Travel questions? Speak to our expert
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Delhi – Chandigarh – Shimla – Kalpa – Chicham – Rampur – Chandigarh - Delhi
13 Days & 12 Nights
Hotels, Himalayan Lodges & Eco-Homestays
The Snow Leopard Expedition is an elite, high-intensity pilgrimage into the stark, sub-zero wilderness of the trans-Himalayan Spiti Valley. Operating at altitudes exceeding 4,150 meters, this bucket-list journey offers a rare opportunity to track the apex predator of the peaks—the ghost of the mountains, the majestic Snow Leopard. Beginning with a gradual overland ascent from Delhi through Shimla and the apple orchards of Kalpa, the route is meticulously designed to ensure vital high-altitude acclimatization before you enter the rugged gorges of Chicham Village. Supported by native trackers, elite wildlife spotters, and local porters, this winter expedition is tailored explicitly for professional wildlife photographers, serious naturalists, and adventurers who want to experience the rawest frontier of Indian wildlife tracking.
Upon arrival at New Delhi International Airport, you will be warmly received by our representative and escorted via private vehicle to your city hotel. Settle in and attend a thorough orientation detailing your train links, extreme weather clothing recommendations, and high-altitude safety guidelines.
Overnight stay: New Delhi
Board the morning Kalka Shatabdi Express from New Delhi Railway Station for a comfortable, scenic 3.5-hour rail journey in an air-conditioned chair car to Chandigarh.
Upon arrival in Chandigarh, step into your private mountain-ready vehicle for a winding, highly picturesque 4-hour drive climbing up into the Shivalik foothills to Shimla, the former colonial summer capital of India. Settle into your hotel and spend an evening walking past the heritage architecture of Mall Road.
Overnight stay: Shimla
Enjoy an early breakfast before departing deeper into the mountains toward Kalpa, an exquisite village perched in the Kinnaur district. The drive runs parallel to the roaring Sutlej River, carving through deep mountain tunnels and pine-forested slopes. Reach Kalpa by evening to witness the sunset lighting up the jagged peaks of the Kinner Kailash range.
Overnight stay: Kalpa (Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Morning: Leave the tree lines behind as you ascend into the true high-altitude cold desert of Spiti Valley. En route, pause at a centuries-old Buddhist monastery to observe the peaceful local monastic life.
Afternoon: Arrive at your destination: Chicham Village, a remote, snow-blanketed settlement sitting dramatically at 4,150 meters (13,615 feet). Check into your cozy, specially insulated local homestay. This will serve as your dedicated basecamp for the next 7 nights. Spend the evening resting completely to allow your body to naturally adjust to the oxygen levels.
Overnight stay: Chicham Homestay (All Meals Included)
Over these six dedicated days, immerse yourself completely in the winter rhythm of the Spiti Valley.
The Routine: There is no rigid daily timeline. Each morning starts with local spotters scouting the high ridges at dawn. Based on real-time tracking reports and fresh pugmarks, you will set out by foot or via 4×4 vehicles into the deep gorges surrounding Chicham, Kibber, and the pin valley perimeter.
The Field Experience: Spend your days stationed at active vantage points. To ensure your ultimate comfort during long, freezing stakeouts, our team sets up field shelters, insulated ground mats, foldable stools, and keeps hot Himalayan tea and snacks flowing.
Cultural Photography: Interspersed with tracking, capture portraits of local village life, interact with community elders, and visit the iconic, snow-crowned Key Monastery.
Overnight stays: Chicham Homestay (All Meals Included, Medical Oxygen on Site)
Say goodbye to your hosts in Spiti and begin your long overland descent. En route, take a short detour to the remote Gue Monastery, home to a well-preserved, 500-year-old naturally mummified monk. Watch the dramatic winter landscape slowly give way to the green valleys of lower Himachal as you reach Rampur.
Overnight stay: Rampur (Breakfast & Dinner Included)
Set out early after breakfast, driving down from the outer hills directly to the Chandigarh Railway Station. Settle into your air-conditioned carriage on the return Shatabdi Express to Delhi. Watch the mountains completely fade into the plains of Punjab, arriving back in the capital by late evening.
Overnight stay: New Delhi
Savor your breakfast at the hotel. At the scheduled time, catch your private airport transfer to New Delhi International Airport to connect smoothly with your international flight home.
Note: High-altitude mountain expeditions are subject to extreme weather. Driving times and daily routes may vary based on snowfall, road conditions, or safety directives issued by the local administration.
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