Overview
This 12-day tour in Mongolia begins in Ulaanbaatar, where you’ll receive a pre-trip briefing and enjoy a welcome dinner. The journey then takes you to the remote Altai mountains in western Mongolia, where you’ll spend several days in search of the elusive snow leopard while also enjoying birdwatching at Khar Us Lake. You’ll experience authentic Mongolian hospitality, staying in tents or traditional gers, with evenings spent by a warm fire at the base camp. After the wildlife exploration, you’ll visit Khovd city for a brief tour before returning to Ulaanbaatar for shopping and a farewell dinner. The adventure concludes with a departure from Ulaanbaatar, leaving you with unforgettable memories of Mongolia’s wilderness and culture.
Trip Details
Tour Highlights
Explore Ulaanbaatar with a welcome dinner and pre-trip briefing.
Birdwatch at Khar Us Lake, a vital wetland for rare species.
Camp in the remote Altai mountains while searching for the elusive snow leopard.
Experience the thrill of spotting the rare and elusive snow leopard in its natural habitat.
Enjoy authentic Mongolian hospitality in traditional gers.
Conclude with a short city tour of Khovd, shopping, and a farewell dinner in Ulaanbaatar.
What to expect
Travel Style: All of the highlights
Lodging: Comfortable
Transportation:
Transportation in confortable Vehicles
Physical Rating:
Excellent fitness level required and a good acclimatation
Next Departures
Mar 1st, 2025
Jun 12th, 2025
Nov 18th, 2025
Thematics
Expedition
Photography
Wildlife
Itinerary
DAY 1 - Saturday Mar 1st, 2025
Ulaanbaatar
Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the centrally located hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we will provide your pre-trip briefing and then host a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
Upon arrival at the airport, transfer to the centrally located hotel in downtown Ulaanbaatar. In the evening, we will provide your pre-trip briefing and then host a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant.
D
(Hotel Bayangol or similar (or similar)
DAY 2 - Sunday Mar 2nd, 2025
Ulaanbaatar / Khovd/ Khar Us Lake Birding
Today, fly to the western most part of Mongolia. We will meet our local crew and after a quick stop at a local market, begin driving to the Altai mountains where our camp site is located.
Today, fly to the western most part of Mongolia. We will meet our local crew and after a quick stop at a local market, begin driving to the Altai mountains where our camp site is located.
Read More
B, L, D
Field camp (or similar)
2:50 hours
DAY 3 - Monday Mar 3rd, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 4 - Tuesday Mar 4th, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in
Read More
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 5 - Wednesday Mar 5th, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 6 - Thursday Mar 6th, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 7 - Friday Mar 7th, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 8 - Saturday Mar 8th, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 9 - Sunday Mar 9th, 2025
Khovd mountains
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
We will set out each day to one of the frequently sited valleys in search of the elusive cat. Packed lunch will be provided and we will enjoy dinner at the base camp by a warm fire site.
B, L, D
Tents or gers (or similar)
DAY 10 - Monday Mar 10th, 2025
Khovd city
After an early morning breakfast, travel back to Khovd and enjoy having a short city tours.
After an early morning breakfast, travel back to Khovd and enjoy having a short city tours.
B, L, D
Rustic Ger (or similar)
DAY 11 - Tuesday Mar 11th, 2025
Khovd / Ulaanbaatar
After breakfast, drive back to Ulgii for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, spend the rest of the afternoon for shopping and individual sightseeing.
After breakfast, drive back to Ulgii for our return flight to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, spend the rest of the afternoon for shopping and individual sightseeing.
B, L, D
Hotel Bayangol or similar (or similar)
DAY 12 - Wednesday Mar 12th, 2025
Departure
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure.
After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure.
Hotels
Hotel Bayangol
Located in the city center within walking distance to all major businesses, government organizations, shopping malls, theatres and cultural sights.
Air Conditioning
WiFi
SPA
Price Details
Included
All meals indicated as B, L or D
Expedition style tents, sleeping bags and mats
A Tour Leader English speaking guide
Local Guides specialized in the region
All entrance fees indicated in the itinerary
Cruiser jeeps with 3 seating places for passengers
Airport arrival and departure transfers
Domestic flights
Daily supply of one bottle of water per person
Daily supply of boiled and purified water
Assistance support during all your trip
Not Included
International flights
Personal expenses
Additional drinks and meals
Tips
Travel Insurance (mandatory)
Visa fees (if required)
Optional activities
Other items not mentioned as included
Minimum Deposit
30% (The last payment must be completed 45 days prior to the start of the trip.)
Price Base
Price for 2 people:
5.400 USD
Price from 3 to 4 people:
4.900 USD
Price from 5 to 6 people:
4.690 USD
* Price is indicated per person
Terms & Conditions
The terms of sale may differ based on the nature of your trip and how close your departure date is. Please review our conditions here for more information .
Recommendations
The March one is towards the end of the mating season and there’s a high chance to catch them making noises and get an idea about whereabout. The June is close to the birth season and they also come out to hunt rodents like marmots a lot. The November one is when local herders move their winter camps into the mountain valleys, right into their habitat areas. Therefore, there’s a frequent hunting of livestock by the cats and seen more often close to the human settlement. It allows us to collect more news from the neighborhood.
