Snow Leopard Trek - Spiti
Himachal • 9 Days
₹39000 + 5% GST
Shimla to Shimla
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Brief Description
Snow Leopard - the elusive big cat is best seen in the mountains of Spiti in the winter months of December to March when the valley is painted white with snow-clad landscapes and stunning visuals. This unique itinerary curated specifically for you will give you a once in a lifetime opportunity to track and spot a snow leopard in its natural habitat with the help of local guides and experienced trackers. Explore the harsh yet stunningly gorgeous winter settings on the Spiti valley in search of the most exotic wildlife that call this beautiful place their home. This trek is best done between the months of January to March. Even though this doesn't involve a lot of trekking it is recommended to have good physical fitness and mental endurance to brave the brutal conditions of Spiti winters. Stay on this page for more information on the Spiti Snow Leopard Trek.
Itinerary
Itinerary
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Shimla to Kalpa - 225 km Drive
Report in Shimla by early morning and board your vehicles for the drive to Kalpa. We will drive through the precipitous Sutlej gorge to the beautiful Kinnaur valley till Kalpa. You will get the first view of Kinner Kailash today. Overnight in hotel / guest house in Kalpa.
Kalpa to Kaza - 200 km Drive
Travel from Kalpa to Kaza village in Spiti valley. Overnight in hotel/guesthouse/homestay.
Introduction and acclimatization day in Kaza
Your first day at altitude will be utilised for acclimatising with the elevation gain, orienting with the terrain and introduction with the guide and other members.
Kaza to Chicham - 21 km Drive
Today we will drive to Chicham, one of the most isolated villages in Spiti. We will rest and acclimatize to the altitude. This will also be your base for the next few days as the chances of spotting snow leopards is high in this region.
Snow Leopard Spotting
We explore different reaches of the valley in search of the snow leopard where they frequent with the help of local trackers and guides.
Snow Leopard Spotting
We spend the day in the same place waiting patiently to spot these snow leopards, the majestic beasts and other wildlife that is indigenous to Spiti valley.
Snow Leopard Spotting
Number of days spent on the area in search of the snow leopard depends on the inputs from the local guide. We come back to Kibber today evening.
Kibber to Kalpa - 220 km Drive
Today we drive from Kibber to Kalpa. Overnight stay in homestay/guesthouse.
Kalpa to Shimla - 225 km Drive
Today we drive back to Shimla from Kalpa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pick your question
Transport: In case we opt for the transport with you, where will you pick us from and where will you drop?
We will pick you up from Shimla ISBT and the drop off location remains the same.
Transport: What time will you drop us at the end point on last day of the trek?
Expect to reach Shimla by late night.
Mandatory documents: What are the mandatory documents required for the trek?
ID Proof (Soft Copy to be sent to us in Advance & original to be carried) and Medical Certificate (Soft Copy to be sent to us & original to be carried) are the mandatory documents required for this trek.
Miscellaneous : Is there an option to offload my backpack?
If you want to offload your rucksack, you will have to make a request for offloading a few days prior the trek through an email so that arrangement can be made in advance. You will be charged per day for offloading your rucksack. In case you decide to offload on the spot, you may have to pay a higher price than usual. However offloading your rucksack is not recommended since it is not a safe practice.
Miscellaneous : Who will lead us on the trek?
A team of participant will be led by a course certified trek leader and a local guide. All participants are requested to abide by what their leader says. There will also be a team of kitchen staff and porters on the trek. We maintain 1:8 ratio of trek leader and participants. All our trek leaders and staff have a certified training in first-aid and rescue operation.
Miscellaneous : Is the trekking pole necessary?
It is not mandatory but it is more convenient with the pole. If you don’t want to buy one, you can rent it from us on minimal daily basis charges. You can request the renting link from us.
Miscellaneous : Are there any local stores/shops from where I can shop trekking necessities?
It is recommended to come prepared with all the necessities and buy the same beforehand.
Miscellaneous : Is it safe for a solo woman traveller to trek in Fixed departures?
Yes, it is absolutely safe for solo woman to travel in fix departures. Women on the trek will be sharing tent with each other. In case you are the only woman on the trek, you will be given a separate tent.
Miscellaneous : Will you give certificates on completion of trek?
Yes, e-certificates will be given at the end of each trek provided that you completed it. It will bear your name, the trek, and the maximum altitude you achieved on the trek.
Weather conditions: What will the temperatures be like during this trek?
Winters in Spiti are very harsh and extremely cold. With heavy snowfall and temperatures plummeting to -20 to -30 degrees.
Weather conditions: When will there be snow on this trek?
There will be snow on this trek.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of tents and sleeping bags will be provided to us?
We provide 4 seasons tents by Gipfel for higher altitudes which can easily withstand heavy snowfall and storms. They are spacious enough to accomodate 3 people at once with a vestibule to place the backpacks Our sleeping bags are made up of Heatseeker Pro synthetic insulation that can provide you comfort in -10 degrees celsius. We also use additional fleece liners to have thermal efficiency even in the extreme temperatures of -17 degrees Celsius. If you carry your own sleeping bag, you will get a cashback reward, provided that you inform us as soon as you have booked your trek.
Equipment and facilities: Are there any washroom/toilet facilities on the trek?
Toilet tents will be provided to you on the trek.These are portable toilets tents where a deep pit will be dug. A shovel will be provided inside the tent to cover the waste after you have made your business. You can take a toilet roll inside. Make sure you dig used toilet paper along with the waste. Though water is recommended in place of toilet paper. Please refrain from using wet wipes as they are non-biodegradable. There will be no facility for bathing on the trek. Go through our blog section for tips on how to maintain personal hygiene on treks.
Equipment and facilities: If we trek in snow, what equipment will you provide?
You will be provided with good quality of gaiters and microspikes from us depending upon the situation of the snow. Our trek leaders will also be carrying ropes and ice axe.
Equipment and facilities: What kind of food will be provided for the trek?
Vegetarian food will be served throughout the trek. The only non-vegetarian item served on our treks are eggs. Our kitchen staff follows a proper menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner which has been designed in order to fulfil the nutritional requirements of the participants. There will be milk, poha, eggs, muesli/corn flakes, bread and butter served for breakfast. Rice or simple roti sabzi will be packed for lunch. In dinner, you will have dal, egg curry or any other vegetarian dish along with rice, roti, and a dessert item. Packed lunch will be provided to you on the days you are trekking. You are requested to carry your own tiffin box and a mug to consume food. The meals consumed on journey and arrival day are not included in our cost.
Equipment and facilities: What equipment can I rent from you?
You can rent following items from us- Trekking Pole, Trekking Shoes, Fleece Jacket, Rucksack
Accommodation: What will be the accommodation type in this trek?
You will be accommodated in a mix of hotel/guesthouses/homestays. On the days we go in search of the snow leopard, we will be staying in tents and camps.
Age limit: What is the minimum & maximum age limit?
The minimum age limit is 13 years. However, minors aged between 13 to 17 should be accompanied with their parents or guardians. If you are above the age of 60, kindly carry a medical certificate from your doctor that deem you fit for adventure activities like trekking.
Nearby attraction: What are the nearby attractions that I can explore?
The high altitude villages of Komic, Demul, Langza are some of the most pristine places to explore in Spiti along with the likes of Tabo and Nako. Similarly, Kalpa in Kinnaur valley and the exquisite Sangla valley are some of the most amazing destinations one can look forward to visiting. Shimla which is considered as the quintessential travel destination has a range of good options for you to explore.
Connectivity: How to Reach the base of the trek & how to go back from the end point?
The base of the Spiti Snow Leopard Trek is Shimla which is easily accessible by road, rail and rail from Delhi and other major cities. From Shimla our vehicles will pick you up and drive to Kaza in Spiti valley.
Connectivity: What is the cellular network connectivity for this trek?
Kaza has intermittent network service but mostly BSNL. There will be little or no signal beyond Kaza.
Packing List: What to pack
Click here for packing list.
Packing List: How should I pack my rucksack?
Packing List: How should I select my trekking shoe?
Best Season: What are the best months to visit this trek?
December to March are the best months to visit this trek.
Eligibility: Experience required
This trek can be done by both beginners and experienced trekkers. For beginners, it is recommended to have good physical fitness and learn about campsite basics, ascending and descending on mountain trails, basics of high altitude acclimatization process.
Eligibility: Fitness benchmark
- Jog/Run for 5 Kms in 25-30 mins or Walk continuously for 10 kms (with 3-4 small breaks) on plain terrain (slight incline is better) - You would be required to produce a screenshot from a fitness app testifying the same
- Hold your breath for 30-35 seconds
If you are not meeting these benchmarks, please use the preparation schedule to improve your fitness till you achieve the above benchmarks.
Eligibility: Requisite Skills
- Know campsite basics like how to use a sleeping bag, sleeping tent, toilet tent.
- Ascending & descending technique for mountain trails
- Basic mountain mannerisms
- Ascending & descending on snow
- Basics of Mountain Sickness
- Basics of Mountain Hazards
- How to cross small water streams
About the activity: Why should I go for this trek?
Snow Leopard Trek - Spiti
The Spiti Snow Leopard Trek is a once in a lifetime opportunity to witness the elusive big cat which calls the high mountains of Spiti its home and this is best done in the winter months when the valley is covered in snow. It is a wildlife enthusiast and a nature lovers paradise. You will be accompanied by local guides and experienced trackers who will take you through the snow-clad mountains of Spiti valley in search of the snow leopard and other exotic animals indigenous to this region.Why Bikat
Why Bikat
Learning Experience
- We are an Adventure Learning Organisation first.
- We want you to not just complete a trek safely but also pick up some basic trekking knowledge and skills along the way.
- To achieve this we have integrated learning modules into our itineraries.
- These modules will help you build the necessary skills to progress from trekking to mountaineering over time.
Loyality Programs
Our community is an integral part of us and we take pride in our trekkers and climbers. When you complete at least three days on any trek or expedition with us, you become eligible for our membership and referral programs.
- Currently we have three levels:
- Basic Membership
- Summiteer Membership
- Leader Membership
Personalized Attention
- Our group sizes on treks don’t exceed 15 members in order to maintain a healthy Participants : Leader Ratio of 8:1.
- Over time we have found this number to be optimum when it comes to ensuring personalised attention to every member of our group.
- On mountaineering expeditions this number is even smaller. Our group sizes are capped at 12 members ensuring a Participants : HAP Ratio of 2:1.
Best Expedition Leaders
- Our Expedition leaders are advanced mountaineering course qualified, specially trained in rescue procedures from NIM and certified first-aid responders.
- Even our local guides are certified first-aid responders.
Eco-friendly Practices
- Group sizes are capped at 15 people.
- Batch sizes are capped at 250 people per trail per season.
- We follow a rolling campsite model.
- We are constantly exploring and introducing new trails to reduce the burden on existing ones.
Safety
For us, a successful summit is not about reaching the highest point of a mountain but about making it safely back to base.
- To ensure this:
- Every region of ours is mapped with an emergency evacuation plan.
- The equipment we use is UIAA certified.
- Our trek leaders are AMC certified with specialisation in rescue procedures.
- Our support staffs are trained in first aid as well.
Reviews
What's Included
Whats Included
- Camping/Homestay during the trek
- Food as per menu on trek days
- Experienced on-site scanners.
- First aid medical kit including oxygen cylinder
- Experienced Guide and Support staff
- Transport to and from Shimla
- Mountaineering course certified Trek Leader with First Aid certification
Whats Not Included?
- Cost of any kind of Travel Insurance.
- Any Expense of personal nature.
- Any Expense not specified in the inclusions list.
- Meals during road journey
- Entry Fee/Permit Fee/Camera fee/Village maintenance fee (to be payable on the spot by the customer). Camera charges vary for different sizes of lenses.
Cancellation Policy
Cash Refund
Cancellations up to 30 days prior to departure date
5% Deduction
Between 30 days to 15 days prior to departure
50%
deduction
Less than 15 days of departure
No Cash Refund
Voucher Refund
Cancellations up to 5 days prior to departure date
No Deduction
Cancellations less than 5 days prior to departure
No Refund
Please note
- Cash refund is applicable only in case of bookings made without using any promotional offer code or vouchers.
- This is only a brief of cancellation terms. For finer details please refer Detailed Cancellation Policy.
Blog Posts
How to Choose the perfect pair of Trekking Shoes?
Sarthak Madan 21 May 2021
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Your choice of trekking shoes can make your trek a blissful or blister-full experience based on how well it fits you. A good pair of trekking shoes is the most essential piece of equipment you will use while hiking.&n
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