Snow Leopard Photography Tour
Duration: 14 Nights / 15 Days
Destinations: Delhi – Chandigarh – Rampur – Tabo – Chicham – Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
Tour Date: Last Saturday of February 2025
Package Cost: Price on Request
- Introduction
- Itinerary
- Price
- Map
IN SEARCH OF SNOW LEOPARD
This trip is focused in searching world’s most elusive & least seen big cat, Snow Leopard, also known as the White Ghost of Himalayas. We explore the high frozen Himalayas of Spiti Valley in search of this beautiful Cat around Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary at an altitude of approx. 4270 mtrs / 14000 Feet.
From Delhi It will take us 03 days to get to this place via Chandigarh, Shimla, Rampur, Tabo, Kaza & finally Chicham village next to Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Chicham village would be our base for this expedition. We would stay for 06 nights at Chicham home stay and go out every morning in search of Snow Leopard and other wildlife found in this region. The success rate of snow leopard sightings in Spiti is over 50% which is the highest in the world. Elsewhere, wildlife lovers spend years searching for this elusive animal.
As we enter and stay at the trans-Himalayan region where temperatures might reach below -25 degrees Celsius during winters with low oxygen level, a reasonable degree of fitness is desirable for this expedition. To track and scan the Snow Leopards, moderate walking (1 – 2 hours) may be required to reach places where sightings are reported. Also note that water is a luxury in this region during winters nor it is advisable to take a bath specially at Tabo &Chicham. As the water freezes in the pipelines the normal toilets would be replaced by dry toilets so it is advisable to carry toilet rolls and wet wipes. There are 02 common dry pit (local long-drop) toilets in the home stay. Although recently they have also installed / kept Chemical Toilets as well. The home stay also has a cozy dining room where we take our breakfast & dinners.
Snow leopards are the goal during this trip, but we are also hoping to encounter; Asiatic ibex, Himalayan blue sheep also know as Bharal, Red foxes, Tibetan wolf, and among the avian species Lammergeier or the Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, European Goldfinches, common Rose Finches, Tibetan Snowcock.
Major essentials equipment’s to carry are:
- Telephoto lenses preferably above 500mm, Teleconverters preferably 1.4x, Wide-angle lenses for landscapes and habitat shots and a good sturdy tripod.
- Extra camera batteries, memory cards and heavy duty Power Banks for emergency charging of camera batteries and phone.
- Binoculars if possible.
- Heavy Woolen Clothing good for -20 to -30 degrees Celsius ( down Jacket/s + Sweater/s + Cap/s + Socks + Glove/s + Inner upper & lower Thermal/s + Fleece Balaclava + Fleece Nightwear)
- Hiking Boots preferably warm.
- Raincoat/Wind-cheater to protect you from snow. Warm buff for the face.
- Rain and dust cover for camera gears.
- Personal Toiletries, toilet rolls and wet wipes.
- Basic first aid and personal medications.
Personal Water Bottle (Preferably Thermos bottle/flask to carry hot water).
COST INCLUDES
- Accommodation in well-appointed comfortableRooms on Single occupancy for 06 nights at Chandigarh, Rampur & Delhi in the above-mentioned hotels.
- Accommodation at Tabo &Chicham in Local Home Stay with common 02 dry pit / long drop toilets. The attached toilets with the rooms are locked and not functional during winters.
- Rooms at Tabo &Chicham with electric heaters.
- Meals as mentioned above. All meals are included during the trip, whereas stay in Delhi is with Breakfast only.
- For Transport, comfortable Tempo Traveler vehicle (10 Seater) for all the transfers included in the tour program.
- Porters for each participant at Chicham for 06 days to carry camera equipment.
- Walking Poles, Foldable Stools / chairs to rest on the field during Snow Leopard sighting.
- Inner line Permits, Wildlife Permits, camera fees, trackers and porter charges, and Community village Council fee.
- Two Scanners/ spotter during Snow Leopard sighting days
- Service tax levied by the government.
COST EXCLUDES
- Any personal expense such as laundry bills, beverages / drinks bill, telephone bills, airport tax etc.
- Tips for drivers, Porters, Scanner & hotel staff. (Approx GBP 100 Per Person for the entire trip)
- Travel Insurance
- Cost incurred due to change in itinerary due to bad weather, road closure/block, heavy snowfall, factors beyond control.
- Any expense on emergency / medical evacuation due to personal reason.
- Any International or domestic flights.
- Any other services not included in the inclusions sections.
TOUR ITINERARY
| Day 01
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ARRIVE DELHI
Arrive Delhi and transfer to Hotel. |
| Day 02 | DELHI – CHANDIGARH (260 KMS / 05 HRS)
Morning after breakfast drive to Chandigarh (05 hrs drive) |
| Day 03 | CHANDIGARH – RAMPUR (230 KM / 07 – 08 HRS)
After breakfast drive to Rampur, we come across Shimla, the summer capital during British Raj. First 02 hrs drive is on the plains and the remaining the foot hills of Himalayas. Arrive Rampur in the late afternoon.
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| Day 04 | RAMPUR – RIKONG PIO – TABO (260 KMS / 08 – 09 HRS)
After having breakfast, we head further to Rikong Pio (about 03 hrs drive) where we have do some paper formalities to get Inner Line Permit for Foreign visitors) (02 Passport Size Photographs required)After getting our Inner Line Permit we continue our drive to Tabo. Today the drive is through mesmerizing snow clad landscape. The views are stunning with snowcapped mountains. As we enter the Trans – Himalayan Region we will experience a change in topography and landscape from forested belt to rocky and barren mountains and also a major change in the temperature. We will halt for lunch and tea on the way. Driving along the Satluj and Spiti rivers, we enter Tabo village. Our stay will be at a homestay today. |
| Day 05 | TABO – KAZA – CHICHAM ( 70 KMS / 03 HRS)
After breakfast we visit the oldest Buddhist Monastery of the valley and one of the oldest in the country. Thereafter we drive to Kaza, the largest township and commercial centre of Spiti. On the way we might step out to take photographs of the breathtaking trans-Himalayan landscape. After crossing Kaza we head to our Snow Leopard sighting destination Chicham located at 14,000 feet. This will be our base for the next 6 nights. Lunch on the way or after we arrive at Chicham. Meanwhile our trackers/spotters would have started tracking the Snow Leopard today. As its our first day at this altitude it’s advisable to have rest at the lodge / homestay to avoid any mountain sickness. |
| Day 06 /10
|
CHICHAM – KIBBER WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
WILDLIFE EXPLORATION Our routine during 5 days at Chicham is that we come to dining room around 07.00 am for morning Tea / Coffee and the go back to our rooms to get ready. We again come back to dining room for breakfast around 08.00 am. Our Spotter / Guide leave early to scan Snow Leopard. Our Porters come to the home stay to carry our stuff (day bag / Tripotetc) depends on the news we get from any of the Spotters / guides we decide to go to the Sighting spot. Usually post breakfast around 09.00 we get some news on Sighting place. We then take our vehicle to that spot. Our Staff / Porters carry the Lunch and we normally take Lunch at the Snow Leopard sighing place. Dinner is always at the home stay in the evening. Our local team also carry folding chair to the sighting place to sit & relax. |
| Day 11 | CHICHAM MORNING SNOW LEOPARD EXPLORATION – AFTERNOON DRIVE TO TABO (70 KMS / 03 HRS)
We spend the morning at Chicham for snow leopard exploration and later in the afternoon after having Lunch drive to Tabo. |
| Day 12 | TABO – RAMPUR(260 KMS / 08 HRS) |
| Day 13 | RAMPUR – CHANDIGARH (230 KM / 07 HRS)
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| Day 14
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CHANDIGARH – DELHI (260 KMS / 05 HRS) |
| Day 15 | DELHI DEPARTURE |
