Snow Leopard Safari & Trek
10 Days
Highest Altitude : 3000 m
Min People : 2
Difficulty : Moderate to Extraneous
Best Season : Jan-Mar
Routes : Narkanda| Kalpa | Kaza | Kibber| Kalpa | Chandhigad |
Details
Itinerary
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Map
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Tour Details
Himalayas, the abode of snow, with most of the world’s highest peaks, is the greatest mountain range in the world, one of the most extreme places on earth for life to exist. A place frozen in time with mile long glaciers, icy summits, sheer rock faces, harsh winters, dry summers, it is savage in every way. Anyone who lives in these high mountains has to bear some of extreme weather conditions on this planet – snow blizzards which last for a week, avalanches, high altitudes along with landslides, rock falls which alter the landscape almost every day. Yet a few animals exist over these high mountains; they have had to adapt their body and behavior to survive. Among those who live here, one animal rules these high mountain ridges – the majestic of them all ‘The Snow Leopard’.
Snow Leopards are one of the rarest species that exist on our planet. 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 Leopards exist; they rule the cliffs of Trans-Himalayan andscape in Spiti and Ladakh and are highly revered by the people who live here. Due to this respect from people to wildlife, 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. It is so rare to see a Snow Leopard that people here call it the ‘The Grey Ghost’.
Winters in Spiti are the best time to spot rare Himalayan wildlife like – Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, Blue Sheep, Tibetan Wolf, Red fox, Lammergeyer, Golden Eagle, Tibetan Snowcock, etc. As the temperatures plummet, these animals descend down from altitude above 5000m to around 4000m in search of food and is the best time to spot them. For several years we ‘Summit Adventures’ have been organizing Spity & Lahul Programs in various seasons. This Winter Summit Adventures provide a unique opportunity for wildlife enthusiasts to spot this wild cat and in turn help local communities. Our local communities support us by providing Home stays, wildlife spotters and guides. The tour also gives you an insight into the hard lives of these mountain people with visuals of breathtaking landscapes. Overall this tour will be an experience of a lifetime for those who brave the winter cold and visit Spiti.
- Highly experienced and trained team of Spotters/Guides
- All support staff from local community
- Hassle free journey – we take the entire responsibility of your tour
- Vehicle available for all days to handle emergencies and move to different locations
- Premium Accommodation at Hotel and Home stays with heating facilities
- Hawke Endurance ED 80 x 60-20 – Spotting Scope provided for sighting
- Camping chairs for seating in the field
- Focus on various fauna of region
- After Wildlife Spotting, visit Hikkim, Komic and Langza complementary on one of the days
- We are with you during the Expedition to provide constant support and ensure seamless
service
- Transport – as per package – 10 Days as per itinerary – Driver charges, Fuel charges, Toll charges.
- Hotel Accommodation (4 nights) – as per package breakfast and dinner with heater (MAP)
- Home stay Accommodation (5 nights) – as per package with traditional / electric heaters with all
Meals (AP) - Wildlife team – in Kibber (Day 4 to 7) – 4 Spotters and Individual Porters for each guest (to carry
camera equipment) - Wildlife Permits, Camera Fees (1 still camera per guest) and Kibber Community Council fees
- Lunch on Days 1, 2, 8 & 9
- Journey Mumbai Chandigarh & Chandigarh- Mumbai.
- Transit food in Air, Train & Bus Journey.
- Any medical, travel, evacuation insurance
- Personal expenses, tips, Inner Line Permit fees (for foreigners only)
- Personal expenses such as laundry, phone call etc.
- Any kind of drinks (alcoholic, mineral, soft or hard and starters.)
- Monastery entrance fees, camera fee, and monument guide services
- Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Cost Inclusion”
- Extra nights in hotel due to ill health, flight cancelation or any other reason.
- The service of vehicle is not included on leisure days & after finishing the sightseeing tour as per
the itinerary. - Extensions of tour programme or diversions in the tour itinerary for any reasons eg. due to bad
weather, road closure, breakdown or any natural calamities.
Mahindra Xylos are tried and tested in our tours during winters. Their cold weather start-ability
is superior to other vehicles and also provides good traction on Snow.
Note 1: The itinerary is subject to favorable weather and road conditions. In case of bad weather
and inaccessibility to certain destinations we will make alternate plans. Any refunds in case of
cancellation will be considered on a case to case basis after discussing with our service providers.
Note 2: The temperatures in Spiti Valley dip up to -25°C in winters. We advise the clients to buy
suitable clothing and gear for winters. People of Spiti live in this place throughout the year
without expensive warm wear so there is nothing to be afraid of. The homestays are well
insulated with a traditional heater in the rooms. The home stays will have dry pit compost toilets
in winter so carry toilet paper roll compulsory
Note 3: Snow Leopards are one of the rarest animals that exist on our planet. We will try our best
to show you Snow Leopards and have had great sightings in past years. The focus will also be on
entire Trans-Himalayan wildlife like – Siberian Ibex, Blue Sheep, Tibetan Wolves, Red Foxes,
Lammergeyers, Golden Eagles, etc.
- Company travel diary and pen
- Down jacket in returnable basis
- Duffal bag for luggage
Winters in Spiti is one of the most enjoyable times of the year. Families have a lot of time to interact with the guests and provides great opportunity for cultural exchange. Weather conditions in Spiti are harsh with shorter days and extreme cold, the temperatures can dip up to -25°C during day time and can go further down during night. As responsible travelers we request the guests to keep the Following things in mind
- Bring and use sufficient warm wear. Stay indoors during nights
- Reduce wastage of water – as water sources are frozen during winter. It takes lot of effort for locals to fetch water. Please do not demand for regular hot water baths. It is too cold to shower anyway.
- Use dry pit compost squat toilets – these are well maintained and clean toilets used for 1000s of years by locals. It is eco friendly and great for the ecosystem of Spiti.
- Respect privacy of wildlife and do not disturb them at any cost – great moments are captured when Wildlife is on their own. Disturbing them or getting too close to them is a punishable offence
- In case of any illness inform our team or the group leader. Kaza has a well equipped hospital.
- Daypack (20 L) is required when you offload your backpack to our support team.
- Trekking shoes – Sports shoes are not allowed. You need traction on snow and sport shoes with
their PVC soles are hardly the choice. Ensure the shoes are well broken in before the trek. Forclaz
500 is a good choice.
(you also need woolen socks. More expensive shoes are not really the answer to cold. Wearing 2 layers
of woolen socks is the trick.) - Carry 3 No. of track pants (at least one should be synthetic quick-dry kind). Or 3 pair of convertible
track pants with lots of pockets. Track pants are light and we highly endorse them. Plus when things
get cold you can wear one over the other. - Carry 4 Full sleeve tees preferably quick dry material.
- Bring 2 full sleeve sweaters or fleece jacket would be better option.
- A full sleeve thick jacket (Feather jacket).
- Carry 4 pairs of undergarments.
- Get 1 pair of excellent quality thermal inners.
- Carry 4 pairs of sports socks. 2 pairs of woolen socks.
- Woolen monkey cap/balaclava that cover the ear. Special high altitude balaclava that also serves as
neck warmers. - Two pair of Woolen hand gloves + synthetic glove (water proof).
- Hot water bottle.
- Sun glasses – curved ones will cover your eyes well. No blue colored sunglass — they don’t block
UV. Blacks, greens, browns are fine. Avoid multi tone sunglasses. Sunglasses prevent snow blindness.
Sunglasses are mandatory for this trek. - A woolen head-scarf or muffler. Special hiking caps with sun flaps that protect from UV
- Trekking pole is mandatory. You can buy a trekking pole. Duralumin 4-step telescopic anti-shock
trekking poles. - Light towel (should be thin, quick drying kind).
- Chapstick or lip balm. Cold cream and sun screen lotion (SPF 40+). While sun screen help prevent
sun burns, a better option is to stay covered. - 2 Water bottles (1 L each). The insulated water bottles are good but even normal water bottles will
suffice. Packaged drinking bottles like Biseleri, Aquafina and others not allowed. - Wind/Water proof jacket & trouser.
- Personal Medicine Kit Containing:
A. Crocin – 6 tablets B. Avomine – 4 tablets C. Avil 25mg – 4 tablets
D. Combiflam -5 tablets E. Disprin – 10 tablets F. Norflox – 10 tablets
G. Crepe bandage – 3 to 5 meters H. Band aid – 10 strips
I. Digene – 10 tablets J. Gauze cloth – 1 small role K. Leukoplast – 1 small roll
L. Cotton – 1 small roll M. ORS – 5 packets N. Betadine or any antiseptic cream
O. Moov spray P. Diamox – 10 tablets Q. Ino sachets. - Personal toilet kit (liquid sope, hand sanitizer, wet tissue, and toilet paper etc.)
- LED Torch with extra set of cells (head lamps preferable).
- floaters /sports sandals (for walking around campsite).
- Adequate food carry with you i. e. Chocklets, Khakaras, Chatani, Namkins, Juices, lots of mix dry
fruits & combinations as snacks.
Itinerary
DAY 1: CHANDIGARH AIRPORT TO NARKANDA (190KM/07HRS) (ALTITUDE 2700MTR)
We pick you up from Chandigarh Airport and drive you to the hill station of Narkanda. Today will be a
leisurely drive over the hills of lower Himalayas. Overnight stay at Hotel.
DAY 2: NARKANDA TO KALPA (170KM/06 TO 07HRS) (ALTITUDE 3000MTR)
Continuing on the windy roads, we descend to the Sutlej Valley near Rampur. The road meanders on
the rock carved picturesque landscape of Kinnaur along the river bank over Indo-Tibet highway. At
Powari we take the road climbing above through Pine forests to reach Kalpa. Kalpa is a beautiful Himalayan village which offers one the best views of Snow Peaks right across the valley looming large
in front of you. Kinner Kailash peak is one of the abodes of Lord Shiva. It is situated at an altitude of 3000m which helps in acclimatizing to the high altitude and journey ahead. Overnight accommodation at Hotel.
DAY 3– KALPA TO KAZA (210KM / 08 TO 09HRS) (ALTITUDE 3600MTR)
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 Nako and Mulling Nala. As you look backwards, the valley beneath and the surrounding
snow peaks makes an impression on you. The road descends down to the banks 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 Home stay.
DAY 4– KAZA TO KIBBER (19KM / 40MINUTES) (ALTITUDE 4400MTR)
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 sighting other Himalayan Mammals. Overnight accommodation at Home stays.
DAY 5, DAY 6, DAY 7– AT KIBBER (ALTITUDE 4400MTR)
The most important part of our this journey. The day you have been dreaming about. The day starts by our team of Spotters heading out in wild in search of Snow Leopards. Depending on the previous sightings and based on experience, we send our spotters to multiple locations with radios to look for Snow Leopards. Once we get information from them 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.
DAY 8– KIBBBER TO KALPA (230KM / 09 TO 10 HRS) (ALTITUDE 3000MTR)
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 Shiva.
DAY 9– KALPA TO CHANDIGARH (340KM / 11 TO 12HRS)
The journey takes you back to the City of Chandigarh. Overnight stay at Chandigarh Hotel.
DAY 10- DROP TO CHANDIGARH AIRPORT
Morning after Breakfast as per flight Schedule drop to Airport. Tour End with Sweet memories.
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Map
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