Snow Leopard Wildlife Tour in Spiti

Snow Leopard Wildlife Tour in Spiti

6 Lakh+

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Quick Information

Trek Duration

13 Days

Trek Difficulty

Easy

Trek Group Size

6-12 max

Trek Distance

120

Trek Max Altitude

4,270

Trek Region

Himachal Pradesh

Trek Pickup

Shimla

Best Season

Winter

Best Time

December, March

Trek Basecamp

Spiti

Trek Insurance Fee

₹ 500

Trek Shield Fee

₹ 2000

Trek Transportation Fee

₹ 5000

Trek Backpack Fee

₹ 800

GST Fee

5%

Snow Leopard Wildlife Tour in Spiti Valley

An extraordinary high altitude wildlife expedition into the remote Himalayas in search of the elusive Snow Leopard.

 

Himalayas are not just rocky mountains, it is the home 10% of world’s known flora and 30% of India’s total faunal biodiversity. Many animal lives on mountains and at the altitudes where it feels here the ecosystem is not for survive for too long, where tree line ended,  still animals exists on high mountains, they have adapted their body and behaviour to survive. Here some live such as Ibex, Blue Sheep, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolf but among them one animal who rules that high mountains of Spiti and Ladakh Himalayas, it is Snow Leopard.

People from all over the world here in Spiti Valley in India to do Snow leopard wildlife tour in Spiti Valley.  Snow Leopard specially very famous among wild life photographers. Snow Leopard is one of the rare wild cat exists on our planet. So the Upper Spiti Landscape has dedicated management and conversation programmes for snow leopard, including work under Project Snow Leopard. They exist only in 12 countries in the world. Even in these places they are seldom seen. Such is the majesty of this animal that a very few people have been lucky to see this spotted cat in the wild. India is one of those countries where Snow Leopard exist; they rule the cliffs of Trans Himalayas landscape in Spiti  and Ladakh and are highly revered by the people who live here. 

 

More Information

SHEN - The Grey Ghost of Himalayas

The Snow Leopard often called the ‘Ghost of the Himalayas’’. It is one of the most elusive and magnificent predators of the high Himalayas. It is specially adopted to survive in the coldest and rugged landscapes of  Himalayas.

Snow leopard inhabit of high altitude mountains ecosystems across Central and South Asia, Including the Trans Himalayan region of India. The Spiti valley and Ladakh is one of the most important landscapes for this species, particularly around Kibber and surrounding high altitude valleys.

They have thick smokey grey fur, dark rosettes and spot provide excellent camouflage against rocky and snow covered terrain. They long thick tail which helps them to maintain balance on steep slopes and can also be wrapped around its body for warmth. They have large paws which act like snow shoes. 

The snow leopard is a highly skilled predator, feeding mainly  on Himalayan ibex, blue sheep (bharal), Himalayan tahr and other mountain prey, along with smaller mammals and birds.

Snow leopard usually live alone and cover large areas in the mountains. They are shy, live in remote places, and blend easily with the rocky and snowy landscapes, which makes them very difficult to spot. 

Snow Leopard Expedition Spiti
Snow Leopard

 

For a Snow Leopard Wildlife Expedition in Spiti, the goal is therefore not simply to “spot” an animal, but to experience the fragile high altitude ecosystem and observe one of the world’s most elusive big cats in its natural habitat, without disturbing it.   

 

 

Best time to do Snow Leopard Expedition

For snow leopard wildlife expedition in Spiti valley, the best time is winter, roughly December to March, with January to February generally being the prime period.

Why winter is best

Winter is the best time for a snow leopard expedition in Spiti Valley. The temperature is low, and snow covers the high mountains. Snow leopards and their prey continue to move through these harsh conditions making them easier for experienced trackers to search for.

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is an important snow leopard habitat and is home to animals such as Himalayan Ibex, and Blue Sheep.

Winter in Spiti  can be extremely cold, with temperatures dropping to around -30 degree calesius. This makes the journey a true wildlife expedition into the high Himalayas, rather than a regular wildlife tour.

Snow View Kibber

 

 

Itinerary of Snow Leopard Expedition

We pick you up from Shimla and drive on the Indo Tibet Highway till Powari and climb up the service road to Reckong Peo and Kalpa. Situated opposite to the majestic Kinner Kailash range, the Hamlet of Kalpa offers you breathtaking view of these snow clad mountains. Every year during the month of July and August people from all over India come here to climb up to Kinner Kailash Shivling at a height of 5500m with utmost devotion. Overnight stay at The Grand Shambhala Hotel.

We leave from Kalpa in morning and continue upstream of Sutlej river alternating between its left and right bank till Khab where Sutlej enters from Tibet and meets Spiti River. The road climbs up from the river bank to Nakoand Muling Nala. As you look backwards, the valley beneath and the surrounding snow peaks makes an impression on you. The road descends down to thebanks of Spiti river and continues to meander till we reach the village of Maney. Situated at an altitude of 3600m Maney village is a great stopover for acclimatization. Overnight accommodation at Jeet Homestay.

 

 This is also a great place for spotting Tibetan Wolves. After breakfast we head out of our Homestay in search of Tibetan wolves. We return back before dusk and rest for the night. Overnight accommodation at Jeet Homestay. 

 

We drive to the hotspot of wildlife in Spiti – Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Our home away from home for the next one week is the village of Kibber. Situated at an altitude of 4400m. It was once the highest village with a motorable road. For several years people have spotted Snow Leopards up close near the village of Kibber. Other than Leopards it is also the hotspot for seeing Blue Sheep and Siberian Ibex. Overnight accommodation at Homestays.

 

 

We head out for our mission for spotting Snow Leopards. After breakfast we carry our packed lunches and head out in search of wildlife. Our routine for the next one week is to spend our days in search of wildlife with our excellent team of spotters and evenings engaging in cultural exchange with the families of Spiti.

Kibber Village
Kibber Village

 

 

After experiencing the life in Spiti in winters for more than a week. We start our journey back towards our cities and towns with great memories and fantastic photographs of rare Himalayan wildlife. Overnight stay at The Grand Shambhala. Another opportunity to enjoy the views of the great Kinner Kailash - The winter abode of Lord Shiv.

 

The journey takes you back to the City of Shimla from where our tour ends and we say goodbye until we see you again down the road.

Inclusions & Exclusions

Services included:

1. Transport in Xylo - Driver charges, Fuel charges, Toll charges.

2. Hotel Accommodation at Kalpa (2 Nights) – twin sharing with breakfast and dinner.

3. Homestays at Maney (2 Nights) and Kibber (8 Nights) – twin sharing with all meals.

4. Wildlife team – Spotters and Porters

5. Wildlife Permits and fees.

Services excluded:

1. Accommodation at Shimla – same can be arranged at additional cost

2. Personal expenses

3. Lunch on Days 1, 2, 12 & 13

4. Cost incurred due to change in itinerary due to bad weather, road blocks or factors beyond control.

 

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From

₹120000 $1000

per person