WEATHER: Usually sunny days but with dry chilly winds, the temperature can drop down drastically at nights but will warm up as the sun comes out during the day. December maximum temperature averages 7°C which can fall to -20°C. January and February it can fall to -30°C to
35°C at night.

EQUIPMENT (to be brought by the individual): High quality trekking gear is difficult, if not impossible; to buy in India, so check the equipment list before leaving home. Please sort out and divide your trekking equipment into three categories:

1. To wear on the trail
2. To carry in the day pack
3. To pack in the duffel bag 

You will not have access to your duffel bag once you leave camp in the morning, as it will be carried by pack ponies or porters. Therefore, you must anticipate all your daytime needs and carry these items in your day pack. Your day pack should be large enough to accommodate your water bottle. Personal first aid kit, sun cream, sweater or down jacket and lunch box

Clothing and equipment: A list of suggested clothing and equipment for the snow leopard trek has been mentioned below. This is a comprehensive list and experienced trekkers will often take only a selection of these items based on what has worked in the past- it is worth pointing out that you will need a 4 season sleeping bag for this trip. Trekkers should bring all their gear in one large duffel bag and a small backpack (30 to 50 litres). Each day you will carry the small pack containing items that you might need while trekking such as warm clothes, jacket, camera, water bottle and some snacks. The rest of your personal equipment, contained in your duffel bag, will be carried by ponies.

Footwear:
• Warm boots with preferably Vibram soles for that extra grip
• Shoes to walk on ice at times.
• Running shoes or sandals. To be used in camp in the evenings or for lighter walking days
• Gaiters. A pair used to keep boots dry if walking through deep snow or on wet ground
• Heavyweight wool socks. 

Clothing:
• Goretex shell pants and jacket with hood
• Heavy weight down jacket with hood
• Light trekking trousers for warmer days
• Mid to heavyweight fleece jacket
• Light to mid weight fleece pants
• Fleece gloves 

Headwear
• Warm wool or fleecy hat
• Sun hat
• Light weight climbers’ headlamp for use at night around the camp. Bring extra batteries
• High quality sunglasses with 100% UV protection
• High quality Binoculars / Telescope 

Personal Equipment
• 4 season sleeping bag with hood to withstand Negative 30 Degrees • 30 to 50 litre backpack large enough to carry water bottles, camera, lunch and extra clothing
• 1 litre water bottles with a wide mouth.
• Sunscreen and lipsalve with an SPF 30 or better.
• Camera and spare batteries and large size memory cards
• Pocket knife swiss army style (optional)
• Personal Alcohol (optional) 

Travelling
• 1 large duffle bag for transporting your personal gear on the trek and during flights. Bring small combination padlocks.
• 4 large plastic bin bags for keeping gear dry in the duffel and backpack.
• Travel clothes. You will need street/casual clothing for air travel days and time spent in Delhi and Leh. 

Personal First Aid Kits
• Any personal medications
• Antibiotics for gastrointestinal problems- eg. Ciproflaxin
• Blister treatment

Notes:
• In case of medical emergencies or high altitude sickness Ulley is within a days reach to the government hospitals.
• Ulley to Leh is 3hrs drive
• First 3 days is recommended for complete rest and acclimatization to ensure rest of the trip carries off smoothly
• The homestays are basic & simple rooms with dry compost toilets
• Hot water will be provided in buckets if needed
• Personal Spotting Scopes & high quality binoculars are highly recommended to increase the chance of sighting the cat and high altitude birds
• Unlike other wildlife sanctuaries, in Ladakh we may go for days without any mammal sightings and patience is the key here.

Typical Day:
• Bed tea around 6.30 – 7.30 am
• Scan the ridge lines from above the Lodge till about 8 am
• Breakfast around 8 am
• Around 8.30 am- Head out into either Ulley Phu, or Spango Nala depending upon the movement of the cat and scouting information.
• Around 12.30 pm – Packed lunch will be bought to wherever we are scanning with Hot Soup, Lunch & Black Tea with Dessert
• Post lunch we still carry on scanning and scoping with little movement depending on the cats information.
• Around 5pm – we start to head back to the homestay and have a hot cup of tea/coffee
• Continue Scanning till it gets dark as there is a good chance the cat may finally move from a day s rest on some vantage point on the ridge line.
• Around 6.30 pm – Soup will be served followed by dinner and desserts. 

At Dinner time the guide will usually sit with the group for some time and discuss the next day’s plan of action along with clarifying any doubts from the clients.