Spiti Snow Leopard Tour
Trip Details
Trip Type: Spiti Snow Leopard Tour
Region: Spiti - Himachal
Grade: Moderately Challenging
Duration: 10 days
Max Altitude: 4270m
Batch Dates: Custom Trips Only
Spiti Snow Leopard Tour Overview
Snow Leopards are one of the hardest animals to spot on our planet. The extremely shy animals are only found in the mountains of Central and South Asia. As such very few people have been lucky to see this spotted cat in the wild. They rule the cliffs of Trans-Himalayan landscape in Spiti and Ladakh, in India and are revered by the locals. Due to this, snow leopards in these mountains are highly protected from poachers. With a stable population of Snow Leopards, it is also one of the best places to see this rare cat.
Winters in Spiti are also a great time to spot a variety of other rare Himalayan wildlife like the Siberian Ibex, Blue Sheep, Tibetan Wolf, Red fox, Lammergeier, Golden Eagle, Tibetan Snowcock, etc.
Using local home stays, wildlife spotters and guides, the tour gives you a unique opportunity to view rare wildlife, breathtaking landscapes and an unparalleled insight into the communities that choose to live in these harsh mountains.
Trip Cost
This is a custom departure tour and so please write to us for prices and more info on this trek.
Spiti Snow Leopard Tour Detailed Itinerary
Day 1: Chandigarh - Rampur
Duration: 6-7 hours
We start early and drive 6-7 hours to reach Rampur, a small town on the banks of the Sutlej river. Overnight at a guesthouse.
Day 2: Rampur - Tabo (3280m)
Duration: 8 hours
We continue our drive deeper in the mountains through Kinnaur and onward to Spiti. Enroute we have to make a stop over at Rekong Peo inorder to collect our permits at the local DC office. Today is a long driving day, we reach Tabo by the evening. Tabo is noted for being the oldest continuously operating Buddhist enclave in both India and the Himalayas. Overnight at a guesthouse/ homestay.
Day 3: Tabo - Kibber (4270m)
Duration: 2 hours
In the morning, visit Tabo monastery, built in 996 AD and home to many priceless artefacts and spectacular murals. Another short drive gets us to Kibber village, our base for the next few days and a hotspot for spotting Snow leopards. Full day of acclimatisationOvernight at homestay.
Day 4-8: Kibber
Duration: 4 hours
We spend the next 5 days in the search of the Snow Leopards and other wildlife. We head out every day after breakfast to an area scouted by our spotters to increase the chances of viewing the elusive cat. Spend the evenings warm in a homestay in Kibber.
Day 9: Kibber - Rampur
Duration: 10 hours
We leave Kibber for the long drive back to Rampur.
Day 10: Rampur - Chandigarh
Duration: 6-7 hours
Drive Rampur to Chandigarh. Trip Ends!
- All transport Chandigarh and back.
- All accommodation during the trip on twin occupancy as detailed in the itinerary
- All meals.
- The food served every day will be a mixed cuisine and will be both Veg and Non-veg. (Indian, Italian, Chinese, Tibetan and Continental food)
- High-grade English speaking wildlife team.
- Staff Insurance
- Hotels In Chandigarh.
- Any flights.
- Any expenses of a personal nature.
- Any guest Insurance.
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Any other expenses not mentioned above.
- Any costs arising out of unforeseen circumstances such as bad weather, landslides, road conditions and any other circumstances beyond our control.
- Tips and Gratuities
Clothing:
- Good quality waterproof and windproof jacket.
- Trousers.
- Heavy duty down winter Jacket for -35 to -40 Deg C
- Fleece jacket.
- Beanie - warm
- Sun hat
- Warm gloves - (waterproof outer, fleece inner) are good.
- Mid-weight fleece top.
- Long sleeved shirt.
- Travel and camp trousers.
- 2 wicking t-shirts (synthetic or merino wool)
- Normal clothing for around town.
- Long sleeved thermal top.
- Thermal long johns.
- 2-3 pairs underwear
- 2-3 pairs of standard socks
- 1 -2 pairs warm sock
Footwear:
Warm Trekking shoes.
You will also need shoes for around camp and the same you could use when in town.
Pack:
- Main bag - soft shell duffle bag for all your gear.
- Small Pack (whatever you are normally used to) - You will use this to carry your camera, water bottle, Trail layers, trail food etc.
Accessories:
- Binoculars
- Spotting scopes if you want
- Dark glasses (the sun is quite strong),
- Camera
- A couple of spare passport photos photocopies of key documents. e.g., passport (data and visa pages),
- travel insurance policy
- Toiletries - Sunscreen SPF 40+, Moisturizer, Lip balm, Soap, Toilet paper
- Repair Kit (needle and thread).
- Headlamp/ Torch.
- Water Bottle- Ideally keep two bottles 1 litre each.
- Plastic Packing covers.