Snow Leopards and Pallas’s Cats Photo Workshop
- 12 Days
From $8,975 - Interests
- Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- Max 6
Photograph two of the world’s rarest and most beautiful wild cats in Mongolia
The snow leopard and Pallas’s cat are two of Earth’s least photographed wild cats. We’ll travel to the remote western region of Mongolia to seek nature’s grumpiest cat, the Pallas’s cat, also called a manul. We will also look for the ghost cat, the snow leopard.
Our local trackers are skilled at locating cats, and we’ll spend long hours in the field to maximize our chances of an encounter. However, recognize that spotting the elusive snow leopard is not guaranteed.
Read more about our latest snow leopard adventure to learn what tracking these elusive cats is like.
Highlights
- Seven days photographing Snow leopards and Pallas’s cats.
- Trackers and guides are used to locate cats before our arrival and when we are on location.
- A heated ger camp with generators is set up for our group near our photography locations to minimize travel times to the cats.
- We travel with a private chef to keep you well-fed with meals you are accustomed to eating.
Your Guides
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Kevin Pepper
Jan 27–Feb 7, 2025Feb 10–21, 2025 -
Kevin Lisota
Feb 1–12, 2026
Activity Level
Participants should have good balance and coordination, proper footwear, and an efficient system for carrying gear (ideally hands-free). Trekking poles are required for hiking in this terrain.
We recommend that participants be in good physical shape, are prepared to hike at higher altitudes (typically 6,000 ft to 8,000 ft) over uneven, steep, and slippery terrain, and are comfortable carrying gear up to 1–3 km in below-freezing temperatures.
This tour has an activity level of Moderate. Read more about the Activity Levels for our trips.
Itinerary
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This tour offers opportunities to photograph wildlife. We'll maximize our chances of encountering wildlife, but we want to remind you that we don't control wildlife and cannot guarantee encounters with particular species. Itineraries for wildlife trips are subject to change based on wildlife activity.
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Day 1: Arrive in Ulaanbaatar
Arrive at Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) before 3:00 PM on this day. Air travel delays are possible, so please consider arriving early, possibly the day prior. We don't want you to miss out on trip activities. Airport transfer is included on arrival.
You will be met by a driver who will take you to your hotel. We will meet for a group dinner and review the schedule and locations for our trip together tonight.
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Day 2: Ulaanbaatar – Khovd
You have a free morning in UB. Our flight to Khovd town will be in the afternoon. From the airport in Khovd, we will be transferred to our hotel and meet our guides and trackers.
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Day 3: Khovd – Base camp in the mountains
Today, we may have our first photography session for snow leopards. Our morning drive to Mt. Jargalant base camp will be 2–3 hours. We will settle into our ger camp and get an orientation to the area.
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Day 4–8: Camping: photographing snow leopards
These days are all about photographing snow leopards. We may walk for 1–2 hours to our locations.
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Day 9–10: Camping: photographing Pallas's cats
We will change locations for the Pallas’s cats. Our scouts will locate dens while we focus on snow leopards, and our drive will be approximately three hours, depending on where the cats are found.
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Day 11: Return to Ulaanbaatar
Today, we will fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Once we arrive, we will be transferred to our hotel, where we can conduct an image review. Tonight, we will have a group dinner at the hotel.
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Day 12: Departure
You can book your return flight for anytime this day. Airport transfer is included on departure.
Accommodations
Accommodation for 11 nights includes two nights at a 5-star hotel in Ulaanbaatar, one at a local hotel in Khovd town, and the rest at mobile winter ger tent camps.
The ger tents are triple or quadruple-share with comfortable bedding. Our base camp has the required basic facilities: a dining ger tent, a portable toilet, washing basins, a generator, and a stove for cooking. The ger tents are heated by coal-fired stoves and are kept warm (typically around 20º Celsius). During our stay in the ger tents, dedicated staff members will clean and prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Why Travel With Us
Our small-group trips are designed for photographers, with guides who know the best locations and offer instruction to help improve your photography. Read more about why you should travel with us.
Dates & Prices
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Jan 27–Feb 7, 2025$8,975 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$775 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin PepperPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDRemainder Due: Sep 29, 2024
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Feb 10–21, 2025$8,975 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$775 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin PepperPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDRemainder Due: Oct 13, 2024
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Feb 1–12, 2026$8,975 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$775 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin LisotaPayment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDRemainder Due: Oct 4, 2025
All of our standard Terms & Conditions apply. Be sure to read our Cancellation Policy.
What's Included
- Double occupancy lodging. Single lodging is available with payment of a single supplement fee.
- Single rooms only available during the 3 nights we stay at hotels.
- All transportation during the tour, including internal flights.
- Airport transfers at arrival/departure and during the tour.
- All meals, soft drinks, water, and snacks during the tour.
- English-speaking local guides.
- Exclusive Mongolia souvenir.
- Gratuities for local guides & crew included.
- Extra weight allowance on internal flights included.
- All permits and entry fees.
- Instruction, guidance, and image reviews from our expert photography guides.
- Personal pre-trip phone consultation.
What's Not Included
- Airfare to and from destination, airport taxes, and excess baggage fees.
- Passport and visa fees, if applicable.
- Travel medical & evacuation insurance (required).
- Trip cancellation insurance (optional but recommended).
- Alcoholic beverages.
- Any accommodations or meals before or after the tour dates.
- Items of a personal nature.