About the trip

Hosted by our co-owner, Christopher Wilmot-Sitwell, this journey into northern Pakistan takes you deep into one of the world’s last great mountain wildernesses. It offers a rare chance to track the elusive snow leopard in its natural home.

Framed by the towering Karakoram, Khunjerab National Park is alive with ibex, blue sheep and the silent steps of snow leopards. Guided by local trackers and community rangers, you will scan cliff faces, read tracks and witness the delicate balance between predator, prey and people.

This is more than a wildlife expedition. Meet the families and village organisations who have changed their relationship with these cats. Visit predator-proof corrals and see how livestock insurance and local conservation efforts help communities coexist with wildlife. Your journey directly supports both animals and livelihoods, bringing conservation vividly to life.

The adventure also visits the fabled Hunza Valley, where 700-year-old forts overlook apricot orchards and villages shaped by centuries of trade along the Silk Road. This history is reflected in the valley’s stone houses, winding paths and enduring local traditions, all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Karakoram. The journey also explores the vibrant culture and energy of Islamabad and Skardu.

Snow leopard sightings are never guaranteed, and that is part of the magic. The real reward is in the pursuit: the hush of a high pass, the thrill of movement across a ridge, and the vast, quiet scale of these pharaonic mountains.

Carefully planned and deeply personal, this journey is for those drawn to wild places, meaningful encounters and the quiet thrill of one of the world’s most mysterious predators. Throughout the trip you will be staying in simple, but comfortable accommodation, perfectly situated for your adventure.

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KEY INFORMATION

Dates

Exact dates TBC
March 2027

Price

From GBP £TBC (in the region of £8,000 per person sharing) USD $TBC per person sharing excl. flights

Length

15 days

Flight time

8 hours from London
19 hours from NYC

Currency

Pakistani Rupee

Group size

10-12

Country Highlights

Snow Leopard Foundation in Islamabad

Snow Leopards in Pakistan

Here you’ll meet Pakistan’s leading organisation for snow leopard conservation. Learn how local communities benefit: villagers trained as wildlife guardians, women earning through handicrafts, and families protected by livestock vaccinations and predator-proof corrals. Your visit directly supports SLF’s work, with part of your trip funding research and community programmes.

Explore the Shigar Valley

Serena Shigar Fort, Pakistan

Just outside Skardu, the 17th-century Shigar Fort has been turned into a heritage hotel, where you will stay. A short walk leads to Amburiq Mosque, one of Baltistan’s oldest. Another brief stroll takes you to Shigar Rock, with breathtaking views over the valley.

The Markhor Corridor

The Markhor Corridor, Pakistan

On your journey to the Hunza Valley from Skardu, you will have the chance to explore a remarkable conservation success: the recovery of the Astor Markhor. Here, you can practise skills essential for snow leopard tracking; scanning cliff faces, working with spotters, and using spotting scopes and binoculars. The Markhor inhabit terrain similar to snow leopard habitat, making this an excellent introduction to reading animal movement against rocky backgrounds.

Hunza Valley

Serena Hunza, Pakistan

Explore the storied halls of Baltit Fort and the older Altit Fort, where carved wood, thick stone walls and narrow staircases echo with tales of Silk Road traders and mountain rulers. From their terraces, look out across apricot orchards and snow-capped peaks that dominate the skyline.

Meet the Kunjerab Village Organisation

Kunjerab Village Organisation, Pakistan

Meet the Snow Leopard Foundation and Khunjerab Village Organization, at the heart of this expedition’s conservation work. See predator-proof corrals, livestock insurance, camera-trap monitoring and local ranger programmes, all designed to protect both people and snow leopards.

Five Days of Snow Leopard Tracking in Khunjerab National Park

Khunjerab National Park, Pakistan

Spend five days tracking snow leopards across the vast valleys of Khunjerab National Park, guided by expert local rangers and spotters. Each day begins at first light, scanning cliffs and ridgelines for movement. You’ll combine 4WD access with short walks to carefully chosen vantage points, settling in to watch and wait as the mountains come alive. Fresh intelligence, weather and overnight reports shape the plan, keeping the experience fluid and responsive.

Wildlife in Khunjerab National Park

Khunjerab National Park, Pakistan

During your days of  tracking, look for ibex, blue sheep, foxes and soaring raptors, and visit local families whose predator-proof corrals and community schemes are changing the future for both people and wildlife. Some days may lead you higher, towards Khunjerab Pass, for extended observation; others may see you following fresh tracks in real time.

Music of Hunza and Shaman

Hunza Valley, Pakistan

Hunza’s shaman guard ancient wisdom, blending ritual, healing and a deep bond with the natural world. Their traditions have shaped the valley for generations. Meet local musicians performing shamanic songs, as rhythm and chant fill the space. The ceremony unfolds as it has for centuries, offering an intimate glimpse into a living, high-mountain culture.

Raja Bazar

Market, Pakistan

Raja Bazar is one of Rawalpindi’s oldest trading quarters. The narrow lanes forma bustling maze of spice sacks, bangles, embroidered textiles, brass ware, gemstones, attar, and traditional sweet shops that have served the city for generations. Done well, it’s not “shopping”; it’s a guided immersion: your host steers you through the most atmospheric alleys, translating the rhythm of bargaining, introducing specialist vendors (jewellers, shawl merchants, and spice men who can tell you exactly where each pepper was dried), and carving out quiet moments for chai and people-watching above the crowd. It’s sensory, cinematic, and intensely local.

UNESCO world heritage site, Taxila

Taxila, Pakistan

Explore the wonders of Taxila, a UNESCO World Heritage site and former centre of the Gandhara civilisation. Wander among ancient monasteries, stupas and universities at Sirkap, Dharmarajika and Mohra Moradu, where inscriptions in Kharosthi, Greek and Brahmi reveal the region’s rich cultural and spiritual heritage.

Step into a local truck-painting workshop, where artists turn vehicles into vibrant rolling canvases adorned with intricate designs. Finish with the striking Faisal Mosque, its soaring white-marble minarets and exquisite interior calligraphy offering a serene and unforgettable glimpse of the city’s spiritual heart.

Country Highlights

Our tailor-made journeys include

  • A dedicated Destination Expert who will curate your itinerary from scratch, tailoring it to your preferences + interests
  • Private + extraordinary under-the-radar experiences
  • Access to the very best guides + experts to bring the destination to life
  • Private international airport transfers in destination
  • The MyCazLoyd app to view your itinerary offline anywhere, anytime
  • 24/7 support whilst travelling
  • ATOL protection to give you total peace of mind

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