Time limit
Normal trek –
On a normal trek, the schedule runs as per the golden rule 7-8-9, tea at 7 am, breakfast at 8 am and departure by 9 am. The day then ends in the evening after reaching the campsite before sunset. The entire time is calculated according to the start point, endpoint, and the momentum of the trekkers.
Snow leopard expedition –
The time here runs parallel in two steps. Step one is the timeline the guide follows. He/she will wake up early or stay up late to look for tracks. If they find something good then they will contact the group and alert them. According to the leader’s direction, the group will then follow an impromptu schedule built by the leader.
Mannerisms
Normal trek –
Staying with the group, following the leader, maintaining a constant speed, moving to the mountainside or riverside in case of emergency, consuming nutritious food and drinking water regularly are a few mannerisms that every trekker is expected to stick to on a normal trek.
Snow leopard expedition –
Stillness, patience, silence, alertness, and attentiveness are few mannerisms one is expected to cultivate here.
Certainty
Normal trek –
In a regular trek, you can expect your schedule to go as per plan to a certain extent except during times of bad weather, terrain, unforeseen injuries, etc. There is a set pattern in terms of the place and scenery. You can research about these things beforehand or even indulge for a long time when you reach the source like a viewpoint, meadow, etc. The chance of missing a place or a moment is rare.
Snow leopard expedition –
In contrast, there is more to a Snow Leopard expedition. You don’t know what to expect beforehand when it comes to wildlife viewing. Here, a moment happens haphazardly out of nowhere. You will never know when you will see a life form in front of you. Here, the chance of spotting a leopard rarely happens. But the sensation of adventure and thrill will keep you alert and excited throughout your journey.
Dining
Normal trek –
Because of the exertion, a normal trek demands a time-bound schedule, it is important to get the right food/nutrition at the right time. So the timings for dining are fixed and one is required to wake up early and get to the dining tent on time.
Snow leopard expedition –
Dining in a Snow leopard trek is slightly different from the usual. Since the schedule is not fixed and there are going to be times when you have to spend an entire day at a particular viewpoint, walking back to the campsite to get food is not a feasible option. So food and snacks are often brought to where you are instead of the other way round.
Guide/Leader
Normal trek –
In normal treks, there will be a trek leader and a local guide. They have specialized skill sets like first aid administration, search and rescue, mountaineering, safety tactics, and many more that are useful in the trekking and mountaineering domain to lead a batch safely to the summit and back.
Snow leopard expedition–
On a snow leopard expedition as well, we have a trek leader and guide. But they have a different range of skillsets. Here, they are trained in tracking techniques, spotting techniques, the study of smell, photography, and many more that aid them with finding and documenting the wildlife around.