www.speysidewildlife.co.ukenquiries@speysidewildlife.co.uk | 01479 812498

SNOW LEOPARD

1 After an overnight flight from London Heathrow, we arrive in Delhi first thing in the morning.

2-4 We first visit Sultanpur Natural Reserve, for some fabulous birding. We hope to

see the very rare and localised Sind Sparrow and the tricky Brooke’s Leaf and Sulphur-bellied Leaf Warblers, amongst other common Sub-continent passerines. Black-necked Stork, Red-naped and Black-necked Ibis, Yellow Bittern, Indian Spot-billed Duck and Indian Spotted and Eastern Imperial Eagles are all possible, plus Yellow-footed Green Pigeon, White-tailed Plover and Coppersmith and Brown-headed Barbets. Mammals may include Nilgai (Blue Bull), 5-stripe Palm Squirrels and possibly Jungle Cat!

Next morning our internal flight to Leh is breathtaking, with views of K2, Nanga Parbat

Your best chance to see Snow Leopard – on the roof of the world!

Chance of Northern Lynx, Himalayan Wolf and Mountain Weasel

Ibisbill along the mighty Indus River

Incredible scenery while living at 4000m!

High mountain birds - Wallcreeper, Lammergeier, Himalayan Snowcock

Fabulous wetland species around Delhi

Guldenstadt’s Redstart, Solitary Snipe and lots more

A real chance to experience the ‘Realm of the Grey Ghost’ amongst the stunning scenery of the Himalayas, with a fantastic supporting cast of other species. Wow!!

and Gasherbrum, before our adventure begins! We are now at 3500m and rest is the key word here. We must acclimatise to the altitude, so there will be plenty of time to just enjoy the surroundings. Any walking will be easy and short, with chances of Golden Eagle, Blue Whistling Thrush and Brown and Robin Accentors. The Indus River could produce the stunning Ibisbill, Black-throated Thrush, Guldenstadt’s Redstart and Solitary Snipe. We shall visit the hill-top enclave of the Shey Palace where we may find Wallcreeper and our first overhead Lammergeier.

5-12 We head to Zingchen and Hemis National Park - the home of the

Snow Leopard! Here, a stunning 1½ hr walk takes us to our campsite at Husing at 3700m. Husing is the perfect location to search for this elusive species, being in a corridor linking three valleys

Dates Sat 5 - Sat 19 Mar 2016

Price £3,995

Deposit £750 Single Supp £300

Leaders Julian Sykes plus local guides

Flights British Airways, scheduled Outbound: Overnight, Heathrow-Delhi Inbound: Morning, Delhi-Heathrow Internal: Delhi-Leh-Delhi Weather In Delhi, quite warm In Hemis NP, cold possibly getting down to -15°C but pleasant in the sun during the day. Possibility of snow in mountains (-15°- +25°C)

Walking Medium to hard treks when in Hemis NP on challenging terrain

Meals All included from lunch on Day 2 to breakfast on Day 15. The cuisine throughout is sublime and in the case of the treks – surprisingly good

Health High altitudes of up to 4600m will be encountered. Please consult your doctor for individual advice

Insects There is a chance of a few biting insects around the wetlands at Delhi so bring repellent

Accom Wide range - good hotel in Delhi, basic hotel in Leh, two man tents and homestays in local houses in Hemis National Park Twin and single ensuite rooms in hotels Twin and single tents in camps Communal rooms in homestays

Visa/Fees Tourist Visa is an additional cost, about £100. Must be obtained before travel by post or in person at local embassy

Group 12

Just some of what we hope to see:

Snow Leopard Northern Lynx Himalayan Wolf Ibisbill Lammergeier Himalayan Snowcock

Guldenstadt’s Redstart Wallcreeper Robin Accentor Ladakh Urial Royle’s Pika Woolly Hare

“We watched as she made her way along the ridge. Then further on,

from a tiny gully, appeared one then another young Snow Leopard.

For an hour we watched transfixed, as the two kits and mother played until the light faded - one of those truly unforgettable moments in life.“

Julian Sykes

16

01479 812498 | enquiries@speysidewildlife.co.ukwww.speysidewildlife.co.uk

that are home to Snow Leopards. We shall spend several days here, using excellent local guides who know this area well and our itinerary will be based on recent Snow Leopard activity. The guides are out early checking for tracks and signs, before suggesting which vantage points we should visit to watch for Snow Leopards - but don’t expect immediate success - this may take time - however, we have the best people to help us in our quest.

Depending on Snow Leopard sightings and if advisable, we shall move to a homestay further up the Karlung Valley. Based at the junction of Husing Nala and Tarbung Nala, we’ll hike to a vantage point at Rumbak Sumdo. Birding is excellent with chances of Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Red-fronted Serin, Himalayan Snowcock, Alpine and Red-billed Choughs, Brown Dipper, Blanford’s Snowfinch, Spotted Forktail and more.

We’ll look for groups of Blue Sheep (Bharal) - the primary prey of Snow Leopard. Other mammals include Royle’s Pika, Mountain Weasel and Stone Marten. If we do get good sightings of the ‘Grey Ghost’, we may turn our focus to two other exciting mammals - Northern Lynx and Himalayan Wolf. The mountains around Rumbak are home to Ibex, Ladakh Urial and Tibetan Argali. We may also hike up towards Yurutse at 4600m, to search for Tibetan Argali - or Great Tibetan Sheep, or perhaps visit the Ulley or Saspoche areas where endemic Ladakh Urial are found. Towards the end of our time here we’ll return to Husing for our final night.

13-14 Walking down from the Husing Valley to the Park entrance

will feel so much easier than the walk on the first day and we can truly enjoy this incredible river gorge. We then drive to Leh, possibly seeing more Ladakh Urial (Red Sheep) and other wildlife along the way.

The following morning we return to Delhi, which will be a culture shock! It will still be early, so we shall head straight to Okla Dam Reserve, to finish off the holiday with more wetland species. Although best known for two passerines, White-tailed Stonechat and Yellow-breasted Prinia, other birds may include Pallas’s Gull, Citrine Wagtail, Eastern Marsh Harrier and possibly Sulphur-bellied Warbler. Later at our hotel, we can relax for the rest of the day, with the luxury of a comfortable bed, hot shower and great food.

15 We take our flight back to the UK, arriving in the evening.

Accommodation - The biggest contrast on any trip we run. Starting and ending in a luxury hotel in Delhi, we stay in Leh in a basic hotel with ensuite accommodation. This doesn’t guarantee a hot shower, but hot water is brought to your room!

In Hemis NP the accommodation is basic, with very little chance of a proper shower, however it’s worth it! It ranges from small tents (with fabulous military sleeping bags) to homestays, (local houses with communal rooms). All have the most amazing backdrop of the Himalayan Mountains.

“I shall never forget those immortal words “got one!” – I physically shook with excitement! We had been five days without seeing the Grey Ghost, just tracks and scat, but not the beast and thoughts of failure were creeping in. The directions were spot on and there it was in full view, this most gorgeous big cat of the high mountains – Snow Leopard.” Julian Sykes

Janco van Gelderen: Snow Leopard Julian Sykes: Ibisbill, Indus River, Hemis NP, White-winged Redstart, Blue Sheep

Days 1-2 Overnight flight to Delhi Birdwatching at Sultanpur Reserve 1 night Hilton Garden Inn, Gurgeon

Days 3-4 Early flight to Leh. Rest and relaxation to acclimatise Birdwatching around Indus River 2 nights Mahey Retreat, Leh

Days 5-12 Transfer to Hemis NP in search of Snow Leopard plus other mammals and birds 7 nights in campsites and/or homestays in Husing and Rumbak areas. Overnight locations will depend on sightings

Day 13 Leave Hemis NP and drive back to Leh 1 night Mahey Retreat, Leh

Day 14 Early morning flight to Delhi 1 night Hilton Garden Inn, Gurgacon

Day 15 Flight back to UK

Outline Itinerary

17