Name: Snow Leopard Tracking in Spiti
Brand: WildinSoul
Availability: InStock

Overview

Snow Leopards
Although found across a fairly wide area of Central Asia, snow leopards are among the most difficult wildlife to see in the wild. Estimates of their worldwide population is only about 7,000.
In recent years, the Ladakh region of the Indian Himalayas has emerged as one of the best areas in the world to see this most elusive of big cats.
In the cold winter months of Ladakh, experience the unique & rare experience of tracking the endangered Snow Leopards in one of the best high altitude wildlife habitats in the world - Hemis National Park in Ladakh.
Snow Leopard in Spiti Valley
In the winter months, the elusive Snow Leopard, the apex predator of the Himalayas, descends from the high peaks into the valleys to hunt for Blue Sheep or other domestic animals. This is the time when the chances of photographing the snow leopard is the best.
Travel to the Rumbak valley in the heart of the Hemis National Park, known as the Snow Leopard capital of the world in the high altitude Himalayan region of Ladakh, to see snow leopards and experience a unique adventure that also introduces you to the culture & hospitality of the people of this remote Himalayan region.

9 Nights 10 Days Available on request

Photo Gallery

Inclusions/Exclusions

What is included in the tour

1 Night accommodation in Delhi on CP Basis
1 Night accommodation in Kumarsain/Narkanda on MAP Basis
1 Night accommodation in Nako on MAP Basis
5 Night accommodation in Kibber/Chicham on AP Basis
1 Night accommodation in Tabo on MAP basis
1 Night accommodation in Kumarsain/Narkanda on MAP basis

All ground transfers in exclusive vehicle.
Accompanying English speaking team lead from Delhi
Wildlife permit and community council fee.
1 Porter per guest for carrying camera equipment during stay in Chicham
1 Tracker and 1 Naturalist during stay in Chicham
Forest and community fees
First aid kit and Oxygen support
Walking pole and foldable chair
Flight tickets Delhi-Chandigarh-Delhi economy

What is NOT included in the tour

Flight extra baggage charges
Personal expenses - Tips/Gratuity, Laundry, Phone/internet, Beverages
Travel insurance & medical expenses
Camera fees

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
As you prepare to visit India or Sri Lanka, we hope our answers to these frequently asked questions will help you on your way. Please find the FAQ here https://www.wildinsoul.com/faq
If there’s anything else you need, just give us a call or drop us a mail.
Trip Grade / Difficulty - Level 4 (Diffilcult)
A reasonable degree of fitness (being able to walk a 4-5 km in high altitude carrying a backpack and camera tripod) is essential.
Please find the trip grade details here : https://www.wildinsoul.com/trip-grades

BestTime to visit and climate
The best (and perhaps only) season to see wild snow leopards is from jJanuary to March. Heavy winter snow falls on the mountain tops force the bharal (blue sheep), Asiatic ibex and argali (Marco Polo sheep) down the mountain side to feed. These are the snow leopards preferred prey and so the predators follow the prey down the slopes to lower areas, providing us an opportunity to track them.

Best Time to visit
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Itinerary

Day 1

Day 1 : Arrive in Delhi

New Delhi

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Arrive in Delhi. Overnight in Delhi.

Day 2

Day 2 : Fly to Chandigarh - drive to Kumarsain 1,675 Mts ( 200 km / 6 hrs)

Kumarsain

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Fly to Chandigarh and Drive to Narkanda/Kumarsain, before embarking on next day's long journey into Spiti valley.

Day 3

Day 3 : Kumarsain – Nako 3,662 Mts (230 km / 7 hrs)

Nako

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Start early and drive towards Kinnaur valley to enter the region of the Trans-Himalayas. You will experience a change in topography and landscape from forested belt to rocky and barren mountain and major change in the temperature. Driving along the Satluj and Spiti rivers to enter Spiti valley.

Day 4

Day 4 Nako : Kibber 4,270 Mts (230 km / 7 hrs)

Kibber

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Drive to Kaza and head to Snow Leopard destination of the day, Chicham/Kibber

Day 5

Day 5 : Kibber/Chicham - Snow Leopard Tracking

Kibber

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In the early hours, your trackers will head out to, to track snow leopards. Once the Snow Leopard is sighted, our team at the base will be informed , on which we head out with our guide and porters to meet up with our trackers and hopefully get some good photo shots of the elusive and rarely sighted beautiful animal.
Moderate walking (1-2 hours) may be required to reach places where wildlife sightings are reported

Day 6

Day 6 : Kibber/Chicham - Snow Leopard Tracking

Kiber/Chicham

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Snow leopard Tracking Continues...........

Day 7

Day 7 : Kibber/Chicham - Snow Leopard Tracking

Kibber/Chisham

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Snow leopard Tracking Continues...........

Day 8

Day 8 : Kibber/Chicham - Snow Leopard Tracking

Kibber/Chicham

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Snow leopard Tracking Continues...........

Day 9

Day 9 : Kibber - Tabo ( 70 km / 2.5 hrs)

Tabo

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Start on the drive back . Stay point of the day is ‘Gue’ village , the last Indian village in this region…where only a single mountain separates us from Tibet/China . We also visit the Local Monastery in Gue, which is home to a 500+ yrs Mummy of a Monk/Lama. , head out to visit the oldest Monastery of the Spiti valley and one of the oldest in the country ‘Tabo Chos-Khor Monastery’ . After a brief visit , explore the famous meditation caves in the village. Thereafter drive to Dhangkar Gompa situated on a cliff.

Day 10