Trekking in the Himalayas and seeing wild snow leopards is only what conservationists and researchers like Rodney Jackson get to do, right?

Wrong!  Several years ago Snow Leopard Conservancy joined forces with KarmaQuest Adventure Travel to offer a unique trekking experience in prime snow leopard habitat in Ladakh, India for anyone interested in going.  Highlights include interacting with a Ladakhi snow leopard expert, staying in a traditional Himalayan home as part of a village-managed conservation and ecotourism program, and attending a Buddhist ritual dance festival. And, of course, there are the wild snow leopard sightings.  For the sixth year in a row, participants on this award winning trip in February had multiple sightings!

Upon her return to the United States, long-time Snow Leopard Conservancy supporter and first-time trip participant Marsha Hand sent us a photo journal of her experience.  We were so touched by  her beautiful account that we immediately asked her permission to share it.

We hope you enjoy it as much as we did.  Perhaps it will inspire some of you to join the adventure yourselves!

Click to play this Smilebox slideshow

For more information about this year’s trips and the upcoming 2015 Wintertime Quest for the Snow Leopard, please see  the KarmaQuest website.