Snow leopard Expedition Batch-1

DAY BY DAY

What will be the key take-away for me from a Nature Wanderers Snow Leopard Expedition?

A snow leopard expedition involves tremendous amount of logistical arrangements as planning a high altitude photography trip requires skill, experience and expertise. Nature Wanderers has been working in the Spiti landscape for years and along with our excellent ground team, we have the desired experience and skill sets to help you photograph the elusive grey ghost of the Himalayas. Photographing in high altitudes requires a certain skill set and the experience of your photo guide comes in handy. The hands-on field guidance and the understanding of the animal behaviour helps you to plan your images better and that becomes a major differentiator. The support of the on-ground team in such tough terrains is vital and what they can do for you cannot be expressed in words. You need to be there onsite to live the experience!

Where do I get to stay in such extreme conditions?

Your stay would be in a home stay which is fully furnished with all facilities. Room heaters, fire-place, electric blankets, dry and wet toilets and delicious food and of course a warm family and their team to host you. The home stay is also equipped with basic medical equipment’s. A 4x4 vehicle would be available all the time not only for wildlife and landscape photography purpose but also for emergency use.

What is the pre-trip preparation for this tour?

A snow leopard expedition needs a lot of pre-trip preparation. We have a long list of travel advisory which we would be sending once you register for the tour. However just to clear your basic ideas about this expedition here are some pointers:

• Physical Fitness - You need basic physical fitness for this expedition as some days may be tiring despite the services we provide in terms of vehicle and porter support. The fitter you are the better it is for you as a photographer. So just start working on your fitness before your trip just to make the experience better for yourself. Mental strength is the key. Determination can move mountains and this is just an expedition!
• Field Temperatures can vary from -10 degrees to -25 degree Celsius. However, your stays in the homestay is cozy and comfortable. How to prepare for such climates? We can send you the details once you register for the program.
• Tipping information shall also be a part of our travel advisory
• For international travellers some additional documentation would be needed for certain permits (Passport, Visa, photograph)
• Equipment - You need 600-800mm focal lengths for shooting snow leopards typically. In case you don’t have that reach you can rent out the lenses for this expedition. Tripod is a must. Shorter focal lengths and wide angles should be kept handy as well.

What is the cancellation policy in case I want to back out from a trip?

Cancellation for an event will be considered via a written mail to info@naturewanderers.com. The date of the mail would be considered for calculation of the cancellation fee.

Payment Terms:

• 30% of the registration fee would be the booking amount. This booking amount is non-refundable
• Remaining 70% of the registration fee should be paid 120 days prior to the tour date.

Inclusions:

• All surface transfers - Chandigarh – Kibber - Chandigarh
• 02 Nights stay in Rampur on a double sharing basis with breakfast & dinner. (First Night and Last Night)
• 01 Night stay in Kaza Homestay on double sharing basis with breakfast & dinner.
• 6N / 7D stay in Kibber Homestay on a double sharing basis with all meals (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Morning/Evening tea).
• All stay midway to and fro included except last night in Chandigarh on the way back.
• All meals during the trip included.
• Dry toilets / regular toilets / chemical toilets (all facilities available dependent on weather conditions)
• Daily hot water for bathing and freshening up.
• Multiple scanners for the entire week.
• Personal porter per participant to carry backpack/camera equipment.
• Walking pole and stool provided for trekking and resting at the site
• All medical equipment for field emergencies.
• Use of 4x4 vehicle for daily use for wildlife and cultural excursions.
• Arrangement of dropping the guest to a lower altitude if suffering from mountain sickness or shortness of breath.
• Any detour up to 30 kilometres for new or different sites for Snow Leopard sighting.
• Any extra help needed or extra trips by the helpers to get the equipment or other essential items from the homestay to the sighting site.

Exclusions:

• Camera fee & village development fee paid on actuals at the time of the visit.
• Yak can be procured on the spot and payments can be made on actuals.
• Other than oxygen or basic medical facilities which can be provided in Kibber, any medical expenses for which the client has to be taken too far off locations. The cost has to be borne by the client.
• Emergency travel due to any other personal or professional reason not listed above.
• Check-in and out timing is 11 am for all the resorts and hotels.
• It does not include any kind of alcoholic or soft beverage.
• It does not include any tips & gratuities for the driver, guides, and the resort staff.
• It does not include International Flight Travel to INDIA or Visa cost.
• Does not include International Flight Travel to INDIA or Visa cost.
• Change in the itinerary will be charged etc. once booked.
• Does not include Medical / Travel insurance
• It does not include that are not mentioned above.
• Any extra cost due to any unforeseen conditions, such as delay/cancellation of flight, natural calamity, political unrest, etc. Nature Wanderers would not be responsible for the cancellation of the tour.

Refund policy:

• 50% will be refunded if cancellation is done 90 days prior to the event. (Please note – Refund will be calculated after deducting the Non-refundable 30%)
• No refund if cancellation is done under 0-89 days.

Please note:

• All prices are excluding taxes. 5% GST would be applicable.