High above the treeline, where the air grows thin and the mountains touch the sky, lies the realm of the Snow Leopard. Haa’s northern ranges, particularly within the Jigme Khesar Strict Nature Reserve, serve as a vital stronghold for this elusive “Ghost of the Mountains.”
Snow leopards are the rarest of the big cats. They are perfectly adapted to “life in the thin air” of Central Asia’s high-altitude mountain ranges. Communicating through “chuffing,” growls, and high-pitched mews, their tail can be as long as their body- up to three feet. Snowshoe-like paws assist them in freezing climates, while grey and white coats blend seamlessly into surrounding wilderness.
While sightings are rare, their presence is felt in the balance of the highland ecosystem, sharing the terrain with blue sheep, Himalayan marmots, and clouded leopards. Visitors trekking the Nubtshonapata or Tergola ridge in autumn can enjoy clear skies, snow-dusted ridgelines, and possibly track the prints or hear the stories of this mystical Himalayan cat from local herders.
Best Season: Autumn (September–November), during the yak migration and the clearest mountain views.
Best Treks: Nubtshonapata or Tergola ridge (ideal season is autumn) (*LINK THIS TO THE Nubtshonapata trek ON THE TREK PAGE)