Snow Leopard Photo Safari
A camping trek above the Indus near Gilgit, in the home of the snow leopard and Astore markhor, facing Nanga Parbat.
Wildlife of the high valleys
Snow leopards live between 3,000 and 5,400 meters, where the climate is cold and dry and the slopes are sparsely covered with grasses and shrubs. They prefer steep, broken terrain — cliffs, rocky outcrops and ravines — that gives them cover and clear views of their prey, and often travel along ridgelines and cliff bases.
The valleys that branch off the Indus around Gilgit, Skardu and Astore are also home to the Astore markhor — a flare-horned markhor with wider horn curves than the Kashmir markhor — as well as blue sheep and wolves.
Expect average hikes of 4 to 5 hours, breathtaking scenery and uninterrupted views of Nanga Parbat. Previous trekking experience helps, and we do not recommend this trip for anyone with chronic conditions such as epilepsy or heart disease.
Day-by-day itinerary
- Day 1
Fly to Gilgit, drive to Ramghat
Early flight to Gilgit, then jeeps to Ramghat via Bunji, stopping where the Himalaya, Karakoram and Hindukush ranges meet. Set up cameras and gear, then a barbecue dinner and the night in camp.
- Day 2
Hike to Neelidar
A four-hour hike to camp at Neelidar. In the evening your guide takes you to a spring where markhor come to drink, and the sun sets on Nanga Parbat, Rakaposhi, Haramosh and the surrounding peaks.
- Day 3
Akalo Tamo day hike
Wake to the first light on Nanga Parbat while the valley is still dark — one of the finest sunrises in the Himalaya. A five-hour hike to Akalo Tamo to explore and photograph, then back to camp.
- Day 4
Mishikhand day hike
A day hike to Mishikhand, returning to Neelidar for the night.
- Day 5
Back to Ramghat & Gilgit
Trek down to Ramghat, where the jeeps wait for the drive to a hotel in Gilgit.
- Final day
Fly to Islamabad
Transfer to Gilgit airport for the flight back to Islamabad.
Photos via Wikimedia Commons: Snow leopard — Irbis1983, Public domain
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