Note: This is not a dedicated Snow Leopard photography tour. Our focus is on observing Snow Leopards and other mammals and birds in their natural habitats. Snow Leopards occur at low densities across vast mountain landscapes, making sightings unpredictable and requiring patience, careful observation, and favorable conditions. Our experienced guides will make every effort to locate them, but sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Searching for Snow Leopards involves scanning distant mountain slopes and hiking over rugged, uneven terrain at altitudes of up to 3,000 metres. Although there may be opportunities to photograph wildlife along the way, close-up encounters and ideal photographic conditions cannot be guaranteed.

Itinerary

In western Mongolia, we will spend a week exploring the spectacular Altai Mountains, searching for Snow Leopards in their natural habitat. Snow Leopards are naturally elusive, occur at low densities, and inhabit vast, rugged mountain terrain, making sightings unpredictable even in areas known for their presence. Although we will dedicate time and effort to searching for this magnificent predator, a Snow Leopard sighting cannot be guaranteed. Our success will depend on a range of factors, including weather conditions, animal movements, and the opportunities available during our stay.

Regardless of whether we encounter a Snow Leopard, the Altai Mountains offer excellent opportunities to observe other fascinating wildlife, including Siberian Ibex, Argali Sheep, Goitered Gazelles, Saiga Antelopes, and various mountain and steppe bird species. We will also enjoy the spectacular scenery and unique ecosystems of western Mongolia.

The journey continues to Hustai National Park and Gun Galuut Nature Reserve, where we will search for iconic mammals such as Przewalski's Horses, Mongolian gazelles, and Argali Sheep, alongside a diverse range of bird species. These contrasting destinations allow us to explore different habitats and broaden our wildlife-watching experience.

Vehicle: We use Toyota Land Cruiser 4WD vehicles for our tours. We prioritize our clients’ comfort, with a maximum of three passengers per vehicle.

Accommodation: In Ulaanbaatar, we will stay in a comfortable hotel. In the Altai Mountains, we will stay at a basic camp that allows us to explore this remote wildlife habitat. For the rest of the journey, we will stay in traditional ger camps, offering a pleasant place to relax after each day of wildlife watching.

Climate: July and August are generally warm to hot in the lower-altitude areas of Mongolia, with daytime temperatures occasionally reaching quite high levels. However, weather conditions can be very different in the Altai Mountains, particularly at the high-altitude locations where we search for Snow Leopards. Temperatures can drop considerably in these areas, especially in the early morning and evening, and strong winds, rain, and occasional snowfall are possible even in summer.

September generally brings cooler weather, particularly towards the end of the month, and temperatures can vary significantly depending on altitude and location. As we will spend time scanning mountain slopes for Snow Leopards, it is important to be prepared for cold, windy conditions as well as warm weather in the lower areas. We recommend bringing layered clothing, a warm jacket, windproof and waterproof outerwear, and suitable footwear for walking on rough terrain.