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Snow Leopards of India — 2026


Tour overview

India, a land of extremes, boasts a myriad of wild landscapes, from the snow-capped Himalayan peaks in the north to the coastal plains in the south, the deserts and salt pans in the west to the evergreen rainforests in the northeast, the Gangetic river plains to the mangrove forests in the east, and the mountain forests of the Western Ghats in Peninsular India to the tiger havens of Central India. The country is home to an astounding diversity of five big cats, including Tigers, Asiatic Lions, Leopards, Snow Leopards, and Clouded Leopards, unmatched anywhere else on the planet.

On this incredible tour, we journey high into the Himalayas in search of the elusive Snow Leopard, also known as the Grey Ghost. Our adventure takes us to the stunning Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary in the heart of the Spiti Valley, a region renowned for its breathtaking scenery, deep gorges, winding roads, and snow-clad mountains. Spiti is a place of unparalleled beauty and adventure, which must be experienced to be truly understood. In recent years, it has gained fame for remarkable snow leopard sightings and photographic opportunities, making it a bucket-list destination for any big cat enthusiast. Tracking such an elusive species on foot in this adventurous landscape is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival in Delhi and take a domestic flight out to Chandigarh on arrival. Overnight in Chandigarh. 

Day 2: Departure from Chandigarh at 8 a.m. We drive 6–7 hours through the beautiful hill stations of Shimla, Kufri and Narkhanda before we arrive at our beautiful hotel in Rampur Bushahr. The Nau Nabh Heritage Hotel belongs to the palace complex of the Maharaja of Rampur and is renovated into a beautiful modern hotel. 

Day 3: Today, we depart at the crack of dawn towards Recong Peo where we make a stop to secure our inner line permits required to enter the restricted areas of Spiti Valley. After the paperwork, we proceed to Kaza for the night. Along the way, we will make a number of stops to capture any wildlife we see, including Snow Leopards, and mountain ungulates like Blue Sheep and Asiatic Ibex, Red fox, several species of Birds and not to forget the stunning landscape. 

Day 4: We depart Kaza after breakfast towards our destination – Kibber. In 2 hours, we will arrive at our Snow Leopard Homestay On arrival, Guests will have time to rest and relax until lunchtime before we head out for the evening to photograph birds and landscapes. 

Day 5–10: Over the next 6 days, we will head out each morning after a breakfast to some of the vantage points where our snow leopard scanners would head out earlier in the day. This would maximize our chances of spotting the cats. Between sightings, we will also focus on photographing other wildlife in the region, including Asiatic Ibex, Blue Sheep, and Red Fox, and if luck is on our side, the Tibetan Wolf too. On one of the mornings, we will start early to photograph the landscapes from a vantage point at first light. 

Day 11: After a heaty breakfast, we will depart Kibber towards Kaza and onward to Rampur. We relax at Nau Nabh for the night. 

Day 12: We depart early in the morning to arrive in Chandigarh by noon, in time for an evening flight back to Delhi. 

Acommodations

We will establish our base in a remote village, where accommodations are simple yet comfortable, offering an authentic connection to the mountains. Embracing local traditions, our rooms feature traditional heating for an immersive stay. Be prepared for the extreme cold, with temperatures potentially dropping to -25°C. In case of frozen water pipes, chemical toilets will be available. To ensure a warm and cozy night's sleep, we highly recommend bringing your own cold-resistant sleeping bag as an extra precaution.

Interested in this unique experience? Ask for a quote!

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August 21

Jaguars of the Pantanal II — 2025

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January 30

Tigers & Leopards of India — 2026