Know Before You Go

Know Before You Go | Snow Leopards of the Himalayas

Whether you're preparing for your upcoming snow leopard expedition or just want to learn more about the alluring cats that roam the Indian Himalayas, we've got you covered. We've rounded up an array of useful resources, from wildlife guides and packing tips to compelling first-hand accounts written by Nat Hab travelers and staff.

Wildlife Guide

Learn about snow leopards, blue sheep, Tibetan foxes and other unique animals you'll encounter in the Himalayas.

Places We Visit

From monasteries to mountain villages, learn about the places you'll explore on a snow leopard expedition.

WWF Conservation

World Wildlife Fund understands there are extraordinary opportunities for conservation to help local people and snow leopards prosper together.

Reading List

Browse our reading recommendations to help you prep for your snow leopard adventure.

Expedition Dining

Learn about local foods and sustainable dining experiences on Nat Hab's snow leopard expeditions.

Weather & Climate

Find out the typical weather conditions in the Himalayas in this month by month breakdown of average temperatures and rainfall.

Packing List

We’ve made a comprehensive list of the clothing and gear you’ll want to pack for your snow leopard adventure.

Snow Leopards & 6 More Animals You Can See in the Himalayas

—By Cathy Brown
The Himalayas are home to not only the snow leopard but also to the yak, golden eagle, bearded vulture and three large ungulates: bharal, ibex and urial.

How to Get a Picture of a Wild Himalayan Snow Leopard

—By Laura Kiniry
Getting a photo of a wild snow leopard is no easy task, although it’s been made much easier in recent years—with the help of spotters and master trackers...

What Does a Snow Leopard Researcher Do?

—By WWF
Samundra Subba is a research officer at WWF Nepal with a focus on large carnivores—primarily tigers and snow leopards.

100 Years of Snow Leopard Research

—By Samantha Miller
The snow leopard has captured the interest of wildlife biologists, conservationists and the communities around northern and central Asia’s high mountains for centuries.

Helen Freeman: The “Jane Goodall” of Snow Leopards

—By Megan Brief
“Love at first sight,” is how conservationist Helen Freeman described meeting a pair of Earth’s rarest creatures one fateful day in 1972.