Events
Member Events
A Trip to Ladakh, India – Specially Designed for Members of the San Francisco Zoological Gardens
Imagine hiking through the Himalaya in the tracks of a wild snow leopard, and experiencing traditional village life in a family-run “Himalayan Homestay.” Your participation on this trip will contribute to the award-winning snow leopard conservation and ecotourism program. This program reinforces the value of a live snow leopard among Ladakhi villagers, and helps pay for their children’s education. A tax-deductible donation to the Snow Leopard Conservancy (SLC-US) and the San Francisco Zoological Gardens supports conservation of the snow leopard.
Informed by the Snow Leopard Conservancy’s ten years of conservation action in Ladakh, we’ll explore sites within Hemis National Park that are regularly visited by the elusive cats that leave their “sign” (such as tracks, scent, and other markers). Sightings of blue sheep and urial, two of the snow leopard’s prey species, are virtually guaranteed. If we are very lucky we’ll see a snow leopard too, although they normally descend from the ridge-tops only after the first snows. Ladakhi snow leopard experts will accompany us through some of the best snow leopard habitat in the world. A KarmaQuest director will guide the trip.
The trip begins and ends with a spectacular Delhi-Leh-Delhi flight. Before the trek, we’ll spend several days in Leh, capital city of Ladakh, acclimatizing to the elevation while visiting historical sites. We’ll then drive along the Indus River to two of Ladakh’s oldest and most important Buddhist monasteries and overnight. Returning to Leh, we’ll drive to the trailhead and hike five to six hours on a gently ascending well worn trails to Rumbak village where we’ll be guests in a homestay for two days and three nights. We can choose to participate in farming activities such as helping to harvest barley or churn butter, and share stories and photos with the family. We’ll day-hike to a nearby village or for a stunning overview of the mountainous terrain.
After the trek, we’ll take the world’s highest motorable road to 18,380’ en route to Nubra Valley, a beautiful landscape and an historic trade post along the ancient silk route. During our time in Leh, we’ll attend the Ladakh Festival, a yearly cultural and sports event with costumed dancers and a parade.
San Francisco Zoological Society Members will receive a discount on this once-in-a-lifetime trip. For more information or to sign-up, please contact KarmaQuest at karmaquest@earthlink.net or (650) 560-0101.
Stroller Strides Exercise Classes for Zoo Members Only
Every Tuesday
10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
$10
The San Francisco Zoo is pleased to announce a special opportunity for Zoo Members to register for Stroller Strides classes held at the San Francisco Zoo every Tuesday morning!
Come join us for a great workout for mom and a playgroup for baby. Stroller Strides is a total-body post-natal fitness program for moms to do with their babies. We get our hearts pumping and our muscles working! Exercise tubing, our own body weight and our strollers are used to perform various exercises. All fitness levels are welcome. If your child doesn't like the stroller, you can use a carrier for the class. Classes at the Zoo are rain or shine, so make sure to bring a weather shield for the stroller if there is chance of rain. Also bring water and a mat for core work and stretching. Please arrive on time and be ready to go at 10 a.m. Additional confirmation information, including instructor contact information, will be provided upon registration.
Fee: $10 per class for Members (must register through the Zoo, not the Stroller Stride web site). Parking not included. Registration is open until 4 p.m. the Friday before the following class. Pre-registration required, e-mail education@sfzoo.org.
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