SNOW LEOPARD EXPEDITION
FEB. 27TH-MARCH 14TH, 2026
4 Spaces Available!
Embark on an unforgettable journey into the heart of the Spiti Valley, where the elusive Snow Leopard roams across the stark, high-altitude landscapes of the Indian 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.
Accommodations.
You will be staying at well-appointed hotels In New Delhi , Shimla Kaza, Kalpa and Rampur
Your accommodations at Kibber, would be in a home stay which is fully furnished with all facilities. Room heaters, fire-place, electric blankets, dry and wet toilets and delicious food and of course a warm family and their team to host you. The home stay is also equipped with basic medical equipment’s. A 4×4 vehicle would be available all the time not only for wildlife and landscape photography purpose but also for emergency use.
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.
To maximize your chances of spotting snow leopards, we have our team of expert spotters. These spotters will be working tirelessly, equipped with wireless sets to track and relay sightings. Their dedication will significantly enhance your opportunity to see and photograph the elusive “Grey Ghost of the Himalayas.” You might be surprised by how close we sometimes remain to the vehicles, but even moderate hiking at elevations between 11,000 and 14,000 feet can be physically demanding. To ensure your comfort and focus on photography, each participant will be paired with a personal porter/guide who will assist you with your gear. These guides are among the finest in the world, making your experience both seamless and enjoyable.
Experienced Leader and guides. It is important to note that your leader, Anu Marwah has extensive experience leading Snow Leopard tours and works with the highest rated guides in the area.
Welcome to the Snow Leopard Expedition – where adventure, nature, and the wild meet in one of the world’s most awe inspiring locations!
About Your Leader…
Anuradha (Anu) Marwah, 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 (double occupancy only)
Payments due Aug. and Nov. 2025
*Custom payment plans are available, please inquire.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
ITINERARY & PLAN.
The above itinerary might be subject to minor changes and alterations in case of certain inclement and unforeseen weather conditions.
WEATHER & TEMPERATURE.
The temperatures in the peak of winters can drop as low as -33 Deg C at night and will be around -10 to -15 Deg C during the day when we go for spotting the elusive Snow Leopard.
MEALS & FOOD.
As we move closer to Spiti, most places we stay at will provide you with set meals. These set meals will be a mix of traditional North Indian / Spitian / Continental cuisine.
WHY A PORTER?
There will be a porter who will accompany you on the walking safari in the Kibber wildlife sanctuary every day. The porter will help in carrying all of your equipment / Food and refreshments, as you may find carrying your own equipment tedious as you would not be fully accustomed to the low oxygen and walking in the snow if not habituated is tough.
LOCAL GUIDE.
A Local guide will always be with the group to help and guide the group over the terrain and the area.
ACCOMMODATION & FACILITIES.
The Spiti winter can be harsh and the remoteness of the area adds to that. There will be days and places during the course of this tour where the standard urban comforts might not be available. However, homestays and local places in the villages that we will be staying in should have heating for a comfortable nights’ sleep. Our base in Spiti for the Snow Leopard Expedition will be Tethys Himalayan DEN – Chicham. With only 4 operational rooms in the winters, you can be assured of exclusivity and privacy.
HEATING: All rooms and beds will be provided with electric bed warmers that will work when the main electrical supply is available. Every room will have a small wood fired heater which will be lit up once by the staff when you’re done with dinner / 15 min before you retire for the day. (NOTE: This heater is to help warm you up to retire peacefully for the night will not be fed with more wood through the course of the night or be reignited).
BATHROOM / TOILET: Due to the intense winter and remoteness of the location there are limitations in what we can do. There will be ‘no running water in the pipes’, we will however be able to maintain functionality by providing hot water in buckets and bowls. Out of the 4 operational rooms: 2 rooms remain functional with their attached bathroom. 2 rooms will have to share a common toilet / bath.
TYPICAL DAILY SCHEDULE & HOMESTAY RULES in CHICHAM
Scanners and spotters go out early in the morning to gather information and look for where the Leopards are. You will be provided with a hot water bucket to clean up and get ready for the day by
07:30 hrs.
Breakfast will be served between 0830 to 0930 hrs after which the group with the guides and porters will leave for the daily spotting based on the information received from the scanners.
Lunch will be served between 1300 to 1430 at the homestay or be sent to the field for the entire group.
We will usually start heading back to the Homestay by around 16:00 hrs to warm ourselves back up with evening Tea and wood fired heat.
Dinner will be served between 1930 to 2030 hrs.
On days when we return early from the Safari, we will be happy to take you on a cultural tour around the village to give you an insight into the lives of the locals and how they live and spend their lives in this extreme and harsh climate.
ELECTRICITY.
The electrical supply can be unpredictable and sometimes absent for extended periods. Though we will have back up for lighting up your rooms and living spaces, there may not be a provision to charge power intensive devices on that back up. Thus, it is recommended that you carry extra batteries for your cameras.
TEAM COMMUNICATION.
Besides having their mobile phones which will be in network most of the time, our team of scanners will be having Walkie Talkies to communicate with each other and also satellite phone to relay information back at the homestay.
FIRST-AID & MEDICAL BACK-UP.
The accommodation in Chicham will always have enough medical back up including oxygen cylinders, considering the high altitudes that we will be staying at. Our team is qualified and adept at using the apparatus needed in case of an emergency.
MOBILE & INTERNET CONNECTIVITY.
Communication and connectivity are not something Spiti is well-known for. However, recent developments have now connected the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary to 4G connectivity via JIO 4G. Unusually long bad weather spells can sometimes mean complete disruption of mobile connectivity. Pls let your loved ones back home know that you may not be accessible at all times or for long spells in case of bad weather conditions.
EQUIPMENT – You need 600-800mm focal lengths for shooting snow leopards typically. In case you don’t have that reach you can rent out the lenses for this expedition. Tripod is a must. Shorter focal lengths and wide angles should be kept handy as well.
A Travel Insurance to protect your investment, is strongly recommended along with an emergency medical Insurance for travel.
FEB. 27TH-MARCH 14TH, 2026
Day 1 (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 2 (Feb. 28th): Chandigarh –THANEDAR 6hrs
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 3 (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 4 (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
Days 5 (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 6-13 (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
Overnight stay: Tethys Himalayan Den
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-MARCH 14TH, 2026
FEB. 27TH-MARCH 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.
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
Wildlife spotting: experience over 08 – 09 days in the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
Personal porters to carry a backpack & camera while trekking to spot wildlife
A dedicated team of 02 scanners equipped with walkie-talkies. The scanners will head out early in the morning in different directions within the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary and update the trip leader & local guide about the best locations for sighting on that day. Based on the information received, the coordinator will lead the guests on hikes to spot wildlife.
Certified local wildlife guide
Wildlife Sanctuary Entries & Village Fees for pax and 01 camera per pax (ADDITIONALL CAMERAS NEED TO BE PAID FOR)
Spiti PAP for foreign nationals
International Airfare
Accomodations before day 1 or on or after day 16
Meals not mentioned in Inclusions
Trip Insurance (highly recommended)
Gratuities
Physical Fitness – 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. 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.
Coming soon.