2027 Snow Leopard Conservation in the Himalayas

SNOW LEOPARD EXPEDITION: FIELD CONSERVATION AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD

HIMALAYAS, INDIA

Ladakh, India

April 7 - 15th, 2027

$7,350 USD

In March 2026, we launched our inaugural Snow Leopard Conservation Mission in Ladakh.

What began as a pilot quickly became one of the most meaningful projects we've ever run.

Together with our partners, participants vaccinated over 200 dogs alongside Mission Rabies, helped construct predator-proof corrals protecting both livelihoods and wildlife, placed and monitored camera traps used to study snow leopards, and supported community-led conservation initiatives across the region. Most importantly, they experienced first-hand what it takes to protect one of the world's most elusive big cats.

In 2027, we return to Ladakh for just one mission.

Hosted in proud partnership with local conservation leaders including the world-renowned Snow Leopard Conservancy Trust, this is an opportunity to contribute directly to conservation in one of the last great snow leopard strongholds on Earth.

Over nine days, participants work alongside veterinarians, conservationists, researchers, wildlife trackers, and local communities. The mission includes supporting wildlife monitoring and camera trapping efforts, contributing to One Health initiatives, helping reduce human-wildlife conflict through community-led projects, and gaining behind-the-scenes insight into the systems keeping snow leopards on the landscape.

Along the way, you'll learn how snow leopard populations are monitored, how local trackers and homestays create sustainable livelihoods linked to conservation, how predator-proof corrals help protect both livestock and wildlife, and how communities, science, and conservation come together in one of the most spectacular landscapes on Earth.

You'll stay in community-run accommodation, learn from local experts, and experience conservation where it actually happens – in the field, at altitude, and alongside the people living it every day.

Because protecting snow leopards isn't just about saving a species. It's about protecting an entire mountain ecosystem and supporting the communities that make coexistence possible.

Places are intentionally limited, and we will run just one Ladakh mission in 2027.

Read our 2026 Impact Report here .

$7,350 USD

Payment Options

20% Non-refundable Deposit
Full Payment
80% Outstanding Balance

Payment Options

Places to book

* By booking a trip with The Global Protagonists, you confirm your acceptance of the terms and conditions outlined in this document .

HIGHLIGHTS

Work with Snow Leopard Conservancy Biologists

Join field researchers for camera-trap deployment, population monitoring, and rosette-ID analysis to help track individual cats and detect trends critical to long-term protection.

Advance One Health Protection for People & Wildlife

Assist with a pilot Mission Rabies program — vaccinating domestic dogs to stop transmission pathways that threaten humans, livestock, and snow leopards alike. All clinical interventions will be performed by qualified veterinarians registered with Veterinary Council of India.

Work with Snow Leopard Conservancy Biologists

Join field researchers for camera-trap deployment, population monitoring, and rosette-ID analysis to help track individual cats and detect trends critical to long-term protection.

Build Coexistence Infrastructure

Reinforce or rebuild predator-proof corrals with local families — a science-proven solution that has reduced livestock losses by up to 90% in key communities, preventing retaliatory killings.

Support the Next Generation of Conservation Leaders

Participate in environmental workshops with Ladakhi youth and trainee guides to grow local capacity in wildlife monitoring, nature-based livelihoods, and conservation leadership.

Learn Traditional Knowledge & Human-Wildlife Systems

Meet Amchi healers and local teams working at the wildlife-health interface — integrating cultural knowledge with modern science for resilient communities.

Track the Ghost of the Mountains

Spend time in the field with expert local spotters and herders who read the landscape like a language — learning spoor interpretation, territorial behaviour, and habitat dynamics.

Live in the High Himalayas, Inside Conservation Itself

Stay in a remote mountain village at 13,000 ft — immersed in breathtaking terrain where coexistence isn’t theory… it’s everyday life.

INCLUSIONS & EXCLUSIONS

Includes:

All accommodation (Leh + Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley)
All meals, drinking water, tea/coffee during field days
Airport transfers & all ground transport throughout the mission
Dedicated acclimatisation support at altitude
All conservation activities (camera traps, tracking, coexistence builds, workshops, etc.)
Full field day with Snow Leopard Conservancy–India Trust team
Contribution to community-led conservation initiatives
Support of local trackers, guides & project staff
Daily field briefings, conservation learning, and safety support
TGP expedition host

Excludes:

International flights to/from New Delhi, domestic flight to/from Leh
Personal travel insurance

WHO IS THIS FOR?

Veterinary professionals & students

Impact-driven travelers who want conservation that’s hands-on and measurable.

Students & professionals in ecology, public health, or policy seeking real field exposure.

People comfortable with cold, altitude, and purposeful challenge.

Community-minded leaders who value listening, learning, and uplifting local expertise

Photographers & storytellers who want to document ethical, community-led conservation

SNOW LEOPARD SEARCH DAYS

AM field brief (weather, routes, spotting zones) → ridge-line glassing with scopes; slow, methodical scanning for movement, sign, and prey behavior.
On-the-move learning: how teams log GPS points, elevation, wind, and sign quality; why some valleys hold cats in late winter.
Ethics & safety: distance protocols, zero-disturbance approach, altitude pacing, cold-weather decision points, and emergency routes back to Leh.
Camera-trap hits, and prey/herding dynamics.
Contingency days: flexible plans for weather windows to maximize research and tracking opportunities.

YOUR IMPACT

Every Protagonist directly supports:

Up to 90% reduction in livestock–predator conflict in targeted villages
Disease-prevention for humans, livestock & snow leopards
Camera-trap data that informs national strategy & global research
Youth leadership development in conservation skills
Employment + fair wages for local spotters, cooks, staff and Ladakhi households

Your contribution supports the systems that keep snow leopards — and the communities who protect them — thriving.

ACCOMODATION & MEALS

Where You'll Stay

Leh, India: Our first stop for High-Altitude Acclimatisation. A ruggard but connected base for acclimatisation as you adjust to 3,500 m elevation. Here we will prepare for remote field days ahead in the tiny mountain community of Ulley.
Snow Leopard Lodge, Ulley: A pioneering community-run conservation lodge that channels tourism revenue directly into conservation and local livelihoods. From here, you’ll be minutes from active snow leopard habitat and community coexistence projects.

Meals

All meals are provided, and will feature a mix of local Indian-Tibetan cuisines and international cuisines. All dietary needs can be accommodated.

TRAVEL AND LOGISTICS

Start & Finish

Trip begins & ends: Leh, Ladakh (India)
You’ll book your own flights into Leh (a connection from New Delhi) — we’ll provide guidance on recommended timings and options. Important to keep buffer due to flight delays and cancellations at Leh airport.

Altitude & Pace

Leh sits at 3,500 m / 11,500 ft, Ulley at ~4,000 m / 13,000 ft
We build in gentle acclimatisation days before any remote field time
Activities are easy-paced with plenty of rest, warmth, and optional participation

Most participants are new to altitude — and our schedule is designed around that.

Transport

All airport transfers, lodge transfers, and field transport are included
Modern 4x4 vehicles with experienced drivers
Only 2.5–3 hrs between Leh and Ulley — no long transit days

Field Comfort

Short walks, scenic lookout spots, time sitting with scopes and traps
Regular warm-up breaks and flexible field plans
You choose your level of activity each day

This is hands-on conservation — not a physical endurance challenge.

Team & Support

You’ll be traveling with a tight-knit group of up to 15 Protagonists, supported by:
A dedicated TGP host guiding the mission every step of the way
Local field experts and community trackers who know these mountains better than anyone
A warm and welcoming ground team in Leh and Ulley
Clear communication and thoughtful logistics so you can relax and enjoy the adventure

You’re never alone out here — you’ll have a whole team to learn with, laugh with, and share this extraordinary experience with.

MEET YOUR LEADERS

TEAM LEADERS

This mission is led by an experienced international team of veterinarians and conservation practitioners who work directly on the frontlines of wildlife protection. Together, they bring expertise in wildlife medicine, field operations, conservation strategy, and capacity building – ensuring participants are embedded in real conservation work alongside the professionals protecting these animals every day.

Dr Chloe Buiting

Dr Chloe Buiting is a wildlife veterinarian and conservation leader working across Africa, Asia, and Australia. After more than a decade working in frontline conservation, she co-founded Global Protagonists to help bridge the gap she repeatedly saw in the field – connecting people, expertise, and funding directly to the projects protecting wildlife on the ground, while opening pathways for the next generation of conservation professionals.

Chloe has spent over a decade working with threatened wildlife including rhinos, great apes, carnivores, and marine species. Her work combines veterinary medicine, conservation strategy, and public storytelling to support both field operations and the broader movement protecting biodiversity worldwide.

Dr Meera Mokashi

An Indian veterinarian with a keen interest in conservation medicine, Dr Meera is redefining what it means to protect wildlife in a rapidly changing world. With a passion for the 'One Health' approach and a master’s degree in conservation from Edinburgh University, Dr Mokashi brings both academic rigor and deep cultural understanding to every project she’s involved in. Whether working in India’s diverse landscapes or collaborating on international conservation strategies, her work is focused on creating lasting, sustainable impacts for both wildlife and local communities.

IMPORTANT ADVISORY

FLIGHTS INTO LEH — BUFFER
The Leh airport is one of the most weather-sensitive airports in India. Flights from Delhi to Leh are frequently delayed or cancelled — even when Delhi conditions are perfect. Do not plan to arrive in Leh on a direct international connection.

We strongly recommend arriving in Leh at least one day before the mission start date to give yourself a buffer. Any extra accommodation & arrangements beyond the mission dates are not included in the mission cost and are to be arranged by the participant.

Speak to our team before booking your domestic leg — we can advise on recommended timings and help coordinate where possible.

CONNECTIVITY & COMMUNICATION ON THE GROUND
Mobile data and Wi-Fi in Ladakh, especially at the Snow Leopard Lodge in Ulley, is limited and shared. Do not rely on continuous connectivity to stay in touch with family or colleagues. We recommend:
Letting loved ones know in advance that you may be unreachable for stretches of time.
Downloading offline maps, emergency contacts, and any reading material before leaving Leh.

DAY-TO-DAY SCHEDULING
Our daily schedule is shaped by weather, wildlife, and field conditions — all of which can shift overnight in a high-altitude mountain environment. Each evening at dinner, your team leaders will brief the group on the next day's plan. This is intentional, not a gap in organisation — it ensures that what we do each day is safe, meaningful, and responsive to real conditions on the ground.
We ask that participants plan to be present at dinner briefings each evening, as this is the primary channel for daily logistics.

CLINICAL VETERINARY INTERVENTIONS
All hands-on clinical procedures, including rabies vaccination administration, are performed exclusively by veterinarians registered with the Veterinary Council of India. This is a legal requirement under Indian law and is non-negotiable, regardless of a participant's professional background or experience.

For specific information on veterinary registration requirements in India, please refer to the Veterinary Council of India website.

THE DRIVE TO ULLEY — PACK YOUR SEA LEGS

The road between Leh and the Snow Leopard Lodge in Ulley is scenic, remote, and winding. Many participants experience motion sickness on this route. We strongly recommend packing anti-nausea medication and taking it before departure.

HEALTH & FITNESS REQUIREMENTS
Fitness Certificate
All participants are required to present a valid fitness certificate from their doctor prior to joining the mission. This mission takes place at high altitude (3,500–4,000 m / 11,500–13,000 ft) and involves outdoor fieldwork in cold, remote conditions. Your doctor should be aware of the destination and activities when issuing the certificate.

Rabies Pre-Exposure Vaccination
All participants must have completed a pre-exposure rabies vaccination course before the mission start date. This is a non-negotiable safety requirement given the nature of our work with free-roaming dog populations in the field.
If you have not yet started your course, please do so well in advance — the standard pre-exposure protocol involves three doses over a minimum of 21 days. Please consult your doctor for medical advice.

What Protagonists Are Saying

MEMORIES FOR LIFE

This experience really exemplified how conservation efforts are strongest when rooted in local knowledge and stewardship, and receive support through collaboration across disciplines. Connecting with passionate people from around the world - all bringing different perspectives and a shared commitment to wildlife and One Health - was one of the most inspiring parts of the mission!

Kacie Hogg

This year (2026) I had the absolute pleasure of joining the Global Protagonists on a conservation mission to a remote region of the Himalayas in an effort to protect snow leopards. This mission beautifully blended snow leopard conservation, community outreach and public health to create a One Health experience like no other. The days were filled with adventure and were always met with the warmth of the local community. This mission was so much more than snow leopard conservation. It was a look into a world where animals, people and the environment are so interconnected, it is as if they breathe as one. If you have the chance to experience this mission, it is not one that you want to miss!

Jessica Crimmin

The Snow Leopard mission with Global Protagonists was absolutely life changing and magical. Being able to learn about the community, enjoy tea together, and help build predator-proof corrals truly restored my passion and fondness for conservation.

Abbie Heimowitz

JOIN THE MISSION

This is one of the most authentic, science-based, community-driven snow leopard expeditions ever offered.

It’s not about seeing wildlife — it’s about safeguarding it.

Step into the field. Contribute to real data. Build coexistence from the ground up.

And leave knowing that your time, energy, and funding directly supported measurable conservation outcomes.

👉 Step into the story. Rewrite the ending.

Radical Transparency, Real Impact

Every booking directly fuels frontline snow leopard conservation in Ladakh — supporting coexistence programs that protect wildlife and the communities who live alongside them.

Your participation helps to:

Assess camera-trap coverage in priority snow leopard habita
Reinforce predator-proof corrals that prevent livestock loss and protect big cats
Deliver a One-Health rabies vaccination initiative for community safety and wildlife health
Employ and train local trackers and youth guides — strengthening conservation leadership on the ground

You’ll receive updates throughout the expedition — so you always know what’s being built, where data is going, and who your support is empowering.

By the end of the mission, you’ll see exactly what your involvement achieved:

coexistence infrastructure delivered, communities supported, and snow leopard monitoring data strengthened — all because you showed up.