Late. Rinchen Wangchuk

One of the most successful and inspiring Snow Leopard conservationist around the world that led to a remarkable change in local mindset towards the elusive and endangered Snow Leopard from a threat to their livestock to now being looked upon as the jewel of the villages.

His sheer passion for the outdoors and years of mountaineering led him to better understand the problems on his trails and when the opportunity arose he made an exceptional difference to the lives of villagers and the wildlife ecosystem of Ladakh.

For all this and more he received numerous awards and recognition but the greatest appreciation will come in the years when people realize they still have an opportunity and chance to see the endangered Mountain Queen – the Snow Leopard !

He founded the Snow Leopard Conservancy India (SLC India Trust) and in the past, he had assisted various media group in the past in documenting the wildlife in the Himalayas including the BBC‘s wildlife document.

Rinchen is responsible for rural tourism initiatives under an acclaimed UNESCO-sponsored project that enabled SLC and its partners to launch the award-winning Himalayan Homestay program.

In 2004 Rinchen has been commended for Endangered Species Conservation under Responsible Tourism Award category UK

In 2005 he received the Global Vision Award for Community Outreach for his Himalayan Homestays from Travel + Leisure.

In 2008 Rinchen was also the finalist at the Geo Tourism Change Summit Washington D.C sponsored by National Geographic and Ashoka Changemakers

2010 - Helen Freeman award for Snow Leopard Conservation

2011 – Award for Snow Leopard conservation by Snow Leopard Conservancy – US

In his absence – he leaves behind a vacuum but with direction and purpose.

Stanzin Gurmet

He hails from Ladakh and truly embodies and understands the mountain ethos. He

heads operations and marketing. With a strong love for trekking and mountains. He

has trekked extensively in the Himalayas in both Himachal and Ladakh region and is a

keen wildlife enthusiast. He will ensure that all the trekking services are carried out

in the most professional manner and attention to detail is his forte. With a strong

awareness to promote Eco tourism methods and sustainable linkages for conservation

in the biodiversity rich areas he will ensure that the treks are carried out in the most

responsible manner.

Jijmet Dadul

Ace Snow Leopard spotter has had the maximum number of sightings of snow

leopards in the past and is easily amongst the highest Snow Leopard spotters in the

world. He will be leading most of our snow leopard treks. Jigmet, also holds a

Bachelor of Library Science degree, has also worked as a nature trekking guide and

has assisted several film crews with documentaries on Ladakh Buddhist sites and

natural history. He has assisted wildlife filmmakers Hugh Miles and Mitchell Kelly on

‘The Silent Roar’ for PBS – Nature and ‘On the Edge’ – Natural History New Zealand

and has successfully led over 20 successful Snow leopard Sightings over the last 10

years. While on the trip – you will envy his stamina and enthusiasm for the cat and

enjoy all the knowledge that he passes on to you.

Tsering Angmo

One of the top bird watchers and educationalists. She heads the Snow Leopard

Environmental Educational Program for the schools in Ladakh and Zanskar. She hails

from the Rumbak village located in (Hemis National Park) which is the snow leopard

capital of the world. She is also one of the best naturalists in Ladakh who will be

guiding most of the birding tours and with a very likeable personality – you will enjoy

her company on all birding tours. She also maintains a checklist of birds found in

Ladakh and will happily assist you with your bird queries.

Jagat Singh

Jagat leads our Horse back Safaris in the wilds of Changthang. He is a professional

poloplayer with a two goal handicap, who is in love with Ladakh. He has been

following the natural hoof care system for the last 4 years, which means that all his 9

horses play a competitivesport like polo without any horse shoes/ irons. He has been

training polo ponies and playingthe 'Sport of Kings' for the last 12 years. He has played

in India, England, Ireland andZambia. He has initiated the mountain pony safari in the

vast open spaces of Eastern TibetanPlateau and is responsible for creating more

economic opportunities for the local nomads ofChangthang and making this unique

experience a reality on horseback – a first in the region

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