Snow Leopard Expedition
Duration: | 12 Days |
Season: | December, January & February |
Difficulty: | Medium to Advanced |
Highest Altitude: | 4,900 Meters |
Region: | Spiti in Himachal |
Guests: | Maximum 8 |
Temperatures: | December: Max -6 C (21.2 F) Min -27 C (-16,6 F) January: Max -7 C (19.4 F) Min -28 C (-18.4 F) February: Max -7 C (19.4 F) Min -28 C (-18.4 F) |
Overview:
Brief Itinerary of your Journey
- DAY 1: You will be met at Delhi airport & escorted to your hotel.
- DAY 2: Early morning flight from Delhi to Chandigarh. Drive 4 1/2 hours to a beautiful B & B in Mashobra
- DAY 3: Drive from Mashobra to Sangla - a 7 hour drive
- DAY 4: From Sangla drive another 7 hours to your destination, Kaza.
- DAY 5: Acclimatize at Kaza (12,400 ft)
- DAY 6-9:: Four full days of tracking the elusive Snow Leopard and other wildlife with our guides
- DAY 10: Drive from Kaza to Rampur Bushair - night at a heritage hotel
- DAY 11: From Rampur Bushair you will drive to Chandigarh and take a flight from Chandigarh Airport to Delhi.
- DAY 12: Check out from your hotel and transfer to Delhi airport for your flight back home.
Detailed day by day itinerary
Arrival In India
On your arrival at New Delhi International Airport you will be met just outside the “Arrival” area by a chauffeur of Roseate House hotel. The chauffeur will have a placard with your name clearly mentioned.
You will be driven from the airport to the Roseate House hotel which is located about 3 kms (2 miles) away and will be just a short 5 minute drive.
Please note that Check In is at 2 pm – early check in may or may not be possible without additional payment.
Get a good night’s rest after your long flight and get ready for your Himalayan adventure.
Accommodation: Roseate House, Aerocity New Delhi
Meals: None included
Delhi To Chandigarh To Mashobra
After an early breakfast the concierge will arrange your transfer to the airport. Your short one hour flight from Delhi will bring you to Chandigarh. Chandigarh was designed by the French architect, LeCorbusier in the 1950s – even though it is a Union Territory, it also is the capital of the two adjoining states of Punjab & Haryana.
At Chandigarh Airport you will be met by your host for this exciting journey. Drive from the airport to Mashobra/ Narkanda (2,150 meters) – this journey will take about 4 1/2 hours. The small hill station of Mashobra is located just outside Shimla, the state capital of Himachal and is connected to Shimla through the historic Hindustan-Tibet Road built in 1850. We will be spending the night at a lovely Bed & Breakfast.
Accomodation: B & B in Mashobra
Meals: All meals included
Drive To Sangla
After an early breakfast we will begin our drive to the town of Sangla (2,700 meters). The town of Sangla is located in the Baspa Valley, which is also referred to as Sangla Valley in the Kinnaur District (famous for its apples) of Himachal. This town lies close to the border of India and Tibet.
This drive will take about 7 hours in your 4×4 vehicle. You will be driving along the pristine Sutlej river. We will be staying the night in Sangla.
Accommodation: Hotel in Sangla
Meals: All meals included
Drive To Kaza
The final drive will take you from Sangla to our final destination of Kaza (3,800 meters). The town of Kaza is located in the remote Spiti Valley of Himachal in the Western Himalayas.
This drive will take anywhere between 6 to 8 hours, depending on the weather. Winter is a magical time in this region and the sights will leave a lifelong impression and those interested in photography will have plenty of opportunities to capture some beautiful and breathtaking landscapes.
We will check into our homestay at Kaza and get some rest after the long journey.
Accommodation: Homestay in Kaza
Meals: All meals included
Kaza
Today is a day to acclimatize due to the height (3,800 meters) of Kaza and its rarified air. The author, Runyard Kipling, described Kaza as “a world within a world”. If you feel rested then you can visit the famous and beautiful Kaza Monastery – this is a landmark of the area and attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Accommodation: Homestay in Kaza
Meals: All meals included
Tracking The Snow Leopard
Every morning we will head out from Kaza in our 4×4 vehicles. Our drives will take us in different directions and will allow us to enjoy the amazing landscape of the Spiti Valley in winter covered by fresh snow. Drives will also be interspaced with short hikes to explore the trails of the elusive snow leopard. Everyday we will drive 1-2 hours, depending on weather conditions – we will then trek around the area in order to increase the chances of sightings. Some guests may wish to trek more than others and that will be taken into account and arrangements made accordingly.
Once we have achieved our main goal of spotting the Snow Leopard we will move our drives & treks to other valleys where there is a lesser chance of catching a glimpse of this elusive cat, however, if we are able to do so then you will be rewarded with a much closer sighting and usually for a longer period of time.
Besides the beautiful Snow Leopard we will also be on the lookout for the variety of wildlife that is found in this region – these include the Himalayan Blue Sheep, Ibex, Ibex Himalayan Wolf (Shankhu) and the Red Fox. Different species of birds that are not seen in the plains will also be our target – these will include the Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Vulture, Himalayan Snow Cock, Oriental Turtle Dove, Rock Pigeon etc.
Accommodation: Homestay in Kaza
Meals: All meals included
Kaza To Rampur Bushair/kinnaur
After a hearty breakfast we will bid farewell to our hosts at Kaza and begin our journey back. We will drive (9 to 10 hours) to the town of Rampur Bushair (or Kinnaur) where you will be staying the night
Accommodation: Hotel Nau Nabh, Burshair
Meals: Breakfast & packed lunch included
Rampur Bushair/kinnaur To Chandigarh To Delhi
After an early breakfast we will undertake the final leg of our road journey. The drive to Chandigarh will take about 7 1/2 hours.
Connect to your flight from Chandigarh to Delhi. On your arrival at New Delhi International Airport you will be met just outside the “Arrival” area by a chauffeur of Roseate House hotel. The chauffeur will have a placard with your name clearly mentioned.
You will be driven from the airport to the Roseate House hotel which is located about 3 kms (2 miles) away and will be just a short 5 minute drive.
Accommodation: Roseate House, Aerocity New Delhi
Meals: Breakfast & Lunch included
Departure From India
Do inform the concierge of your flight timings so that your transfer to the airport can be made at the appropriate time.
Please note that the check out from Roseate House is at 10 am – a late check out may be requested but would depend on availability.
Accommodation: None
Meals: Breakfast included