'Ghost of the Mountains' Caught on Camera: Travellers Spot Rare Snow Leopard in Spiti Valley

A rare glimpse of the elusive snow leopard strolling along a mountain road in Spiti Valley, captured by stunned travellers. (Instagram Video Grab: decamptraveller)

Imagine driving through the surreal silence of Spiti Valley, the golden hour casting a warm hue on snow-laced mountains, when suddenly—the unthinkable happens. Out of the rugged, icy wilderness, a snow leopard emerges and walks straight down the mountain road before you. That’s exactly what a lucky group of travellers witnessed, capturing a once-in-a-lifetime encounter with the elusive ghost of the Himalayas.

A Magical Encounter on the Kaza–Nako Route

On the evening of May 5 a group travelling from Kaza to Nako found themselves face to face with one of nature’s most mysterious predators. Just 8 to 10 km past the sleepy village of Tabo, their quiet road trip took a dramatic and awe-inspiring turn.

Out of nowhere, a snow leopard—a creature many only dream of seeing in the wild—appeared, gracefully walking ahead of their vehicle. The group, seated inside their car, wisely maintained a safe distance as they trailed the majestic animal, filming the encounter in hushed awe.

Ghost in Plain Sight

In a viral Instagram video shared by traveller Jatin Gupta (@decamptraveller), a snow leopard glides gracefully along a snowy road, its white-grey coat blending perfectly with the rugged terrain. For a few surreal moments, time seems to pause—no honking, no revving—just the soft crunch of snow under its paws and the silent wonder of stunned onlookers.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by JATIN GUPTA | EXPLORER (@decamptraveller)

One traveller can be heard saying, "Wo bhaag rahi hai hamse” (She’s trying to run away from us), while another warns, "Bhagegi hi, dekhna bagal mein zyada lagana mat, sheesha tod sakti hai” (Of course she will run. Don’t get too close—she could break the window).

Despite the attention, the big cat appears largely unfazed, occasionally glancing back before continuing along her icy path like a queen inspecting her kingdom.

Reactions Pour In: ‘You Guys Are Damn Lucky!’

As soon as the video was shared online (Watch here), netizens flooded the comments with amazement and envy. One user wrote: “Bro, it’s a rare sight. Spotting a snow leopard is very tough and you saw it while sitting in your car.”

Another gushed: “You guys are damn lucky!!! To witness the ghost of the mountains on the road and that too for so long!!!! Wish I had a chance to see this beauty like this.”

However, not all comments were celebratory. Wildlife enthusiasts expressed concern over revealing exact coordinates of such rare sightings. Some stressed the importance of respecting wildlife protocols: “Stop the engine. Let the majestic go. That was the protocol. Instead of scaring with machine sounds,” one commented.

Why This Sighting Is So Special

Snow leopards are one of the most elusive big cats on the planet. Known as ‘Shan’ in local dialects, they are incredibly shy and masters of camouflage. With their thick fur, powerful build, and long tails, they’re perfectly suited for the extreme cold and high altitudes of regions like Spiti, Ladakh, and parts of Central Asia.

Even seasoned wildlife photographers spend weeks—sometimes months—in the mountains hoping to catch just a glimpse. For a casual group of travellers to see one for several minutes, and on a road, is nothing short of extraordinary.

Why Spiti Valley Is a Paradise for Wildlife Lovers

Besides being a haven for spiritual seekers and adventure lovers, Spiti Valley is an emerging hotspot for rare wildlife encounters. Known for its barren beauty and ancient monasteries, the valley also harbours Himalayan blue sheep, ibex, red foxes, and—if you’re unimaginably lucky—snow leopards.

This spellbinding snow leopard sighting in Spiti is a poignant reminder of nature’s quiet magic—and the need to tread softly in the wild. Whether you’re an adventure junkie or a quiet soul drawn to the mountains, Spiti has a way of revealing the unexpected, sometimes in the form of a mythical big cat on a mountain road.

So, next time you head to the Himalayas, keep your eyes open, your cameras ready, and your respect for the wild intact. You never know what might cross your path.