When you dream of encountering the elusive Snow Leopard, two stunning destinations come to mind: Spiti and Ladakh. Now, with both locations having their charm, how does one decide?

Getting There
When it comes to Snow Leopard sightings, Spiti stands out and sets itself apart from the more established and popular Ladakh. While Ladakh offers the convenience of flying directly into Leh, Spiti presents a more rewarding journey. The route to Spiti entails a multi-day drive over winding roads and ever-changing landscapes. Unlike the swift flight to Leh, the 3-day drive to the Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary from Chandigarh offers an irreplaceable sense of adventure and anticipation. If you swear by road trips, the extended journey through the landscape of the Himalayas promises unparalleled sights. 

Diverse Landscape-Lush Forests to Cold Desert
The drive leads you to a high altitude that can't be reached by road anywhere else in the world during winters, spanning from the plains to the mountain summits. On the extended journey, you get a chance to spend time in the beautiful outdoors of Upper Shimla and Kinnaur before embarking on your passage into the heart of Spiti. It's an immersive experience that no flight can replicate. 

The ever-changing views from your window of rugged valleys, snow-capped peaks, pristine rivers; a chance to meet with local communities and learn more about their culture; and a gradual ascent that aids acclimatization to the high-altitude environment are what make the drive completely worth it.

Snow Leopard Sightings
Unlike typical sightings in Ladakh, where the elusive feline is often spotted from afar, in Spiti one can observe the Snow Leopard from a relatively closer distance. Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, established in 1992, is a hotspot for Himalayan wildlife and Snow Leopards have been known to stroll casually around the gorges, nalas (watercourses), and plateaus near the villages of Chicham and Kibber, offering up an opportunity where you can find yourself at half the typical distance from the feline than you would in Ladakh. Alongside the elusive snow leopard, spot Ibex, blue sheep, red foxes, lammergeiers, golden eagles, and a vibrant array of smaller bird species.  Additionally, Spiti offers a serene atmosphere compared to Ladakh's bustling tourist presence, providing a landscape of peace and solitude for nature enthusiasts.

Your Stay
While Ladakh boasts of more developed infrastructure and accommodation, Spiti offers lodging options that are charming, rustic, and intimately connected with the surrounding landscape. Tethys Himalayan DEN, a boutique homestay serves as the base for our Snow Leopard Expeditions. Here, we ensure you have a well-deserved and comfortable stay, wholesome homestyle cuisine, and a chance to take in all that the Spitian landscape has to offer.

In fact, our hospitality will accompany you throughout the trip. Be it your stay at the stunning Banjara Orchard Retreat in Thanedar or the expansive and beautiful Banjara Valley Retreat in Sangla. With all this and more waiting to be experienced, the Snow Leopard Expeditions, although centered on catching a glimpse of the majestic feline, are truly a full-circle experience of Upper Shimla, Kinnaur, and Spiti.