Big Cats of India
From Himalayan snow leopard country to the forests of Gir, a private safari across four remarkable landscapes.
Ladakh · Safari Crafters archive
One country. Entirely different worlds.
Follow the cats.
Feel the change.
Mountains give way to forest. Forest opens into granite country. In 21 days, experience four remarkable habitats at the pace of a private journey.
21 days.
Four wild worlds.
November to April
- Delhi Arrival
- 01Ladakh8 nights
- 02Ranthambhore5 nights
- 03Jawai3 nights
- 04Gir3 nights
- Delhi Return
The journey unfolds
Four cats.
Four ways to see India.
Ladakh · Snow leopard
Days 2–9 / 8 nightsIn the high silence
First, learn to look.
A shadow on a distant ridge. A movement almost lost in the rock. In Ladakh, expert spotters help you read the landscape before the snow leopard reveals itself.
Two days in Leh to acclimatise, followed by the journey into mountain country and five full days of tracking.
Explore the daily plan
Day 2 · Fly to Ladakh
Take a domestic flight from Delhi to Leh, gateway to the high-altitude wilderness of Ladakh. On arrival, transfer to your hotel and begin acclimatising to the altitude. The remainder of the day is at leisure, allowing you to rest and adjust to your new surroundings.
Day 3 · Acclimatisation in Ladakh
A minimum of 48 hours in Leh is strongly recommended before venturing into the mountains in search of snow leopards. Spend another leisurely day acclimatising, with the opportunity for gentle excursions around Leh. Explore its ancient monasteries, vibrant markets and historic streets, discovering the cultural heart of this extraordinary Himalayan capital.
Day 4 · Into Snow Leopard Country
After an early breakfast, depart Leh in comfortable vehicles and journey deeper into the mountains towards your remote camp, set within prime snow leopard habitat. On arrival, the camp team will welcome you, brief you on the days ahead and introduce you to your surroundings.
Days 5-9 · Tracking Snow Leopards
Spend five full days exploring the rugged valleys and high ridgelines of Ladakh in search of the elusive snow leopard. Our expert spotters will patiently scan the landscape for movement, tracks and other signs of these remarkable cats. When a snow leopard is located, you will be escorted to a suitable vantage point for observation and photography. Hot breakfast and lunch will be served in the field, allowing you to make the most of every daylight hour. Return to camp as the mountains fall into the evening light.
Ranthambhore · Bengal tiger
Days 10–14 / 5 nightsWhere the lakes meet the forest
The forest holds its breath.
Still water, ruined walls and the sound of an alarm call. The search for tigers unfolds through a landscape shaped by centuries of wilderness and history.
Travel via Delhi, then settle into four days of morning and afternoon safaris.
Explore the daily plan
Day 10 · Return to Delhi & Drive to Ranthambhore
Depart camp early and travel back to Leh Airport for your flight to Delhi. On arrival, continue overland to Ranthambhore, where you will check into your lodge and settle in for the next chapter of your journey.
Days 11-14 · Tigers of Ranthambhore
Over four days, explore different zones of Ranthambhore National Park in search of tigers and the diverse wildlife that shares their domain. Few tiger habitats are as evocative as Ranthambhore. Ancient ruins and monumental structures dating back centuries rise from the landscape, remnants of the historic fort complex woven into forests, lakes and open grasslands. The setting offers a remarkable sense of wilderness shaped by both nature and history. Each day includes two safaris, offering ample time to explore the park and follow the lives of its wildlife.
Jawai · Indian leopard
Days 15–17 / 3 nightsAmong the granite hills
An unexpected neighbour.
Granite rises from the plains in great folds and domes. In its caves and ledges live leopards, sharing this remarkable country with pastoral communities.
An overland journey into Jawai, with two full days exploring leopard country.
Explore the daily plan
Day 15 · Journey to Jawai
Continue overland to Jawai, a striking landscape of volcanic granite, open pastures and scattered scrub, where leopards have adapted to life alongside the region’s pastoral communities. As you travel west, the landscape changes dramatically – from the forests of Ranthambhore to expansive agricultural country punctuated by enormous granite outcrops. This is a very different India, and one of the most unusual habitats in which to encounter a leopard.
Days 16-17 · Leopards of Jawai
Spend two full days exploring Jawai in search of its celebrated leopards. The region’s open terrain and dramatic granite formations offer exceptional opportunities for both observation and photography. Set out on morning and afternoon safaris, watching for leopards emerging from their rocky dens and moving across the boulder-strewn landscape. Between safaris, return to the lodge for meals and time to relax. As evening descends, the granite hills glow in shades of pink and amber, creating an atmospheric backdrop to one of India’s most distinctive wildlife experiences.
Gir · Asiatic lion
Days 18–20 / 3 nightsIn the lion’s country
A different kind of kingdom.
The final chapter belongs to the Asiatic lion. Dry woodland, teak forest and open scrub create a quieter setting for an extraordinary encounter.
Continue to Gir for two full days of morning and afternoon safaris before returning to Delhi on day 21.
Explore the daily plan
Day 18 · Journey to Gir
Continue to the final destination of the expedition. Depart Jawai and drive to Jodhpur Airport for your flight to Diu. On arrival, continue by road for approximately two hours to Gir, home to the last wild population of the Asiatic lion.
Days 19-20 · Gir, Last Home of the Asiatic Lion
Explore Gir, the last refuge of the Asiatic lion and the only place on Earth where this extraordinary big cat can be seen in the wild. Across teak forests, dry deciduous woodland and open scrub, search for lions moving through their ancestral range, along with the rich diversity of wildlife that inhabits this remarkable ecosystem. As with Ranthambhore and Jawai, each day includes two safaris, allowing you to experience Gir at its most active – through the coolness of the early morning and the softer light of late afternoon.
Day 1Arrival in Delhi
Arrive in India’s vibrant capital, where centuries-old heritage meets the energy of a modern metropolis. Settle into your hotel, meet your expedition team, and prepare for an extraordinary journey across some of India’s most remarkable wildlife landscapes.
Day 21Departure
Your journey concludes with a flight back to Delhi. From the high valleys of Ladakh to the forests of Ranthambhore, the granite hills of Jawai and the dry woodlands of Gir, you leave with memories of four extraordinary landscapes – and encounters with four of India’s most iconic big-cat realms.
The details, considered
Room for the wild.
A plan for everything else.
Starting From $8500 per person
Confirm currency, occupancy, travel dates and applicable taxes in your personalised quote.Plan this journey ↗Private journey
21 days, tailored to you.
Ladakh
Two days reserved for acclimatisation.
Stays
Lodges selected for your itinerary.
Inclusions & additional costs
Included
- All accommodations and meals as per the itinerary
- Safari and wildlife activities listed above
- Domestic flights between locations
- Comfortable road transfers
Additional costs
- International flights
- Indian visa
- Excess baggage on domestic flights
- Tips, gratuities
- Laundry
- Alcohol, soft drinks
- Any extra nights before or after the trip or during the trip
- 5% GST on the total cost of the tour
- Anything not mentioned under inclusions
Travel & altitude
Getting there
The route starts and finishes in Delhi. Domestic flights and road transfers connect the four wildlife chapters. International flights are additional. Allow time for your domestic connection or an extra night before flying home. Share your departure airport and time zone when enquiring.
Acclimatisation in Ladakh
The first two days in Leh are set aside for acclimatisation. Discuss altitude, cold conditions and walking requirements before confirming Ladakh.
Are the big cats guaranteed?
No. And we would never suggest otherwise. Wildlife is wild. Our job is to put you in the right landscape, at the right time, with the right people – and give the experience enough time to happen to you.
Accommodation
Handpicked wilderness lodges and characterful stays selected for privacy, access, naturalist quality, good food and restorative time between field sessions. Named stays and room categories are confirmed with your proposal.
Customising your journey
Is this a fixed itinerary?
No. Our ‘Big Cats of India’ is a private Journey framework. The dates, pacing, accommodation and field priorities are refined around you before confirmation.
Can the journey be shortened?
Yes. The full route is designed as an immersive experience, but individual sections can be adapted depending on your priorities.
Can we add India’s cultural landmarks?
Absolutely! Jaipur, Agra and Varanasi can be incorporated before, after or between the wildlife chapters.
Is this suitable for families?
Yes. Because the journey is private, its pace can be adapted to different ages, interests and energy levels.
Booking & payment
Your proposal is subject to lodge availability, permits and flight schedules. Request the deposit amount, balance due date, cancellation conditions and any non-refundable costs before making a payment.
A few moments from these worlds
Look a little closer.
The next chapter is yours
Where does your
curiosity lead?
Tell us which landscapes call to you, when you would like to travel and who is coming along. We’ll shape the journey from there.
Plan this journey ↗