We kicked off our journey in Shandaar with a Snow Leopard Expedition in April 2023. Since then, we have had 3 editions. Here is what our guests had to say …
Not a weekend goes by without recalling this holiday.
Makes me think how powerful tourism can be when it’s done right.Sunith Reddy, 2024
Payal and Arati had a conscious, thoughtfully planned itinerary with incredible, eyeopening local experiences at every turn. The whole Shandaar expeditions team (Payal, Arati, our guides, spotters, cooks, and lodging staff) were always a few steps ahead of us in anticipating what would make a good experience great, and they always delivered. We were warm, comfortable, healthy, and stuffed with incredible food- which left 100% of our mental bandwidth to absorb all of Ladakh’s magic 🙂
I’d have exactly the same praise for this expedition had we not spotted any snow leopards at all (we spotted 5!)
Mallika Saharia, 2024
The trip was superbly organized, with special attention given to safety
Sriram & Deepa, April 2023
in the high-altitude conditions. Spending a few days in the wilderness
of Hemis National Park, in luxurious accommodations and warm hospitality,
was an unforgettable experience. Even if we hadn’t gotten to see the snow
leopards (six times in as many days!), this would have been the trip of a lifetime, but the expert team of spotters, and their superb equipment, made sure we got to see not just the snow leopards, but so much more. Arati and Payal are consummate naturalists, brimming with knowledge of the geology, history, culture, flora and fauna of this unique environment. Our interactions with local shepherds, award-winning filmmakers, artists and educationists made this an extraordinarily enriching experience.
Shandaar curated a most beautiful snow leopard trekking expedition
Shoma & Ajay, April 2023
for us earlier this year. It was full of fun and learning for us, thanks to the deep knowledge of and passion for environmental issues that Arati and Payal have. The handpicked guest list was just perfect and led to such amazing bonding, warmth and laughter that we will carry those memories with us forever. The entire trip was filled with fun and learning as we traversed through the beautiful terrain of Ladakh. Every detail was beautifully planned and all efforts were taken to ensure our comfort and convenience. The hotels we stayed in were excellent, the transport arrangements were perfect and the local experiences that were built into our itinerary were fabulous. We would love to join many more future Shandaar expeditions to other destinations as the experience they create is unique.
My wife (Bhavna) and I were part of the Shandaar’s maiden snow leopard expedition in April 2023. The trip was one of the best trips we have ever had: everything from pre trip planning to hosting us in Leh for couple days to actual snow leopard camp stay was perfect – great company, meticulous planning with amazing activities every day, amazing accommodation and delicious meals. This expedition was/is
unique and unlike any regular trip one takes because you are with experts who understand Leh/Ladakh region as well as snow leopard habitat like no other – we had several snow leopard sightings, each one more enthralling than the previous one! Every day brought in joyous and exciting bespoke experiences:
walking trips to local ladakhi shepherdess with most amazing lunch, visit to sheep farm, serene monasteries, conversations with local experts and conservationists, award winning documentaries whole hearing firsthand from the local filmmaker..spotting amazing wildlife and flora during every trek.Arati and Payal made sure we acclimatised well in leh and personally checked on each one of us through the 48 or so hours we were in Leh. The snow leopard camp staff is one of the warmest set of people and they ensured we lived in lap of luxury
Apurva and Bhavna, April 2023
with most beautiful sightings day after day. Going with shandaar expeditions for snow leopard camp has been one of life’s most amazing trips… never had this on the bucket list but now that we did it, it is one of those life altering bucket list experiences. We cannot wait to go on our next shandaar expedition!
All in all, the experience of a lifetime and so very unique and very enriching and life changing in so many ways, so very hard to describe – fun, rip-roaring laughter, photos galore, food extraordinary, each unique person in the group, weather – snow, hail and sun, flora, lichens, wildlife, quick spottings, sharing of
Samira, April 2023
experiences and learnings of their work that Arati, Payal and the staff at lungmar camp brought alive over drinks and food, unique and rugged landscape. 3 or 4 snow leopards individuals over 6 sightings in the seven days, each time in response to the call for “SNOOOOWW LEOPARD”! Roof of the world certainly put us up right at the top.
Shandaar Expeditions, took me on trip of a lifetime, across the trans-Himalayan region to the land of high passes- Ladakh, on the most spectacular Snow Leopard quest. Spectacular snow leopard sightings, experiencing the most unique topography through fun nature trails and beautifully curated , exquisite Ladakhi experiences made the trip so special. The attention to detail, a very efficient and most hospitable crew and the fun company, has left me looking forward to my next trip with Shandaar Expeditions.
Shalini, April 2023