Snow Leopard Tracking Trek in Manang

Responsible Treks is proud to collaborate with Third Pole Conservancy (TPC) in promoting unique experiences of tracking snow leopards tracking trek in the Manang the Annapurna region of Nepal. We are bringing several years of field experience of TPC and its field biologist, along with Responsible treks in the tourism industry, for making the trip of a lifetime. TPC has been leading research and conservation on snow leopards in the Annapurna region since 2014.

TPC’s field biologist, Tashi R. Ghale (a native of the area), brings more than 17 years of experience in wildlife photography in the valley and has sighted a snow leopard on 15 occasions. This trip is more than just a snow leopard sighting, it will blend science, tourism, and conservation uniquely for the betterment of the snow leopard, its habitat, and the local economy, adding steps to sustainable tourism.

Manang valley in the Annapurna Conservation Area, Nepal, lies in the rain shadow of the Annapurna mountain range, and precipitation is low (c. 500 mm). The snow leopard, Himalayan wolf, Golden jackal, and Red fox are the only large mammalian predators, and the Blue sheep and Himalayan musk deer are the main wild ungulates in the valley. Small mammalian predator includes Pallas’s cat, Beech Marten, Mountain weasel, and prey like Pikas and voles. The Manang valley is also rich in large avian diversity. It includes species like the Himalayan griffon, Bearded vulture, Golden eagle, and more.

We offer snow leopard tracking trek in this valley where snow leopard density is one of the highest in the Nepal Himalaya, 5-7 individuals per 100 sq. km. TPC’s camera trapping survey in the valley has captured incredible images of snow leopards, enabling them to identify potential hotspots for sightings. A hundred percent manual sighting of a snow leopard in the field is not promised, but the chances of a sighting are very high. Our field guide will take us through key snow leopard habitats, providing ample opportunities to see snow leopard signs such as feces, pugmarks, and scrapes, along with a visit to a few of the camera trapping sites where cameras are in operation, and we can learn about setting camera traps.