Snow Leopard Expedition

We begin this Spiti Valley Winter Expedition by hitting the road from Shimla. We pass through the popular towns of Sarahan and Rampur-Bushahr before entering the spectacular Kinnaur Valley. If the day is clear, we might catch a glimpse of the famous Kinner Kailash Peak – said to be the summer abode of Lord Shiva.

Upon your arrival at Kalpa, you will be treated to a piping hot cup of tea to warm you up before settling into your comfortable hotel room. However, it’s important to note that during the peak of winter, the road to Kalpa can sometimes become unsafe and inaccessible. If this happens, we will make alternate arrangements for your stay in Rampur. You can rest easy knowing that we will ensure you have a comfortable and safe overnight stay at a hotel in Rampur or Kalpa.

After a comfortable night’s rest at Rampur / Kalpa, we set off on the famous Hindustan-Tibet Highway. We will encounter the convergence of Spiti and Khab on the way. Famed for its spectacular views and proximity to Tibet, this road snakes north into Nako, the last hamlet of Kinnaur district.

We will reach Spiti Valley after Sumdo. We will visit the famous 500-year-old Mummy in a village called Geyu.

We have a steaming hot lunch at Nako, before entering the magical Spiti Valley. Here, we spend the night at a comfortable and authentic homestay in Tabo. 

On this day, we will spend some time in Tabo Monastery, UNESCO World Heritage before we arrive in Kibber. This will be a 3-hour drive, if there is any Snow Leopard midway from this journey, we will try to spot it. While trying to spot the snow leopards, you need patience abundance and a bit of luck. These animals are extremely good at camouflaging with the surroundings. You need to be patient while on the lookout for this rare Himalayan wildlife. You will be looking at one, and not know it unless it moves. Hence it is extremely important to go on the snow leopard sightings with oodles of patience and concentration. The sharp eye of a local guide who is well aware of its characteristics enhances your chances of spotting one.

We will be spending some time in Tabo Monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site before we continue to Kibber. The drive will take around three hours, and if we happen to come across a Snow Leopard during our journey, we will try to spot it. However, spotting a Snow Leopard requires a great deal of patience and a bit of luck, as these animals are incredibly good at blending in with their surroundings.

It’s highly recommended to go on Snow Leopard sightings with a local guide familiar with their habits, as this can increase your chances of spotting one.

Our expert spotter narrows down the most likely locations for snow leopard sightings using their extensive local networks. After exploring Kibber, we will venture out into Chicham village and try spotting the elusive species.

Apart from the snow leopards, the region is also home to other Himalayan wildlife like Ibex, Blue Sheep, Eurasian lynx and Shanko (red fox). The team will engage with locals during this duration. 

The region is also known for producing the exquisite pashmina. We will try our hands to understand the process of producing classic and exclusive Pashminas. We will beat the frigid winter temperature of Spiti by indulging in cooking local cuisines using locally sourced ingredients. The team will hike to the Tiri Phu monastery and immerse ourselves in the serenity of the place before resuming our regular life.

Exploration of Spiti isn’t over yet. We begin the fourth day with a drive to the renowned Ki Monastery. The car will first stop at the base of the monastery hill for the ultimate photo opportunity of this remarkable structure amid white snow. With over 1000 years’ worth of stories to tell, the Key Monastery, situated at a height of 13,668 ft was founded by a disciple of the famous Atisha, in the 11th century CE. Belonging to the Yellow Hat or Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, this monastery is famous as a prominent centre of learning, as well as a refuge for Tibetans. Being remotely located atop a hill overlooking endless plains, the Key Monastery is an obvious choice for those seeking peace and calm.

Later, we drive to Hikkim to visit the world’s highest post office. If you are lucky, you might even meet the postmaster and hear his stories.

After completing our picturesque journey around Spiti, we will finally reach Kaza and rest here overnight.

The sixth day marks the end of this expedition. We make our way south towards Kinnaur Valley. After a scenic and memorable drive, we will end the journey at Rampur. Overnight stay at a hotel in Rampur.