Overview
There are said to be 1,200 snow leopards left in Mongolia - one of the highest concentrations in the world. Whilst venturing through Mongolia and observing the snow leopard, you will travel through the beautiful Altai Mountains. The eternal snow-capped peaks and glaciers, are the highest range in Mongolia in the far west. Stay with a local Kazakh family and learn of their century read more old traditions of training Golden Eagles to hunt for them. As you venture further off track, spend time living with nomadic families in their gers and listen to their stories of life in snow leopard territory and of life off the land. A true adventure of conservation and cultural exchange.
Itinerary
Welcome to Mongolia! Upon arrival into Ulaanbaatar, you will be met at the airport or train station and be transferred to your hotel. The remainder of the day is yours at leisure.
Ulaanbaatar is a thriving cosmopolitan city on the verge of massive growth, it is a city filled with contrasts and contradictions, wild traffic, sinful nightlife and bohemian counter-culture. Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin or similar
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your 3.5hr flight to Bayan-Ulgii province. Upon arrival, you will be met by your guide before driving to the Deluun county of Bayan-Ulgii province. The journey is approx 180kms. On arrival, you will visit a Kazak family and enjoy witnessing and learning about their unique culture and traditions of training Golden Eagles for hunting. Stay: with a local Kazakh family. (B/L/D)
This morning, you will travel to the southwest part of Mountain Munkhkhairkhan National Park located in West Altai. This is home to the second highest summit of Mongolia at 4362m above sea level. Standing at the foot of the sky touching high peaks, you can see several small lakes in different colours. The ‘Uriankhai' ethnic groups mainly live in this region. The park is also famed for growing various medicinal plants and its mountain wildlife such as argali, ibex and of course the snow leopard.
On the way to the national park, you will cross over a mountain pass Ulaagchin, the highest pass of the Mongol Altai Mounts. You will then visit Uriankhai ethnic Mongol family, the nomads who live in this region, and stay in their Guurt area which is the homeland of the snow leopard. Stay: in the Ger of a local nomad family. (B/L/D)
The next four days are dedicated for exploring the area and searching for Snow Leopards. You will go to Khar Uzuur, head of the Guurt area and Ikh Baga Khadaan Gijigt by horse with your local mountain guides. Search and observe snow leopards in their ‘nests'. You will search snow leopard habitat sites in the hope of catching a glimpse of this rare Himalayan cat. Listed in the Mongolian Red Book as ‘Very Rare', the snow leopards in Mongolia, are generally at altitudes of 2000-3500m. The snow leopard habitat includes steep broken mountainous regions in the alpine and sub-alpine zones, where vegetation is sparse, but the scenery spectacular. Stay: in the Ger of a local nomad family. (B/L/D)
Today is a long drive day of approx 6 hours as you return to Ulgii. Upon arrival, you will check into your hotel and overnight. Stay: in a local hotel. (B/L/D)
Following breakfast, you will be transferred to the airport for your domestic flight back to Ulaanbaatar. The day is yours at leisure. For those interested, there are some fascinating museums about the history of Mongolia. This evening, enjoy a farewell dinner. Stay: Best Western Premier Tuushin or similar (B/L/D)
Today is yours at leisure until it is time to transfer to the airport or train station for your onward flight/train. (B)
Trip Inclusions
- Search for snow leopards on horseback
- Live with a Kazakh family
- Engage with an eagle hunting family
- Learn about nomad life living in snow leopard territory
- Return airport transfers
- 9 nights accommodation
- Services of an english speaking guide service
- Local mountain guide and horses
- Field cook
- All camping equipment
- Entrance fee to the Protected Area
- Return domestic flights Ulaanbaatar/Ulgii/Ulaanbaatar
- Private transportation
- Meals as per the itinerary
- International flights
- Visas
- Travel and medical insurance
- All services, meals other than those indicated above
- Any changes to the proposed and confirmed program.
- All items of a personal nature e.g. drinks, laundry, telephone calls, tips etc
- Accommodation, itinerary and inclusions subject to change.
- Disruptions to itinerary may occur.
Prices & Dates
There are currently no departures available on this trip. Either it's the end of the season and new departures will be released shortly, or this itinerary has been changed and is not operating this season. Feel free to contact us for information about when next seasons dates will be released or click here to view general release dates for all destinations.
Tour & cruises prices are per person. Prices shown have savings applied, are subject to availability and may be withdrawn at any time without notice. Pricing and trip details are correct at this point in time, however are subject to confirmation at the time of booking and are subject to change by Crooked Compass. For cruise itineraries, cabin images are sourced from the cruise-line and should be treated as indicative only. Cabin inclusions, upholsteries and room layout may differ to the image(s) shown depending on the ship selected and your sailing dates.
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