Land of the Snow Leopard

Venture in search of one of the world’s most elusive cats: the snow leopard. Expedition Leader Faiza Mookerjee takes us behind the scenes of our Land of the Snow Leopard adventure, sharing stories from the field and stunning images of Ladakh’s rugged wilderness. Learn what it takes to track this endangered feline—so rare it’s been dubbed the “ghost of the Himalayas”—and how our presence promotes snow leopard conservation. Encounter other Himalayan wildlife and experience the culture and beauty of life in far northern India.

High in the Himalayas, the elusive snow leopard survives against incredible odds. But its future hinges on more than its own resilience. Sheren Shrestha, World Wildlife Fund’s Snow Leopard Program lead, shares the challenges and successes of WWF’s conservation project in Nepal’s Shey Phoksundo National Park, home to one of the world’s largest snow leopard populations. Learn how governments, scientists and communities are working together to reduce conflict, protect habitats and ensure the long-term survival of these iconic cats.

Capturing an image of a snow leopard was once a pipe dream for wildlife photographers. Now, thanks to efforts by researchers, conservationists, and local communities, we're able to photograph these elegant felines in high-alpine realms like Ladakh, India, where we track them on our Land of the Snow Leopard adventure. Expedition Leader and pro photographer Surya Ramachandran shares his advice for photographing the “ghost of the mountains,” including must-bring camera gear and tips for shooting through a scope and in cold climes.