Journey deep into the world’s highest mountain range for an epic excursion to photograph the apex predator of the majestic Himalayas, the elusive snow leopard. This destination is on any adventurer’s bucket list, or, at the very least, it should be.

When you say “The Himalayas”, many images come to mind, like the region’s staggering peaks, deeply rooted Buddhist culture, rich biodiversity, and, perhaps, the formidable wildlife adapted to high elevations and equally high stakes for survival.

This remote and rugged land is home to species like yak, blue sheep, Asiatic ibex, red fox, Tibetan wolf, stone marten, marmot, hare, pika, and, most notably, high concentrations of snow leopard (Panthera uncia). 

Himalayan snow leopards are locally named the “Ghosts of the Mountains”, their silent presence is revered across the icy wilderness of South Asia.

Snow leopards thrive solitarily amid the rocky terrain of the high Himalayas, most often spotted at dawn and dusk during their hunting times, stalking unsuspecting prey in the extreme elevations and cold temperatures.

We are proud to partner with the best expert trackers in the region to provide unparalleled attention to detail and commitment to preserving the natural environment while offering a comprehensive wildlife experience you will never forget. 

For 7 days of photo outings, our small group enjoys unique opportunities to create the dream shot of these big cats camoflouged in their natural habitat, surrounded by the breathtaking beauty of north India. Our group has the distinct honor to connect with locals dedicating their lives to preserving the snow leopard population through education, advocacy, and ecotourism.

During the workshop, our group’s home base is in the world’s highest elevation village accessible to vehicles, sitting at just over 14,000 feet (4270 meters) with roughly only 400 local residents. The settlement positioned high above the sacred Buddhist lands of Spiti Valley and Kye Monastery, and a walk around our quaint village built atop a rocky hill is a must to take in the panoramic views of the mountains we’ve traveled so far to see.

Not only will wildlife photographers rejoice at the epic photo opportunities on this trip, but so will landscape, cultural, portrait, and astrophotography enthusiasts.

This trip is labeled as rigorous, and physical stamina is required to attend. The terrain will be challenging and hiking for prolonged periods at this high elevation is largely unfamiliar to most people. Some snow leopard sightings may not require much walking, with luck, but there is the potential we could hike up to 5 miles in a day, and at such a high elevation, and in such cold temperatures, it’s important to consider your abilities in such extreme conditions. Porters will be hired to assist in carrying gear on our daily outings, but you have the personal responsibility to hike those miles under your own power. Hired yak transport may be available to assist you in a particularly challenging situation, but these services can charge a high fee per day and should be left for emergencies only.

Additionally, this trip is unique in that the remote location severely limits our team’s ability to offer amenities at the standard our clients have come to expect from us. Very basic accommodation is offered in Kibber, including a room with a table, bed, and private bathroom facility. Our lodging has electricity and serves 3 meals a day of wholesome cuisine, typically either Indian or Tibetan. However, the extremely high altitude and cold weather make running water unfeasible. Each day, you have access to warm water in wash basins to maintain a comfortable level of personal hygiene. Around day 4 of the excursion, individuals have the option to drive to a lower elevation village, where they will have access to hot showers.

Despite the unique quirks of this destination, we’ve purposely selected this location to maximize our opportunities and make best use of our time to spot snow leopards, and during the best season to increase our chances of capturing some stellar wildlife activities.

Throughout this excursion, you will be instructed in-the-field how to compose compelling images, work with the weather and lighting conditions to take full advantage of the environment, and master the technical aspects of photography. Whether you’re a beginner photographer or a seasoned pro, our experienced instructors will provide personalized instruction and guidance to help you improve your skills and take your wildlife and landscape photography to the next level.

This workshop offers hands on instruction to best hone in your images and streamline your creative visions, as well as image reviews and editing sessions to continue practicing skills and techniques learned on the workshop once you’ve returned home.