Land of the Snow Leopard

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.

India is home to some of the planet's most iconic wildlife, from Bengal tigers and snow leopards to Asian elephants and one-horned rhinos. But to truly appreciate these charismatic creatures, it helps to understand the ecosystems they inhabit, including India's incredible plant life. Expedition Leader Faiza Mookerjee delves into some of the habitats that we visit on our India adventures (sal and dhok tree forests, grasslands, scrub deserts and the alpine forests of Ladakh) and introduces us to the trees, flowers and other flora that populate them.

Snow leopards are some of the most enchanting and elusive creatures on the planet. Agile and solitary, they patrol the lofty ridges of some of the world's highest peaks. Few people ever see one in the wild—unless you're a traveler on our Land of the Snow Leopard adventure! Expedition Leaders Conan Dumenil and Faiza Mookerjee take us on a virtual journey, describing days spent searching for these mysterious cats (along with other Himalayan wildlife like bharal, urial, ibex and wolves), plus cultural visits to villages, monasteries and more.