Snow Leopard Expedition 2026/2027

Arrival at Islamabad International Airport. Our team will receive you and transfer you to the hotel.
In the evening, a short expedition briefing will be held covering safety, weather, equipment, and expectations. Overnight stay in Islamabad.

Early morning Drive to Gilgit via Karakoram Highway! (12/13 hrs)
Upon arrival in Gilgit, check in to the hotel and rest. Short walk along the river or local bazaar if time allows.
Overnight stay in Gilgit.

After breakfast, drive north through the Hunza Valley toward Sost or the Khunjerab region.
Enjoy stunning views of snow-covered peaks, glaciers, and deep valleys.
Arrival at the base village, meet local trackers and porters, and final expedition preparation.
Overnight stay in a guesthouse.

Day 4 marks the true beginning of the expedition as we move deeper into Khunjerab National Park and enter known snow leopard territory. After an early start, we travel to our base area, adjusting plans based on weather, snow conditions, and recent wildlife movement reports from local trackers. Upon arrival, our WWF-trained guides and local wildlife photographer will conduct a detailed field briefing covering safety, altitude awareness, tracking ethics, and realistic expectations for snow leopard sightings. The afternoon is spent on short acclimatization walks and the first long range scans using spotting scopes, focusing on ibex and blue sheep herds, key indicators of leopard presence. Evening temperatures can drop rapidly, and visibility may change quickly; sunset scans depend entirely on weather and wind conditions.

This day is fully dedicated to tracking and observation, guided by fresh signs such as pugmarks, scrapes, scat, and prey movement. Plans remain intentionally flexible, routes, walking distances, and observation points are chosen in real time based on overnight snowfall, wind direction, and tracker intelligence. Expect long periods of silence and stillness, broken by short relocations to new vantage points. Our guides will explain how to read terrain and snow conditions, while the photographer assists with long-lens techniques and camouflage challenges unique to this environment. Snow leopard sightings are never guaranteed many expeditions wait days or weeks but these patient hours are when rare encounters often happen.

Weather permitting, Day 6 may take us toward higher ridgelines or valleys where prey species tend to gather during winter months. This is a physically and mentally demanding day, with cold temperatures, strong winds, and extended glassing sessions from sunrise to sunset. Alternatively, if conditions are harsh, we remain lower, focusing on protected corridors and known movement routes. Camera trap checks may be carried out if accessible, offering indirect but powerful evidence of snow leopard activity. Decisions throughout the day are led entirely by safety, weather windows, and wildlife behavior rather than a fixed schedule.

By Day 7, our team has a clearer understanding of animal movement patterns in the area. This day is treated as a deep field push, revisiting promising zones identified earlier or shifting entirely if new reports emerge overnight. Some participants may spend hours at a single vantage point, while others rotate locations with guides. This is often when patience is tested the most and when sightings sometimes occur unexpectedly. Even without a direct sighting, encounters with ibex, wolves, foxes, golden eagles, and signs of leopard presence make this day a core expedition experience.

The expedition concludes with a final early morning scan of surrounding slopes and ridgelines, taking advantage of the brief window when snow leopards are most active. After breakfast, we begin our gradual exit from the park, weather and road conditions permitting. A closing debrief is held enroute or upon return, where guides review observations, share conservation insights, and reflect on the realities of snow leopard research and protection in the Karakoram. Whether or not a sighting occurs, guests leave with a genuine understanding of why this expedition is considered one of the most challenging and rewarding wildlife experiences on Earth.

Day at leisure in Gilgit to relax after the expedition.
Optional short walks, local market visit, or riverside time.
Overnight stay in Gilgit.

Morning flight or road journey back to Islamabad.
Transfer to airport for onward international departure.
End of expedition.