The spectacular towering cliffs and rugged landscapes of the Ulley Valley are home to an array of Himalayan wildlife species, including the iconic snow leopard.
Lying north of the Indus River at the head of the Ulley Chhu Valley, the small village of Ulley in West Ladakh stands at almost 4,000 metres above sea level. The village and surrounding Ulley Valley area has only recently been developed for snow leopard tracking but has quickly gained a reputation for wildlife watching and not just for the number of snow leopards seen.
Other Himalayan wildlife includes Asiatic ibex, urial (native wild sheep with long legs and relatively small horns), Himalayan red fox and wolf. Amongst the birding highlights are chukor and Tibetan partridge, golden eagle, lammergeier, and red-billed chough, plus bearded and Himalayan griffon vultures.
Ideal for viewing: snow leopard, bharal, red fox, Tibetan partridge, Asiatic ibex
Where: Ladakh State, India
Wildlife trips
This
wildlife location
is featured in the following itineraries:
Led by acclaimed wildlife photographer Nick Garbutt, this trip travels to the remote Ulley Valley on a quest for snow leopards. Based in a comfortable guesthouse, you will be accompanied by expert local trackers to maximise your chances of seeing and photographing this enigmatic mammal.
Find out more about Searching for Snow Leopards
Destination: India
Price
(inc. flights): 19 days
from £9,995
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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With 15 species across its spectacular diversity of landscapes – more than any other country – India is the undisputed home of cats. This unique tour builds on Wildlife Worldwide’s decades of success tracking big cats in India, taking you in search of snow leopard, Asiatic lion, leopard and tiger.
Find out more about India’s Big Cats
Destination: India
Price
(inc. flights): 23 days
from £9,495
Trip type:
Group Tour
Tailor-made can be arranged
When to go:
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Visiting the forest clad hills of Singalilia National Park for red panda, the snow-capped mountains of Ladakh for snow leopard and the teak forests and grasslands of Kanha National Park for tiger, this is the ultimate wildlife trip to India and Nepal for mammal, big cat and nature enthusiasts.
Find out more about India’s Tigers, Snow Leopards & Red Pandas
Destination: India, Nepal
Price
(inc. flights): 22 days
from £8,745
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
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This tailor-made trip idea, accompanied by expert local trackers, spends a week at a remote yet comfortable lodge, and offers the chance to search the Ulley Valley for Himalayan wildlife, with a special focus on one of the world’s most mysterious and beautiful big cats – the snow leopard.
Find out more about Snow Leopards of Ladakh
Destination: India
Price
(inc. flights): 15 days
from £4,995
Trip type:
Tailor-made Holiday
When to go:
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Suggested accommodation is shown below.
Please
contact us
for further recommendations.
In the heart of Ladakh lies this comfortable lodge, the ideal base for a snow leopard quest. The small guesthouse provides comfort at sub-zero temperatures, with the added experience of living with a Ladakhi family. With superb views across the valley, you may see ibex, bharal or even wolf.
Find Out More about Snow Leopard Lodge