In the Search of Snow Leopard
To go looking for the snow leopard would appear to be the most forlorn of forlorn quests and yet, it is in the nature of such quests that the rewards lie as much in the journeying and the search as in the stated objective. The chances of actually seeing a snow leopard, especially in a relatively short period are slim indeed. The reclusive nature of the animal, the inhuman scale and vertical topography of the habitat, the relative sparseness of snow leopards on the ground all combines to frustrate the seeker. But the snow leopard does not occupy this environment alone, it sits at the apex of a rich and diverse pyramid and in searching for this master predator we will be exploring its environment and all that live in it in some detail.
Founded in 1996 , Sunshine Himalayan Adventures (SHA) is an approved Tour Operator in the Northern Indian State of Himachal Pradesh (HP) and the only one permitted to offer tours in the pristine wilderness of India’s newest National Park – The Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP). SHA is dedicated to responsible Eco-tourism principles and tour products that are environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial to the local people. We offer our clients the opportunity to experience the beauty and wonder of the Western Himalayan ecosystem and the exciting culture of the renowned Kullu Valley, known throughout India as the “Valley of the Gods.”
SHA has a unique and exclusive relationship with the regional Kullu Valley organization, SAHARA (The Society for Scientific Advancement of Hills & Rural Areas) operating under its guidance. SAHARA’s activities include promoting visits of friends from foreign lands to create a better understanding of the Western Himalayas, its people, religions and culture.
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Room Amenities |
Private Shower |
Microwave |
Telephone |
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Private Bathtub |
Air Conditioning |
Fax |
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Private Jacuzzi |
Electric Fan |
Minibar |
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Private Toilet |
TV |
Coffee Maker |
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Private Kitchen |
Video/DVD/Movies |
Hair Dryer |
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Stove |
Internet Connection |
Trouser Press |
Additional: What is the routine on the trek?
Trekkers normally start their walk early, after a hot breakfast, to enjoy the morning sun bathing the peaks. One carries a daypack for a camera, packed lunch, water bottle, a windbreaker and a change of clothing in case the weather changes during the day’s hike. We arrange for porters before hand, who can carry your other main pack and all equipment - leaving you free to enjoy the peace and beauty of the mountains and valleys.
By late afternoon you will reach your new destination where a campsite and the dinner meal is prepared and served by our expert staff.
Evenings tend to be lively occasions and might include a night of entertainment by some of the porters and guides singing their local tribal songs while his friends improvise musical instruments. Some evening finds clients and guides just having a lively campfire discussion while watching the moonrise over the silhouettes of the Himalayas.
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Meal Options |
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Non-Veg (all) |
Vegetarian |
Organic |
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Non-Veg (fish/chicken) |
Vegan |
Ayurvedic |
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Diabetic |
Low Salt |
Low Fat/Cholesterol |
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Kosher |
Hindu |
Muslim |
Additional: What type of food is served on a trek?
Normally hot meals are served all along the trip, though at times packed lunches may be given when distances between stops do not permit cooking. A variety of Indian, Chinese and continental dishes are prepared with fresh meat and vegetables. A typical one-week menu might look like this
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Early morning, a hand stretches out to greet you with a hot mug of tea followed by hot water for a wash. Cooked breakfast is served and off you go again to your new destination and a new day’s adventure.
Who will lead my trek?
Sunshine Himalayan Adventures has mature and trained leaders who belong to the region where you are trekking or have lived there for long part of their life. All leaders are trained in first aid and group dynamics. One appreciate's both our foreign leaders and the educated locals who give you the opportunity to interact and discover more about the area you are exploring.
The price for the package includes:
All accommodation in the above mentioned properties (4 star + heritage hotels).
- All trek logistic support: porters, cooks, and personal porter (to carry client’s main clothing and gear pack of each trekker).
- All meals during trek/tour.
- All ground transport in deluxe a/c Qualis Jeeps.
- A fluent English-speaking guide who will be with you from Day 01 to Day 19.
- All entrance fees to monuments in Delhi, all Great Himalayan National Park admission fees and Park Video & Camera Fees.
- Experienced GHNP guide/naturalist.
- A list of required and suggested gear needed by trekkers will be provided to participants.
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| Nearby Attractions |
Himalayan Mountains promise an experience only and exclusively to those who travel to them set off on foot. Sunshine Tours offers clients the most memorable tours with breathtaking scenery, friendly service and detailed planning. For better understanding of the Western Himalayas, the people, their culture and religion, our tours are organized differently from others with an emphasis on the health and safety of clients and a flexible approach in the creation of each tour.
The tour costs are kept reasonable without compromising on comfort and cleanliness. All tours start in Delhi combining sight seeing, cultural and adventure activities
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Day 01 : Arrive Delhi. The Park (B)
Day 02 : PM: Half-day sightseeing of historic sites at Old and New Delhi.
O/N The Park (B).
Day 03 : Fly Delhi – Leh by Jet Airways 9W 609 – 0540/0655 hrs
O/N Leh (BLD)
Day 04 : Morning free . After lunch visit Leh Bazaar and Sankar Gompa.
In the afternoon, after lunch, visit Leh, the capital of the historic kingdom of Ladakh and the present district of the same name. The town is a fascinating labyrinth of winding streets and quaint bazaars. The main street is open and airy, lined with rows of shops. On either side of the market, long lines of Ladakhi women in traditional dress and colorful jewelry of coral and turquoise can be seen seated behind enormous baskets, selling vegetables. The spectacular eight-floor Leh Palace looms above the town, dominating the landscape. It was built in the 16th century, about the same time as the Potala in Lhasa, which it resembles.
Stroll through the town, followed by a visit to Sankar gompa, a little over a mile from the market. This gompa is a subsidiary of Spitok gompa, having the same head lama. Sankar is easily visited on foot from Leh, lying as it does in Leh's suburbs. About 25 lamas of the yellow-hat sect are attached to Sankar but only a few live here permanently. Thus, it is only open to the public from 7 to 10 am and from 5 to 7 p.m. The Sankar gompa is about 90 years old but is located on the site of a small temple that was built about 500 years ago. It has a number of pure gold icons and richly painted walls, its pictures depicting different stories, including some from the Panchtantra. Return to your hotel for dinner and overnight
O/N Leh (BLD)
Day 05: Visit Hemis, Thiksey and Shey. O/N Leh (BLD)
Today, we’ll have a full day to see the major monasteries of Ladakh – Shey, Thiksey and Hemis.
Shey, about 10 miles from Leh, was once the residence of the royal family and is famous for its high gilded statue of Buddha. The monastery has a two-floor statue of the sitting Buddha. Shey was the former summer palace of the kings of Ladakh. The gompa, still partially used, is being restored. There is a small library and a collection of thankas, and some stupas and Mani walls nearby. The 12m Shakyamuni Buddha statue made of copper but gold plated, is the largest in the region, built by King Singge Namgyal's son. Shey is easy to get to and can be easily combined with a visit to Thiksey by any form of transport.
12 miles from Leh, spectacularly situated, and one of the finest examples of Ladakhi architecture, Thiksey is one of the largest and most impressive gompas. There are several temples in this gompa containing images, stupas and exquisite wall paintings. It also houses a twenty-foot statue of Buddha, which has the main prayer hall around its shoulder.
This monastery has an outstanding collection of art in its chambers. This gompa, part of the Gelukpa order, has an important collection of Tibetan books in its library, some excellent artwork and a new Maitreya temple. It’s a busy place, with almost incessant chanting and music, and there is a good chance to witness a puja. The great views of the valleys and villages can be seen from the roof.
25 miles from Leh, Hemis is one of the richest, biggest and most famous gompas in Ladakh. Built during 1630s, it has numerous tankhyas, silver chortens studded with precious and semi precious stones, and various images of Buddha.
The Hemis monastery belongs to the Drukpa order and was founded in the early 17th century. It has an excellent library, well-preserved frescoes showing some Kashmiri influence and good Buddha figures. Of its many frescoes here, the most famous is the Wheel of Life.
Day 06: Commence the trek. Drive to Spituk and trek to Zinchen: (10,500ft/3,200m)
The trek begins from Spituk by crossing a bridge and walking southwest of the River Indus. The trail passes through barren countryside for about 3 hours until the Indus enters a narrow gorge at its confluence with the Zinchen. From here, the trail climbs steadily up the Zinchen Valley, which is lined with trees, providing sufficient shade for a rest stop. You then reach the tiny village of Zinchen, which consists of just 4 or 5 houses. Camp overnight.
O/N Camp
Day 07: Zinchen to Rumbak. (12,793ft/3,900m),
Today, you follow the trail beside the river until the valley widens at Rumbak. After a 10-minute walk from the camp, you’ll cross the river to the right hand side. Here, you can see golden eagle nests up in the rocks. We’ll then carry on along the river until we reach Rumbak where you’ll see the snow-capped peaks of the Stok mountains, and fields of barley, potatoes and green vegetable that are grown by the villagers. Overnight in tents.
O/N Camp
Day 08: Rumbak to base of Chortenchen: (13,480ft/4,084m). Again, a stiff climb takes us to Stok La, which is at 15,840 feet and will take about 3 hours. Here, one can see the upper Indus valley and Stok Gorge with beautiful rock formations. We’ll then climb down to Khilchay, which is a summer pasture of Stok village, climb over two small humps and get down to Stok Nallah. We’ll then walk uphill on the left bank of Stok Nallah for about twenty minutes and enter into another summer pasture, called Chortenchan. If we
are extraordinarily lucky, we might see a snow leopard here. But, this also provides the best opportunity to look for the snow leopards’ primary wild prey - the bharal or blue sheep, which inhabit the steep slopes and rocky ledges. Wolf, Himalayan fox, marmots and several exciting species of birds, which include the chukor partridge, snow cocks, lammergeyer, accentors, rose finches, redstarts, Eurasian hobby’s and kestrels and several others are seen here – and, indeed, throughout the trek.
O/N Camp (BLD)
Day 09 : Chortenchen to Stok base camp: (14,950 ft/4,600 m). Immediately after leaving the campsite, we’ll begin a steady climb for about three hours, which takes you to the base camp of Stok Kangri. Overnight in tents at the base camp.
O/N Camp (BLD)
Day 10: Stok Kangri Base camp
This will be a rest day to explore the surrounding valley, which offers panoramic views of the surrounding peaks. There are excellent opportunities to watch a variety of birds and see animals. Overnight at base camp. . O/N Camp (BLD)
Day 11 : Stok Kangri Base camp. O/N Camp (BLD)
Day 12 : Stok Kangri base camp to Stok (11,500 ft/3,484 m).
Explore the northeastern flanks of Stok Kangri before retracing your steps to the main Stok Nala. The trail moves along the boulder-strewn left bank, enters a gorge and ascends steeply up a left bank spur marked by Cairns and prayer flags. After crossing a stream draining the western side of Stok La, we’ll continue down the Stok valley through willow groves and alpine meadows, past the ruins of an ancient Ladakh fortress - Styang La Khar. The gorge widens and from here it is only a couple of hours to Stok, where vehicles await you for the drive to the Ladakh Sarai. Time permitting, we will visit the Stok Palace, residence of the descendants of the Rajas of Ladakh, which also houses a fascinating little museum.
Drive to your hotel. O/N Leh (BLD)
Day 13 : Fly Leh - Del 9W 610 – 0735/0850 hrs. O/N The Park (B)
Day 14 : Depart Delhi
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| Required Skill Level |
Intermediate
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| Required Equipment |
Included
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| Our Certificatons |
Regd. with Govt. of HP
Ecotourism Society of India
The international Ecotourism Society
We offerTailor-made treks…SHA will create personalized tours to fit your own schedule and wanderlust.
We are a small company with a friendly, personal touch. When you travel with SHA you become a member of our family. Our tours are organized differently from others with a flexible approach to our programs that can be altered or arranged to suite your schedule or desired contents. The Company operates under the guidance of SAHARA. Among SAHARA’s many projects include promoting visits of friends from foreign lands for better understanding of the western Himalayas, the people, the religion and their culture. |
Mountain Skills & Disciplines |
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Hiking |
Mountaineering |
Canyoneering |
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Backpacking |
High Altitude |
Caving |
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Camping |
Traversing |
Coasteering |
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Rock Climbing |
Aid Climbing |
Big Walling |
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Ice Climbing |
Free Climbing |
Ropes & Knots |
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Bouldering |
Solo Climbing |
Belaying |
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Indoor Climbing |
Lead Climbing |
Rappeling |
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Traditional Climbing |
Top Roping |
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Avalanche Awareness |
Outdoor Survival |
First Aid |
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Environmental Awareness |
Navigation |
Search & Rescue |
Additional: Wildlife
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Basics & Backgrounds
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