How tantalizing are the animals that still elude the traps and cages, the tranquillizing darts and the scientific classification of man. The Tibetan Blue Bear, so strong that he can break the neck of an ox, has never fallen alive into the hands of Western man. But to see his mighty and luxuriant fur stretched out on a frame in London saleroom conjures up as fearsome a picture as any of the wildest tales of Himalayas.

A passage from OF BEAST AND SNAKE

The Himalayas have for long kindled the spirit of adventure in man leading him to explore some of the most treacherous terrain on Earth. Stretching over 2,500 km in length and ranging between 150km to 400km in width over the top of the Indian subcontinent, Himalayas have often been referred to as the "Third Pole". One unique region within the Indian Himalayas, known as "Little Tibet" is Ladakh.

Ladakh, is part of Trans-Himalayas, which cover roughly an area of 186,200 sq. km: this region is an extension of the more extensive Tibetan plateau covering approximately 2.6 million sq. km. The entire zone is a high altitude cold desert that is a sparsely populated domain: the Indian population being around 250,000.

Markha Valley and Shang-Rupshu Valley Treks. Located within the Trans-Himalayan region of Ladakh, Markha and Shang-Rupshu present a country of vivid contrasts, stark landscape, dotted with ancient monasteries standing atop sheer hills, and inhabited by colourful people. The two areas are also unique for the animal life that abounds within their confines offering both the seasoned adventurer as well as a naturalist something to suit their palates.

Mammals. The high altitude desert country is home to some very rare and highly endangered mammals on earth. A few rarities of this region are the wild sheep such as the Ladakh Urial or Shapu, Tibetan Argali, Bharal or Blue sheep, Ibex a wild mountain goat, Woolly Hare and the Mouse-hare, the Himalayan and the Longtailed Marmots. Predators include the Wolf, Dhole or the Indian Wild Dog, the Lynx and the elusive Ounce or the Snow Leopard.

Birds. Some of the species that can be spotted during the treks are the Chukor Partridge, Alpine Chough, Citrine Wagtail, Guldenstadt's Redstart, Hill Pigeon, Himalayan Snowcock, Hume's Lesser Whitethroat, Hume's Short-toed Lark, Ibisbill, Mountain Chiffchaff, Brandt's Mountain Finch, Tibetan Snowfinch, Scarlet Rosefinch, and Eastern Great Rosefinch. A few birds of prey are the Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle and the Lammergeier.