A Kiang Collective Expedition · 22 — 31 January 2027
Ghost of the Himalayas
In search of the elusive snow leopard, in winter Spiti.
In search of the elusive snow leopard, in winter Spiti.
Some winters, the mountains keep their secret. Other times, a snow leopard settles on a far ridge and simply watches you back.
This is what we travel for: not a guarantee, but the chance, earned slowly, in the cold and the quiet of Spiti.
Filmed on a Kiang expedition in Spiti, 2025.
Ten days. Nine nights. One ghost.
We pick you up from Chandigarh airport and begin your journey into the Himalayas. A scenic 7–8 hour drive through the Sutlej valley brings you to Rampur, where you rest for the night.
An 8–9 hour drive takes you deeper into Spiti, crossing dramatic landscapes as the altitude climbs to 3,800 m. Kaza is your acclimatisation base. Take it easy, hydrate well, and let the mountains settle in. In case of bad weather, we halt at Tabo.
A 1.5-hour drive takes you over the Chicham Bridge, one of Asia's highest motorable suspension bridges, to Chicham village at 4,150 m, your home for the expedition. We head out for an easy afternoon walk to begin acquainting ourselves with the landscape.
We take the day slow. Gentle walks around Chicham, getting your eyes and body tuned to the terrain. The altitude is still working on you. Today is about patience and preparation.
We head out early with our expert naturalist, scanning cliffs and slopes for fresh pugmarks, scrapes, and the elusive ghost of the mountains.
Another full day in the field, covering the best wildlife corridors in the valley on foot and by vehicle.
We continue tracking across the high ridges and frozen valleys. Every day in the field brings new possibilities.
Our final tracking day. The patience, the cold, the silences. All of it has been building to moments like this.
We bid farewell to Chicham and make the long drive back to Rampur. We ease back into the comforts of town after a week in the wild.
The final drive back to Chandigarh. You leave with memories of one of the rarest and most spectacular wildlife experiences on Earth.
What lives in the cold desert.
The valleys and ridges around Chicham are among the richest snow leopard habitats in the world. On drives and walks, we search for:
A landscape held by silence.
Spiti Valley in the cold desert of Himachal Pradesh is one of the last true wildernesses in India. Chicham, perched at 4,150 m across one of Asia's highest motorable bridges, sits at the heart of snow leopard country.
A stark landscape of frozen streams, ancient gorges, and snow-dusted peaks. In January, the valley is silent, cold, and extraordinary.
Read this carefully.
Temperatures routinely drop to minus 25 °C and can fall as low as minus 30 °C at night. Layered clothing is non-negotiable. A detailed packing list will follow with your booking confirmation.
Daily showers are not recommended during the expedition due to the extreme weather conditions. Water pipes may occasionally freeze, affecting water availability. However, we will always do our best to keep you as comfortable as possible throughout the journey.
Chicham sits at 4,150 m. Mountain sickness is a real risk. We build in two acclimatisation days for this reason. Hypothermia is also possible if precautions are ignored. Listen to your guides, drink water, move slowly.
Roads can close without warning. Snowfall, landslides, and black ice are all possibilities. Itineraries may shift. Patience is part of the experience.
Please avoid booking a non-refundable return ticket from Chandigarh. We strongly recommend booking a flexible or refundable flight, as weather conditions in the mountains can be unpredictable and road closures are common. It is also advisable to keep a buffer day at the end of your trip to account for any unforeseen delays.
In some homestays and remote stops, dry composting toilets are the only option. They are clean, traditional, and managed with care. Bring your own toilet paper and a small headlamp.
Bring less than you think. Bring warmer than you think.
A soft copy of a government photo ID — driver's licence, Aadhaar card, or passport — is required for local permits. The original must be carried with you throughout the trip.
A disclaimer form will be sent ahead of the expedition. Print it, read it carefully, fill it in, and sign it. Hand it to your expedition leader at the first day's briefing.
Everything we cover, and what we don't.
A non-refundable advance of 25% is required to confirm your booking. The remaining balance must be settled at least 20 days before the expedition begins.