Snow Leopard Tour Spiti
Days 16
May June Sep
4980Mtr
Challanging
12 Pax
1 : 6
Exp. Preferred
Fit. Very High
There is a reason why the Snow leopard, is called the ‘ghost of the mountains.’ Perhaps one of the most elusive of the wild felines, the snow leopard is a secretive – solitary - creature that inhabits the expansive, rugged terrain in one of the harshest environments on the planet.
This trek is accompanied by expert Snow Leopard guides and trekkers who provide an up-to-date report on the last sighting of the beautiful cat to increase the likelihood of sightings. Because the tracking path is never linear, flexibility is essential. As you expose yourself to the elements of Spiti (albeit cautiously), you will get to see how the locals brave the cold. Travel, trek, track, and photograph with like-minded wildlife enthusiasts in a small group of no more than ten people. During the cold winter months of October to March each year, a window opens that allows you to see this beautiful cat. It is truly magnificent to see it walk with ease and finesse in its natural habitat. Once spotted, even our guides, who have seen it hundreds of times, can’t take their eyes off the scopes for a second! You truly feel blessed and lucky at that moment.
Itinerary & Details
Overnight Volvo bus from New Delhi to Shimla, which is around 8 hours driving time. On arrival meet a representative and check in to your hotel.
After a hearty breakfast, spend the whole day in this once quaint but now sprawling hill town, which was the erstwhile summer capital of the British Raj in India. Take a ‘Colonial Heritage’ stroll along the famous Mall road and the historic Shimla ridge, visiting the town’s well known colonial edifices such as the Neo Gothic Christ Church and the Scottish Baronial Gorton Castle. The walk culminates in the majestic viceregal lodge on Summer. Alternatively, one can just shop and relax in the many stylish shops and cafes on Shimlas swish mile. (Overnight in your hotel).
Travel to Sarahan visiting Rampur en route. On arrival, check in to the hotel/guest house and gaze at the marvellous views of the Shrikhand Mahadev range of mountains in the distance. You can also explore the majestic Bhimakali Temple in Sarahan, famous for its Pagoda style architecture and intricate woodcarving work. Later, we’ll go to the nearby Himalayan Pheasant research centre for a brief but informative visit on Himalayan avifauna. (Overnight in a hotel)
Visit the famous and historic Bhimakali temple in the morning and admire the magnificence of its wooden architecture and carvings. This temple has an antiquity dating back to 1500 years or more. After this, travel to the beautiful Sangla valley, driving through lush coniferous forests of pine and Deodhar along the valleys of the Satluj and Baspa rivers. En route, visit the fort at Kamru village. On arrival, check in at a traditional hotel / guesthouse either in Sangla or Batseri /Chitkul. Explore the remote Sangla valley and the nearby villages like Kamru, Batseri, Chitkul etc. If time allows drive to the village of Kalpa, set against the backdrop of the sacred Kinner Kailash Peak, the domain of ‘Shiva -Lord of The Cosmic Dance.’ Marvel at the awesome beauty of this grand mountain, which is properly worshipped and renowned for a huge natural lingam on its peak. The mountain changes colour several times a day. (Overnight in a hotel / Homestay / guesthouse in Chitkul or Sangla).
Drive down from Sangla and crossing over to the other side of the river, we will follow the Hindustan – Tibet road to Recong Peo, the principal township in Kinnaur and also the district headquarters. From Peo, a climb brings us to the beautiful village of Kalpa, nestled amongst apple orchards and Chilgoza pine trees. Kalpa and a couple of villages around it such as Chini and Roghi, provide some of the most spectacular views of the Kinner Kailash range across the valley. At sunset, the mellow light seems to bathe the great summits of Kinner Kailash, Jorkanden & Raldang with molten gold. (Overnight in a hotel / Guest house)
Proceed to Nako village, visiting the confluence of Satluj and Spiti rivers at Khab en route. We will also try to go up to either the Shipki La, a high pass that leads on to Tibet (subject to getting permission from the ITBP), or Namgia, the last village in Himachal before the border with Tibet. Nako is a beautiful, midsized village, on the banks of a small lake located on the axis of the Hangrang valley. The Nako lake freezes over in winter and is utilized as a huge skating rink by the locals. From here, travel on to Tabo and check into a guesthouse / Lodge / Homestay on arrival in the Tabo village. Early next morning visit the Tabo monastery, which is more than a thousand years old and is famous for its resplendent wall paintings and murals. It is supposed to have been built by the great Buddhist translator ‘Lotsava Rinchen-b-Zangpo’ & is often referred to as the ‘Ajanta of the Himalayas’ for its beautiful Stucco art and frescoes. Tabo is also a great repository of ancient Buddhist artefacts and a seat of learning, next in significance only to the great Tholing monastery of Tibet.
After spending some time at the Tabo monastery, visit the spectacular Dhankar and Lalung monasteries, gaining an insight into the ancient Vajrayana Buddhist way of life. After this proceed to Kaza and check into a hotel
Revered Kye Monastery, which is the Spiritual center of the Spitian Gelug-pa or ‘Yellow hat’ Buddhist sect.
Start early from Kaza and drive through the stark landscape of upper Spiti valley, till you reach the beautiful village of Langza. Proceed from Langza towards the picturesque high altitude villages of Hikkim and Komic. Near Komic is located the quaint but powerful monastery of Thangyud, where tantric rituals are practiced till this day. This area is also a delight for geologists, as sometimes fossils of ammonites and The trilobites, dating back to the age of the Sea of Tethys, can still be found here. (O/N Kaza)
The next 3 – 4 days will be spent in and around the Kibber village (4170 M), in the high altitude Kibber Park. There will be no fixed itinerary and our days will be decided on by our expert wildlife guide – This is to maximize the chances of sighting a Snow Leopard. Our days will be spent searching for Snow Leopards and other animals, which inhabit this area. The extreme cold of winter forces the Snow Leopard and other animals down from the high altitude ridgelines they normally inhabit, into the pasture lands The Kibber reserve is situated at an altitude range of 4,000 M – 5,800m (Mt. Kanamo) and hosts an incredible range of wildlife. It is full of endangered species including the Snow Leopard(Panthera uncia), Himalayan Ibex(Capra sibirica), Bharal or Blue Sheep(Pseudois nayaur), Tibetan Wolf (Canis Lupus chanco), Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes), yellow throated marten and the rare Pallas’s Cat(Otocolobus manul). We will spend most of the time exploring known wildlife trails around Kibber, Gete, Tashigang and Thinam, which are on a major Snow Leopard corridor. Day hikes will take us to well known haunts of the Snow Leopard. We will be witness to Snow Leopard pugmarks, scrapes and scat around this area. A good pair of binoculars is recommended to scan the slopes in and around camp. Our wildlife guide will also be carrying a spotting scope / binoculars. Overnight we will use a combination of home stays / lodges. One night will be spent in either Tashigang or Langza village, where we will use a Spitian home stay.
Return to Shimla using the same route, with an overnight stopover at either Recong Peo or Puh. Day 13 th or Day 14 th overnight stay in Shimla. We can either leave for New Delhi the next morning or next evening depending on the timing of your Delhi – Chennai flight.
Drive back to Delhi to take the connecting flight back home. Either morning or evening bus.
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Accommodations as per the Itinerary
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Air port / Railway Station Pickup & Drop
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Welcome drink on Arrival
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Local Experienced guide fees
- Snow Leopard Expert Guide
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All transportation as per the Itinerary
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Transportation in 4×4 vehicle as per the Itinerary
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Driver with all Allowance paid
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Guide with First aid Certification
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Breakfast and dinner in the during stay at town / city
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Permit & Park / Forest fee
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Waste disposal bags
- Wire transfer fee (if applicable)
- Professional Photographer fees (You need to inform us prior to book)
- India entry visa and airport fees (If Required)
- Any extra nights’ lodging
- Single room supplement
- Meals not listed above
- All personal snack/lunch food
- Alcoholic beverages and bottled drinks (bottled water)
- International & Domestic Airfare / Trainfare
- Excess baggage charges and airport taxes
- Any transportation not mentioned
- Personal gear, clothing and Camera Equipment
- Forest Charges for carrying still/video cameras etc.
- Personal communication (phone, fax, email)
- All expenses incurred in the event of early departure (evacuation fees, transport, extra hotel nights, etc.)
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of Pahadi Bakra Adventure
- Insurance. Participants are required to have a comprehensive medical insurance policy in order to embark on this expedition.
We are currently organizing the treks for private groups only. Our expeditions are safe and all the required security measurements are taken as per the guidelines. Please contact us for Group costing.
Payment Policy:
- A deposit of 25% of the complete trip Amount is due at the time of registration to reserve the expedition.
- All balances are due 60 days prior to expedition start date, unless otherwise specified, and can be paid by check, bank transfer, UPI or by credit / debit card with a 3% fee.
- Participants whose balances are not received by the 60-day deadline as stated above, unless otherwise specified.
- Each deposit includes a 10% non-refundable fee.
- 25% cancellation of the package cost after confirmation/issuing the hotel voucher.
- 30% cancellation of the package cost Between 60 to 45 days of the traveling date.
- 50% cancellation of the package cost Between 44 to 30 days of the traveling date.
- 100% cancellations Between 29 – 0 days of the travels date.
- 10% amount is non-refundable at any point.
- If the customer cancels his/her booking because of reasons like Illness, personal problems death, accident or No Shows amount will be deducted according to the policy.
- All cancellations must have interacted in writing.
- Policy may be different for Foreigners or International traveler / participants.
TRIP CANCELLATION INSURANCE
- As there are many unforeseen circumstances that may occur during or leading up to the trip, we highly recommend trip cancellation insurance.
- In many situations, this may be the only way to receive a refund for unused services.
- In brief, trip cancellation insurance may allow you to get reimbursed if you need to cancel your expedition when you are not entitled to a refund from Pahadi Bakra.
- Train / Flight reservations for your expedition should be made as soon as possible.
- Please forward a copy of your travel itinerary before final payment so we can review departure and arrival dates.
- We make hotel arrangements to meet individual itineraries.
- Visas & Passports To enter India – You must have a passport that is up to date and valid for at least six months after the end of your intended trip in order to enter India.
- Citizens of SARC nations do not need visas, but they must have a valid form of identification with them at all times (see country-specific rules before travelling).
- It is the responsibility of participant to ascertain and meet entrance criteria for their passports or nationalities.
- We are delighted to assist with this procedure. We advise you to review the entry requirements on the relevant country’s official website.
Flying to Delhi : Delhi has a big airport, connected with almost all the major International & Domestic Airports. This trip requires that you arrive in Delhi on Day 1 of your expedition. Early afternoon arrival is preferred. The airport in New Delhi is challenging for pickups due to its size and the unpredictable length of time to clear customs. A taxi will take you to your hotel. Departure: You may fly out any time after 12:00 Hrs on the last day of your itinerary.
Train to Delhi : Delhi has multiple Railway station which are connected to all the major railway station on India. With Old Delhi (DLI), New Delhi (NDLS) & Hazrat Nizzamuddin (NZM) being the most connected, they are also well connected by the Metro network. Taxi driver will pick you up from the Railway at the time of arrival and transfer you directly to the Hotel.
Early Arrival/Late Departure: For those arriving early or departing after the scheduled itinerary, we can make hotel and transport arrangements at an additional cost. Please contact our office in advance if you would like us to make additional reservations.
Missed Flights / Trains: If you miss your flight / Train or if your flight / Train is significantly delayed, please contact Swapnil Rachelwar on +91 94076 89444 and follow the prompt for 24-hour contact. Citizens of SARC nations do not need visas, but they must have a valid form of identification with them at all times (see country-specific rules before travelling). Participants are responsible for determining and meeting entry requirements for their passports or nationalities.
EXPENSES
For purchases and supplemental costs in India, we advise combining cash and credit/debit cards. After Manali, there aren’t many establishments that accept cards or UPI permits, therefore we advise you to bring additional cash. Request modest denominations of change when exchanging money because bigger note change is difficult to get outside of major cities. Alcoholic beverages and bottled beverages are not included with your meals, and as we do not promote the use of single-use plastic, it is advised that you bring your own water bottle. If you intend to purchase refreshments (which are not permitted during the excursion), please bring some additional cash. Ahead of Schedule/Evacuation You are in charge of paying any costs incurred (such as extra hotel nights, transportation costs, and evacuation fees) if you have to leave the adventure before it is finished. It is advised to purchase comprehensive travel insurance so that these expenses may be paid for should they arise.
TIPPING
Every effort is made by our staff to make sure your trip or excursion is successful, safe, and as fun as possible. Gratuities are a great way to express your gratitude after a satisfying encounter. Since we think gratuities should depend on the quantity and quality of services, as well as an amount that fits your budget, it’s challenging to suggest a precise sum. Your lead guide and coordinator can accept any contributions to the guides’ tip fund, and the entire team will be grateful.
What to expect from this Expedition
Finding snow leopards and other wildlife in the Trans Himalaya is an exciting adventure. Although we will rely on the expertise of experienced guides and the knowledge of local people to help us move through this rugged terrain and increase our chances of seeing wildlife in this area, we will also rely on the efforts of each tour participant to help make this trip a success. We will be walking long distances at times in order to reach the best observation points for spotting one of these elusive cats. This tour is not just for “elite athletes,” and anyone in reasonably good shape can participate. However, keep in mind that the trip will be physically demanding, with long walks over difficult terrain in cold temperatures. We will need everyone to pitch in to make sure that everyone has a fun and successful trip!
Note on Itinerary: Each day we will try to have some free time so one is not always on guided tour. While we often eat meals together, they will not be pre-arranged which will allow us the flexibility to eat at local establishments or at more preferred hours. Hotels are subject to change. Although we do our very best to follow the schedule listed, this itinerary is subject to change due to inclement weather, unsafe route conditions, or other reasons beyond our control and in the guide’s best judgement.
Private Expedition
We believe any expedition or tour is the ideal setting for making new acquaintances and lasting relationships, but in particular circumstances, a privately led trip is required. Pahadi Bakra has organised private expeditions, trips, and journeys to almost all regions of the nation during the previous ten years. A private tour is a fantastic opportunity to personalise your experience and keep team sizes to a manageable number.
This option is ideal for anybody who has a certain start date, needs a custom itinerary, or unique trip extras, or needs a lengthier itinerary to give themselves more time to acclimatise. It’s also great for filmmakers and non-profit fundraising trips.
If you would like more information on the above please contact Swapnil Rachelwar directly to help you plan your next travel experience.
Why Book With Us
Each of our programmes is based on Leave No Trace principles, and we want everyone who joins us to be aware of appropriate wilderness and environmental standards. By providing each of our clients with Leave No Trace instruction and resources, we contribute to this effort. The LNT Outdoor Ethics are tried-and-true, science-based approaches to the preservation of the environment. In order to provide individuals the creative knowledge and skills they need to care for the environment, we also run educational and cleaning activities.
Our team make us who we are. We are a team of people that share the same understanding of and commitment to principles. These people are committed to imparting their knowledge to others. Many of our tour guides have more than 10 years of experience, and a few of them have been in business for more than 35 years. Our guides have a strong reputation in the climbing community as a result of their work and services. The main distinction between us and our rivals is the calibre of our guides and staff.
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