| Duration: | 12 Day(s) - 11 Night(s) |
| Tour Category: | Snow Leopard Tracking |
Day 1: Flight to Ulgii
Morning pickup from your hotel and transfer to the airport for a 3.5-hour domestic flight to Bayan-Ölgii Province. Upon arrival at the domestic airport in Ulgii Town, the center of Bayan-Ölgii, you will be greeted by your driver and guide. Visit a local ethnographic museum. Overnight stay in a local hotel. LD
Day 2: Travel to Deluun Soum
Today, we will drive approximately 180 km to Deluun Soum in Bayan-Ölgii Province. You will visit a Kazakh family and experience their unique tradition of training golden eagles for hunting. Overnight stay with a nomadic family. BLD
Day 3: Travel to Bulgan Soum
This morning, we travel to the southwestern part of Munkhkhairkhan National Park. Along the way, we will cross Ulaaghin Pass, the highest mountain pass in the Mongol Altai Mountains. We will then visit a Uriankhai family in the Guurt area, known as the homeland of snow leopards. Overnight stay with a nomadic family. BLD
Day 4–7: Exploring Snow Leopards
These days are dedicated to exploration. We will travel by horse to Khar Uzuur, the head of the Guurt area, and Ikh and Baga Khadaan Gijigt, accompanied by a local mountain guide. During this time, we will observe snow leopards and their habitat, particularly nesting areas commonly used during spring. You will also have excellent opportunities to photograph and record videos of snow leopards.
The snow leopard (Uncia uncia Schreber, 1776) has the following legal status in Mongolia: it is listed in the Mongolian Red Book as Very Rare (corresponding to the Endangered category in the IUCN Red List) and is included in Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Snow leopard habitat includes steep, rugged mountainous regions in alpine and subalpine zones where vegetation is sparse. Across its range, population estimates place snow leopards at elevations between 2,000 and 3,500 meters.
Overnight stays with a nomadic family. BLD
Day 8–10: Exploring Snow Leopards
Travel approximately 40 km to Ulaankhus Hamlet. Trek along the Bulgan River through a stunning canyon. During these days, we will continue exploring remote areas and searching for snow leopards while visiting interesting natural sites. Overnight stays with a nomadic family. BLD
Day 11: Travel Back to Ulgii Town
In the morning, continue traveling by minivan back to Ulgii Town, covering approximately 360 km. Overnight stay in a local hotel. BLD
Day 12: Fly Back to Ulaanbaatar
Transfer to the domestic airport for your flight back to Ulaanbaatar. Upon arrival, transfer to your hotel. End of services. B
HIGHLIGHTS:
Ulaanbaatar • Ulgii Town • Deluun Soum • Munkhkhairkhan Mountain • Ulaankhus Hamlet • Snow Leopard Habitat • Altai Mountains • Nomadic Family Stays
FITNESS LEVEL:
STRENUOUS – This tour involves multi-day, non-technical trekking at high altitudes.
MEETING POINT:
Good news! You can be picked up directly from your hotel. Simply email us the details. If you have not yet booked your accommodation, you may provide the information later.
SERVICES INCLUDED:
Nomadic family ger accommodation (9 nights) and local hotel stays (2 nights) • English-speaking guide • Local mountain guide and horses • Field cook service • All camping equipment • Entrance fees to protected areas • Round-trip domestic flights • All countryside transfers by 4WD Russian minivan • Meals including breakfast, lunch (picnic in the countryside), and dinner as specified in the itinerary
SERVICES NOT INCLUDED:
International transportation to and from Mongolia • Hotel stays in Ulaanbaatar • Travel insurance • Bottled mineral water and alcoholic beverages • Sleeping bag • Tips and gratuities • Laundry services • Items of a personal nature
