Wildlife Photography Tour of Spiti in Winter
14 Nights / 15 Days
Shimla-Narkanda-Sarahan-Sangla-Chitkul-Kalpa-Nako-Tabo-Dhankar monastery-Kaza-Key-Kibber and drive back to Shimla/Chandigarh.
14 Nights / 15 Days
Shimla-Narkanda-Sarahan-Sangla-Chitkul-Kalpa-Nako-Tabo-Dhankar monastery-Kaza-Key-Kibber and drive back to Shimla/Chandigarh.
Hotel
Food
Car
Sightseeing
Wildlife Photography Tour of Spiti in Winter – Himachal Pradesh and Spiti Valley in India. This route covers a beautiful and scenic region with a mix of cultural, historical, and natural attractions. Here’s a brief overview of the places you mentioned:
Shimla: The capital city of Himachal Pradesh, known for its colonial architecture and pleasant weather.
Narkanda: A town known for skiing and apple orchards, offering panoramic views of the snow-clad mountains.
Sarahan: Home to the Bhimakali Temple, a blend of Hindu and Tibetan architecture, and surrounded by apple orchards.
Sangla: A picturesque valley with the Baspa River flowing through it, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.
Chitkul: The last inhabited village near the Indo-China border, known for its stunning landscapes and traditional wooden houses.
Kalpa:A small town with apple orchards and the backdrop of the Kinner Kailash mountain range.
Nako: A high-altitude village with a beautiful lake and an ancient monastery.
Tabo: Famous for the Tabo Monastery, which is over a thousand years old and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Dhankar Monastery: Perched on a high cliff, it offers breathtaking views of the Spiti Valley.
Kaza: The largest town in the Spiti Valley, serving as a base for exploring the region.
Key Monastery: A Tibetan Buddhist monastery located on a hilltop, known for its stunning architecture and panoramic views.
Kibber: One of the highest motorable villages in the world, offering a glimpse into the traditional Spitian way of life.
Wildlife Photography Tour of Spiti in Winter – This route takes you through diverse landscapes, from lush green valleys to barren, high-altitude deserts. The journey provides opportunities to experience local cultures, visit ancient monasteries, and enjoy the tranquility of the Himalayan region. Make sure to plan your trip carefully, considering weather conditions, road conditions, and acclimatization to high altitudes.
Spiti Valley tour Winter Tour Itinerary
Wildlife Photography Tour of Spiti in Winter (14 Nights / 15 Days)
Arrival in Shimla. Photography Sessions and Rest.
Arrive in Shimla, either by road from Delhi/Chandigarh or by flight from Delhi (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.
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.
Morning check out from hotel and leave for the Baspa valley in Kinnaur. 229 km from Shimla. There are 33 Buddhist monasteries and temples in Kinnaur district and the Nyingma-pa Drug-pa and Geluk-pa sects are well represented. En route visit the small nineteenth century Buddha temple at Rampur 130 km from Shimla. Night stay at Sangla.
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.
Rest and Acclimatization at Kibber
Today, we rest out the whole day following the long journey over the past 3 days. It would also help us acclimatize well to the high altitudes. Chat with your host and take photographs of their winter customs. Your photography mentors will also review the photographs that you’ve taken over the past 3 days.
Exploration for the elusive Snow Leopard
Morning check out from hotel and leave for Tabo. At 3050m, 65 km from Nako. Tabo is in arid Spiti where there are thirty monasteries spread over its rugged terrain. Tabo is the largest monastic complex in Spiti and has nine temples, twenty three chortens, a monks’ chamber and a nuns’ chamber. The Tabo monastery was founded in 996 AD by the great teacher Rinchensang-po and is renowned for its breathtaking murals and stucco statues. This has been declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO. Night stay at Tabo.
After a week 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 Kaza/Mane and Kalpa. We arrive in Shimla on the evening of Day 14, hopefully with our memory cards brimming with photographs.
Nostalgia sets in as it’s time to head back home. After breakfast, we say our goodbyes to travel to Chandigarh/Delhi and further onward.
(1). 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.
(2). 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.
(3). Wildlife sightings depend on various factors, including weather, availability of food and the animal showing up in our vicinity (in the vast mountain landscapes).
(4). 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.
(5). This is the itinerary for a tour which we run regularly. It can be altered, and we like to discuss plans with clients and can make suggestions about special places to visit depending on our clients’ interests, and available time. The itinerary is planned in such a way that you gain altitude gradually , you get a good and proper time to acclimatise properly while travelling through the Central Himalayas . Every day there is enough free time to make walk / or to relax your own so you could experience the people and culture from much close on the tour.
(6). In case you require accompanying tour escort / local guide with you please tell us and we will be happy to arrange local, knowledgeable guide for your tour, as per your choice.
(7). Please do not hesitate to collect any travel information from us, before working a final tour programme for yourself. We would be glad to provide you all the travel information and hotels details etc. at the time of planning your holidays with us, before you book your tour with Incredible Himachal Holidays. Being local, we can provide you with a wonderful private, personalise, tailor-made holiday tour in India at a cheaper cost than the standard package / group holiday that you might find elsewhere. We believe in delivering the service, more than- promised to our clients.
– Accommodation on twin sharing basis at hotels in Shimla and Kalpa. Basic homestays/camps elsewhere.
– Ground transportation during the tour.
– All meals (simple vegetarian food) during the tour, except on Day 1 and Day 15.
– All permits and fees.
– Photography sessions, expert advice and assistance and image reviews during the tour.
– All applicable taxes.
– Travel to Shimla from your location and return travel from Shimla to your location.
– Insurance.
– Additional food/snacks, bottled water or other beverages ordered.
– Anything else that is not part of the includes list above.
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