A Ladakh urial on snow near Ulley in March
Ulley, also spelt Uley or Ule, is a small village high up a side valley above the Indus in the Sham region, west of Leh. It is one of Ladakh's main winter snow leopard areas, and from January to March local spotters scan the ridges around the village for the cats. The cliffs above Ulley are known for Asiatic ibex, and Ladakh urial graze the lower slopes of the valleys nearby, so even a day without a snow leopard is rarely empty.
Since October 2026 Ulley is one of the first three areas, along with Rumbak and Shang, where the official Ladakh Snow Leopard Safari operates, run by the SHAN Society with the UT Forest, Ecology and Environment Department. Accommodation in the village is limited, so arrange your stay through a guide or operator before you travel, especially in winter. The Snow Leopard Conservancy India Trust notes that the village relies on a satellite phone, so expect little or no mobile signal.
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 first, and pack for nights well below freezing.
- Address: Ulley (Uley), Sham region, Leh district, Ladakh
- Hours: Village, open year round. Best for snow leopards January to March.
- How to Reach: Drive west from Leh along the Srinagar highway towards Saspol, then turn north up the Ule Tokpo valley to the village. Allow several hours from Leh, and expect icy stretches in winter.
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