SNOW LEOPARD EXPEDITION
FEB. 27TH -MAR. 14TH, 2026
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Snow Leopard photography in the Indian Himalayas
Embark on a thrilling 14-day expedition into the rugged wilderness of the Indian Himalayas, where the elusive snow leopard reigns as the apex predator. This journey takes you to the high-altitude regions of Ladakh or Spiti Valley, renowned for their breathtaking landscapes and rich biodiversity.Your adventure begins with altitiude acclimatization through picturesque mountain villages, where you’ll meet expert naturalists and local trackers who will guide you through the expedition. The journey unfolds through snow-clad valleys, rocky terrains, and windswept ridges, offering a rare chance to explore the pristine beauty of the Himalayas. This expedition offers you the rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most remote and rugged terrains, in search of a creature so mysterious, it has earned the nickname “Ghost of the Mountains.”
The snow leopard, with its smoky-grey coat patterned with black rosettes, is a master of camouflage. These big cats inhabit altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 5,500 meters, making the snow-clad slopes and craggy ridges of the Spiti Valley their perfect sanctuary. Known for their incredible agility and stealth, snow leopards are incredibly shy and often hard to spot, but for the few lucky adventurers, witnessing one in its natural habitat is an unparalleled experience.
The Terrain. Spiti is a high-altitude desert, located at the edge of India’s northernmost state, Himachal Pradesh. This remote valley is characterized by its stark beauty – barren cliffs, deep gorges, and towering peaks that seem to touch the sky. The landscape is dramatic yet mesmerizing, where vast snowfields and frozen rivers form the backdrop for your journey. The harshness of the environment adds to the sense of adventure, with each step revealing a new, breathtaking panorama.
The Weather. Winter in Spiti is not for the faint-hearted. Temperatures can plummet to as low as -20°C (-4°F) or even lower at night, and the air is thin, requiring visitors to acclimatize slowly to the altitude. The winds can be fierce, and snowstorms may sweep in without warning. Despite the severe conditions, winter is the best time to spot snow leopards as they descend to lower altitudes in search of prey. The frigid cold, biting wind, and unpredictable weather test your resilience, but they also heighten the thrill of this wild pursuit.
The Thrill of Adventure. This expedition isn’t just about spotting a snow leopard – it’s about the entire journey. The challenge of navigating a frozen, unforgiving world where survival is a daily battle brings an unparalleled sense of adventure. Trekking across snow-blanketed landscapes, scanning ridgelines for signs of wildlife, and braving the intense cold creates a powerful connection with nature. The thrill of the unknown and the sense of stepping into a world where few have ventured make this experience truly extraordinary!
About Your Leader….
Anuradha (Anu), is an erstwhile IT-marketing professional, who has work for renowned IT companies like NIIT and MIcrosoft. She gave up, as the lure of being out in the wilderness paled in comparison to a high flying corporate career. Quitting her job gave her greater flexibility to pursue photography fulltime and over the years, she has travelled extensively across various wilderness domains, documenting natural history moments.
Anu has been a Canon brand ambassador,in the past, championing women in the field of photography. She has delivered several training sessions for canon as well as several prestigious institutions. She also conducts wildlife tours in Indian and several other Asian & African destinations.
Anu contributes her photographic and written works to photography and nature magazines, books and online platforms. She has authored the recently published Official Coffee Table book of Corbett National Park, India’s and Asia’s 1st National Park, a place she considers to be her second home. While she loves to travel and shoot for its simple pleasure and for the joy of being in the moment, awards and accolades have not eluded her, she has been honoured by Sanctuary Asia, International Nature Namur, Golden Orchid International, National Biodiversity Authority Photography Awards, Network for Certification and Conservation of Forests, PEFC International, UNESCO to name a few.
4 Participants
$11,200 (based on double occupancy)
FEB. 27TH -MAR. 14TH, 2026
DAY 01: FEB. 27TH Arrival in Delhi
Pick up from the New Delhi- Indira Gandhi International Airport and transfer to your hotel for the night (B&B) As most international flights to India land late at night, you might prefer to arrive a day or two in advance to rest or explore India’s rich cultural heritage. We are happy to assist with any pre-tour arrangements you may need.
DAY 02: FEB. 28TH Delhi – Chandigarh –THANEDAR (2350 M) 200 km / 6 hrs
Our journey begins with an early morning flight to Chandigarh We’ll meet at the hotel lobby and proceed towards the airport. Over the next few days we make our way from the Indian Plains to the beautiful Baspa river valley with a stopover at Banjara Orchard Retreat, Thanedar for a night. Overnight stay: Banjara Orchard Retreat
DAY 03: MAR. 1ST Thanedar – KALPA (2950 M) 145 km / 5.5 hrs
We drive on the old Hindustan Tibet Road, enter Kinnaur, and reach Reckong Peo, the HQ of Kinnaur District. Here we will procure PAPs (Protected Area Permit, mandatory for foreign nationals entering Spiti from Kinnaur) for foreign nationals in the group. Once done, drive up in about 20 minutes to the mountaintop village of Kalpa. Enjoy exhilarating views of the Kinner Kailash Massif on clear days. You also have the opportunity to see some nice monasteries, temples, and the quaint village of Roghi.
Overnight stay: The Grand Shamba-La or similar
DAY 04: MAR. 2ND Kalpa – KAZA (3800 M) 213 km / 7 hrs
After breakfast, we will make the move to Spiti. En route, in Upper Kinnaur, we will stop at Nako to see the lovely lake here. Later, after entering Spiti, we will stop in Tabo to see the over 1000-year-old monastery. Reach Kaza, settle into your room, rest, and acclimatize.
Overnight stay: Sakya Abode or the best available homestay
DAY 05: MAR 3RD Kaza – CHICHAM (4300 M) 19 km / 45 minutes
After a leisurely breakfast, head to the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary: en route, we will stop to see the glorious Ki Monastery, perched on a hilltop that offers sprawling views of Spiti Valley and the surrounding peaks. Reach the Kibber WLS and go over Asia’s highest suspension bridge that hangs over a 1000-foot-deep gorge to reach the village of Chicham. Rest and acclimatize to the ultra-hi altitude. Those feeling well-acclimatized and fit can indulge in the wildlife spotting experience from today itself.
Overnight stay: Tethys Himalayan Den
DAY 06 – 13: MAR. 4TH – 11TH CHICHAM – spot wildlife in the Kibber WLS
Located at 4270 metres above sea level, Chicham is a part of Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary which has a thriving population of Snow Leopards. Chicham will act as your base for the coming days, as you venture out seeking the elusive Snow Leopard, and more.
Eight days in Chicham will be spent making the most of the Spitian winter.
Our team of expert spotters will be out in the field early, and we will start each day with an early breakfast, ready for action. As soon as a snow leopard is spotted, we’ll drive directly to the location.
Over the next seven days, we’ll dedicate our time to searching for the snow leopard, while also photographing other wildlife such as Ibex, Red Fox, and Blue Sheep, as well as the expansive, majestic landscapes. Our typical daily schedule will be:
• Early morning: Spotters head out to the field.
• Early breakfast followed by a briefing based on the spotters’ findings.
• While waiting for updates, we’ll explore and photograph wildlife and landscapes.
• If a snow leopard is sighted, we’ll quickly head out in 4×4 Gypsy vehicles to the sighting location.
• Lunch will be served either at our homestay base camp, in the field, or on-the-go, depending on the day’s events.
• Dinner will be back at the homestay.
Beyond snow leopard tracking, we will also be using these days to include, cultural insights, star gazing, and other such activities, like photographing the Key Monastery, Tabo Monastery (one of the oldest in the Buddhist tradition), and immerse ourselves in the culture of Kibber village. We’ll stay in a charming lodge, fully immersed in Himalayan life.
DAY 14: MAR. 12TH Chicham – RAMPUR BUSHAHR (1050 M) 315 km / 9 – 10 hrs
Bid your adieus at The Den and begin the long drive back to warmer climes and a bit of urbanization in Rampur Bushahr, on the base of the Sutlej Valley. Stay in a heritage property.
Overnight stay: Nau Nabh Heritage or similar
DAY 15: MAR 13TH Rampur Bushahr – Chandigarh 225 km / 7 -8 hrs
After breakfast, drive up into the higher reaches of the Shimla mountainside at Narkanda; descend via Theog, Kufri, Shimla, and Solan to get to Chandigarh for the night.
DAY 16: MAR. 14TH Chandigarh – Delhi
Depending on flight schedule, head to Chandigarh Airport for our return flight to Delhi. Overnight accommodations will be available, allowing you to rest and keep your room until your departure to the airport. You may schedule your departing flight as early as 10:30 PM if preferred. Alternately you may choose to rest and opt for a flight the next day, however this calls for an additional day’s accommodations and you may put in a request for the same.
FEB. 27TH -MAR. 14TH, 2026
FEB. 27TH -MAR. 14TH, 2026
Cancellations are only effective upon WIWP receiving a written cancellation notification, signed by the client. Deposits and payments are used to secure and pay for the client’s accommodations, transportation, guides, internal flights and all aspects of the client’s trip and are non-refundable.
We understand that conflicts arise, so if you need to cancel and if WIWP fills your spot at full price prior to the due date of the final payment, a refund, less a 20% administration fee and
less any non-refundable air tickets purchased, single supplement, etc. may be issued; however, there are no guarantees. We strongly recommend purchasing trip insurance, in most cases this will be your only opportunity to recoup non-refundable fees.
In the event a client fails to join a safari/tour/workshop, join it after departure or leave it prior to its completion, no tour fare refund will be made. Some airfare may be non-refundable and WIWP is not responsible for providing a refund for any penalties or non-refundable airfare. There will be no refunds from WIWP for any unused portions of the tour. The above policy applies to all travel arrangements made via WIWP.
CHANGE IN TOUR/WORKSHOP:
WIWP will make every attempt to operate a safari/tour/workshop once confirmed, but will reserve the right to cancel and/or change a trip at our sole, reasonable discretion at any time due to insufficient bookings, unsafe or undesirable travel conditions for the participants and/or reasons beyond its control, such as: strikes, wars, acts of God, acts of government, civil unrest or any other cause whatsoever, that may make operation of the tour impossible, illegal, or inadvisable.
In the event that WIWP changes or postpones the date(s) or itinerary of any safari/tour/workshop due to any reason set forth above, then no refund shall be due to the client.
In the event that WIWP cancels the tour, then all tour payments received from the client shall be refunded, and said refund will be the limit of WIWP’s liability. WIWP is not responsible for any expenses incurred by clients in preparing for the trip, including non-refundable or penalty-carrying airline tickets, special clothing, visa or passport fees, or other tour-related expenses.
Accommodation for 16 nights in a double room. (singles may be available in Delhi upon request)
Included Meals:
Thanedar, Kalpa, Kaza & Rampur Bushahr – Breakfast & Dinner
Chicham – Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
On spotting days, a hot lunch will be served in the field
Refreshments on spotting days
Transportation using 02 vehicles:
Toyota Innova Crysta with snow-tire-chains Ex- Chandigarh
Local 4 x 4 Jeep for the spotting days
There is a chance that Ex-Chandigarh we will use SUVs like Fortuner/Scorpio/ Suzuki Jimny / XUV 700. In this case, the same vehicles will be used on the spotting days.
Domestic flight Delhi to Chandigarh and back
- International flights to and from Delhi
- Meals that are not stated in the included section (most meals are included)
- Travel insurance
- Alcoholic beverages
- Trip Insurance
You need basic physical fitness for this expedition as some days may be tiring despite the services we provide in terms of vehicle and porter support. The fitter you are the better it is for you as a photographer. So just start working on your fitness before your trip just to make the experience better for yourself. Mental strength is the key. Determination can move mountains and this is just an expedition!
To prevent altitude sickness (acute mountain sickness), it is recommended to take Diamox 250 mg twice daily, starting three days before the trip and continuing for three days after the trip begins, pls consult your doctor regarding this. However, it is essential that you schedule a medical check-up with your doctor at least three months before the trip to ensure you are fit for the altitude and can safely take this medication. Additionally, if you suffer from breathing disorders, hypertension, heart conditions etc which may affect your being at high altitudes, please take your doctor’s consent before you commit to this trip. You will be ascending from 1,000 feet to 6,000 feet, then to 11,000 feet, with most sightings occurring at around 14,000 feet. Therefore, participants should be in good physical condition. It will be mandatory for all participants to submit a fitness certificate.