Ladakh Birding & Wildlife Winter Tour 9Nights/10Days
Ladakh Birding & Wildlife Winter Tour 9Nights/10Days
No. of days
10
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
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Overview
In the remote northern reaches of India lies Ladakh, with its breathtaking high-altitude landscapes and unique ecosystem, is a dream destination for many wildlife photographers. This remote region, lying along the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, is home to many rare, exotic, and endangered species uniquely adapted to survive the cold and harsh climate of the trans-Himalayas.
Known as India’s best place to observe the magnificent Black-necked Crane, Ladakh boasts around 310 bird species, with many migrating through or breeding here in spring and autumn. The region also shelters remarkable mammals including the elusive Tibetan Wild Ass, Himalayan Marmot, Pallas Cat, Argali (blue sheep), Red Fox, Woolly Hare, and Himalayan Wolf, among others.
This specially crafted itinerary offers an immersive experience combining incredible birding with unique wildlife sightings. Traverse some of the world’s highest motorable mountain passes, explore pristine wetlands, alpine valleys, and rugged high-altitude deserts, all while spotting iconic birds such as the Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Himalayan Snowcock, and mammals like Tibetan Gazelle and Stolizka’s Mountain Vole.
Beyond wildlife, Ladakh is a haven for landscape photographers and stargazers alike, boasting India’s clearest night skies—perfect for experiencing the beauty of the Milky Way and beyond. The tour also immerses you in the rich culture of Tibetan Buddhism, with visits to ancient monasteries and indulging in authentic local Ladakhi cuisine, enriching the experience with the region’s rich flavors. The tour also includes a visit to the vibrant Leh market, where the lively atmosphere, traditional crafts, and friendly locals offer a delightful cultural immersion, making this journey truly memorable. Guided by expert naturalists, this tour ensures a rich and rewarding engagement with Ladakh’s wildlife, making it a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Trip Highlights
- Explore some of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world.
- Spot high-altitude Himalayan birds including Chukar Partridge, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, Tibetan Snowcock, Great Rosefinches, and many more.
- Photograph high-altitude mammals such as Pallas’s Cat, Argali, Tibetan Wild Ass , Red Fox, and Himalayan Wolf.
- Visit iconic sites including Leh, Nubra Valley, Changla Pass, Merak Village, Pangong Tso, Tso Kar, and Hanle.
- Experience Ladakh’s unique cultural heritage with visits to ancient monasteries like Thiksey and Shey.
- Enjoy breathtaking Himalayan mountain scenery through majestic passes including Khardung La and Tanglang La and crystal clear night skies.
- Enjoy authentic Ladakhi cuisine throughout your journey.
- Visit the vibrant Leh market to experience local culture and shop for unique handicrafts.
- Personalized guiding focused on both birding and wildlife tracking.
- The trip is suitable for birders of all ages with moderate walks
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Leh & Acclimatization
Arrive at Leh by morning flight from Delhi. Rest and acclimatize at homestay.
In the evening we will explore the Leh Market.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 2 – Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, & Indus River Birding
Visit Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery for a cultural introduction to Ladakh. In the afternoon, we will bird along the Sindhu River and Shey Marshes target species like Ibisbill, Blue-throat, Water Pipit, Streaked Rosefinch, Mountain Chiffchaff, Common Rosefinch and Rosy Pipit.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 3 – Tangyar & Warila Pass Birding
Early in the morning, we’ll drive to Tangyar via Warila Pass. Our birding will begin at Warila, where we will focus on spotting species such as the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Himalayan Snowcock, and Himalayan Vulture. After breakfast, we’ll continue towards Tangyar, observing birds like the White-throated Dipper and Tickell’s Leaf Warbler along the way.
In the evening targeting the White-browed Tit Warbler and eurasian eagleowl.
Overnight in Tangyar.
Day 4 – Changla Pass & Merak Village
Drive early to bird at Changla Pass for Tibetan Snowcock, Himalayan Snowcock, Robin Accentor, and Red-fronted Rosefinch and higher-altitude Tibetan plateau Finches like Plain Mountain Finch, Black-headed Mountain Finch and Güldenstädt’s redstart.
Arriving in Merak Village in the afternoon, we will enjoy lunch and some rest before heading out to bird near the rich habitats around Pangong Lake. This area is known for its abundant migratory birds and mammals. Our target species for the session include the Great Rosefinch, Hume’s Lark, Tibetan Partridge, and Chinese Rubythroat.
Overnight at Merak Village.
Day 5 – Chusul Birding & Hanle
We will head to Chusul in morning birding looking for Tibetan Sandgrouse and Tibetan Sandplover in Chusul wetland, then travel to Hanle via Tsaga-la Pass. En route, we will keep looking for mammals.
Evening birding near Hanle aims for Mongolian Finch, Tibetan Fox and Red Fox.
Overnight at Hanle.
Day 6 – Hanle Birding and Wildlife Search
Begin early to survey for Tibetan Gazelle and other mammals near Umingla Pass. Afternoon birding includes Black-necked Crane, Eurasian Eagle-owl, Mongolian Finch, Golden Eagle.
Overnight at Hanle.
Day 7 – Hanle to Tso Kar via Palla’s Cat Spotting
Drive via Palla’s Cat territory, keeping a lookout for this elusive feline. Arrival at Tso Kar for birding, with opportunities to see Blanford’s Finch, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Ground Tit, Bar-headed Goose, and other waterbirds.
Overnight at Tso Kar.
Day 8 – Full Day at Tso Kar Wetlands
Explore the wetlands and nearby areas spotting Crested Grebe, Avocet, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Snowfinch, Horned Lark, Little Owl and mammals like Tibetan Wild Ass and Stolizka’s Mountain Vole.
Camp overnight.
Day 9 – Return to Leh via Tanglang La Pass
Drive back to Leh stopping for birds such as Tibetan Snowcock, White-winged Redstart, Black Redstart and Brown Accentor below Tanglang La.
Overnight homestay in Choglamsar.
Day 10 – Departure from Leh
After an early breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for your flight back to Delhi. Reflect on an incredible journey through one of the world’s most remarkable birding and wildlife destinations.
No. of days
10
Trip Type
#
Activity Level
Moderate
Experiences
Best time
October to April
Region
Overview
In the remote northern reaches of India lies Ladakh, with its breathtaking high-altitude landscapes and unique ecosystem, is a dream destination for many wildlife photographers. This remote region, lying along the edge of the Tibetan Plateau, is home to many rare, exotic, and endangered species uniquely adapted to survive the cold and harsh climate of the trans-Himalayas.
Known as India’s best place to observe the magnificent Black-necked Crane, Ladakh boasts around 310 bird species, with many migrating through or breeding here in spring and autumn. The region also shelters remarkable mammals including the elusive Tibetan Wild Ass, Himalayan Marmot, Pallas Cat, Argali (blue sheep), Red Fox, Woolly Hare, and Himalayan Wolf, among others.
This specially crafted itinerary offers an immersive experience combining incredible birding with unique wildlife sightings. Traverse some of the world’s highest motorable mountain passes, explore pristine wetlands, alpine valleys, and rugged high-altitude deserts, all while spotting iconic birds such as the Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Himalayan Snowcock, and mammals like Tibetan Gazelle and Stolizka’s Mountain Vole.
Beyond wildlife, Ladakh is a haven for landscape photographers and stargazers alike, boasting India’s clearest night skies—perfect for experiencing the beauty of the Milky Way and beyond. The tour also immerses you in the rich culture of Tibetan Buddhism, with visits to ancient monasteries and indulging in authentic local Ladakhi cuisine, enriching the experience with the region’s rich flavors. The tour also includes a visit to the vibrant Leh market, where the lively atmosphere, traditional crafts, and friendly locals offer a delightful cultural immersion, making this journey truly memorable. Guided by expert naturalists, this tour ensures a rich and rewarding engagement with Ladakh’s wildlife, making it a once-in-a-lifetime journey.
Trip Highlights
- Explore some of the highest motorable mountain passes in the world.
- Spot high-altitude Himalayan birds including Chukar Partridge, Ibisbill, Wallcreeper, Tibetan Snowcock, Great Rosefinches, and many more.
- Photograph high-altitude mammals such as Pallas’s Cat, Argali, Tibetan Wild Ass , Red Fox, and Himalayan Wolf.
- Visit iconic sites including Leh, Nubra Valley, Changla Pass, Merak Village, Pangong Tso, Tso Kar, and Hanle.
- Experience Ladakh’s unique cultural heritage with visits to ancient monasteries like Thiksey and Shey.
- Enjoy breathtaking Himalayan mountain scenery through majestic passes including Khardung La and Tanglang La and crystal clear night skies.
- Enjoy authentic Ladakhi cuisine throughout your journey.
- Visit the vibrant Leh market to experience local culture and shop for unique handicrafts.
- Personalized guiding focused on both birding and wildlife tracking.
- The trip is suitable for birders of all ages with moderate walks
Image Galllery
Itinerary
Day 1 – Arrival in Leh & Acclimatization
Arrive at Leh by morning flight from Delhi. Rest and acclimatize at homestay.
In the evening we will explore the Leh Market.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 2 – Shey Palace, Thiksey Monastery, & Indus River Birding
Visit Shey Palace and Thiksey Monastery for a cultural introduction to Ladakh. In the afternoon, we will bird along the Sindhu River and Shey Marshes target species like Ibisbill, Blue-throat, Water Pipit, Streaked Rosefinch, Mountain Chiffchaff, Common Rosefinch and Rosy Pipit.
Overnight stay in Leh.
Day 3 – Tangyar & Warila Pass Birding
Early in the morning, we’ll drive to Tangyar via Warila Pass. Our birding will begin at Warila, where we will focus on spotting species such as the Golden Eagle, Lammergeier, Himalayan Snowcock, and Himalayan Vulture. After breakfast, we’ll continue towards Tangyar, observing birds like the White-throated Dipper and Tickell’s Leaf Warbler along the way.
In the evening targeting the White-browed Tit Warbler and eurasian eagleowl.
Overnight in Tangyar.
Day 4 – Changla Pass & Merak Village
Drive early to bird at Changla Pass for Tibetan Snowcock, Himalayan Snowcock, Robin Accentor, and Red-fronted Rosefinch and higher-altitude Tibetan plateau Finches like Plain Mountain Finch, Black-headed Mountain Finch and Güldenstädt’s redstart.
Arriving in Merak Village in the afternoon, we will enjoy lunch and some rest before heading out to bird near the rich habitats around Pangong Lake. This area is known for its abundant migratory birds and mammals. Our target species for the session include the Great Rosefinch, Hume’s Lark, Tibetan Partridge, and Chinese Rubythroat.
Overnight at Merak Village.
Day 5 – Chusul Birding & Hanle
We will head to Chusul in morning birding looking for Tibetan Sandgrouse and Tibetan Sandplover in Chusul wetland, then travel to Hanle via Tsaga-la Pass. En route, we will keep looking for mammals.
Evening birding near Hanle aims for Mongolian Finch, Tibetan Fox and Red Fox.
Overnight at Hanle.
Day 6 – Hanle Birding and Wildlife Search
Begin early to survey for Tibetan Gazelle and other mammals near Umingla Pass. Afternoon birding includes Black-necked Crane, Eurasian Eagle-owl, Mongolian Finch, Golden Eagle.
Overnight at Hanle.
Day 7 – Hanle to Tso Kar via Palla’s Cat Spotting
Drive via Palla’s Cat territory, keeping a lookout for this elusive feline. Arrival at Tso Kar for birding, with opportunities to see Blanford’s Finch, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Ground Tit, Bar-headed Goose, and other waterbirds.
Overnight at Tso Kar.
Day 8 – Full Day at Tso Kar Wetlands
Explore the wetlands and nearby areas spotting Crested Grebe, Avocet, Ruddy Shelduck, Black-winged Snowfinch, Horned Lark, Little Owl and mammals like Tibetan Wild Ass and Stolizka’s Mountain Vole.
Camp overnight.
Day 9 – Return to Leh via Tanglang La Pass
Drive back to Leh stopping for birds such as Tibetan Snowcock, White-winged Redstart, Black Redstart and Brown Accentor below Tanglang La.
Overnight homestay in Choglamsar.
Day 10 – Departure from Leh
After an early breakfast, transfer to Leh airport for your flight back to Delhi. Reflect on an incredible journey through one of the world’s most remarkable birding and wildlife destinations.
