Snow Leopard Tour Mongolia | Ultimate Wildlife Photo Adventure 2023/2024

Mongolia Snow Leopard Tour is dedicated for those who seek wild and ultimate photographic adventure to capture the elusive Snow Leopard and iconic mammals in their natural habitat. Based on our years of wildlife photography experiences and partnering with local rangers this special tour is designed well and run successfully. Mongolian Altai region, home to the largest snow Leopard population in Mongolia and rare wildlife, lying on 2000m-3500m (m.a.sl.) which gives a higher chance to see rare Snow Leopard and allows us to photograph Argali sheep, Siberian ibex, Grey wolf, Pallas’s cat and some rare species of raptors. Take a once-in-lifetime adventure to the remote Altai Mountains in west Mongolia with experienced photographer Batzaya Choijiljav and wildlife specialists, visiting golden eagle hunters to learn ancient falconry traditions, photograph real hunting scenes and experiencing nomads’ winter lifestyle before heading to the mountains. Read the about previous trip
Highlights
Tour Itinerary

Day 1.
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel. Have lunch at a restaurant and relax for a while in a hotel room. Depending on your arrival time, taking a city tour optional with the Gandan Monastery, the National Museum of Mongolia, and Central Square. (L/D)

Day 2
Take a flight to Ulgii town, the center of Bayan-Ulgii province where 90% of the population is Kazakh. Meet the local team and drive to Sagsai village to experience ancient eagle hunting traditions and nomadic culture. Winter is the season for hunting with eagles. We have a chance to photograph and learn about authentic hunting methods. The Kazakh Berkutchi /eagle hunter/ saddle up to go for a hunt to the mountains with their trained Golden eagles. The hunter golden eagle can catch small prey such as hares, Corsac, and foxes. Stay in the host family. (B/L/D)

Day 3.
Time to leave the family and start the first wilderness day. Heading to the Snow Leopard habitat, drive through the rocky but snowy mountains, enjoy Mongolia’s winter wild west, clear blue sky and feel what winter wildness offers us. In the late afternoon we arrive at the base camp in the beautiful slopes of the mountains. Sleep in the Ger, the Mongolian traditional home which is the perfect dwelling for the winter camping. (B, L, D)

Day 4-10.
The adventure begins today. Spend some of the special adventurous days of your lifetime in the isolated mountains in search of the emblematic wild Snow Leopard. We take daily trekking around the highest chances of sightings where our previous travels completed successfully with the highlighted of three beautiful Snow leopards spotted at a time. The destination we arrived at, home the largest population of snow leopard also gives a good chance to photograph its wild prey such as Siberian ibex, Argali-wild sheep, and other wild animals and raptors while trekking.
Warmings and lunch provided during the treks when we need it, our guide or ranger inform us when they spotted the elusive cat and its prey, our photo instructor eager to help to photograph the wildlife at its best views and positions in the best times. The altitude is about at 2800m (m.a.s.l), and the average day temperature in mid-winter about – 25 Celsius degrees and at nights it drops to – 40 Celsius degrees but traditional dwelling is the perfect and classic accommodation for this harsh weather condition. Healthy warm meals, hot drinks, and all we need to have in the cold weather will be served. A portable battery charger and other needed equipment will be provided. We just need to scan the areas in search of mountain ghost and their prey. (B/L/D)

Day 11.
Today we drive back to Ulgii town. Arrive at the local hotel and relax. (B/L/D)

Day 12.
Take a flight back to Ulaanbaatar and drive to Hustai NP. The park has had remarkable success in re-introducing the Takhi wild horse and is also a great habitat for locally and globally endangered mammals and birds. Stay in tourist ger camp. (B/L/D)

Day 13.
Drive back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the hotel. (B/L/D)

Day 14
Transfer to the Chinggis Khaan International Airport for the departure. (B)

Prices & Inclusions

Group size | Price/Per person |
2 pax | $ 4750 |
3-4 pax | $ 4390 |
5-6 pax | $ 4050 |
Includes
Accommodation: Hotel****, ger/yurt, tent
Guiding and interpreting service
Wildlife & Photo specialist guide
Full board meals
Domestic flights (UB-Ulgii-UB)
Transport: 4x4 vehicle
Entrance fees to protected areas and national parks
Camping equipment
Not Includes
International airfare
Personal equipment
Optional activity cost
Excess baggage charges
Alcoholic drinks
Travel and Health Insurance
The extra cost for photography in museums
Tip for guide, driver, etc
