2 independent reviews for Snow Leopard tracking in the Himalayas
Reviews for Snow Leopard tracking in the Himalayas
Colin Hovey review 26 Mar 2018
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Six sightings of snow leopards, one quite close-200-250m.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Look closely at your proposed itinerary, and just who is going to provide the service.3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
There were many other tourists looking for snow leopards so the service provided by guides, cooks and porters, ponymen, etc was obviously a good source of employment. Because of this wildlife were respected, although the Ladakhi people respect all life.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
I achieved the goal of seeing snow leopards and really enjoyed the pretty extreme environment. However, aspects of the arrangements were not satisfactory, and their agents did not respect requirements or did not pass on the specific itinerary that I expected to work to. Despite operator/agent failings the Himalaya visit was brilliant.Liz Cooke review 11 Apr 2014
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your vacation?
Actually being able to watch snow leopards in the wild - the main aim of the trip. We spent nearly 50 hours watching interaction between several different cats including hunting and mating.2. What tips would you give other travelers booking this vacation?
Make sure you have good telescope, binoculars and camera lenses. Even if you don't see snow leopards, they are needed for the birdlife. Suggest getting a solar powered charger for electrical equipment - they don't weigh much and work really well. Have a care if you suffer from vertigo - you will be climbing up the side of mountains and walking along narrow trails in order to get good vantage points!3. Did you feel that your vacation benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
The tour employed local people during the "non tourist season", encouraged their interest in the ecology of the area, particularly the snow leopards, and tried to ensure no litter was left in the national park - any bottles or rubbish spotted was picked up. Our guide (who works for the wildlife department) was keen to increase the fees and also limit the numbers of people coming into the park in an effort to protect the environment. I believe that something should be done in the way of improving toilet facilities at the camp to prevent seepage into the water system rather than just digging pits and then filling them in.4. Finally, how would you rate your vacation overall?
Excellent - I consider myself very privileged to have seen not only these big cats in their natural habitat but also the other flora and fauna in Hemis. The camp staff were great and really looked after us and I would recommend the Shanti Home Hotel in Delhi to anybody.Holiday Reviews
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