Tues, April 7): Transfer to Snow Leopard Camp ~ Today, the adventure begins with a scenic road transfer to the world’s most exclusive snow leopard-focused property, located in the heart of Hemis National Park. Nestled at 12,000 feet in the Ladakh Range, this camp offers the perfect blend of remote luxury and rugged adventure, featuring around-the-clock hot water, central heating, and power – amenities sure to increase our comfort dramatically. Our camp will serve as our home base for the thrilling quest to spot snow leopards in their prime habitat.

Accommodations: Remote Snow Leopard Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

 

Days 5-10 (Wed, April 8 – Mon, April 13): Tracking Snow Leopards ~ Each day begins at dawn. Our expert spotters head out early, dropped by 4x4s to strategic points in the valleys, scanning ridgelines for wildlife, particularly snow leopards. Reports are sent back to camp, where guests wake up around 7 AM to hot French press coffee, tea, and a made-to-order breakfast.

If a snow leopard is spotted, guests quickly head to the nearest vantage point, either by 4×4 or on foot. Spotters converge to track the leopard, providing updates throughout the sighting, with meals, coffee, and snacks available to keep everyone energized.

If no leopard is found, the team returns to camp to reassess and plan the day. Guests then join the search, exploring other areas of the valley while learning about local wildlife, culture, and conservation efforts. There are also opportunities to visit nearby villages and homes for a deeper cultural experience.

At some point, you’ll visit Hemis Monastery, just a 30-minute drive away, to witness the morning prayers and explore this medieval Tibetan Buddhist site.

Each day combines driving and walking, keeping the experience dynamic. Meals are served at camp or packed for the journey, ensuring everyone stays nourished. With expert guidance, stunning landscapes, and the thrill of tracking snow leopards, every day is unforgettable.

Accommodations: Remote Snow Leopard Camp

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 11 (Tues, April 14): Leh to New Delhi ~ Today we bid farewell to Ladakh. We’ll transfer back to Leh to fly from there back to New Delhi for the night.

Accommodations: The Roseate House

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

REALM OF THE BENGAL TIGER ITINERARY

If you’re joining us only for the tiger safari, plan to arrive to New Delhi on April 14.

Day 12 (Wed, April 15): New Delhi to Raipur to Kanha ~ After breakfast, we’ll head back to the airport for our flight to Raipur. We’ll then drive approximately 4.5 hours to Kanha Tiger Reserve in central India, our base for exploring the next several days. Our lodge, nestled in 11 acres of sal forest, offers eco-friendly, elegant rooms and cottages, blending village charm with modern comfort for a peaceful, immersive stay.

Accommodations: Kanha Jungle Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Days 13-16 (Thurs, April 16 – Sun, April 19): Kanha Tiger Reserve ~ Kanha is one of India’s largest and most scenic national parks, home to tigers, leopards, sloth bears, wild dogs, and other rare wildlife. Its lush forests, meadows, and ravines provide an ideal habitat for these animals.

Our days in Kanha will begin early, with a quick breakfast and coffee before heading out in the dark. We’ll arrive at the park gate, waiting for entry, ideally at the front of the line. As dawn breaks, we’ll focus on listening for sounds and signs of tiger activity—tracks, flattened ground, or alarm calls. Our goal is to track tiger movement, often in dense, remote areas of the park.

If we spot a tiger, we’ll observe its behavior—whether it’s resting, moving, or drinking at a waterhole. Sometimes, sightings are brief, with the tiger disappearing back into the jungle. After the morning search, we’ll look for other fascinating wildlife, including ungulates and various bird species.

Two days will feature regular permits, where we’ll return to camp in the late morning for lunch before heading back for an afternoon safari. Afternoon safaris last 3.5 to 4 hours. The other two days are full-day safaris, where we’ll explore the park without returning to camp. Full-day permits are exclusive, with only six or seven vehicles allowed, compared to up to 150 vehicles on regular permits.

Accommodations: Kanha Jungle Lodge

Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner

Day 17 (Mon, April 20): Kanha to Raipur to New Delhi and flights home ~ We’ll drive back to Raipur for our flight to New Delhi and then connect to our flights home.

Meals: Breakfast

DETAILS

Price for Snow Leopard and Tiger Combo: $15,340* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations – Luxury Tent at Snow Leopard Camp and Cottage at Kanha Jungle Lodge. If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $4010**.

If you prefer a suite at the Snow Leopard Camp, contact us for pricing.

Price for Realm of the Snow Leopard Only: $8545* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations – Luxury Tent at Snow Leopard Camp. If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $3485**.

If you prefer a suite at the Snow Leopard Camp, contact us for pricing.

Price for Realm of the Bengal Tiger Only: $7295* per person based on two people sharing double occupancy accommodations. If you prefer private, single occupancy accommodations, add $525**.

Includes: accommodations as listed; meals as listed (special dietary restrictions can be accommodated); private ground transportation; Expedition Leader + Local Guide for Each Component; daily guided wildlife viewing; high-powered Swarovski BTX 95 spotting scopes for snow leopard days; entrance fees and permits (four regular permit jeep safaris at Kanha National Park plus two full-day permits); domestic flights; government service taxes; and gratuities. A donation to support local conservation efforts will be made on behalf of all participants.

Excludes: international flights; passport and visa fees; mandatory travel insurance policy with emergency medical evacuation benefit; pre- and post- hotel stays; personal porter in Ladakh (only needed if you’re bringing camera gear you prefer not to carry on your own); activities not listed; personal expenses.

*Reflects payment by check or ACH. Credit card fees, if applicable will be assessed at time of booking based on payment method.

**If you are a solo traveler that prefers to share a double occupancy room, but we aren’t able to find a suitable roommate for you, the private room surcharge will apply.

Group Size: 5-7 + Expedition Leader and Lodge-based Staff Guides

Level of Difficulty for Realm of the Snow Leopard – Strenuous: When our trackers spot wildlife, we will hike varying distances to get the best views, and at high altitudes (11,500 feet or higher), hiking can feel strenuous. For your comfort, we recommend you make a special effort to be in good physical condition.Being prepared with proper cold weather gear – boots, gloves, hat, and layers of clothing – and patience will increase your comfort. This trip is scheduled for the spring.

Level of Difficulty for Realm of the Tiger – Easy to Moderate: Our days on safari at Kanha Tiger Reserve will generally involve traveling in open 4×4 safari vehicles in search of wildlife. Our routes may take us over rough roads and rugged game tracks. While physical demands are low, you’ll want to be prepared for extended periods outside. As with all wildlife trips, patience is key for this portion, too.

A Note About Gratuities: Unlike most travel companies, gratuities are included in your trip cost. This ensures that everyone who works tirelessly to make your experience exceptional is fairly and reliably compensated, without you having to worry about it. It’s our way of valuing the people who keep you happy, healthy, and safe throughout your journey.

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