2027 dates - arrival 2nd July - overnight in Ulaanbaatar

2028 dates - arrival 3rd July - overnight in Ulaanbaatar

2029 dates - arrival 2nd July - overnight in Ulaanbaatar

In search of the "Ghost of the Mountains"

Early mornings tracking paw prints across green valleys, mountainsides, ibex on cliffs, still with snow-covered mountain tops, traditional gers, Mongolian culture and then potentially that moment when the tracker suddenly says:

"There"

A genuine expedition in one of the world's most important snow leopard landscapes, led by specialist local trackers

July is one of the best months of the year for dedicated snow leopard photography with cubs

The key advantage is that the cubs are coming out of their dens, So making it a beautiful experience.

Using local trackers who understand individual territories, tracks, caves, ibex movements and recent sightings

One-lens option....especially useful to know if you are flying

One Lens, Maximum Flexibility | 100–400mm / 100–500mm or similar focal length

For photographers who need to travel light, a 100–400mm or 100–500mm zoom can be an exceptional single-lens safari solution, offering the flexibility to capture everything from wide environmental scenes to detailed wildlife portraits without changing lenses. Its greatest advantage is speed and simplicity, less gear to carry, fewer lens changes, and more time focused on the action. Starting at 100mm also provides significantly more flexibility than a 300mm lens when large animals move closer.

The trade-off? These lenses are generally slower than a professional 70–200mm f/2.8 or 300mm f/2.8, so they may not perform quite as well in the very low light of dawn and dusk. For the photographer who wants the ultimate combination of reach, low-light performance and background separation, carrying multiple fast lenses still has an advantage.

Our advice:

• Travelling light? A 100–400mm or 100–500mm can be your ideal one-lens safari companion.

• Want maximum versatility? Combine a 24–70mm + 100–400/500mm.

• Want the ultimate photographic setup? Add a 70–200mm f/2.8 and/or a fast 300mm+ prime.

• And remember: f/2.8 matters when you're chasing those magical first- and last-light images.

For any photographic journey, a 100–500mm-type zoom or similar focal length is the one-lens recommendation over a 300mm+ prime for many guests. The ability to go from a wider environmental composition to a tight portrait without changing lenses is incredibly useful when the action is unpredictable.

Pick up from the airport, check into Ramada hotel. Lunch or dinner depending on the arrival. Short city tour. 

The start of an unforgettable journey Into the remote heart of Western Mongolia to track the elusive snow leopard, search for Pallas's cats, Mongolian saiga and more, and connect with the rich traditions of nomadic life

Fly to Western Mongolia, Khovd city, lunch and drive to Jargalant Khairkhan mountain National Park . See the Khar Us Lake  which is about 1.5 hours' drive from Khovd city. The lake offers the possibility to see many different kinds of migratory birds. This wildlife buffer zone also offers the chance to see wildlife such as bactrian camels, gazelle, wolves and foxes. We will visit a throat singer family and stay in a tourist ger camp.

The first of six full days dedicated to exploring, photographing and filming some of Mongolia’s most elusive and captivating wildlife.

Our first full day in the Jargalant Khairkhan Mountains begins the main focus of the expedition: searching for the elusive snow leopard.

We will spend the day in carefully selected areas of prime snow leopard habitat, working with experienced local guides and wildlife trackers who know the mountains and their wildlife exceptionally well.

While snow leopards are our primary target, the area is home to a fascinating variety of wildlife. We will also look for gazelles, wild antelopes and Pallas’s cats, with opportunities to photograph and film any wildlife encountered along the way.

Patience is key to successful snow leopard photography, and our extended stay gives us valuable time to wait, observe and respond to fresh sightings and tracks.

Today is dedicated entirely to the continued search for snow leopards.

Rather than moving on to another destination, we remain within the same wildlife-rich region, exploring different areas according to recent sightings, tracks, weather and local knowledge.

This approach gives us the flexibility to spend more time in productive locations and significantly increases our chances of encountering these magnificent and highly elusive cats.

There will also be further opportunities to photograph Pallas’s cats, gazelles, antelopes and other mountain wildlife.

We continue our intensive wildlife search, focusing on both snow leopards and Pallas’s cats.

The rugged terrain and varied habitats of the Jargalant Khairkhan Mountains provide opportunities to explore areas where these elusive species may be active.

Today we will also search for the remarkable Mongolian saiga, one of Mongolia’s most distinctive and rare mammals.

With our cameras ready throughout the day, every journey into the mountains has the potential to produce memorable wildlife encounters and exceptional photographic opportunities.

Another full day of exploration in the mountains, searching for snow leopards and Pallas’s cats.

We will explore different potential areas within the mountain range, adapting our plans according to wildlife activity and information from our trackers.

The advantage of spending several consecutive days in the same region is that we can respond to new information and concentrate our efforts where the chances of sightings are strongest.

Alongside our main targets, we will continue to look for the many other species that inhabit this spectacular landscape.

Another full day dedicated exclusively to the search for the elusive snow leopard.

This gives us valuable additional time in the mountains and, importantly, the flexibility to return to areas where fresh tracks, signs or previous sightings suggest the best opportunities. We can spend longer watching likely slopes, ridgelines and rocky valleys and adapt our plans according to the latest information from our experienced local trackers.

The focus will be on finding, observing and photographing snow leopards in their natural environment, while maintaining a respectful distance and minimising disturbance to the animals.

We will also remain alert for Pallas’s cats, ibex, wild argali sheep, gazelles, saiga and other wildlife that may be encountered during the day.

Success often comes down to time, patience, local knowledge and being in the right place when an opportunity arises.

Our final full day in the national park will focus on the Pallas’s cat, one of the world's most fascinating and elusive small wild cats.

We will explore different parts of the park and surrounding mountain habitat, searching areas that offer the best potential for sightings and photography.

After a full day in the field, we drive back to Khovd in the evening.

Tonight we move from the ger camp to the Mountain Hotel, a brand-new luxury hotel in Khovd, providing a comfortable and relaxing end to our time in the mountains.

Today we experience another extraordinary aspect of Mongolian culture: traditional eagle hunting.

Local eagle hunters and huntresses will come to Khovd specifically for our group, meaning there is no need to spend the day travelling to another location.

This provides an exceptional opportunity for photography and cultural interaction. You will be able to photograph the eagle hunters in traditional clothing, with their magnificent golden eagles both on the arm and while mounted on horseback.

The experience will also include demonstrations of traditional eagle training, such as:

• Calling the eagle from a distance

• Calling the eagle towards a fox skin

• Feeding and training techniques

• Eagle handling and interaction

• Photography with the hunters, horses and eagles

This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the centuries-old relationship between Mongolian eagle hunters and their birds of prey while creating some truly memorable images.

Fly from Khovd to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s capital.

Following our arrival, we will explore some of the city’s highlights, including the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, Zaisan Memorial, local cashmere shops and the famous Black Market.

There will also be time for a short city tour and to experience some of Ulaanbaatar’s distinctive culinary and cultural influences, including a visit to a North Korean restaurant.

In the evening, we come together for a farewell dinner, celebrating an extraordinary journey through the remote landscapes and wildlife of Western Mongolia.

Fly from Khovd to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia’s vibrant capital.

Following our arrival, explore some of the city’s highlights, including the Chinggis Khaan National Museum, Zaisan Memorial, local cashmere shops and the famous Black Market. There will also be time for a short city tour and to experience some of Ulaanbaatar’s distinctive culinary and cultural influences, including a visit to a North Korean restaurant.

In the evening, we come together for a farewell dinner, raising a glass to an extraordinary journey through the remote landscapes and remarkable wildlife of Western Mongolia, a fitting finale to an adventure few ever experience.

Enjoy a leisurely final morning before your journey home. After breakfast and check-out, luggage can be safely stored while you have some free time to relax, take a final stroll, enjoy a coffee, do some last-minute shopping or explore independently.

Depending on your flight time, there may also be an opportunity to enjoy a leisurely lunch, additional free time or a local excursion if time allows before departing.

We will then collect our luggage and transfer to the airport in good time, ensuring a comfortable and stress-free end to your tour.

Guests should be at the airport 3 hours before their scheduled flight departure.  This allows sufficient time for check-in, baggage drop, security and other airport formalities.