Tracking and photographing the Snow Leopards in Manang
October 29, 2024
Tracking and photographing Snow Leopards in Manang is a thrilling adventure in the heart of the Himalayas. It is not just a wildlife adventure but also a wonderful journey of discovery, immersing one in the captivating culture and enjoying amazing Himalayan vistas.
The majority of tourists do not think of the Himalayas as a wildlife destination. But, the highest mountains in the world are surprisingly diverse. Here are some locations where wildlife watchers go to see mountain wildlife. Such as snow leopards, Pallas’s cats, red pandas, blood pheasants, and other birds.
Nepal is one of the 12 nations where these cats live, with an estimated population of 350-500. Surrounded by the towering Annapurna Himalayas, Manang Valley is the hotspot of snow leopards providing excellent chances of their sightings. Compared to other snow leopard habitats in Nepal, Manang is the nearest place to Kathmandu to witness the wild snow leopard. Driving 2 days from Kathmandu will take you to the scenic Manang village. In the winter months of January, February, and March, snowfall in the higher altitudes makes snow leopards descend to the lower elevations. They chase their favorite prey blue sheep and this is the time of their breeding. This makes searching and spotting their litter easier in the winter.
Although there is no guarantee of a 100% snow leopard sighting in the field, the likelihood of seeing one is quite high. With the assistance of our expert guide Tashi R. Ghale, there is a high chance of spotting the snow leopard. Tashi has spotted the snow leopards in Manang more than 50 times. He has been working in the snow leopard conservations for 2 decades.
There is something more to this adventure than just the excitement of the pursuit. It’s about contributing to the issue and supporting conservation initiatives that guarantee the snow leopard’s survival. Along with breathtaking memories, you will also have a greater appreciation for the fragile harmony of nature and the significance of protecting these amazing creatures when you return home.
In addition to visiting some of the camera trapping locations, our expert field guide with a better understanding of the snow leopard behavior will lead us through important snow leopard habitats. While searching their habitats, there will be plenty of chances to spot snow leopard signs like stools, urine smell, pugmarks, and scrapes. You can learn to identify signs of the elusive cat’s presence, such as tracks in the snow and scratch marks on tree trunks.
During the snow leopard tracking in Nepal, you will come across other wildlife. Such as the blue sheep, Himalayan musk deer, red fox, and smaller mammals like Pallas’s cat, marten, and pikas. Additionally, the Manang Valley is home to a wide variety of birds. Including the Golden Eagle, Bearded Vulture, and Himalayan Griffon, among others.
Photographing an elusive snow leopard is every wildlife enthusiast’s dream. But capturing them in the wild is not an easy task. It takes a lot of hiking in the rugged terrains, patience, wisdom, and courage. Snow leopards live in remote and rugged terrain. That’s why, we need a lot of endurance for walking in such geographical locations. The weather in the winter may be somewhat challenging too with the higher possibility of snowfall and cold temperatures. So it is better to prepare accordingly for the snow leopard photography trek in the Manang Valley of Nepal.