Snow Leopard Spiti: A Sightseeing Excursion in Kibber

  

Snow leopards are Wild cats and fascinating, shy animals, found at elevations of thousands of feet. We have to go to such locations to have a good look or sight of these wild, shy cats. There are several places where you can spot a snow leopard in the wild; however, no other destination is as good as Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
(established in 1992) in Spiti Valley. Its altitude ranges between 3600 meters to 6700 meters. The 2220 sq km
territory is an ideal home for snow leopards.

 

The Snow Leopard Expedition, Lahaul & Spiti Valley, is the perfect excursion for spotting the wild cat. The Journey towards Lahaul Spiti and nearby Kaza gives you maximum opportunities to come face to face with the animals, and also with the other animal species that thrive in the region.

 

Kibber is one of the biggest and Oldest Wildlife sanctuaries for all the conservation and reserve areas of the Himalayan ibex, Blue Sheep, red fox, etc. If you stay more than a month or the whole Winter, you will get the opportunity to come across all of the endangered animals.

 

Where is the Snow Leopard Sighting Excursion?

Bus Station: Kaza

Railway Station: Shimla Station

Airport:  Shimla Airport

City:  Kaza

District:    Lahaul & Spiti

State:   Himachal Pradesh

Country:   India

Continent:  Asia

Currency:  Rupees

Languages:   Tibetan, Hindi, Punjabi, English

Ambulances:  108

Police:  100

How to reach Snow Leopard Sighting?

 

 Chandigarh Airport to Rampur

 From Chandigarh Airport, book an overnight Volvo to Rampur. Ordinary buses, cabs/taxis, and Rental Bikes are also available. But the best suggestion for winter travels in Spiti is a 4*4 Vehicle with a Snow Chain Set for all the tires.  Distance Covered – 250km via NH 05  Volvo Tickets – 500/- INR per person Gypsy 4*4 – 4000/- INR per day (Self Driven)

  

Rampur  to Nako

 

Following, you can look for essential things in the Rampur market and grab all your essential things for the journey, because of the small market and town in the journey, where you will only get food-related and other household things, then head toward Kaza. As you have to cross some amazing places, you have to fill up petrol at the Powari petrol pump (Kinnaur) because there is no petrol pump up to Kaza station.

 The journey is a little Hectic. You can take a halt in Nako as it helps you acclimate and properly rest for the upcoming journey.

Distance covered – 190km via NH 05

 

Nako  to Kaza

 

Now, Early morning, after freshening, head towards Kaza. As you pass through some mesmerizing Valleys covered with snow, drive safely and slowly in Black Ice Patches. By the evening, you will reach Kaza Village. You can book your stay in Kaza. Overnight stay in a Homestay.

Distance Covered – 100km via NH505

 

 

 

Kaza to Kibber 

Early morning, we will plan our Snow Leopard Sighting and tracks report and head towards Kibber Village for further sighting plans and meet up with the locals who will help us in tracking Snow Leopard and other animals.

Kibber is located at an altitude of 4200 meters above sea level charming village full of monks and kind-hearted people. The houses and homestays are built in the traditional
Tibetan style of architecture. You will find some upgrades, but in winter, you have to stay with them in their traditional homestays and have to use dry toilets. Due to the limited availability of water, we are dependent on locals.

The village lies in the Lahaul & Spiti district. On
Reaching Kibber, you can explore nearby places as there is a good chance of sighting blue sheep and Ibex. Now, in the evening, enjoy the wooden stove heat and some local wine, and take a good rest.

How to do a Snow Leopard Sighting in Spiti?

Now you have to prepare yourself for a full-day outing and be ready to go on foot by trailing a snow leopard with some trackers. You can carry your lunch with you, or you can ask a homestay staff member to provide lunch in the specific location where you are heading for the excursion. Now, we keep calm and stay focused to
Get a sight of the rare Himalayan shy cat.

As you and other team members wander in the area tracking the shy cat, you might spot the wild cat strolling in the mountains,
looking for a hunt. In case you do not, you will have plenty of time and opportunities
in the upcoming days. Later, returned to the  Kibber Homestay.

We have to repeat the process and attend some meetings with locals to spot the shy predator of the Himalayas. Again, start early in the morning, take your packed lunches, and head out to spot a snow leopard. Walk from hill to hill, looking for paw prints that could hint at the location of a snow leopard.

 

IBEX and SNOW LEOPARD Sighting

If you spot or have any signs of spotting a Snow leopard, then do not wait for the perfect moment and immediately start clicking and recording a few pictures and video clips. Also, pass the message to spotters and trackers with the help of a walkie-talkie. Always keep in mind that these animals are a little shy and mostly keep a big distance from people, so they can disappear in the blink of an eye, so it is better to enjoy every second of the sight. As you have very little time to capture the moments.

 

If you are not able to spot or trace Snow leopards, don’t lose hope. They will come to hunt, and you will spot them the next day. Till then, you can capture many other species of the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary. Now, you can head back towards your homestay and wait for the local spotters because they are the perfect navigators and trackers in such harsh conditions where you have to face zero to minus 15 degrees Celsius. Now, enjoy the warmth of the wooden stove and share some experiences with other travelers.

Now early morning, start your search and get a head start by talking to other locals about whether they have any spotting of the wild cat. Take your packed lunches and head out to spot a snow leopard. Walk from hill to hill, looking for paw prints that could hint at the location of a snow leopard.

Click some good scenic pictures and also capture some wildlife animals. If you spot the shy cat, you are really lucky to click good footage, and now you can return to the Homestay.

 

Final Day Sighting

Today is the last day of the snow leopard sighting adventure. Early morning, before the sun comes out, pick up your packed lunch and head out for the wildlife spotting tour.

 

Since you have the last location of the shy Predator, they have evolved to hide easily in the mountainous region, so you have to look very carefully and closely. Also, the spotters will help you because it can be hard to spot one; they might be hiding behind a boulder or taking a nap.

 

As you have to leave tomorrow, make full use of the day a moment record all the beauty of the valley, create some good picture memories, and share them with your loved ones and other travelers. Now head towards the homestay and exchange your experiences with others and enjoy with your full team of Snow Leopard Expedition and Sighting Excursion.

 

Kibber to Kalpa

 

Now, after grabbing so many wonderful memories, you have to drive towards Kalpa for a one-night halt, where you have to fill up your petrol tanks in Reckong Peo. Overnight stay in Kalpa.  Distance Covered – 230km  via NH505 and NH 05

 

Kalpa To Chandigarh

Explore the beauty of Kalpa Valley, then head toward Chandigarh Airport.   Distance Covered – 340km via NH 05

 

What is the Best time for Snow Leopard Sighting?

You can visit Spiti in winter, in November, for the best Snow Leopard Sighting. I recommend December to March as the best months for sightseeing because the shy predator loves the snow and winter season. They reach nearby villages to hunt blue sheep, Mountain Goat, and other wild animals. In Summer, the chances are rare and exceptional.