Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
Expedition | Photography | Wildlife

Mongolia: In the search for the Snow Leopard

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.

From 4.690 USD 12 Days / 11 Nights Departure: Mar 1st, 2025 Walking Grade:
  • Day 1: Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 2: Ulaanbaatar / Khovd/ Khar Us Lake Birding
  • Day 3: Khovd mountains
  • Day 4: Khovd mountains
  • Day 5: Khovd mountains
  • Day 6: Khovd mountains
  • Day 7: Khovd mountains
  • Day 8: Khovd mountains
  • Day 9: Khovd mountains
  • Day 10: Khovd city
  • Day 11: Khovd / Ulaanbaatar
  • Day 12: Departure

Trip Details


Country

  • Mongolia

Group Size

  • 6 Travelers Max

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

Tour Type

  • Scheduled
  • Shared

Next Departures

  • Mar 1st, 2025
  • Jun 12th, 2025
  • Nov 18th, 2025

Thematics

  • Expedition
  • Photography
  • Wildlife

Itinerary

Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

D (Hotel Bayangol or similar (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.
En route, stop for a birding loc...

B, L, D Field camp (or similar) 2:50 hours
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Snow Leopard
DAY 4 - Tuesday Mar 4th, 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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Snow Leopard Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Snow Leopard
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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

B, L, D Tents or gers (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
DAY 10 - Monday Mar 10th, 2025

Khovd city

After an early morning breakfast, travel back to Khovd and enjoy having a short city tours.

B, L, D Rustic Ger (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
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.

B, L, D Hotel Bayangol or similar (or similar)
Mongolia @GereltuvDashdoorov
DAY 12 - Wednesday Mar 12th, 2025

Departure

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure.

B

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 Restaurant WiFi Bar SPA

Gallery

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.
Depending on your preferences of time, each of them would give an equal chance. Of course the March and November temperatures will be in the minus degrees. On average about – 8- 1 0C during the day and around -15-18 at night. All guest gers are heated with coal burning stoves.

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