Discover Spiti

Discover Spiti

Snow Leopard Expedition

Expedition for Snow leopard in Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

DURATION : 9 Nights and 10 Days

Start & finish destinations

DestinationsCHANDIGARH - RAMPUR - TABO - KIBBER

Kibber, Spiti Valley: One of the remotest places in Himachal Pradesh, at one time, known as the most treacherous place to visit, has now become the heart of Snow leopard sighting. Thanks to long term conservation efforts by well known groups, Snow leopards have been sighted here regularly. This valley is situated between Ladakh to the west and Tibet to the east!

The sightings of Snow leopards is generally between 200 to 450 metres and at eye level to few degrees angle as most of the snow leopards are comfortable because of the gorge separating the animal from human. This valley also has a good prey base and that helps the predator move in the same area.

Many home stays have mushroomed around this valley and the locals have benefitted from the tourist influx. The tourist influx has helped with employment during winter months and a fee is collected for the betterment of the village and forest.

Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary is the main area of the Snow leopard movement and with help of guides and porters, photographers and wildlife fans are taken to the sighting site. A comfortable set up for the winter months is also arranged for the guests so they can have a wonderful experience!

Chandigarh - Rampur- Tabo - KibberRampur - Chandigarh

TOUR OVERVIEW

CHANDIGARH

RAMPUR

TABOKIBBER

Day 1 -

Day 2 -

Day 3 to 8 (6 Nights) -

Reach Chandigarh before 12 PM. Meet at the common point either at the airport or the train station. Leave for Rampur. Lunch on the way. Stay at a heritage hotel in Rampur. The drive from Chandigarh with a lunch and tea break is 8 hours. Rampur height is 4000 feet. Guests stay on double occupancy.

We leave Rampur at 7 AM with packed breakfast and drive to Tabo which is at 10,500 feet. This stop is to acclimatise the guests. We will halt midway for lunch. The stay will be in a clean and functional home stay. Guests stay on double occupancy. It is 10 to 12-hour drive depending on the weather and road conditions

Early next morning, we will visit the Tabo monastery before moving to Kibber. Kibber is at 14,500 feet.

On the way to Kibber which is a 2-hour drive, if there is any sighting, we will drop you off and get you ready for photography. The porter and guide will come and help you but it is better to go up, settle in and come back once acclimatised as any exertion can lead one to mountain sickness. So depending on how difficult the sighting site is to reach, we will

decide.

Once settled in your rooms at the home stay in Kibber, you can go for a short walk around the village to familiarise oneself. In the afternoon, if there is any sighting, we will take you to the site. Mostly, we use Maruti Suzuki Gypsy Jeep so that it is convenient for the guests instead of hiking. There will be some points like 100-400 yards one may have to walk while reaching the snow leopard site. There is also Yak available in case one is comfortable to ride one.

Generally, the daily routine is as follows :Morning tea/coffee around 6:30 AM and one has to be ready by 7:15 AM for breakfast. The spotters come for a meeting by 7:15 AM and set out for the snow leopard sighting sites. Once the breakfast is done, the guest can step out to see Blue Sheep, Red Fox and Ibex. Generally, we encourage everyone to stay close to the home stay till they have one good sighting of snow leopard and then pursue other wildlife.

Lunch is generally served at the snow leopard sighting site. If there are no sightings, on some days, we will stay back at the home stay and have lunch there.

Dinner is always at the home stay. In between the meals tea/coffee/snacks are served at the site and in the home stay. Mineral water is provided free of charge throughout the trip. Each room has a wood fired hot stove and electric heater for heating. Each bed has an electric blanket. Heavy quilts are provided. Bath towels are also provided. There is a generator set if the electricity goes out.

There is no running water in winters. Hot water will be provided for freshening up every day. For use of toilet, it is a dry toilet. Wet wipes and toilet paper are provided. Bathroom is separate and hot water will be provided in case someone wants to take a bath.

A porter is provided for each guest. You don't have to lift anything. Your camera is carried by the porter and he will also carry

your daytime camera bag/ back pack. Extra scanner & guides for maximum chances of quick and confirmed sighting. You will be provided with a walking pole and a chair/stool while sitting down for photography. Insulated mats are also provided.

Oxygen tank is also carried along with the group while going to the sighting site. Oxygen saturation measurement device for any symptoms of shortness of breath. The escort will watch over you and is available for any issues. There is arrangement of dropping the guest to lower altitude if suffering from mountain sickness or shortness of breath.

Any detour for new or different sites for Snow Leopard sighting. Any extra help needed or extra trips by the helpers to get equipment or other essential items from the home stay to the sighting site. This is the routine for 6 days.

Early morning departure from Kibber to Rampur. Stay at a Heritage Hotel.

Early morning departure from Rampur to Chandigarh to catch the flight to go home.

Day 9 -

Day 10 -

Naturextreme India Private LimitedNo. 924, Ground floor,

20th main, 14th cross,

BSK 2nd Stage,

Bangalore 560070

Website: www.naturextreme.com

info@naturextreme.comE Mail:

Phone: +919180244244

PACKAGE DOES NOT INCLUDETHE PACKAGE INCLUDES

1. 9 Nights stay in hotel & home stays on twin sharing basis. (Please enquire for single occupancy rate)

2. Airport pick up and drop off by a Tempo Traveler.

3. Walking pole and chair for the trek and sighting.

4. Porter for help carrying equipment and guide for sighting.

5. All applicable forest entry fees, guide fees and vehicle charges.

1. Soft drinks and hard beverages.

2. Medical expenditures of any personal nature.

3. Food ordered other than what is mentioned above.

4. Any other incidental expenditures not included and specified in the cost.

5. Tips & Gratuity.

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