SNOW LEOPARD PHOTOGRAPHY TOUR /14 DAYS/
SHORT DESCRIPTION
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.
- CATEGORY: FILMING AND PHOTOGRAPHY TOURS
- AVAILABLE: YEAR AROUND
- DURATION: 14 DAYS, 13 NIGTHS
- DESTINATION: WESTERN MONGOLIA
ESSENTIALS
GUIDE
A Chinese, English or Russian speaking Mongolian guide will accompany the group at all times. The guide will be a native Mongolian person with great local knowledge who can deal with any requests and ensure that your holiday to become one of the most unforgettable experiences of your life.
TRANSPORT
This trip you have a two choice. First one is a highest level, latest model, air-conditioned private 4WD vehicles for the maximum comfort on your touring days. And second choice is Russian 4x4 Van. Also with 20 years’ experience drives.
MEALS
In Mongolia, you will be dining at fine American, European and Asian cuisine restaurants. Mutton, beef, rice and noodles form the basis of the Mongolian diet, so your meals will be based around this. However, the trail rations may include vegetables, eggs, peanut butter, cheese and sometimes yak! On some days there will be lunchboxes from our cook.
PERSONAL THINGS TO BRING WITH YOU
Warm thin layers of clothing are the best such as bring a rain jacket, gloves and hiking booth. Don’t forgot first aid kit (medicine for headache, cold, diarrhea, runny nose; bandages; any medicine prescribed for you). All your camera equipment.
TOUR PACKAGE PRICE
| Group size | Price/Per person |
| 1 pax | 7430USD |
| 2-3 pax | 5780USD |
| 4-6 pax | 5320USD |
| 7-9 pax | 4750USD |
| 10-12 pax | 4360USD |
| 13-15 pax | 3890USD |
| 16< pax | 3530USD |
| No | Include service | Exclude service | Include service of Meals |
| 1 | Vehicle with a driver. | Items of personal nature | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| 2 | Fuel for the trip whole time | Beverages, alcoholic drinks, bar bills, laundry | Per day 3 bottle water for per person /1,5 liter/ |
| 3 | English speaking guide | Travel and insurance | One time Mongolian traditional food /lamb with vegetables/ |
| 4 | Accommodation/Ger camps and Hotel/ | International transportation | |
| 5 | All food, during the trip and at restaurants /Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner/ | Excess baggage fee in the flight /15kg includes handbag is free of charge/ | |
| 6 | All cooking and camping gears. | Optional activities | |
| 7 | National park and border office permits (area you will go is close to China and Russia border) | Single supplement /For hotel or Ger camp/ | |
| 8 | Airport shuffle | Gratuity for the tour team | |
| 9 | Domestic flight tickets | Taxi | |
| 10 | Other small administration fees Basically, includes everything. |
TOUR ITINERARY
Day 1 - Ulaanbaatar capital city of Mongolia
Arrive in Ulaanbaatar, welcomed by Travel to Mongolia’s staff at Chinggis Khan international airport. Drive to your Hotel. After the lunch at Mongolian Nomads restaurant, we will see Mongolian National museum and visit to Gandan monastery. Drive back to Hotel after the dinner.
| Distance | n/a |
| Route | n/a |
| Drive time | n/a |
| Accommodation | Grand Hill Hotel |
| Food | Dinner |
Day 2 - Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii province
Take a flight to Ulgii town, the center of Bayan-Ulgii province where 90% of population is Kazakhs who have their own language and unique culture. Meet the local team and have a visit to Kazakh family. This is a day of cultural exploration: local women decorate their gers in a dazzling array of colors hand crafted felt carpets line the floor and delicately-embroidered tapestries adorn the walls, with each design unique to a particular family.
| Distance | 1280km |
| Route | Air route |
| Fly time | 2hours |
| Accommodation | Local hotel |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 3 - Eagle Hunter family
Today we drive to Sagsai village to experience ancient eagle hunting tradition 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. Spend one day with hunter golden eagles, learn ancient falconry tradition which is still kept among Kazakh people in west Mongolia, try local food, and learn a new culture.
| Distance | 30km |
| Route | Off-road |
| Drive time | 1 hours |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 4 - Altai mountains
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.
| Distance | 200km |
| Route | Off-road |
| Drive time | 5 hours |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 5-12 - Searching for Snow Leopard
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
| Distance | N/A |
| Route | N/A |
| Drive time | N/A |
| Accommodation | Camping |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 13 - Ulgii city, Bayan-Ulgii province
Drive back to Ulgii city. Stay at local hotel.
| Distance | 200km |
| Route | Off-road |
| Drive time | 4 hours |
| Accommodation | Hotel |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 14 - Ulaanbaatar city capital city of Mongolia
Fly to Ulaanbaatar. That day you will visit Chinggis khan Equestrian Statue Complex. Evening prepare to back home at your hotel.
| Distance | 1280km |
| Route | Air route |
| Fly time | 2hours |
| Accommodation | Local hotel |
| Food | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
Day 15 - Home sweet home
Leave Ulaanbaatar. Our driver drop off to Chinggis Khan international airport. Thank you for visiting our country
| Distance | 70km |
| Route | Highway |
| Drive time | 1 hour |
| Accommodation | n/a |
| Food | Breakfast |
RELATED TOURS
The country, known as “and of blue sky, has about 250 cloudless days a year. Average temperatures over most of the country are below freezing from November through March and close to it in April and October.
We are sure that, this special wildlife photography tour will give you exciting adventures and amazing shooting. Even it is only 4 days, the landscapes are a perfect challenge to your creative photo interests.
We are sure that, this special photography tour will give you a grand pack with exciting adventures and amazing shooting. Even it is only 4 days, the landscapes are a perfect challenge to your creative photo interests.