The Mystical land of Ladakh

I was standing on a rocky surface holding a scope to watch the startling fleet of Lammagierie. His grand flights are very popular amongst the birding and wildlife communities. I was engrossed in this charismatic sight when Lama my guide pointed out at the strange activity on the other side of the mountain.

I saw a Himalayan Blue Sheep running fast and I immediately realized the presence of the elusive Snow Leopard nearby. At first, it was difficult to sight him but he caught everyone's attention the moment he pounced on the sheep. However, he was unable to hold the prey for long as he lost his balance and fell down. Hard luck for the feline! He seemed to be a juvenile sharpening his skills in the savage game of hunting. With the evening skies turning pink and gold, we started heading towards our respective camps. This was my second trip to the land of high passes specially designed to explore the rich Ladakh wildlife. 

Next day at the break of dawn we headed towards Rumbak Valley to resume birding in Ladakh. Here we chanced upon some of the sought-after birds of Ladakh such as Chukar, Tibetan Partridge, Tibetan Snowcock, Tibetan Snowfinch, Streaked Rosefinch. On approaching the wetland I got a spectacular sight of an array of waterbirds like Common Pochard, Mallard Duck, Common Coots and many more However it was the Golden Eagle perching on a tree branch near the wetland that stole the show. The day was beautifully spent photographing these wonderful species from various angles. To see my next target bird we landed on Suru Valley, a powerful tributary of the Indus river.

This is a place that rose to fame for sheltering the rare Ibisbill. It is sad to see how its population is declining every year. After roving in the area for quite some time I got my perfect sight of this strikingly mysterious bird. I saw him foraging in the area before taking a carefree dip in the swift torrent of the Dodo river. Rugged landscapes and the harsh weather condition of Ladakh didn't deter the Black-necked cranes from displaying their beauty.

They are very common in the vast wetland of Ladakh, I could see them in huge numbers. This adventurous journey to Ladakh has unlocked the door to a new world where the birds and

mammals dominate the region, something quite uncommon to see in the world where the growing infrastructure is uprooting many species from their home.

Snow Leopard: The Grey Ghosts of Himalayas

Climbing up the lofty hills and rugged terrain of Ladakh will bring you to the ethereal world of Snow Leopard- an apex predators who is reigning in the world’s greatest mountain range - the Himalayas.

For centuries Ladakh has been guarding and preserving the ancient practices of Tibetan Buddhism. It has become the epitome of natural wonders through the bewitching beauties of Pangong Tso, Tso Morari, and Nubra Valley. But it is the discrete lives of Snow Leopards that has motivated several illustrious wildlife photographers, filmmakers, and feline lovers to make their way in this part of the world. Being native to the mountains of Central and South Asia, Snow Leopards manage to strike mystery amongst the onlookers. Not every day you get a chance to cross paths with this stealthy hunter who is wrapped in smokey grey fur with a tint of yellow all over its body. Similar to African and Asian Leopards, Snow Leopards also carry black spots which go down to its thick white tail and prefer to hunt at night over broad daylight.

So what makes these elusive cats extraordinary in the world of Felines?

It is noteworthy to see how these Snow Leopards also dubbed as 'Ounce'

manage to survive in the hostile environment of the world's greatest mountain range. Their wide-cushioned paws allow them to hold a firm grip on the towering cliffs and steep slopes. Unlike their brethren, these cats don't roar instead let out a piercing yowl which can often be heard during the breeding season. Unlike their brethren, these cats don't roar instead let out a piercing yowl which can often be heard during the breeding season.

Being a silent predator, a Snow Leopard ambushes its prey from the top and cover long distances in a short time span in pursuit of killing animals three times its size. However, one strange thing about this meat-eater is that it also eats a lot of twigs and fairly a large amount of vegetation- an unusual habit no one has understood till date.

Today this magnificent cat is on the brink of extinction due to the loss of habitat and a stark decline in their prey species. Poaching, hunting and the killing of snow leopard prey are big problems. It is easier to kill a snow leopard than see one. Hunters kill and trap snow leopards and their prey with bait, snares, pitfall traps, and poisons.

Through our upcoming Snow Leopard Tour, this September, Asian Adventures and its team of experienced ground handlers and knowledgeable naturalists are all set to showcase you the rare and fleeting glimpse of Snow Leopards who are always on the move gregarious mountains of Himalayas. This exclusive trail will not only cast a permanent spell in your mind, it will also be a big boost for the Snow Leopard Conservation.

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