Few road trips are as full of magical moments as this one. A group of travelers, driving through Himachal's Spiti Valley, were witness to an unforgettable sight. The elusive snow leopard, popularly referred to as the 'ghost of the mountains', appeared on the road casually — an experience few people enjoy.
Magical Moment on a Mountain Road
The scene was filmed on 5 May 2025, between 6 and 7 pm. Travel influencer Jatin Gupta posted the clip on Instagram. They were on the drive from Kaza to Nako, close to Tabo village, when they saw the leopard.
The creature padded peacefully along the road, perfectly camouflaged in Spiti terrain. Onlookers stood in wonder and silence, taping the regal predator on camera. Throughout the video, one can hear people commentating in admiration of the rare creature. One woman says, "She's running away from us," and another chimes in, cautioning against moving closer.
Mr Gupta called it "a magical moment" in the caption. "These rare animals are barely ever spotted in May," he continued. The snow leopard sat patiently, presenting a close-up shot in the wild that was a rare one.
Internet Sees the Amazement Reaction to the Jaw-Dropping Encounter
The video, which was shared on Instagram, went viral within days. It has garnered over 4 million views and over 229,000 likes. Users poured into the comment section with amazement and jealousy.
"Bro, it's a rare sighting. It's difficult to spot a snow leopard," read one post. Another read, "You guys are damn lucky! The ghost of mountains…on the road!"
Photographers and wildlife lovers understand how rare such an opportunity is. "Photographers wait months just to catch a glimpse of one," read one comment.
Several also commended the tourists for their respectful attitude. "The act of not disturbing the animal is incredible," a user commented. The group kept a safe distance during the encounter.
This rare sighting is a reminder of nature's subtle gifts. Sometimes, the most amazing experiences occur when you least expect them.
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