In the heart of the Himalayas, Ladakh enchants with its diverse landscapes—towering peaks casting shadows on vast plateaus, while the thin air adds an adventurous touch to the experience. Renowned for its enchanting beauty, Ladakh is a haven for wildlife enthusiasts, offering extraordinary landscapes and a rich variety of wildlife to delight nature enthusiasts.

Nestled in Ladakh’s eastern part, the Changthang plateau stretches west to the northern part of Tibet—a high-altitude cold desert region with vast grasslands, giant lakes, and barren mountains. This picturesque landscape is home to the Changpas, indigenous semi-nomadic people uniquely adapted to the harsh terrain. They are mostly pastoralists, raising pashmina goats and yaks, co-evolving with their animals. The region boasts impressive wildlife diversity, with species like the snow leopard, Pallas’s cat, Tibetan grey wolf, and Tibetan gazelle, some endangered. The high-altitude wetland in Changthang hosts rare bird species, including the Black-necked crane.

Hanle, a serene village surrounded by mountains and vast valleys, sits at an altitude of 4000m. It’s renowned for stargazing, being one of the highest spots for astronomical observation. Home to the Indian Astronomical Observatory, it’s also a habitat for unique wildlife like the Tibetan gazelle and wild ass. The Hanle river basin welcomes migratory birds such as the bar-headed goose and the black-necked crane for breeding. Despite its sensitivity due to its proximity to the China border, the Changpas have peacefully coexisted with wildlife, though recent years have seen some migrate to Leh in search of a different lifestyle, often ending up in menial jobs.

Disseminating conservation awareness and involving locals is crucial. We’re currently training indigenous youth from Hanle in conservation, aiming to make them proficient spotters and tour guides, emphasizing the importance of genuine community involvement.

Discover the allure of Changthang, known for Pallas’s cat sightings. First described by Peter Simon Pallas near Lake Baikal, these elusive cats thrive in rocky areas, using natural caves as dens. With a polygamous mating system, males compete for females through ad-hoc strategies, often guarding mates post-copulation. Mating, occurring between December and March, leads to litters born from late March to May after a 75-day gestation period. Pallas’s cats, solitary carnivores, face threats like declining prey and habitat degradation. Collaborative efforts have increased sightings, reaching an impressive 60-70 percent. Join our expedition to witness these elusive cats and support their conservation in this fragile ecosystem.