Snow Leopard Trek

Snow Leopard Trek is one of the most sought after winter treks, slowly becoming popular in our country. And one of the main attractions of Spiti is the Snow Leopard – one of nature’s most beautiful animals, but as elusive as the mythical Yeti.

Safari Monks takes you on an adventure to the hidden jewel in the Himalayas – Spiti – in the winter of 2023. Temperatures plummet way below freezing and a white blanket of snow covers most parts of this primeval landscape. The herbivores descend from the highest reaches of the mountains in search of food and water. And, following its prey, so does the Snow Leopard, across the snow-covered terrain to Kibber National Park and Pin Forest Reserve.

Along with snow leopards, you can spot blue sheep, argali, Tibetan wolf, Eurasian brown bear, Himalayan marmot, mountain weasel and Himalayan mouse hare.

A breathtaking journey through one of the last outposts of India, unravaged by civilisation. Wander along picturesque, yet remote villages, visit monasteries dating back a thousand years, meet amazingly warm and kind people who live in the severest of conditions, and experience an eclectic culture and cuisine.

The trip is scheduled from 1st – 10th February 2024. Stay has been arranged at homestays to give you a peek into the local life. You will be accompanied by our well-equipped team comprising spotters, guides, cooks and helpers with essentials and luxuries.

The tour package inclusions and exclusions at a glance

What is included in this tour?

Stay as per the itinerary. (Homestay at Kibber)
All meals – breakfast, lunch, Dinner
Customised meals to suit your tastes
Room Heaters/hot water bags, provision of electricity at stay place.
Experiences at each destination as specified in the itinerary.
Trained spotters to go ahead
Agency representatives accompanying the team always in a lead vehicle.
Travel in Taveras/Safari (4 guests in a vehicle) all through the route.
Provision of enroute refreshments.

What is not included in this tour?

Flights/Trains into Chandigarh and out of Chandigarh
(This can be arranged by us at flight costs prevalent at the time of confirmation).
Inner Line Permit fees for foreign nationals, if any.
Refreshments at non-scheduled stops during the journey.
Any expenses, personal in nature, like laundry, tipping etc.
Shopping expenses, adventure activities, etc if any.
Alcoholic Beverages or any related expenses.
Personal Accident/ Medical Insurance Cover, as per the individual’s requirements.
Any extensions in stay, self chosen or due to circumstances beyond our control.
Anything else not present in list of inclusions.

Day 1

Pickup from Chandigarh

Pickup from Chandigarh between 9:00 AM and 10:00 AM.
Begin the scenic drive towards Rampur Bushahr.
Guests arriving by flight or train should reach Chandigarh before 8:00 AM.
Overnight stay: Rampur Bushahr.

Day 2

Leave from Rampur Bushahr

Start early in the morning and drive towards Kaza.
Enjoy breathtaking snow-covered mountain landscapes along the way.
Opportunity to spot wildlife such as Blue Sheep, Ibex, and Red Fox.
Arrive in Kaza by late evening.
Overnight stay: Kaza.

Day 3

Kibber Acclimatization

After breakfast, drive to Kibber Village.
Kibber is located at an altitude of approximately 14,000 ft, making it important to acclimatize.
Spend the day resting and preparing for the upcoming wildlife expedition.
Overnight stay: Kibber.

Day 4 – Day 8

Snow Leopard Expedition

Begin the exciting search for the elusive Snow Leopard.
Explore the beautiful landscapes of Spiti Valley with experienced wildlife spotters.
Daily hiking and wildlife photography sessions.
Sighting locations may vary depending on recent wildlife activity.
Overnight stay: Kibber.

Day 9

Return to Rampur Bushah

Depart from Kibber early in the morning.
Drive back towards Rampur Bushahr.
En route, keep an eye out for high-altitude birds and Himalayan wildlife.
Overnight stay: Rampur Bushahr.

Day 10

Departure to Chandigarh

After breakfast, begin the return journey to Chandigarh.
Arrive in Chandigarh by late afternoon.
The tour concludes with unforgettable memories of the Spiti adventure.

The Home-stays and Lodges

The Red Fox Homestay will be your home during the Snow Leopard Expedition in Kibber Village (14,000 ft). It is one of the most ideal and convenient homestays to stay at in Kibber.

If you seek to experience authentic Spitian culture, spend your days in the homes of the local people rather than confining yourself to a hotel room. Our homestay welcomes guests into a surreal setting surrounded by vast stretches of untouched natural beauty.

The traditional living room and bedrooms are equipped with room heaters to ensure a warm and comfortable stay. Spend time with your hosts, learn about their lifestyle, traditions, and daily life in Spiti. If you need any assistance regarding your expedition into the wild, our team will always be happy to help.

Let this be your mantra:
Experience Spiti like a local. Wander like a nomad.

How do we tackle the extreme cold weather?

During this tour, we may encounter temperatures as low as -25°C or even lower. The only way to manage such low temperatures is to be very well equipped. We will send you a list of must-have equipment that will help you face the cold weather. When you are well-equipped, you should be able to fight the cold weather well after your body gets acclimatized in a day or two. There would still be some discomfort but nothing that would prevent you from actively enjoying the tour.