Detailed day-wise itinerary OF Snow Leopard Expedition

Route: Chandigarh – Sarahan – Kalpa – Nako – Tabo – Kaza – Kibber – Kaza – Kalpa – Narkanda – Chandigarh.

Day 1 – Chandigarh to Sarahan

• Arrive at Chandigarh Airport or Railway Station.
• Meet the Bluesky Holiday expedition team and board your pre-arranged vehicle.
• Begin the journey towards Shimla, Kufri, Narkanda and Rampur.
• Enjoy scenic views of pine forests, mountain villages and the Sutlej River.
• Continue towards Sarahan, a beautiful Himalayan village known for its traditional architecture and mountain views.
• Check in at the hotel and relax.
• Overnight stay in Sarahan.

Approx. 190–210 km | 7–9 hours

Day 2 – Sarahan to Kalpa

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Depart towards Kinnaur through the beautiful Sutlej Valley.
• Pass through Jeori, Tapri and Reckong Peo.
• Enjoy spectacular views of the Kinnaur Kailash mountain range.
• Arrive at Kalpa, one of the most scenic villages in Kinnaur.
• Check in at the hotel or homestay.
• Spend the evening enjoying the mountain atmosphere and local village surroundings.
• Overnight stay in Kalpa.

Approx. 100–120 km | 4–6 hours

Day 3 – Kalpa: Acclimatisation and Local Exploration

• Wake up to beautiful views of the Himalayan mountains.
• Enjoy breakfast at the hotel.
• Spend the day acclimatising to the increasing altitude.
• Explore Kalpa village and its traditional wooden architecture.
• Visit the local Buddhist monastery and Narayan-Nagini Temple, if accessible.
• Meet the expedition coordinator for a briefing about the winter journey.
• Check winter clothing, personal medication, camera equipment and other essentials.
• Enjoy dinner and overnight stay in Kalpa.

Purpose of the day: Allow the body to adjust gradually to the higher altitude before entering Spiti Valley.

Day 4 – Kalpa to Tabo via Nako

• Early breakfast and departure from Kalpa.
• Drive through the dramatic mountain roads of Kinnaur.
• Pass through Pooh and reach Nako village.
• Explore the traditional village and Nako Lake if accessible.
• Continue towards the Spiti region through the high-altitude mountain landscape.
• Reach Tabo, famous for its ancient Buddhist monastery.
• Visit Tabo Monastery if operating conditions and time permit.
• Check in at the local hotel or homestay.
• Overnight stay in Tabo.

Approx. 110–130 km | 5–7 hours or longer in winter

Day 5 – Tabo to Kaza via Dhankar

• Breakfast and departure for Kaza.
• Visit the spectacular Dhankar village area, subject to road accessibility.
• Enjoy views of the Spiti River and surrounding high-altitude mountains.
• Continue towards Kaza, the administrative headquarters of Spiti Valley.
• Check in at the hotel.
• Meet the local expedition representative and discuss the wildlife tracking schedule.
• Explore Kaza market if conditions permit.
• Overnight stay in Kaza.

Approx. 50–65 km | 2–4 hours, excluding sightseeing

Day 6 – Kaza: Acclimatisation and Wildlife Orientation

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Enjoy a relaxed day to acclimatise to the high altitude.
• Visit Key Monastery if the road is accessible and the monastery is open.
• Learn about the history, culture and traditions of Spiti.
• Meet experienced local wildlife trackers.
• Receive a detailed introduction to Snow Leopard behaviour, habitat and tracking techniques.
• Understand how to identify animal footprints, movement patterns and suitable observation areas.
• Prepare binoculars, cameras, telephoto lenses and warm clothing.
• Overnight stay in Kaza.

Important: Avoid strenuous physical activity. This rest day is an important part of responsible high-altitude expedition planning.

Day 7 – Kaza to Kibber: Enter the Snow Leopard Expedition

• Breakfast and departure for Kibber village.
• Enjoy a scenic drive through the rugged landscape of Spiti.
• Arrive at Kibber, a famous high-altitude Himalayan settlement.
• Check in at a traditional local homestay.
• Meet your local wildlife tracking team.
• Receive a briefing on the next few days of wildlife observation.
• Depending on conditions, visit a nearby observation location.
• Learn about the natural habitat of the Snow Leopard and other Himalayan wildlife.
• Enjoy a traditional local dinner.
• Overnight stay in Kibber.

Approx. 15–20 km from Kaza | 1–2 hours, depending on conditions

Day 8 – Snow Leopard Expedition: First Full-Day Expedition

• Early morning wake-up and breakfast.
• Meet the local wildlife trackers and proceed to suitable observation points.
• Search the rocky mountain slopes, ridgelines and snow-covered valleys.
• Use binoculars and spotting scopes to scan distant terrain.
• Learn about Snow Leopard movement patterns and habitat.
• Observe other wildlife, including Himalayan Ibex and Blue Sheep, where present.
• Enjoy packed lunch during the expedition, depending on the location.
• Continue wildlife observation until late afternoon, weather permitting.
• Return to the homestay.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kibber.

Main activity: Full-day wildlife tracking and photography.

Day 9 – Snow Leopard Expedition: Kibber and Surrounding Valleys

• Early morning departure with local wildlife trackers.
• Explore additional observation points selected according to recent wildlife information.
• Search for Snow Leopard tracks, territorial markings and other signs.
• Spend time scanning suitable rocky slopes and mountain ridges.
• Learn about the relationship between Snow Leopards and their prey.
• Photography and wildlife observation opportunities.
• Return to the homestay in the evening.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kibber.

Main activity: Second full-day tracking session.

Day 10 – Snow Leopard Expedition: Chicham and Additional Observation Areas

• Early morning breakfast.
• Proceed towards suitable wildlife observation locations around Chicham and Kibber.
• Explore additional valleys and rocky mountain terrain with local trackers.
• Spend the day searching for Snow Leopard movement and other Himalayan wildlife.
• Enjoy photography opportunities and interact with local wildlife experts.
• Return to Kibber in the evening.
• Share expedition experiences and wildlife observations.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kibber.

Main activity: Third full-day wildlife tracking session.

Wildlife tracking locations will be decided by the local experts based on recent sightings, weather, snow conditions and animal movement. No sighting is guaranteed.

Day 11 – Kibber to Kalpa

• Breakfast at the homestay.
• Bid farewell to the local wildlife tracking team.
• Begin the return journey towards Kinnaur.
• Drive through Kaza, Tabo and Nako, subject to road conditions.
• Enjoy the beautiful Himalayan scenery along the way.
• Reach Kalpa and check in at the hotel.
• Dinner and overnight stay in Kalpa.

Long winter mountain journey; allow approximately 8–11 hours or more.

Day 12 – Kalpa to Narkanda

• Breakfast and departure from Kalpa.
• Drive through Reckong Peo and the Sutlej Valley.
• Pass through Rampur and Shimla region.
• Enjoy scenic stops along the route, subject to daylight and road conditions.
• Arrive at Narkanda.
• Check in at the hotel.
• Dinner and overnight stay.

Approx. 165–190 km | 7–9 hours

Day 13 – Narkanda to Chandigarh: Snow Leopard Expedition Departure

• Breakfast at the hotel.
• Check out and begin the journey towards Chandigarh.
• Drive through Theog, Kufri and Shimla.
• Enjoy the final views of the Himalayan landscape.
• Drop at Chandigarh Airport, Railway Station or designated location.
• End of the Snow Leopard Expedition with unforgettable memories of the Himalayas.

Approx. 175–190 km | 6–8 hours