Winter Snow Leopard Expedition

Welcome to the Snow Leopard Expedition with Spiti United!

Spiti United

Winter Expedition

This is an incredible opportunity for you to explore the stunning landscape of the Spiti Valley in the Indian Himalayas and catch a glimpse of one of the most elusive and majestic big cats in the world, the snow leopard.

Over the course of this expedition, you will be led by experienced guides who are intimately familiar with the region and its wildlife. You’ll hike through pristine snow-capped mountains, navigate narrow trails, and camp under starry skies, all while searching for the elusive snow leopard.

In addition to the thrill of spotting the elusive big cat, you’ll have the opportunity to learn about the culture and traditions of the local communities, who have lived in harmony with the harsh landscape and its wildlife for generations.

This expedition is not just a chance to see a magnificent animal in its natural habitat, but also an opportunity to deepen your appreciation for the natural world and the need for conservation efforts to protect these incredible creatures and their fragile ecosystems. So, get ready for an unforgettable adventure and a journey of discovery with Spiti United!

Learn More

Winter Snow Leopard Expedition - Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Chandigarh and transfer to Shimla Upon arrival in Chandigarh, you will be met by a Spiti United representative and transferred to your hotel in Shimla for an overnight stay. Use this day to rest and recover from your journey, or explore the city if you arrive early enough.

Day 2

Shimla to Kalpa After breakfast, you'll start your journey towards Kalpa, a small town in the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh. The journey will take you through scenic mountain roads, passing through charming villages and apple orchards. After reaching Kalpa, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the town and acclimatizing to the high altitude.

Day 3

Kalpa to Kaza Today, you'll continue your journey towards Kaza, the largest town in the Spiti Valley. The drive will take you through some of the most remote and breath-taking landscapes of the region, including the infamous Hindustan-Tibet highway. Upon arrival in Kaza, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day resting and acclimatizing.

Day 4

Kaza to Kibber After breakfast, you'll drive to Kibber, a small village located at an altitude of 14,200 feet and known for its stunning natural beauty and wildlife. Upon arrival, check into your homestay and spend the rest of the day acclimatizing and exploring the village.

Days 5 to 10

Snow Leopard Expedition Over the next six days, you'll embark on a snow leopard expedition in the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Each day, you'll head out into the field accompanied by experienced guides and one porter per participant, in search of the elusive snow leopard and other wildlife such as Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep or Bharal, Red Fox, Tibetan Wolves, Golden Eagles, and Vultures. You'll have ample time to observe and photograph the wildlife, learn about their behaviour and habitat, and enjoy the stunning mountain landscapes.

Day 11

Early morning departure to Rampur Bushahr Today, you'll depart early in the morning and drive towards Rampur Bushahr, a small town located in the Shimla district. Upon arrival, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the town and its surroundings.

Day 12

Rampur Bushahr to Chandigarh drop off After breakfast, you'll drive back to Chandigarh, where you'll be dropped off at your designated location. From here, you can continue your journey to your next destination or head back home with unforgettable memories of your Snow Leopard Expedition with Spiti United.

Inclusive of

Vehicle hire for 12 days
Hotel in Shimla inclusive of dinner and breakfast
Hotel in Kalpa inclusive of dinner and breakfast
Homestay in Kaza inclusive of Dinner and breakfast
Homestay in Kibber inclusive of Lunch Dinner and Breakfast
Facilities in the homestay in Kibber – Firewood heaters, Hot water, Twin and Double sharing beds available, generator back up.
Spiti United expert Snow Leopard spotters who will be looking for the snow leopards daily
1 porter per participant for 6 days of Snow Leopard Expedition
Forest department permission to organize Snow Leopard Expedition in Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
Hotel in Rampur Bushahr with breakfast
Driver fees

Not Inclusive of

Camera fees charged by the Forest department.
Village council fees
Laundry at the Homestay
Anything extra ordered from the menu of the Homestay.
Any activities which are not mentioned in the itinerary and require additional expenses or vehicles that extra cost must be covered by the participants.
Mineral Water

Here’s a list of essential items you should carry for a snow leopard expedition to Spiti:

Warm clothing

Temperatures in Spiti can drop below freezing, so carry enough warm clothes such as thermal wear, fleece jackets, insulated pants, woolen socks, and waterproof gloves.

Good quality trekking shoes

You will be trekking in the snow and icy terrain, so make sure to carry waterproof, sturdy, and comfortable trekking shoes with good grip.

Backpack

A sturdy and comfortable backpack with enough capacity to carry your personal belongings, camera equipment, and other essentials.

Sleeping Bag

Carry a good quality sleeping bag rated for sub-zero temperatures as the accommodation during the expedition may not have sufficient heating.

Headlamp or flashlight

Carry a headlamp or flashlight with extra batteries for safety and convenience.

Sunglasses and sunscreen

Carry sunglasses to protect your eyes from the bright snow and sun, and sunscreen to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays.

Medicines and first-aid kit

Carry any essential medications you may require, along with a basic first-aid kit that includes band-aids, painkillers, and other essentials.

Water bottle and hydration system

Carry a sturdy and leak-proof water bottle or hydration system to stay hydrated during the expedition.

Camera equipment

Don't forget to carry your camera, extra batteries, and memory cards to capture the stunning landscapes and wildlife of Spiti.

Personal hygiene items

Carry your personal hygiene items such as wet wipes, tissues, hand sanitizer, and other essentials as the facilities during the expedition may be basic.

It's important to pack light and carry only the essentials to ensure that you have a comfortable and hassle-free expedition. Additionally, make sure to check the weather forecast and the specific requirements of the expedition with Spiti United before packing your bags.

Booking Process

Inquire about the available dates:

The guest needs to contact Spiti United to check the available dates for the Snow Leopard Expedition. They can do this by visiting their website or contacting them via email or phone.

Confirm the booking

Once the guest has confirmed the available dates, they can proceed with the booking by paying a 30% deposit as an advance. Spiti United will send them a confirmation of the booking along with payment details.

Pay the remaining balance

The guest will need to pay the remaining balance of the trip cost one month prior to the expedition. Spiti United will send them a reminder about the pending payment along with payment details.

Complete the necessary paperwork

The guest will need to complete any necessary paperwork required by Spiti United for the expedition, such as a liability waiver or medical form.

Receive pre-departure information

Spiti United will provide the guest with pre-departure information about the expedition, including the itinerary, packing list, and any other relevant information.

Join the expedition

The guest will meet the Spiti United representative at the designated pick-up location in Chandigarh on the first day of the expedition and begin their Snow Leopard Expedition.

It’s important to note that the booking process may vary depending on Spiti United’s specific policies and requirements. The guest should carefully read and understand the terms and conditions of the booking before making any payment.

Terms and Conditions

behind the word mountains, far from the countries Vokalia and Consonantia, there live the blind texts. Separated they live in Bookmarksgrove right at the coast of the Semantics, a large language ocean. A small river named Duden flows by their place and supplies it with the necessary regelialia.

Part 1: Payment Policy

To confirm your participation in the Snow Leopard Expedition tour, please follow these payment guidelines:

Deposit 30% of the tour amount into the account mentioned by the tour organizer upon receiving an invoice.
Pay the remaining 70% of the payment to the tour organizer 30 days before the tour’s start date or according to their instructions.

Part 2: Insurance Policy

We recommend that you obtain an extensive insurance policy that covers the duration of your journey.

Part 3: Mode of Payment

You can make the payment for your tour in the following ways:

Paypal (Traveler is responsible for Paypal fees)
Wire Transfer to our bank account (Traveler is responsible for bank fees)

Part 4: Cancellation Policy

Change in Contract Contents:

If you want to change the itinerary or contents of the tour, the tour organizer will comply to the extent possible. You will need to pay a cancellation fee and any other costs incurred for the change in arrangements. Any increase or decrease in the Travel Fee resulting from the change will be borne by the traveler.

Voluntary Cancellation by the Traveler:

You may cancel the tour at any time. If you do, you will need to pay a cancellation fee, any penalties, and a fee for cancellation procedures.

Cancellation Due to a Cause Attributable to the Traveler:

The tour organizer may cancel the tour if you have not paid the Travel Fee by the due date or become unable to pay the debt for such reasons as an invalid credit card. You will need to pay a cancellation fee, any penalties, and a fee for cancellation procedures.

Cancellation Due to a Cause Attributable to the Company:

If it is impossible to make arrangements for Travel Services due to causes attributable to the company, you may cancel the tour. The company will refund the Travel Fee already received, excluding any costs for transportation or accommodation already paid.

Please note that in the event of cancellation of tour/travel services due to any avoidable/unavoidable reasons, you must inform us in writing. Cancellation charges will apply from the date we receive your written advice. The refund amount for a cancelled trip after commencement will be limited.