According to World Wildlife Federation (WWF) India, there are only 450-500 snow leopards in India. Also known as the ‘Grey Ghost’ this endangered species can be found in the western Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Ladakh, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. These strikingly beautiful animals are found at elevations between 3,000-5,000 metres or higher in the Himalayas. Although their sighting is rare, the wildlife lovers do not lose hope and in order to get a mere glimpse of this beautiful animal they wander in the wilderness of Indian Himalayas. If you are amongst these enthusiasts who often dream to catch the sight of this majestic feline species, given below are the best places to sight the snow leopard in India.
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Hemis National Park, Ladakh
The Hemis National Park is a high-altitude wildlife reserve that extends over 600 sq km. The park is named after the famous monastery, Hemis Gompa. The park is home to around 200 snow leopards, which is considered to be the highest density found in any protected area of the world. The wildlife reserve is situated on the west bank of the Indus River and comprises the catchments of Markha, Rumbak and Sumdah valleys. The Rumbak Valley area in Hemis National Park is quite famous for the sighting of snow leopards in the entire Ladakh region. Special treks are organised in the winter to catch the glimpse of this endangered species. The other zones of the park are also famous for inhabitation of some rare species like the bharal.
Best Season for Sighting: Winter (October to December)
How to Reach?
The nearest airport to Hemis National Park is Leh Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport. You can fly to Leh and then hire a private cab to reach the park. Otherwise, you can visit it via Leh-Manali Highway or NH 1D (Srinagar – Kargil – Leh) from Manali or Srinagar by road.