If you are an animal lover specially cat lovers Ladakh is a dream destination to spot Snow Leopard. Ideal period for spotting snow Leopard is from October to March. These elusive cats are spotted throughout the Hemis National Park in the left bank of river Indus.
Hemis National Park is situated in the east of Ladakh with a carpet area over 3000 - 4500 meters. It covers an area of 600 sq.kms in the valleys of Markha and Rumbak. This area formed in 1981 for the conservation and protection of it’s unique flora and fauna. There are many rare and endangered animal species found in this cold desert, amongst these are the elusive Snow Leopard, Ibex, Tibetan Antelope, Blue Sheep, Shapo, Marmot, Tibetan Hare etc. Among the avi fauna population found are the Snow Patridge, Golden Oriole, Snow Cock, Golden Eagle, Horned Lark, Red Billed Chuff etc.
In the west of Leh town are another spots to see this cat. Village like Ney Phu, Ule Phu, and hills of Skindyang village are common to witness the cat. Other famous and rare animals like "Nyan" or "Tinetan Argali",(Ovis ammon); Himalayan blue sheep, called "Bharal" or "Napo", (Pseudois nayaur); Uriel, locally called "Shapo" (Ovis orientalis), Asiatic ibex Skin(Capra sibirica), and among the predators are Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf, Lynx, Pallas Cat, and many others.
