Snow Leopards and Pallas’s Cats Photo Workshop
- 12 Days
From $9,495 - Interests
- Wildlife
- Activity Level
- Moderate
- Group Size
- 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.
This workshop in Mongolia is led by experienced wildlife photographers and local trackers who are skilled at locating wild cats. We will 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
- Expert guidance: Embark on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure with passionate photography guides and skilled local trackers who are as captivated by Mongolia’s wild beauty as you are, ready to elevate your skills and share their in-depth knowledge.
- Prime locations: Journey deep into the rugged Altai Mountains, where each moment offers the exhilarating chance to photograph the elusive snow leopards and Pallas’s cats in their natural habitat—true treasures for any wildlife photographer.
- Comfortable accommodations: Rest in thoughtfully chosen wilderness camps that combine comfort with unbeatable access to prime locations for photographing these rare and majestic creatures.
- Small-group experience: Our small-group tours ensure you have the space and focus to capture breathtaking wildlife images without the distractions of larger groups.
- Comprehensive itinerary: Experience the full magic of Mongolia with a photographer-focused itinerary that takes you through diverse habitats, maximizing your chances to photograph these extraordinary species and more.
What You'll Learn
- Photograph rare wild cats more effectively – Approach elusive subjects with more patience, awareness, and control in one of the most challenging wildlife photography environments on earth.
- Build stronger wildlife compositions – Use rock, snow, distance, and scale to create images that feel both intimate and wild.
- Anticipate behavior – Recognize subtle cues in movement and body language so you are ready when a snow leopard or Pallas’s cat gives you a brief opportunity.
- Control exposure in challenging mountain conditions – handle snow, shadows, neutral tones, and shifting light to create optimal image files.
- Post-processing – Choose the frames that matter most and process them with restraint so your final images feel clean, honest, and impactful.
Your Guides
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Kevin Lisota
Feb 3–14, 2028 -
Mindy Huston
Feb 3–14, 2028
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 0: 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 tonight to review the schedule and locations for our trip together.
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Day 1: Ulaanbaatar – Base camp in the mountains
Our flight to Khovd town will be in the morning. From the airport in Khovd, we will be transferred to Mt. Jargalant base camp. That drive will take approximately two hours. We will settle into our ger camp and get an orientation to the area.
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Day 2–8: Camping: photographing Snow leopards and Pallas's cats
These days are all about photographing Snow leopards and Pallas’s cats. We may walk for 1–2 hours to our locations each day.
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Day 9: Transfer from camp to Khovd
We will conduct one final look for Snow leopards in the mountains before we transfer back to Khovd. We will spend the night at a hotel in Khovd.
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Day 10: Return to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to Hustai National Park
Today, we will fly back to Ulaanbaatar. Once we arrive, we will be transferred to Hustai National Park, where we will have the first of two game drives in search of the wild Przewalski’s horse.
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Day 11: Hustai National Park and transfer back to Ulaanbaatar
After a morning game drive for the Przewalski’s horse, we will drive back to Ulaanbaatar. We will check into our hotel and have a final group dinner to celebrate a successful tour of Mongolia.
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Day 12: Departure Day
Departure from Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). 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 double or triple-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 kept warm (typically around 68 °F or 20 °C). During our stay in the ger tents, dedicated staff will prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and clean the tents.
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.
Testimonials
Akari Photo Tours delivered on a once in a lifetime opportunity to see snow leopards in the wild. Their world class trackers left no boulders unturned for a photo shoot.
Dates & Prices
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Feb 3–14, 2028$9,495 USD Per PersonDouble Occupancy$895 USDSingle SupplementGuides: Kevin Lisota, Mindy HustonGroup Size: 6Payment Terms: Deposit: $2,500 USDBalance Due: Oct 6, 2027
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.
Prepare for Your Trip
Please review our photography travel resources, including know your camera and our camera gear list, to help you plan your trip. Before your trip, we’ll contact you with more detailed gear recommendations specific to your trip.
Also, get a head start on your workshop learning experience with our wildlife photography tutorials.