Snow Leopard Trail

Guided trekking and wildlife watching in Nepal

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Snow Leopard Trail

On the tracks of the ghost of the mountains

The Snow Leopard Trail: On the tracks of the snow leopard around Manang with subsequent crossing of the Thorong La Pass ©Google Maps®/Fair Trails®

Key facts:

Guided group tour with trekking & wildlife watching
Fair Trails® Pioneers: Tashi R. Ghale & Mingma Nuru Sherpa

Land: Nepal
Region: Annapurna region
Level: ●●●○○
Additional claim: Crossing of Thorong La (5.420 m)

Price and dates are coming soon

On the tracks of the snow leopard

The journey

The Snow Leopard Trail is the first Fair Trail in the Himalayas and, as its name suggests, follows the tracks of the mystical snow leopard. In the process, he roams the northern Annapurna region around Manang, the home village of Tashi R. Ghale. For it is only through the careful accompaniment of this internationally renowned nature photographer and species conservation expert that the present of the snow leopard in the midst of a breathtaking mountain landscape. In addition, Tashi R. Ghale. Insights into projects and initiatives for the protection of this endangered big cat. Because every Fair Trails® trip contributes with a concrete contribution to the conservation of the snow leopard and its habitat. An unforgettable journey of discovery in the presence of the wonderful and who knows, you may even be lucky enough to observe the “ghost of the mountains” in the wild.

The Snow Leopard Trail is reached by road from Kathmandu, with the off-road vehicle ride through the breathtaking Marsyangdi Gorge in particular, from the subtropical jungle up into the world of the Himalayan ice giants, an adventure in itself.

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The mountain village of Manang at 3,500m above sea level then forms the ideal base camp for the next few days of game drives on hidden wildlife trails, the Snow Leopard Trail. Under the careful guidance of Tashi R. Ghale we follow the tracks of the snow leopard in the midst of a breathtaking mountain world. Always feeling the presence of the miraculous, we catch glimpses of the many fascinating animal species of the Annapurna Himal, from the magnificent blue sheep to the giant bearded vulture. And who knows, we might even see the snow leopard…

In addition, Tashi opens up to us insights into snow leopard conservation projects – from herd protection to the Snow Leopard Scout program with the local school.

On the Snow Leopard Trail: With Tashi R. Ghale on hidden wildlife trails  ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

Magical moments: sunrise at Thorong La Pass at 5.420m, surrounded by the glacier giants of the Annapurna Himal ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

The wildlife excursions with Tashi R. Ghale are not only unforgettable, they also prove to be an ideal program for altitude adaptation. For with the crossing of the Thorong La pass (5,420m), another great trekking adventure awaits.

The Thorong La is one of the most important Himalayan passes in Nepal, connecting Manang with the former kingdom of Mustang. Today it represents the famous key point on the Annapurna Circuit and for you the final highlight of the program on the Snow Leopard Trails.

The travel itinerary

1.Day | Arrival in Kathmandu, Overnight stay: Kathmandu
2.Day | Equipment Check / Briefing / Kathmandu Food Trail. Overnight stay: Kathmandu
3.Day | Transfer to Besisahar, Overnight stay: Besisahar
4.Day | Transfer to Timang; short Acclimatization tour; Overnight stay in Timang
5.Day | Transfer to Manang, Acclimatization tour to Gangapurna icefall; Overnight stay: Manang
6.Day | Wildlife observation at the Snow Leopard Trail; Overnight stay: Manang
7.Day | Wildlife observation at the Snow Leopard Trail; Overnight stay: Manang
8.Day | Wildlife observation at the Snow Leopard Trail; Overnight stay: Manang
9.Day | Trekking to Ledar; Overnight stay in Ledar
10.Day | Trekking to the Thorung High Camp; Overnight stay: Thorung High Camp
11.Day | Trekking across the Thorung La to Muktinath
12.Day | Trekking across Lupra to Jomoson; Farewell of the crew
13.Day | Flight to Pokhara; Relaxing in Pokhara
14.Day | Rest day or sightseeing & optional active recreation in Pokhara
15.Day | Flight to Kathmandu; Sightseeing tour Kathmandu; Overnight stay: Kathmandu
16.Day | Rest day and Kathmandu; Overnight stay: Kathmandu
17.Day | Departure from Kathmandu

The journey in pictures

The journey to the Snow Leopard Trail is an adventure in itself: the four-wheel drive road leads through the imposing Marsyangdi Gorge up into the realm of the snow leopard. ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

The Snow Leopard Trail stretches around the Tibetan-influenced villages of Manang and Braga (pictured) amidst the gigantic Annapurna Mountains ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

Acclimatization in Manang provides opportunity for greater immersion in Manangi culture: Archer at the annual festival ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

With Tashi R. Ghale on the tracks of the snow leopard in the Annapurna Himal ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

Tashi R. Ghale: His enthusiasm for the snow leopard and the wildlife of the Annapurna Himal is contagious ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

In the presence of the miraculous: Fresh paw prints on the Snow Leopard Trail ©Josef Essl/Fair Trails®

Where there are blue sheep, the snow leopard is not far. A magnificent sight on the Snow Leopard Trail © Tashi R. Ghale

So close to the peaks and the final highlight: After the Snow Leopard Trail we climb one of the most famous Himalayan passes, the Thorong La (5,420m) ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

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The ghost of the mountains

The story

Beauty, strength and a hidden way of life have established the legendary aura of the snow leopard in the Himalayas. A myth, which became famous in the so-called “western” countries only with a book: In his world bestseller “On the Tracks of the Snow Leopard,” American author Peter Matthiessen describes a zoological expedition through unknown western Nepal, with the goal of observing the snow leopard in the wild for the first time. He accompanies the famous zoologist George Schaller on the ultimately futile search, for the snow leopard turns out to be a master of camouflage, of merging with the landscape. Ghostly, elegant and always one step ahead. What Matthiessen finds, however, are the limits of his own ego. For this expedition into the highlands on the Tibetan border becomes for him a “pilgrimage of the heart,” in which he discovers a world in which dramatic forces of nature and the mysticism of Tibetan monks combine to create a reality in which the everyday life left behind becomes unreal and the unreal becomes familiar. 

What a beauty: the ghost of the mountains! Around the snow leopard entwine many myths! ©Snow Leopard Conservancy

A lonely path in the barren high mountains: the region around Manang is home to the snow leopard ©Herbert Wölger

Widespread and yet so rare

While four out of five big cat species (tiger, lion, leopard and jaguar) find their constantly shrinking habitat in forests and savannahs, that of the snow leopard spreads over a huge area of all the high mountains of Central Asia. From the vast steppes of Mongolia to subtropical Bhutan. And in the midst of these sheer endless expanses of rugged mountain ranges and plateaus, just 4,000 – 6,000 individuals of this so fascinating big cat are found. No wonder why the snow leopard can be observed so rarely in the wild. And unfortunately also with a reason, why it is acutely endangered in this thinned out habitat in its existence. Which in turn is a mandate for all of us to make a contribution so that another magnificent creature is not irretrievably lost on our planet.

The snow leopard. A symbol of the mystique of the wilderness. Noticeable but usually not visible. So the hike on the tracks of the snow leopard – “in the presence of the miraculous” – opens you a profound and almost spiritual access to the wilderness. And thus serves the search for oneself and one’s own origins.

Blue sheep: as its main food source, they are an important part of the snow leopard ecosystem ©Herbert Wölger

A family of snow leopards: thanks to the protection measures, the population of the big cat around Manang is recovering ©Tashi R. Ghale

Our experts at the Snow Leopard Trail

The pioneers

Meet our pioneers on the Snow Leopard Trail who will open up this extraordinary experience to you and accompany you on your journey into the realm of the snow leopard:

Tashi R. Gale

Fair Trails® expert, nature photographer, conservationist, snow leopard expert. Awarded many times (among others Disney Award winner) for his efforts to explore and protect the wildlife of the Himalayas. ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

The snow leopard expert

„The first encounter with two snow leopards in the wild was fateful for me. Since then, I have dedicated a large part of my life to the study and protection of this big cat so shrouded in mystery. Living in Manang, in the middle of the mountains of the Annapurna Himal, I am able to spend more than 200 days a year tracking the snow leopard.

In addition to watching him, I set camera traps, assist scientists in field work, help farmers and herders protect herds, and oversee the “Snow Leopard Scout Program” at the Manang school. And I am especially happy to be able to show the guests of Fair Trails® the world of the snow leopard.“

The trail guru

„I have been traveling the Himalayas since 1992 and from my numerous expeditions and treks I know that while the myth of the snow leopard is omnipresent, there has been no opportunity to delve deeper into the world of this creature as wonderful as it is mysterious.

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It is thanks to the initiative of leading snow leopard expert Dr. Rodney Jackson that we were introduced to Tashi R. Ghale. Infected by Tashi’s enthusiasm and expertise, we henceforth collaborated with him on the Snow Leopard Trail program. And so today the Snow Leopard Trail combines unique nature experiences in the Himalayas with a concrete contribution to the protection of the snow leopard.“

Günter Mussnig

Geography graduate, CEO at Trail Angels, sustainable tourism designer, Himalayan veteran and co-founder of Fair Trails®; ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

Mingma Nuru Sherpa

Fair Trails® expert, TAAN certified trekking guide; mainly working for the Fair Trails® certified agency Himalaya Sherpa Nepal; involved in the development of the Snow Leopard Trail since its inception ©Thomas Sattler/Matthew Nelson/Fair Trails®

The prudent all-rounder

„I come from the small Sherpa village of Chaurikharka in the Khumbu (Everest region), where the snow leopard has always been part of the culture and daily life of the Sherpas. On the one hand as a mythical creature and on the other hand as a threat to our farm animals on the alpine pastures.

Although I have been a trekking guide for almost two decades now, I never had the opportunity to get closer to this wonderful animal. That’s why I’m grateful to Fair Trails® for allowing me to be a part of the very first exploration trip for the Snow Leopard Trail in 2018. And am excited to be able to lead treks on the Snow Leopard Trail in the future.

Travel with a lasting impact

Our impact

Our mantra “Impact First” applies to all Fair Trails® trips! Here you can learn how we want to make the world a little bit better with our trips. And at Snow Leopard Trail our concrete responsibility looks like this:

  1. Fair Trails® Project: Protection of the snow leopard

With the “Fair Trails® Impact Fee” € 100,– per Fair Trails® traveler go to selected projects for the conservation of the snow leopard. Currently, the following projects are supported in cooperation with the two NGOs Snow Leopard Conservancy and Third Pole Conservancy:

  • Herd Protection: Installation of light traps, so-called “Foxlights”, around the night pens. This is to keep the snow leopards away from the grazing animals and thus make the coexistence of snow leopard and man more conflict-free
  • Awareness raising: The Snow Leopard Scout Program at Shree Annapurna Secondary School in Manang aims to promote young Manangi’s understanding of conservation and the snow leopard. The project is supervised by Tashi R. Ghale and his Third Pole Conservancy.

Fair Trail Explorer Günter Mussnig inspects a foxlight that was installed to protect a night camp for yaks on the Leddar high alpine pasture ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

Visit of a Fair Trails Explorer group to the Snow Leopard Scouts at Shree Annapurna Secondary School ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

2. Social responsibility

We work exclusively with carefully selected and vetted local trekking agencies and place the highest value on social sustainability and inclusion such as:

  • Fair payment & optimaler Versicherungsschutz der Trekking Crew
  • On the treck: overnights in small family run lodges orhome stays
  • Promoting socially disadvantaged populations and local value chains
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  • Opportunities for further training and qualification in the context of the Fair Trails® Academy

Improving the living conditions of people in Nepal, giving them opportunities for further education and working in partnership with them on projects is a cornerstone of the fair Trails® philosophy. ©Thomas Sattler/Fair Trails®

The Fair Trails® Trekking Crew: fair pay, optimal insurance and a respectful, friendly relationship with the Fair Trails® guests. This is what sustainable tourism looks like, which is fair and fun! ©Günter Mussnig/Fair Trails®

3. Climate compensation

  • For Fair Trails® it is a matter of course to compensate or neutralize the greenhouse gas emissions for their trips
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  • Therefore, Fair Trails® is an official partner of Atmosfair®
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  • This is how we support Atmosfair® in implementing renewable energy projects in Nepal. On this trip: solar-powered kettles.

4. Our Impact Partner at the Snow Leopard Trail

Travel reports from the Snow Leopard Trail:

Fair Trails® Explorer Tour: Recap I

With the guardians of the Himalayas and on the tracks of the snow leopard. A recap from our Explorer Crew on the Local Life Trail and Snow Leopard Trail.

Fair Trails® – Reisen für eine bessere Welt!

Blog Series 1/3: The Motivation. About our presumption to change the future of travel with the Fair Trails® initiative.

Fair Trails® Newsletter

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