The Grey Ghost’s Trail : Snow Leopard Expedition at Kibber Wild Life Sanctuary...

In the high mountains of the Himalayan realm rules a mysterious cat. Stealthy. Powerful. Legendary. And Endangered. It is the Grey Ghost – the Snow Leopard (Pantherauncia). Off Route Trails takes you on an adventure to the hidden jewel in the Himalayas – Spiti – in winter. Temperature plummet way below freezing and a white blanket of snow covers most parts of this primeval landscape. Join us on this exclusive expedition through some of the most breath taking landscapes while travelling in one of the harshest terrains of the world. Photograph the diverse wildlife that survives in the extreme habitat- the Blue Sheep, Himalayan Alpine Ibex, Nubian Ibex, Himalayan Fox.

Travel Highlights :

• Sightings, photography & habitat study of the elusive Snow Leopard and other Himalayan high altitude wild lives like The Great Himalayan Ibex, Blue.

• Sheep, Red Fox, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffons.

• Winter snow covered landscape of the high altitudes of Himalaya.

• Experiencing the lives of the local population residing in these extreme Himalayan high altitude terrain.

Travel Itinerary :

• DAY 1 – pick up from Chandigarh in the morning and proceed towards Rampur. Relax for the day since your body needs to get acclimatised to the cold as well as altitude . N/s at Rampur

• Day 2 - after breakfast, its time to continue our journey upwards as we head towards Tabo. As it’s really a long and scenic journey you might feel tempted to stop at various corners to click photos but make sure that we reach on time at Tabo. N/s at Tabo.

• Day 3 – after breakfast we will proceed towards Kibber/Chicham village. Enroute we will visit Kee Monastery and then depart for Kibber/Chicham. You will be assigned to your rooms, and given a brief orientation of the team who would be with you, on field and in the hotel. Take complete rest as the coming days would involve extreme trekking in snow and at a high altitude.

• Day 4 to Day 8- Tracking the Himalayan Ghost “The Snow Leopard”. We start our day early morning & after breakfast we leave to explore nearby regions. The entire region surrounding the village is snow leopard territory. In this region you have high chances of observing and spotting other wildlives such as Blue sheep , Ibex, Red Fox, Golden Eagle, Himalayan Griffons, a lot of different bird species as well. On all of your trekking days your lunch will be carried along on field.

• Day 9- Time to return back to base. We will descend to Kalpa. Take rest as you have had an adventurous experience in the higher Himalayas. N/s at Kalpa.

• Day 10- reach Shimla by evening. Relax and take a stroll on the mall area in the evening. You may opt for some souvenir collection at the local market at Lakkar Bazar. N/s at Shimla

• Day 11 - drop to Chandigarh by evening for your return journey back home.