The Quest for Snow Leopards of Mongolia

Upon arrival, meet your guide and transfer to your hotel. Built as a ger capital over 350 years ago, the modern day Ulaanbaatar is surrounded by white ger districts around it. After resting in your hotel room, we will enjoy a brief city tour including of Zaisan Hill where you can get a magnificent bird’s eye view of the city. In the evening, we will enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance featuring the “throat” or khoomii singing which also features dancer girls with colorful traditional Mongolian clothes. We will then enjoy a welcome dinner at a fine local restaurant. Later, we will go and Overnight at hotel. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

Today, we will 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. Enjoy dinner and overnight in tents or gers. (Field camp; B, L, D)

In the morning, we will hear a brief introduction on the region’s conservation projects for snow leopard and other rare species. 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. Overnight in tents or gers. (Tent camp; B, L, D)

In the morning, transfer back to the local town for our return flight back to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to your hotel located in the downtown Ulaanbaatar. The rest of the afternoon is free for resting at your hotel. Dinner is independent. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

In the morning, drive to the Hustai National Park, to spot the takhi wild horses in their natural habitat with a chance to photograph them. After lunch, spend the afternoon exploring the park’s various sites before returning back to Ulaanbaatar. Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

Our next leg of the journey will take us south to the Gobi Desert, which also features some of the most diverse mammals and bird species, depending on which season. Upon arrival, drive to Yol Valley and hike in the valley with rich variety of wildlife. Reach your field camp in the evening and overnight in tents. (Tent camp or family stay; B, L, D)

We will spend these days strolling in the rich valleys of Gobi Gurvan Saikhan ranges in search of Gobi’s rare mammals such as Manuul cat, snow leopard and black tailed gazelles. Overnight in tents. (Tent camp or family stay; B, L, D)

In the morning, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar, stopping for a lunch along the way. Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to your hotel and enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

In the morning, we will begin the day with a visit to Gandan, Mongolia’s largest Buddhist Monastery. Visit the temple of Megjid Janraisag, where a 60 feet tall Buddha stands. Reconstructed in early 90s, the statue stands as the symbol of Mongolia’s revival of religious freedom after the communist regime that fell over. The temple itself used to be the largest building in Ulaanbaatar early 1900s. Also, visit the main temples where monks chant Buddha’s sutra’s on daily basis. Also, visit the National History museum which showcases Mongolia’s best collection of traditional tools, art crafts and other exhibits presenting different periods of Mongolia’s history. Among the museum highlights is the collection of traditional costumes of different tribes, hall of the 13th century Mongolia and section which showcases a typical Mongolian ger and various nomadic tools. The afternoon is free for individual sightseeing or resting. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Mongolian performance followed by a farewell dinner at a fine local restaurant. (Hotel Bayangol or similar; B, L, D)

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for departure. (B)