14 Days - Snow Leopard Sighting Tour in Spiti Valley
PACKAGE STARTS RS.
Route : Delhi-Chandigarh-Shimla-Kinnaur-Spiti-Shimla-Kalka-Delhi
Snow leopard is generally found in Kibbar wildlife Sanctuary and Pin valley National park of Spiti Valley. Snow leopard has been spotted by locals around Lippa - Asrang Sanctuary. Kibber wildlife sanctuary is the home of snow leopards, though we must stress that the Snow Leopard remains one of the most elusive animals on the planet, and sightings are not guaranteed. Other animals we have a chance of seeing are the Bharal (Blue Sheep) and Ibex.
Name of Tour : Snow Leopard Sighting Tour
Highest Altitude : 4205 Mts.(Kibber)
Best Season : Winter (Jan & Feb)
Duration of the Tour : 13 Nights / 14 Days
Outline Itinerary :
Day 01) Delhi-Kalka – Shimla Train
Day 02) Shimla
Day 03) Shimla - Kalpa (2960m) / 240 Kms. / 9Hrs drive
Day 04) Kalpa - Nako - Tabo( 3050m) / 140 Kms. / 06-07 Hrs drive
Day 05) Tabo (3050m) – Kaza(3600 mts.) - Kibber 125 Kms. / 5 Hrs drive
Day 06 to day 11) EXPLORATION FOR THE ELUSIVE SNOW LEOPARD
Day 12 ) Kibber- Kaza- Kalpa (2960m) / 09 hrs drive
Day 13 ) Kalpa – Shimla (2960m) / 09 hrs drive
Day 14 ) Shimla- Kalka drive + Train to Delhi / 03 hrs drive + 04 hrs train
RATES
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QUOTATION INCLUDES:
- Above rates are based on per person basis
- Accommodation in mentioned or similar category Home Stays/Guest Houses/hotels on double/twin sharing basis
- All breakfasts and Dinners
- All transport by air conditioned (nac in hills) Vehicle Toyota Innova as required in the tour programme
- All Toll taxes, parking fee, state taxes and drivers allowances
QUOTATION EXCLUDES:
- Airfare/Train fare/Bus fare
- Any other meals
- Any expenditure of personal nature such as telephone calls, laundry, mini bar or drinks during meals, tips to driver, guide, helper, etc.
- Any kind of insurance and medical evacuation
- Any Hotel before starts and after tour ends
- Guides and Monuments Fees
- All other than those listed in inclusive
- GST
We can provide you all other travel services before tour starts and ends
Detail Itinerary :
Day 01) Delhi-Kalka – Shimla Train
Arrive Shimla by Train and transfer to Hotel
The British discovered Shimla in the form of a little village in 1819 during the Anglo-Gorkha war. When war broke afresh in 1819, the British took the place with its cool and healthy climate. Here was installed a village of tents, where the heat weary British military and civil officers came to rest and the first house built in 1822, is regarded to be “Kennedy House” which was the residence of Charles Pratt Kennedy, the newly appointed political officer to the hill states. In 1864 under the Viceroyalty of John Lawrence, Shimla was officially declared the Summer Capital of British Empire in India (April to October). - a status is retained upto Indian Independence in 1947. After the independence of India, Shimla became the capital of Punjab until 1966, when it came under Himachal Pradesh. In 1971 Himachal Pradesh became a full fledged state and Shimla became the capital of this state.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 02) Shimla
Today enjoy full day Shimla Local sight seeing.
The Mall: The Mall is the main shopping centre of Shimla. It also has many restaurants, clubs, banks, bars etc. The Mall starts from Chhota Shimla to Viceregal Lodge, which is approximately five Km long stretch. This area has also been declared a 'Heritage Zone' by the State Government. The vehicles are not allowed into Mall road except ambulance and fire engines. There are many old beautiful buildings standing on Mall Road.
The Ridge: This large open space in the heart of town presents excellent views of the mountain ranges.
Christ Church: The most prominent building on the Mall is the yellow Christ Church built in 1857, reputed to be the second oldest church in northern India. It was designed by Colonel JT Boileau in 1844.
Scandal Point: Scandal Point remains the hub of Shimla’s social life; it is the place where people gathered for both conversation and gossip. Now it is also known as the meeting place of the local Shimla.
Viceregal Lodge (Built in 1888)/ Indian Institute of Advanced Study: Built Between 1884 - 1888 by chief architect Henry Irwin. The building resembles a Scottish baronial castle. This was the first building with electric light in Shimla. This was the venue of the Simla Conference in 1945. In 1947, the decision to partition India and East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), was taken here. After independence 1947, building became the property of the President of India and was renamed Rashtrapati Niwas. Now it houses the Indian Institute of Advance Study and is open only in some parts to the public. (closed on Monday and Gazetted Holidays)
Jhaku Temple/ Hill (2455 Mts.): Dedicated to monkey god Hanuman ji, the attendant of Lord Rama. This is the town's highest peak at an altitude of 8048 feet above sea level and offers a panoramic view of the city and snow capped mountains.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 03) Shimla - Kalpa (2960m) / 240 Kms. / 9Hrs drive
Drive to Kalpa
Kalpa : There are about 77 villages in the Kinnaur district and Kalpa is one of the biggest of them, once a favorite haunt of Lord Dalhousie. In front of Kalpa is an impressive view of the Raldang Kailash massif directly across the Sutlej river. There are almost no urban centers. Rechong Peo is the headquarters of the Kinnaur district. It is placed at an altitude of 2670 meters, and offers a fine view of the Kinner Kailash. At a distance of 3 km from Rechong Peo, Kothi has a temple dedicated to the Goddess.
Evening village visit
Overnight stay at Hotel/Home stays/Rest House.
Day 04) Kalpa - Nako - Tabo( 3050m) / 140 Kms. / 06-07 Hrs drive
After breakfast, drive to Nako, Nako is surrounded by willow and polar trees. There is a small village on the bank of this lake - and the village seems to be half buried by the lake's borders. On the water's northern side, are four Buddhist temples with stucco images and murals. Near Nako is a footprint-like impression ascribed to the saint Padmasambhava. It freezes in winter and people enjoy skating on this lake.Nako Lake is a pilgrim destination for the Buddhists. Because the Nako Lake is situated at such a great height, there are only a few species of fishes that populate the lake. Anglers coming here with their fishing rods come mainly to while away their time in the beautiful surroundings of the lake. One can observe numerous species of birds and flying overhead at Nako Lake. A perfect place for nature lovers & ornithologists alike, Nako Lake and Nako Monastery is a popular tourist destination in Himachal. Enjoy the atmosphere & obtain blessings as Nako in Kinnaur invites everyone with a welcome smile.
After lunch drive further to Tabo
Tabo the largest district in the northern state of Himachal Pradesh, Lahaul and Spiti, is a vast area of high mountains and low valleys. It is bounded by Ladakh to the north, Tibet to the east, and the Kullu valley to the south. The district is named after its two subdivisions, which are distinct and separate regions, despite of their topographical and cultural similarities. The altitude varies from over 6,500 m in the high peaks to 2,740 m, where the Chenab River makes its exit from the region. The Lahaul region is at an altitude of 3000-3900 m, the air is much rarified and there are heavy snowstorms between September and May. Nevertheless, since the rains here are very scanty, it is an ideal place for trekkers, especially in the months between June and September. The Spiti valley is connected to Lahaul through the 4500-m Kunzam pass. Beyond the reach of the monsoon, the valley sees little rain in summer, when the sun is strong, and the nights cool. It is the seat one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries regarded next to the Tholong Gompa in Tibet. The monastery contains large number of scriptures and pieces of art, wall painting and Stucco. It is also know as Ajanta of Himalayas
Tabo Monastery: It is situated at village Tabo at a height of 3050m lying in the Spiti valley near the Tibetan (Chinese) border just north of the Satluj River. The Tabo Gompa is the largest monastery complex of Buddhist religion.
This has been declared as a protected monument. It was built in A.D. 996 by Ringchen Zangpo and has been declared as the place where the current Dalai Lama will retire. Its sculptures, stucco images and wall paintings are similar to the Ajanta-Ellora paintings.
Overnight stay at Hotel/Home stays/Rest Houses.
Day 05) Tabo (3050m) – Kaza(3600 mts.) - Kibber 125 Kms. / 5 Hrs drive
After breakfast, drive to Kibber . Enroute visit Dhankar-Kaza-Ki Monastery
Dhankar Monastery: Dhankar is located on top of a hill about 25 kms. east of Kaza and 7 Km from Schichling National Highway in local parlance, a ‘dhankar’ is a fort. This was once the castle of the rular Spiti, the Nano. On top of a hill there is a fort which uses to be the prison in olden times. Today it has about 150 lamas in residence, a collection of Buddhist scriptures, a 4 bodied " Vairochana" (Dhayan Budha) , murals of Medicine Buddhas and protector deities.
Kaza is the sub-divisional headquarters of Spiti, situated on the left bank of river Spti on National Highway. This is the main market in the Spiti valley. It has all modern facilities and is connected by road with Manali & Shimla except in the winter months.
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 14,000 feet.
Ki Monastery: Situated in Spiti about 11 kms from Kaza was founded by Dromton (1008-64 A.D), the founder of the Ge-lug-pa sect in the 11th century. On the left bank of the Spiti River the Ki Gompa (4116) is regarded as the largest and the oldest monastery in the sub-division. Thousands of devotees from all over the world here attended the Kalachakra ceremony which was performed in August, 2000 by His Holiness Dalai Lama.
Kibber : Kibber is 11 km from Ki Gompa, and is the highest settlement in the world (4205 meters) with a motorable road and electricity. The Ladarcha festival held here each July attracts Buddhists from all over the world. The Pin Valley, south of the Dhankar gompa, has been declared as a national park, where one might see the snow leopard. The 600-year-old Kungri Gompa here is worth a visit.
Overnight stay at Homestays.
Day 06 to day 11) 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 will explore the area around Kibber on these 06 days. There is no fixed programme for these days as we shall shift our stay around Kibber based upon the information available at that point of time.
We might found many other animals along the way, including Red Fox, Blue Sheep, Snowcocks, Lammergeiers, Golden Eagles and Wolf Etc.. Overnight stays will be at in home stays at Kibber or nearby villages like Tashigang or Langza.
Overnight stay at Homestay.
Day 12) Kibber- Kaza- Kalpa (2960m) / 09 hrs drive
Drive back to Kalpa.
Overnight stay at Hotel/Home stays/Rest House.
Day 13) Kalpa – Shimla (2960m) / 09 hrs drive
Drive back to Shimla.
Overnight stay at Hotel.
Day 14) Shimla- Kalka drive + Train to Delhi / 03 hrs drive + 04 hrs train
Drive to Kalka and board your train to Delhi
Tour Ends but Memories Remains – Always
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