Snow Leopard expedition 2027
Join us on a photographic expedition with a difference, designed specifically to give you the very best opportunity to photograph one of the world’s most elusive big cats - the snow leopard - in its wild Himalayan landscape. Based in the remote Uley Valley of Ladakh, this winter expedition places us at the heart of prime snow leopard territory during the peak of the mating season, when animals are most active and visible.
We will be immersed in the high mountains, working patiently alongside an exceptional local guiding team used by BBC Planet Earth series (watch video featuring our local guide, Tsewang Norboo, here), whose expertise has been instrumental in capturing some of the most celebrated snow leopard footage seen on global screens. Their ability to read tracks, behaviour and terrain gives you unparalleled opportunities to locate and photograph these rare cats across open slopes and ridgelines.
Our base at Shan at Uley allows us to respond quickly to wildlife movements, maximising time in the field rather than on the road. This trip is led photographically by Calvin Kotze, with a strong focus on long-lens fieldcraft, behaviour-led storytelling and working effectively in challenging winter conditions. Over the course of the expedition, you’ll take part in daily wildlife searches on foot and by vehicle, combining photography, cultural immersion and genuine high-altitude adventure.
Key info
Available spaces:
6
duration:
11 Days
DATES:
1st - 11th February 2027
Fitness level:
Easy - Medium
price:
$5750 (c. £4270)
Single supplement:
$1500
group size:
pACKING LIST:
venture into the realm of the snow leopard
• Dedicated snow leopard photography in one of the world’s best tracking regions, timed to coincide with the mating season when activity is at its peak.
• Small group experience for flexibility, focus and minimal disturbance.
• Led photographically by a professional wildlife photographer, with expert tuition throughout.
• Working alongside elite local spotters whose tracking has contributed to BBC Earth snow leopard series.
• Camera-trapping sessions led by local expert, with the opportunity for guests to try camera trapping themselves if they bring suitable equipment.
• Exceptional chances to observe and photograph natural behaviour, not just fleeting sightings.
• A genuine high-altitude adventure combining wildlife, culture and dramatic Himalayan landscapes.
• Warm, comfortable accommodation at a renowned family-run lodge, with the trip directly supporting local conservation through Shan at Uley’s Youth Programme.
itinerary
Below is an example itinerary.
Day 1 – Arrival in Leh (01 February 2027)
Arrive at Leh airport and transfer to the Grand Dragon Hotel. The remainder of the day is free to rest, hydrate and begin acclimatisation to the altitude.
Day 2 – Acclimatisation and cultural exploration (02 February 2027)
A relaxed day exploring the Leh area, visiting monasteries such as Hemis and Thiksey, Shanti Stupa and Leh Palace. There may also be opportunities for birding along the Indus River and surrounding wetlands, providing a gentle introduction to the region’s wildlife.
Day 3 – Leh to Uley Valley (03 February 2027)
After breakfast, travel by road to the Uley Valley and check in at Shan at Uley, your base for the main part of the expedition. The journey itself offers striking scenery as the landscape becomes more rugged and remote. In the afternoon, Morup will run a session on camera trapping, offering an introduction to how snow leopards are monitored, with the opportunity for guests to try camera trapping themselves if they bring suitable equipment.
Days 4–10 – Snow leopard tracking and photography (04–10 February 2027)
These days are dedicated to searching for snow leopards during the peak of their mating season, when animals are more mobile and vocal. Each day begins with early scanning sessions, followed by careful movement through valleys guided by fresh information from the local spotting network. Daily plans remain flexible, shaped by weather, wildlife movements and conditions on the ground.
You will explore nearby valleys on foot and by vehicle with Tsewang Norboo and his network of expert spotters, scanning ridgelines and open slopes for movement. Extended time in key areas allows repeated views of individuals and the potential to observe natural interactions, alongside opportunities to photograph ibex, wolves, foxes, raptors and dramatic winter landscapes.
Cultural visits to monasteries, ancient sites such as Indus Valley petroglyphs, and time in local villages are included where conditions allow, including the chance to share tea in the home of your hosts and gain a more personal insight into daily life in this remote Himalayan community.
Evenings are typically spent warming up at the lodge, reviewing images, sharing stories from the day and discussing plans for the following morning.
Day 11 – Departure (11 February 2027)
After breakfast, depart Shan at Uley and transfer back to Leh for onward flights.
Please note that winter conditions, altitude and wildlife behaviour mean flexibility is essential, and the itinerary may adapt to maximise opportunities. The programme can also be customised where required to suit the needs of guests or partners.
Accommodation
You will spend the first two nights at the Grand Dragon Hotel in Leh (check-in 01 February, check-out 03 February 2027), followed by eight nights at Shan at Uley (check-in 03 February, check-out 11 February 2027).
Shan at Uley is a family-run lodge located in a remote village at approximately 13,000 feet above sea level, positioned directly within prime snow leopard habitat. Its location allows days to be shaped by wildlife movement rather than travel time, with early scanning often possible from nearby viewpoints and rapid access to surrounding valleys when animals are located. The lodge offers warm, comfortable rooms suited to winter conditions, with heating, hot water and reliable power, including solar backup.
Life at the lodge is closely tied to the rhythms of the mountains and the daily routine of tracking. Despite the remote setting, there is a reassuring level of comfort, with heated communal areas providing a welcoming space to warm up, review images and discuss the day’s sightings with guides and fellow guests. Evenings are typically spent gathered around the stove, sharing stories, learning more about local life and wildlife, and preparing plans for the following day.
The trip is provided on a full-board basis throughout, with freshly prepared meals combining Ladakhi and international cuisine. Ingredients are sourced locally where possible, and mealtimes form a natural focal point of the day, offering both nourishment and a chance to reflect after long hours spent outdoors in winter conditions. This balance of simplicity, warmth and immersion makes Shan at Uley an ideal base for an extended high-altitude expedition.
Hides & Wildlife
The Uley Valley offers exceptional photographic opportunities, combining vast open terrain with one of the most experienced snow leopard tracking teams in the world. Rather than fixed hides, photography here is based on patient field observation, high vantage points and carefully planned daily searches, all supported by exclusive access to a coordinated local spotting network.
Photographic opportunities include:
Extended observation from elevated viewpoints overlooking valleys and ridgelines, ideal for photographing snow leopards moving, resting and interacting in open terrain during the mating season.
Long-distance photography across snow-covered slopes, allowing images that place snow leopards within their dramatic Himalayan landscape, rather than isolated portraits.
Early morning and late afternoon tracking sessions, when snow leopards are most active and light conditions are most favourable for photography.
Regular opportunities to photograph key Himalayan species including Asiatic ibex, Ladakh urial, Tibetan wolf, red fox, golden eagle, Himalayan griffon and bearded vulture.
Behaviour-led encounters supported by elite local spotters — whose tracking expertise has contributed to BBC Earth snow leopard series — increasing the chances of sustained sightings rather than brief encounters.
Depending on wildlife movements and conditions, additional photographic opportunities may arise throughout the expedition, with daily plans adapting to maximise time with animals in the field.
included
not included
• Accommodation at the Grand Dragon Hotel, Leh, and Shan at Uley
• Full-board meals throughout the expedition
• Ground transfers as per the itinerary
• Guidance from professional wildlife photographer Calvin Kotze
• Local guiding and snow leopard tracking by Tsewang Norboo and team
• Donation to Shan at Uley’s Youth Programme
• All scheduled excursions and activities during the trip
The base trip cost is calculated for two guests sharing a Deluxe Room at Shan at Uley.
On a shared basis, guests may upgrade to a Premium Room for an additional USD 750 per person.
Single occupancy is available on request, subject to availability, with the following supplements:
• Premium Room (single occupancy) – additional USD 2000 per person
• Deluxe Room (single occupancy) – additional USD 1,500 per person
All room options and supplements are subject to availability and should be requested at the time of booking.
• Alcoholic beverages
• Additional activities or excursions outside the itinerary
• Laundry services
• Any damages or losses to lodge property or equipment (charged at replacement or repair cost)
• Personal expenses, including souvenir shopping
• Medical expenses or emergency evacuation
• Gratuities for lodge staff, spotters and drivers
• Personal binoculars or spotting scopes
• Personal tour leader or naturalist beyond the stated guides
• Travel and medical insurance (strongly recommended)
aDD-oNS
Coming soon!
To be announced
Details announced soon!
TBC
Testimonials from our trips
“I was very excited about the trip having digested the comprehensive information Jonathan provided beforehand but also a little anxious, I shouldn’t have been. Jonathan’s planning and attention to detail meant that every day was packed with exciting events and sightings; his schedule of activities and organisation on a day to day basis was excellent and ensured that everyone had the opportunity to maximise the potential to see and photograph the varied wildlife in the reserve. Jonathan was an exceptional guide – always made himself available to help and offer his invaluable advice as required which I made full use of – and good company too. The entire package far exceeded my expectations on all fronts. The relationship Jonathan had fostered with the Rangers ensured that we had the best experience possible on game drives made all the more enjoyable because of the small group size. The hides delivered an unprecedented up close and personal eye-level view, the overnight hide was an unforgettable experience. I know it sounds cliché but it really was the trip of a lifetime!”- Karen McGrath
