Houses of Rumbak village in Hemis National Park, Ladakh
Rumbak is a small village inside Hemis National Park, south west of Leh, and the best known place in Ladakh to look for snow leopards. From January to March, herds of bharal (Himalayan blue sheep) come down into the Rumbak valley and the cats follow them, so local guides and spotters spend the day scanning the surrounding ridges with spotting scopes. Golden eagles and lammergeiers circle overhead, and red fox and Tibetan wolf also live in these valleys.
Rumbak was the first village in the Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust's Himalayan Homestays programme, which began in Hemis National Park in 2002 so that families could earn from the snow leopards that sometimes kill their livestock. Homestays are simple: a stove heated room, Ladakhi home cooking with packed lunches, and dry compost toilets, with no running water in winter. Since October 2026 Rumbak is also one of the first three areas, along with Shang and Ulley, where the official Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari operates, run by the SHAN Society with the UT Forest, Ecology and Environment Department.
In summer Rumbak lies on the Markha Valley trekking route. Snow leopard sightings are never guaranteed, and a stay of several days gives you the best chance. Indian visitors need the LAHDC Leh environment fee receipt from lahdclehpermit.in and a photo ID; no Inner Line Permit is required. Rest at least 48 hours in Leh before coming up.
- Address: Rumbak, Hemis National Park, Leh district, Ladakh
- Hours: Village, open year round. Snow leopard season January to March; trekking season roughly June to September.
- How to Reach: Drive from Leh to Zingchen (also spelt Jingchen), about an hour and a half, then walk or drive up the Rumbak valley depending on road and snow conditions. Most visitors come with a guide or through a homestay or operator in Leh.
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