India is an extraordinary country for its biodiversity, its colours, its scents and its magic. It is home to 6 of the most fearsome predators in danger of extinction, recognised by the WWF, including the famous ghost: the snow leopard.
So many names for this extraordinary animal that everyone talks about, but few get the chance to see and photograph.
Far from the hustle and bustle of the capital Delhi, in the north, beyond the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas, Pradeep, our Indian guide, will show you Ladakh: an ancient Buddhist kingdom nicknamed ‘Little Tibet’. Dotted with monasteries (the gompas) and whitewashed stupas
with their prayer flags. 59,146 km2 of imposing landscapes, canyons and mountains
with peaks averaging 5,000m. Crossed by the Indus and its tributaries, its blue waters irrigate valleys of cereals and fruit trees.
This magnificent landscape is home to the elusive snow leopard, the emblematic mammal of Ladakh.
There are thought to be fewer than 3,000 left in the world, and perhaps fewer than
100 in this part of the country. It is during the harsh winter months (January/February/March) that this big cat travels lower down to follow the herds of bharals and Siberian ibex, and its calls resound between the canyons in search of a mate for the mating season.