14 Jul 2027 - 26 Jul 2027 (13 days)
INR410,000 - Spaces Available
Tour Leader: Amanda Guercio
Tour price (Per person): INR410,000 * USD4,788 * GBP3,707 * EUR4,438 * AUD7,642
Single Supplement: INR45,000 * USD525 * GBP407 * EUR487 * AUD839
Flight costs: INR28,000 * USD327 * GBP253 * EUR303 * AUD522
Can be linked with: India - Leopard & Lesser Florican Extension 2027
This bird and wildlife-watching tour takes us through India’s finest highlands and mountain passes, renowned for their rich and diverse high-altitude avifauna. Located on the Tibetan Plateau, Ladakh’s rugged mountain ranges, sparse vegetation, picturesque valleys, and majestic rivers—such as the Indus and Zanskar—create a unique habitat that supports rare wildlife and serves as a crucial breeding ground for migratory birds.
Ladakh, meaning "land of high passes," is a region in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir, stretching from the Kunlun Mountain range to the Great Himalayas in the south. It is home to people of Indo-Aryan and Tibetan descent and is one of the most sparsely populated areas in the region. Its culture and history are deeply intertwined with that of Tibet. Historically, Ladakh encompassed a vast area, but in modern times it shares its borders with Tibet to the east, the Lahaul and Spiti regions to the south, the Vale of Kashmir, Jammu, and Baltiyul to the west, and the southwestern corner of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass in the far north.
Ladakh is celebrated for its breathtaking remote mountain landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Its high-altitude terrain is home to some of the world’s most enticing bird species such as Tibetan and Himalayan Snowcocks, Black-necked Crane, Tibetan Lark, Tibetan Sandgrouse, Great Rosefinch, Ground Tit, Brandt’s Mountain Finch and several mammals including Pallas’s Cat, Tibetan (Gray) Wolf and Tibetan Gazelle.
Tibetan and Himalayan Snowcocks; Chukar Partridge; Black-necked Crane; Ibisbill; Tibetan Lark; Tibetan Sandgrouse; Great Rosefinch; Ground Tit; Brandt’s Mountain Finch; Mongolian Finch; Red-fronted Serin; White-browed Tit-Warbler; Bearded Vulture; Hill Pigeon; Robin Accentor; Siberian Sand Plover; Blanford’s Snowfinch; Saker Falcon.
Pallas’s Cat; Tibetan (Gray) Wolf; Tibetan Gazelle; Himalayan Marmot; Blue Sheep (Bharal); Tibetan Sand Fox; Tibetan Wild Ass (Kiang); Red Fox;
Himalayan scree slopes, grasslands, marshes, riverbanks, saline lakes,
Temperatures vary considerably in the Himalayas, from a low of 8-10°C at night and in the early morning to a high of 35°C during the day.
8 with 1 Rockjumper leader
UNDEMANDING: This tour is ideal for birders and wildlife enthusiasts of all experience levels. It’s suitable for most mobility levels and offers a relaxed pace, ensuring an enjoyable experience for everyone.
Moderate to undemanding. Aside from the high altitude, this tour is suitable for all birding / wildlife interest levels. India is an assault on the senses first time around, requiring a little tolerance to begin with.
Comfortable hotels with hot water & western toilets.
Undemanding. Most species provide good visuals in open conditions, sightings can be distant due to terrain, a personal scope may be beneficial.
Himalayan scenery; Khardung La Pass; Chang La Pass; Hunder Sand Dunes; Pangong Lake; Hanle Observatory; Leh Tibetan Market
Good to good+. See notes below about minimum focal length.
I just have to write and tell you how much I enjoyed the N. India trip and how superb the leaders are… Erik and Rich worked so well together and both are so funny, such a great combination…. With much gratitude to RBT for bringing birds and mammals into my life.
Clayton was friendly, informative and fun.... Very athletic and cheerful. Find him to be a wonderful guide.
The Andaman Islands were a first for RockJumper and a first for David Hoddinott. It was an incredible experience and also exciting to share the first of all new endemics with David .
This was a great trip. A terrific itinerary and we saw lots of birds and we saw tigers at Ranthambhore and Corbett. Glen and [the local leader] were excellent guides—great spotting skills, and they made sure everyone saw the bird. The logistics worked very well because Glen and [the local leader] were a great team.
As usual another fantastic journey masterfully organized and enabling us to discover places and birds in the best possible way. Supreme guide, all matters perfect, except the lack of heating in the bus. Chilly India, believe it or not !
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