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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 (Panthera uncia)!
Darter Photography takes you on an adventure to the hidden jewel in the Himalayas – Spiti – in winter. Temperatures plummet way below freezing and a white blanket of snow covers most parts of this primeval landscape. The herbivores descend from the highest reaches of the mountains in search of food and water. And, following its prey, so does the Snow Leopard.
Join us on this exclusive expedition through some of the most breathtaking landscapes while travelling in one of the harshest terrains of the world. Photograph the diverse wildlife that survives in this extreme habitat. And possibly lose yourself in the hypnotic stare of the grey ghost of the mountains – the Snow Leopard!
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Darter’s Wildlife Unexplored photography tours are designed to photograph rare wildlife and push the boundaries of wildlife exploration in remote regions. -
Tour Dates
Jan 24 – Feb 04, 2024
Tour Price₹ 1,59,950Max. Participants – 7
Dates & Itinerary
Tour Dates: January 24 – Feb 04, 2024 (Wednesday to Sunday)Day 01 – (Jan 24) Pickup from Chandigarh. Drive to Shimla. Overnight in Shimla/Narkanda. Tour orientation and photography sessions.
Day 02 – (Jan 25) Drive from Shimla/Narkanda to Kalpa. Overnight in Kalpa.
Day 03 – (Jan 26) Drive to Tabo/Mane. Overnight in Tabo/Mane.
Day 04 – (Jan 27) Drive to Kibber. Overnight in Kibber.
Day 05 to Day 09 – (Jan 28 – Feb 01) Snow Leopard tracking. Overnight in Kibber. Plan would vary based on sighting records at the time of the tour.
Day 10 – (Feb 02) Drive to Kalpa. Overnight in Kalpa.
Day 11 – (Feb 03) Drive to Shimla/Narkanda. Overnight in Shimla/Narkanda
Day 12 – (Feb 04) Drop at Chandigarh airport and back home.
Scroll down to Detailed Itinerary for more details on each day of the tour.
Tour Highlights
Frequently Asked Questions
This tour is for wildlife photographers and wildlife enthusiasts who want to explore the high altitude realm of Spiti Valley in winter for rare wildlife. Note that the participants are not required to be experts in photography or carry professional equipment. Due to the small group size, beginners as well as serious photographers benefit through our personalized attention to photography sessions and on field assistance. Non photographers interested in exploring wildlife of Winter Spiti are welcome too.
How do we tackle the extreme cold weather?
During this tour, we may encounter temperatures as low as -25C or even lower. The only way to manage such low temperatures is to be very well equipped. We will send you a list of must-have equipment that will help you face the cold weather. When you are well-equipped, you should be able to fight the cold weather well after your body gets acclimatized in a day or two. There would still be some discomfort but nothing that would prevent you from actively enjoying the tour.
However, this tour is not recommended for those who are very sensitive to cold weather. Also, a reasonable degree of fitness (equivalent to being able to walk a few kilometres in normal conditions) is desirable for this tour.
I am not a keen photographer. But I want to visit Spiti with your group. Can I still join?
Yes. If you are interested to explore the pristine Himalayan landscapes and view rare alpine wildlife, you are welcome to join this tour. Please note that we do not offer a separate non-photographer pricing.
Can I bring my non-photographer partner with me?
Yes, you can. We visit one of the most pristine landscapes in the country and actively look for rare wildlife. Your partner will enjoy the journey with the group. Please note that we do not offer a separate non-photographer pricing.
Is there a lot of walking/trekking involved?
To track the Snow Leopard, moderate walking (2-3 hours) may be required to reach places where wildlife sightings are reported. Basic fitness is required as we’ll be at an altitude of over 14,000 feet. We believe that most people in good health should not have any problems with most of the activities through the tour. Please speak to us if you have any doubts.
What photography equipment is needed for the tour? Can we hire porters for carrying the equipment?
On this tour, we’ll primarily focus on photographing wildlife of Spiti. For this, telephoto lenses are recommended to photograph wildlife at a distance. We’ll also be photographing landscapes and culture when the opportunities present themselves. Please talk to us to decide on the photography equipment that you need to carry for the tour.
If you need help in carrying your equipment during the tour, we can engage porters locally at an additional cost. Please write to us for details.
Also refer to our tours faq for more information.
Tour Price
Tour Price: ₹ 1,59,950/- per person (inclusive of all applicable taxes)
The tour price includes
- Accommodation on twin sharing basis at hotels in Shimla/Narkanda and Kalpa. Basic homestays elsewhere
- Ground transportation during the tour
- All meals (simple vegetarian food) during the tour, starting with dinner on Day 1 and ending with dinner on Day 11
- Permits for Indian nationals
- Camera fee for one camera per person
- Photography sessions, on-field expert assistance and image reviews during the tour
- All applicable taxes
The tour price does not include
- Travel to Shimla from your location and return travel from Shimla to your location
- Inner Line Permits for foreign nationals, if any
- Camera fees for additional cameras
- Porters (if required)
- Additional food/snacks, bottled water or other beverages ordered
- Anything else that is not part of the includes list above
Cancellation Policy
– Cancellation on or before November 30, 2023 – 25% of the total tour fee is charged as cancellation fee
– Cancellation between December 01, 2023 and December 31, 2023 – 50% of the total tour fee is charged as cancellation fee
– Cancellation between January 01, 2024 and January 15, 2024 – 75% of the total tour fee is charged as cancellation fee
– Cancellation on or after January 16, 2023 – no refund of tour fee
Please note:
- In addition to the above, please budget for expenses towards procuring cold weather gear that is required for travelling to Spiti in winter. We will help you with the list of warm clothing that you need to carry for this tour.
- The itinerary mentioned in this page is subject to favourable weather and road conditions. In case of bad weather and inaccessibility to a destination, we will do our best to make alternate plans. The tour price or any part of it will not be refunded in the event of unfavourable conditions anytime during the tour days.
- Wildlife sightings depend on various factors, including weather, availability of food and the animal showing up in our vicinity (in the vast mountain landscapes).
- No refunds will be made if a participant is unable to complete the tour owing to medical conditions or any other reasons, after starting the tour.
- All participants would have to sign a Release of Liability, Assumption of Risk & Arbitration Agreement before joining the tour.
Wildlife Photography Mentors
Shreeram M V
Shreeram M V is a professional outdoor photographer, specializing in travel and wildlife photography. He is the co-founder of Darter Photography that specializes in providing photography services such as workshops and outdoor photography tours. He lives in Bangalore, India.
What started off as a fascination for birds in a lake behind his house turned into a journey to different parts of India. For this IIM Bangalore graduate, the passion for travel and wildlife enabled him to charter his own course outside the corporate world. He has explored diverse places across the length and breadth of India. He has also traveled and photographed across various parts of the world, including Africa, Antarctica, South America and New Zealand.
The trans-Himalayas are his second home. He has been visiting the high reaches of the Himalayas in Ladakh and Spiti for over a decade and has photographed the magical landscapes and the unique wildlife that is seen here. See some of his work at Shreeram M V Photography
Detailed Itinerary
Day 01. Arrival in Shimla/Narkanda. Photography Sessions and Rest.
Arrive in Shimla/Narkanda, by road from Chandigarh airport (please check flight schedules in winter). Check in to the hotel and relax during the day, getting used to the colder climate of the mountains.
We’ll have an orientation session about the tour followed by sessions on wildlife photography and landscape photography. Overnight in Shimla.
Day 02. Drive from Shimla/Narkanda to Kalpa
This morning, we set off on our long journey to the land of the Snow Leopard. On this 220km journey, we’ll drive through some beautiful alpine forests. As we arrive in Kalpa after a day-long drive, we might be greeted by some spectacular views of the Kinner Kailash range (if the weather is clear that evening). Overnight at a hotel/guest house in Kalpa.
Day 03. Drive from Kalpa to Mane
Today is another day-long journey, as we drive 150km to our next stop. En route, we’ll stop at Nako village to take in breathtaking views of the frozen lake here. When the lake freezes over in winter, locals use it as an ice-skating rink! Overnight at a homestay in Mane.
Day 04. Mane to Kibber
Today’s journey to our base camp – Kibber – is one of rapid ascent. As we drive through the Spiti Valley, we’ll see the semi-frozen Spiti river on one side. We’ll pass the famous Key Monastery – one of the largest in Spiti – along the way. Set on a cliff, the views of the landscape are breathtaking here.
Kibber and nearby villages will be our base camp for the Snow Leopard expedition. At Kibber, we’ll stay at a home stay with the local residents. Take complete rest for the remainder of the day to acclimatize to altitudes of around 14000 feet. Overnight in Kibber.
Day 05 to 09. Exploration for the elusive Snow Leopard
Finally, the day arrives when we actively start seeking out the Grey Ghost in its snowy kingdom. With the help of local experts and reports from nearby villages, we’ll explore the area around Kibber on these 5 days. There is no fixed itinerary for these days as we’ll shift base around Kibber based upon the information available at that point of time.
We might come across many other animals along the way, including Blue Sheep, Red Fox, Snowcocks, Golden Eagles, Lammergeiers and, may be, even a Wolf! Keep your eyes open for any signs of life in the seemingly deserted snow-scapes. At night, we’ll stay in home stays at Kibber or nearby villages like Langza or Tashigang.
Day 10 – Day 11 Drive from Kibber to Shimla/Narkanda via Kalpa
After few days in the amazingly beautiful Spiti Valley, it is time to bid goodbye and start our long journey back to Shimla. We’ll retrace the journey that we’d done a few days ago, with an overnight stop at Kalpa. We arrive in Shimla on the evening of Day 11, hopefully with our memory cards brimming with photographs.
Day 12. Tour ends.
Nostalgia sets in as it’s time to head back home. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes to travel to Chandigarh and further onward.
Previous Tour Reports
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In Search of the Ghost Cat
By
Rajul GargThe day I saw The Grey Ghost
By
Suchismita KoulaskarMy first Snow Leopard!
By
Shreeram M VSign Up
Contact us at the email/numbers below to book the tour. Trail of the Grey Ghost- Wildlife Photography Tour of Spiti in Winter will have a maximum of 7 participants. We recommend booking early on this exclusive Snow Leopard Photography Tour, which also helps you get cheaper flight tickets.
email: photography@darter.in
Tel: +91-97400 83260 (Shreeram)
Alternately, fill in the following form to get in touch with us regarding the tour.