Forget dusty jeep trails through Kaziranga's grasslands or Ranthambore's dry deciduous forest - India's newest wildlife safari will now unfold across some
of the highest terrain on Earth. This comes in as Ladakh has announced the launch of the country's first high-altitude wildlife safari, a guided expedition which will be built around the region's most elusive resident: the snow leopard. The initiative was approved by Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena at the inaugural governing body meeting of the newly formed Snow Leopard and High-Altitude Nature (SHAN) Conservation Society. The LG has directed Ladakh's Forest Department to identify and develop safari routes through some of the region's most wildlife-rich landscapes, including Hemis National Park, Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary. This will be around areas like Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil, and Drass - all of which are known hotspots for snow leopard sightings and rich birdlife. Also Read: The Forgotten Villages That Helped India Win Independence - And Still Tell Its Story The announcement was shared by the LG Ladakh office, framing the initiative as a way to elevate what has, until now, been a largely unregulated form of tourism in the region. How It Will Work? The safaris will be modeled on jeep-safari formats, which is familiar to Indian wildlife tourists from parks like Kaziranga and Ranthambore. Visitors can now expect:
- Specially designed open-back jeeps operated by trained drivers.
- Guided expeditions led by community members trained in wildlife spotting.
- Ten new birdwatching hides set up at key hotspots.
- Twenty local youths trained in bird identification.
As per officials, a major goal of introducing structured safaris is to curb illegal off-roading and reduce disturbance to sensitive high-altitude wildlife habitats. By channeling visitors through designated routes and trained operators, the administration hopes to protect fragile terrain while also giving travelers a legitimate shot at spotting a snow leopard. Exact routes, entry points, permits, and booking details are still being finalized by the Forest Department.
For the unversed, the Union Territory is home to India's largest snow leopard population - an estimated 477 of the country's roughly 718 snow leopards live in Ladakh. Beyond the "ghost of the mountains," the region supports a range of biodiversity for such an extreme environment: Over 38 mammal species, 340 bird species, and around 1,800 species of vascular plants, many found only above 3,000 meters.
Also Read:Skip Ladakh! Travel Creator Says This Arunachal Road Trip Is Just As Spectacular
That combination, which includes rare predators, unique birdlife, and dramatic Himalayan scenery, has already made Ladakh a magnet for wildlife tourists, even without formal safari infrastructure.
