Few animals are as elusive as the snow leopard. Perfectly camouflaged among high rocks and snow, it is rarely seen even by people who live in the mountains, which is why it is often called the "ghost of the mountains".
Quick answer: in April 2025, Nepal released its first national estimate of 397 snow leopards, about 10% of the world's population, based on camera traps and genetic studies. They live high in the Himalaya, in areas such as Dolpo, Mustang, Manang, Everest and Kangchenjunga. Sightings are rare and need specialist trips with expert trackers.
Where snow leopards live
- Dolpo: the setting of Peter Matthiessen's famous book The Snow Leopard, around Shey Phoksundo National Park.
- Mustang and Manang: dry, rocky valleys north of the Annapurnas.
- Sagarmatha National Park: snow leopards have returned to the Everest region in recent decades.
- Kangchenjunga: in the remote east.
Best time to look
Many specialist trips run in late autumn and winter, when snow leopards follow their prey, blue sheep and Himalayan tahr, to lower slopes.
How sightings happen
Trackers scan rocky ridges with powerful telescopes and look for fresh tracks, scrapes and prey. Even on dedicated trips, a sighting is never guaranteed, but seeing tracks, blue sheep and other high-mountain wildlife is still rewarding.
Conservation
Snow leopards face threats from habitat loss, conflict with herders and climate change. Community programmes help protect both livestock and leopards.
See our wildlife tours and Shey Phoksundo trek.