Pallas Cat Expedition in Ladakh -8D

Pallas Cat Expedition in Ladakh -8D

  • Leh Ladakh
  • 7 Nights 8 Days

Overview

Pallas’s Cat (Otocolobus manul) or Manul called Ribilik / Tak Shan or Sukthung locally is one of the very rare small wild cats found in Ladakh, India. Of the three wild cats found in Ladakh, Manul is the smallest and most difficult to spot. Their numbers are unknown and no much data about their habitats and numbers are available. The other two wild cats of Ladakh are Eurasian Lynx (lynx lynx) and Snow Leopard (Uncia Panthera).
Wildlife Photographers visit Ladakh, specially Hanley/ Hanle or Anley Basin Wildlife Reserve in eastern Ladakh to try their luck. Wildlife Tourism in Ladakh is on the rise and very soon, Ladakh will be one of the hot destinations for wildlife of the Himalayas like Tibetan Wolf/ Himalayan Wolf, Tibetan Sand Fox, Himalayan Red Fox, Eurasian Lynx, etc. Ladakh, especially Hanley in eastern Ladakh / Changthang, is becoming a great destination for Pallas’s Cat photographers and wildlife documentary filmmakers.

Itinerary

Tour Description

Day 01 Arrive at Leh
Arrive at Leh Airport and transfer to Hotel at Leh. Full day at leisure to for acclimatization. Evening easy walk to the Leh Main Market. Hotel, Leh. It is mandatory for every traveler to Ladakh to spend 2 nights in and around Leh for better acclimatization to Ladakh’s high altitude. Complete day for rest required.

Day02: Around Leh
Monastery Tour of Shey, Thiksay and Spituk and Leh Market. Hotel, Leh. Another easy day for acclimatization. Pre-expedition briefing on Pallas’s Cats, their habitat, and conservation efforts.

Day03: Drive (270 km / 7 hrs ) to Hanle (4250 m / 14000 ft).
The drive along the Indus river in itself is a great experience. Lunch on the way at Nyoma, Block HQ of Changthang region. This is an important day as one travels the length of Eastern Ladakh/ Chanthang dissecting through Rong Valley, along the Indus. There is no high passes on the way. Beautiful drive along the Indus till Loma where, the road crosses Indus and enters Hanley basin. Many Mammals and Bird of the Changthang landscape can be sighted. The popular Black-necked Crane, the State Bird of Union Territory of Ladakh can heighten the experience, besides sighting of Tibetan Wolf, Blue sheep, Asiatic Ibex, Red Fox, Kiang and Tibetan Sand Foxes… etc..

Day04 – 06 Wildlife Expedition
Drive and walk around Hanley basin for Pallas’s Cat / Manul/ Irbis and other rare wildlife of there region. The Hanley basin is a heaven for wildlife lovers. Hanley is home to many species of rare birds and mammals of Ladakh. High altitude birds of Ladakh pass through Hanley basin. It is one of the most popular hotspots for birds of Ladakh in eBird.

Day07- Drive back to Leh. Hotel at Leh

Day 08 Leh to Delhi
You will be driven to Leh airport for your onward journey.
Tour Ends

Inclusions

  • Accommodation on Twin Sharing basis with all meals and heating facility
  • All meals in Homestays, Guest House and Lodge.
  • All transportation by Innova, Scorpio & Tempo Traveler
  • Nature Guide services throughout the tour in Ladakh
  • Spotters throughout the tour.
  • National Park entrance fees
  • Homestay charges and village environmental Fees.
  • LAHDC Environmental Fees.
  • Spotting Scope and walkie-talkie during the trek.

Exclusions

  • Flight tickets from Delhi-Leh-Delhi
  • Sleeping Bags, trekking shoes and clothing.
  • Any Kind of Personal Expenses, Personal binocular or Optional Tours / Extra Meals Ordered
  • Anything not specifically mentioned under the head “Prices Included”.
  • Tips, Insurance, Laundry, Phone Calls.
  • Any Kind of Drinks (Alcoholic, Mineral, Aerated)
  • Cost incidental to any change in the itinerary/ stay on account of flight cancellation due to bad weather, ill health, roadblocks and/or any factors beyond control.

Policies

Payment Policy:

  • 45 or more days before departure: 20%
  • Between 30 to 44 days before departure: 60%
  • Between 15 to 29 days before departure: 100%
  • The booking stands liable to be canceled if 100% payment is not received less than 10 days before the Date of Travel.
  • Cancellation Policy:

  • 30 or more days before departure: 25%
  • Between 20 to 29 days before departure: 50%
  • Between 10 to 19 days before departure: 100%
  • ALL CANCELLATIONS MUST BE BY EMAIL, ONLY DURING OFFICE HOURS & MUST BE ACKNOWLEDGED BY OUR STAFF IN WRITING. There is no refund on any unutilized service.
  • Flight Tickets:
    100% Amount of flight tickets at the time of flight booking.
    Any rescheduling, cancellation, and refunds of flight tickets shall be as per respective airlines rules.

    Rescheduling:
    In case you are unable to travel as planned and need to reschedule your date of travel:

    Before 15 Days from the Date of Travel – One-time Complementary.
    Within 15 Days from the Date of Travel – The cost of rescheduling needs to be paid by the guest subject to amendment charges from hotels and transporters.
    Rescheduling will only be accepted by E-mail at spititravelgroup@gmail.com

    Must Carry:

  • Authentic Government ID Card
  • Comfortable warm clothing like woolen socks, cap, fleece jackets or warmers, down jacket, toiletries.
  • Sunscreen & lip balm, Good U/V protection sunglasses
  • Personal Medicines (if any) & few medicines for altitude sickness (a must)
  • Innerline Permit

  • Clients require Innerline permits to visit the restricted areas like Pangong Lake & Khardongla pass.
  • Permits will be arranged by us from the District magistrate’s office for which we require the original photo ID proof (passport, driving license or Election ID).
  • The permit costs include Red Cross society, Wildlife fee and Environmental fee.
  • The District Magistrate office Leh is not authorized to issue permits to the nationalities of Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, People’s Republic of China, Taiwan, Afghanistan and people holding Diplomatic and official passport and visa. These Nationalities and Diplomatic/ Official passport holders can issued permits only after they gain authorization from the Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.
  • Supplementary Other Charges:

  • Prices valid from 01 January 2025 to 31 March 2025.
  • Kindly Note:
    We reserve right to change any schedule in interest of safety, comfort and general wellbeing. Numerous factors such as weather, road conditions, physical ability of travellers etc may cause itinerary change.

    Dos and Don’ts
    On arrival please rest for 24 hrs, as you are traveling to high Altitude from Low, due to low oxygen.
    Have plenty of drinking water or any kind of liquid (except alcohol)
    Please cooperate with the localities, potters, guide, cook and driver as they are more helpful during the trek.
    Transits between two destinations depend upon weather and road conditions.
    Ladakh is a polythene-free region; make sure not to use any polythene when not necessary.
    Do not contaminate the area by not disposing the waste properly.
    Leave your denims behind – these are ill suited for treks. Snacks, colas, alcohol and personal food – No need to overburden yourself with food
    Don’t get any equipment. We would carry Alpine tents and other equipment required for such treks.
    Medicines of all kinds are usually available in local pharmacies with no prescription necessary. Check expiration dates.

    Things you must carry:
    Clothing (Heavy Warm Feather Jacket, Warm philes jacket, woolen and windproof gloves, Warm hat, woolen Socks, Warm Windproof Trouser, Sweaters etc.)
    Trekking shoes (Water proof).
    Sun glass with UV Protection
    Torch with extra batteries.
    Sun Screen lotion and cold cream.
    Sleeping bag for – 25.
    Light towel (should be thin, quick drying kind).
    Chapstick or lip balm
    Water bottles. The insulated water bottles are good but even normal water bottles will suffice.
    Camera, memory-cards, batteries etc. (carry enough spare batteries. Electricity is not available on the slopes)
    Personal toiletries/windcheater/Tissue rolls.
    If available then a Pair of walking sticks.
    An identification card (like Passport, driving license, voters ID card etc.), along with a photocopy.

    Medicines:
    Avomine-Vomiting
    D cold-Illness/combiflam-Body ache
    Vicks balm
    Diamox (250mg) – for high altitude/high pressure.
    Saridon – Headache.
    Personal Medicines.
    Glucon D/ Electral powder and camphor.
    Also consult your local doctor for any other medicines.

    Avoid Acute Mountain Sickness
    Acute mountain sickness can occur to anyone at an altitude above 10,000 feet from the sea level. The most common symptoms of the acute mountain sickness are headache disturbed sleep, loss of appetite, nausea, coughing, irregular breathing, breathlessness, lassitude and lack of concentration, Since Leh town is situated at an attitude of 11,500ft. above sea level, it is advisable to take the following precaution, so as to acclimatise your body properly.

    Cost Details

    Package Cost
    INR 82599/- Per Pax For 2 Pax Travelling Together
    INR 66599/- Per Pax For 4 Pax Travelling Together
    INR 53599/- Per Pax For 6 Pax Travelling Together

    Rates are subjected to availability + 5% GST Applicable

    For Group Bookings : 6+ pax travelling – get special rates. Call : (+91) 9882066645 | 98053-74009
    Mail your requirements : spititravelgroup@gmail.com

    Credit Card / Debit Card / Netbanking / EMI
    All Cards / Payment Wallet Accepted.