Saturday 28 January 2023 • Promotional Content


Snow leopards — the ultimate big cat quest


Search for the grey ghost in magnificent Ladakh while contributing to conservation


Worldwide travel Te Travel Guide 35


A


quest for the most elusive big cat on our planet takes adven- ture enthusiasts and wildlife


lovers high up into the most incredible mountain ranges on Earth. Here, in the Trans-Himalayas of Ladakh, in the far north of India, Voygr Expedition’s team of veteran snow leopard trackers work their magic. On group and bespoke two-week departures, Voygr’s guests track snow leopards, wolves, blue sheep and a host of rare wildlife in a spectacular mountain setting. Snow leopards, found across the


mountains of 12 countries in South and Central Asia, are notoriously diffi- cult animals to track. As these cats live at altitudes over 9,500ft and cover vast territories, tracking them takes immense skill, the very best optics and some good luck. Voygr’s snow leopard tracking team — with more than two decades of experience — combine all three qualities to create one of the world’s greatest wildlife adventures. Hemis National Park in Ladakh, with its high snow-leopard density and rugged landscapes, provides an ideal location for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Winter is the ideal time to track


snow leopards. As the cold sets in across the high mountains of Asia, prey species such as ibex, blue sheep, argali and markhor move to lower altitudes in search of both warmth and pastures free of snow. Snow leop- ards, lynx and wolves follow them, allowing expert trackers to access the spectacular world of some of the plan- et’s rarest wildlife for their guests. Te team utilises the remarkable


LUNGMAR Remote Camp as its base. Five Predator Suites, with en suite bathrooms, provide the ulti- mate address for those seeking the very best snow leopard trips, while six Quonset-style tents offer a tradi- tional and comfortable take on the remote bush camp. All accommoda- tions are centrally heated and beauti- fully appointed. While the majesty of Ladakh’s


mountains, wildlife and its deep history on the ancient Silk Road are brought to life by Voygr’s guides, trackers and expedition leaders, envi- ronmental conservation is what’s at


the heart of Voygr’s trips here.


liability and damaging neighbour to becoming an asset for the community. “I remember tears running down


Snow leopards are the dominant umbrella species in this landscape. A healthy population indicates that the ecosystem is functioning well. Teir absence demonstrates a world out of balance. For thousands of years, people with livestock have considered


snow leopards their enemy, leading to a lot of conflict, which ends poorly for snow leopards. Today, Voygr’s tours allow remote communities to diver- sify their income, expanding beyond livestock herding and transforming snow leopards from being a dreaded


my cheek the very first time I sighted a snow leopard,” says Behzad Larry, founder and CEO of Voygr Expeditions. “Years and hundreds of snow leopards later, that magical feeling of peering through a pair of binoculars and seeing the ghost of the mountains is just as strong and invokes the same powerful emotions. I feel an incredible gratitude and privilege to be able to share these moments with our guests.” Voygr Expedition’s guests can choose from multiple expert-led


group departures, or schedule private trips


in search of snow leopards


between November and April. Te all-inclusive trips start and end in New Delhi, India.


Save £400 by mentioning code GRAYGHOST23 when


booking snow leopard trips. Offer ends 31 March 2023


Visit: voygr.com E: bookings@voygr.com T: +44 1316 080 049


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