Admire the exotic wildlife of India
Admire how snow leopards and tigers thrive in their natural habitat—in the thick of the Himalayan snow-laden mountains and some of central India’s national parks—on the exotic, mystical, rugged Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari. This safari has you camping and trekking amid and around the soaring Himalayas at Hemis National Park, where the snow leopards roam freely. An expert wildlife guide will lead you to the secret, sacred spots holding the elusive animal. But the striking, rare sightings don’t stop here!
The Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari will take you to an array of national parks—Pench, Tadoba, Kanha. At these parks, you’ll ride in a Jeep and marvel at the myriad of tigers scattered across the land. The combination of outdoor adventure, cozy hotel stays (on nights when you’re not tenting in the wild), and pointed animal findings make the Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari a magical, unforgettable, and unique experience!
Highlights of the Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari
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Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari
Day 1 Arrive in Delhi
Fly into Delhi and meet a tour representative at the airport. Transfer to your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. Opt to embark on a sightseeing tour of Old and Delhi—if time allows. Enjoy a relaxing night at your hotel before the alarm sounds early in the morning.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Delhi (216m / 709ft)
Distance: None
Meals: Dinner
Day 2 Fly to Leh
After waking up early, you will head to the airport for your short trip to Leh. Be sure to admire the Himalayas blanketing the land below as you fly—if you're not sleeping, of course! Expect to arrive in Leh, the joint capital of the Ladakh region, around 7:05 am. Transfer to your hotel and bask in a relaxing rest day at your leisure to acclimatize. Do note that you've just landed at 3,500m above sea level! You can always opt to walk around Leh market in the afternoon, which sells jewelry, antiques, and souvenirs. Admire how the Leh Palace casts a shadow over the bustling bazaar.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Leh (3,500m / 11,482ft)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 3 Check out the Thikse Gompa and Likir Gompa
Get ready to catch a glimpse of northern India’s culture! Wake up just before sunrise and head to the Thikse Gompa. When the sun paints the sky in pink, orange, and golden hues, the monks assemble for a prayer ritual (Puja). You’ll continue to the Likir Gompa. From the 27th-29th of the 12th month on the Tibetan calendar, the winter festival occurs. After appreciating the Likir Gompa, you’ll transfer back to Leh.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Leh (3,500m / 11,482ft)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 4 The trek begins in Zinchen
After breakfast, hop into the car and drive 31 km to Zinchen. Upon arrival, load the ponies with your gear and begin the short trek to Using. The trail takes you to Rumbak Gorge in the Rumbek valley in Hemis National Park. This area is where you’ll start your search for snow leopards and blue sheep. Enjoy a night in the wild!
Overnight Location: Camping at Using (3,962m / 13,000ft)
Distance: 2-3 hours, 7 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 5-8 Search for snow leopards
Spend the next few days exploring and looking out for snow leopards and blue sheep in and around the Rumbak Valley. Your wildlife guide will determine the best way to spend your days here! They will know the best spots to locate the elusive snow leopard and other wildlife inhabiting this area. The cold weather forces the snow leopard to descend from the high altitudes, making this an excellent place to spot them.
Overnight Location: Camping at Using (3,962m / 13,000ft)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 9 Hike back to Zinchen
After a delicious breakfast, you’ll hike back to Zinchen. Hop in the car and start your drive to Yangthang—another notable area for spotting snow leopards. En route, stop for a visit at the Alchi Monastery and admire how it sits precariously atop a stony mound. Upon arrival, check into your homestay or guesthouse for the night.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Yangthang (3,630m / 11,909ft)
Distance: 2-3 hours, 7 km
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 10 Seek out snow leopards
Enjoy a hearty breakfast before embarking on a hiking adventure that has you seeking out more snow leopards. Follow the path that crosses the lower valley until the end of the ridge for a heightened chance of spotting the exotic animal.
Overnight Location: Guesthouse in Yangthang (3,630m / 11,909ft)
Distance: Flexible
Meals: Breakfast, lunch, dinner
Day 11 Travel back to Leh
Before you drive back to Leh after lunch, spend the morning searching for the snow leopard. It’ll be your last glimpse of the elusive animal on this tour!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Leh (3,500m / 11,482ft)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 12 Fly to Nagpur
Get ready for a big travel day! First, you’ll fly to Delhi from Leh, and then you’ll fly from Delhi to Nagpur. Expect to arrive in Nagpur just before 5 pm. After you meet the tour representative, you’ll transfer to Tadoba—one of India’s best tiger reserves—and camp here for the next two nights.
Overnight Location: Luxury camping in Tadoba National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 13 Jeep safari in Tadoba
Before breakfast, hop in a Jeep and prepare to spot some tigers and other wildlife. Enjoy breakfast and lunch at the camp before getting back in the jeep for an afternoon safari!
Overnight Location: Luxury camping in Tadoba National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 14 Head to Pench National Park
Enjoy breakfast before hopping in the 4x4 and travelling to Pench National Park, another tiger reserve. You can even go water rafting in this park! Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day at your leisure. If you’re up for it, you can always join the activities provided by the hotel.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pench National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 15 Jeep safari in Pench National Park
Get ready for another day of tiger and wildlife sightings! Spend the morning and afternoon aboard the Jeep, snaking through Pench National Park.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Pench National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 16 Drive to Kanha National Park
After breakfast, transfer to the park that inspired the Jungle Book's scenery, thanks to its bamboo groves, verdant meadows, and ravines! This park is also home to a collection of exotic wildlife: Royal Bengal tigers, Barasinghas, leopards, Indian wild dogs, and sloth bears. Check into your hotel upon arrival and enjoy the rest of the day at your leisure.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kanha National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 17 Jeep safari in Kanha National Park
Spend the morning and afternoon looking out for wildlife on a safari!
Overnight Location: Hotel in Kanha National Park
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Day 18 Fly to Delhi
After a tasty breakfast, head to Nagpur airport, where you’ll connect with your flight to Delhi. Expect to arrive in Delhi around 7 pm. Upon arrival, meet someone from the tour and transfer to your hotel near the airport.
Overnight Location: Hotel in Delhi (216m / 709ft)
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Day 19 Depart Delhi
Transfer to the international airport and connect with your flight departing Delhi. Safe travels home!
Overnight Location: None
Distance: None
Meals: Breakfast
Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari Price and Dates
This guided wildlife watching tour in India is always run as a private tour for your group only and the price depends on the size of your group. Please note that the prices might increase during public holidays.
Prices below are per person:
- Guided Groups of 2+: from $3,990 USD per person
Accommodation on Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari
This tour will have you staying in a combination of hotels and alpine tents at overnight campsites. When you’re not camping, expect to stay in 2-4-star hotels. The hotels provided come with modern amenities that elevate your comfort. Do note that rooms are double occupancy, but you can always upgrade to single occupancy for an additional fee. Single travellers are also required to pay a supplement.
In some cases, the accommodation listed below may be swapped for other similar accommodations.
Single Rooms and Solo Travelers
You can pay a supplement of $785 USD to have a private room in a hotel. It’s also possible to match single travellers up.
Hotels on Standard Tour
Hotels and alpine tents in Ladakh
This incredible wilderness tour in Ladakh combines nice hotels and campgrounds in the remote corners of Ladakh.
What’s included in the Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari?
Meals
18 breakfasts, 16 lunches, 18 dinners are included.
Accommodations
Accommodations for 18 nights is included.
Transportation during the Tour
Transportation is included for transfers to the different locations, pick-up, and drop-off spots throughout the tour. The safaris are also included. Please note that transfer flights on this tour are not included but can be added during the booking process.
Also Included
- Guide
- Entrance fees to special areas
- Trekking arrangements: tents, cook, ponies, helpers, one-inch mattresses
- Toilet tent
- Dining tent
Not included
- Accommodations before and after the tour in Delhi
- Tour guide gratuity
- Personal necessities such as drinks during mealtimes and laundry
- Local transfer flights during the tour
- Sleeping bag
Optional Extras
- Extra night in Delhi before or after the tour
- Domestic flights
- Sleeping bag rental – around $13 USD per day
Frequently Asked Questions about Snow Leopard and Tiger Trekking Safari
Trans India Holidays was founded nearly 30 years ago in New Dehli, India. They grew their team from four dedicated travellers to 100 energetic guides and trip planners.
Trans India strives to provide the best possible value for client’s money, continually searching for ways they can upgrade their service and experiences.
Offering a range of tour styles, Trans India operates cultural, religious, adventure, wildlife, culinary, family-friendly, and sporting tours.
Looking after each little detail from the perfect hotel room to booking your tee time for you, Trans India knows how to make a holiday in India as unforgettable as possible.
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Local Guide
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Rajiv has been working as a guide since 1996, and fell in love with sharing the ancient cultural and social roots of India with travellers. Rajiv believes that the diversity of India’s different regions in terms of food, language, and culture makes travelling the country an experience like no other. Rajiv runs all kinds of tours, but especially enjoys trekking tours. He’s climbed mountains up to 8,000 feet in -10 degrees with groups and considers those to be his greatest achievements as a guide.
- Q: What is your favourite trip to lead?
- A: I enjoy giving people walking tours of the city, because that’s the best way to give a vivid introduction to the country and also because there is an element of surprise on the streets. It cannot be controlled or planned, and I immensely enjoy presenting that world to them.
- Q: What is one experience anybody visiting your country should have?
- A: Learning to cook traditional Indian food.
- Q: What is one local dish or drink that visitors absolutely have to try?
- A: Masala Dosa, it’s very tasty.
- Q: What is the best part about guiding?
- A: Providing them with more than they expected and noticing and taking care of any discomforts the guests might experience. Sometimes the guests don’t say it, so as a guide you have to be very attentive to that.