WILD CATS TOURS
The Soaring Expeditions offers a new and exciting adventure, Mongolia’s Wild Cats, promising a high chance of viewing (80%) truly enigmatic Snow Leopards and Pallas’s Cats in the most potential sites in majestic Mongolian Altai and vast valley of the Great Lakes’ Depression. Not only the cats, this offbeat track finds many other magnificent mammals in their natural habitats including Mongolian Saiga, Przewalski’s Wild Horse, Argali Wild Sheep, Siberian Ibex, Mongolian Gazelle, Black-tailed Gazelle, and various species of Pikas and Jerboas and more.
Depending on your interests, you can choose from two different itineraries in western Mongolia, 1) Winter Photography trip to Uvs province where the snow leopards come down to accessible foothills allowing us more chance to track footprints in the snow. This is the best time for photographers, 2) Summer Observation trip ventures into Hovd province where we visit an island-like mountain with more than 10 SLs localized at only 500 km2 area.
Both itineraries offer a great chance to see a variety of mammals and bird specialties from Central and East Asia. As you know, the summer trip finds more birds including Bar-headed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Stejneger’s Scoter, White-headed Duck, Chukar, Altai Snowcock, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Pallas’s Gull, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Gray Shrike, Mongolian Ground-Jay, Asian Desert Warbler, Altai Accentor, Mongolian Accentor, White-winged Snowfinch, White-headed Yellow Wagtail, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Mongolian Finch, and Grey-necked Bunting.
TRIP REPORTS OF OUR PARTNERS
TRIP REPORTS 2022:
TRIP REPORTS 2023:
TRIP REPORTS 2024:
WINTER WILD CATS PHOTOGRAPHY Tour
Imposing Altai Mountains we venture into boasts about 15 Snow Leopards in about 2000 km2 area. The promising advantage is that the SLs come down to the easily accessible foothills following their prey and they can not walk on the deep snow fallen at higher altitudes. This will allow us more chances from October to April. With the help of 2-3 experienced local trackers, local nomads, and insider’s knowledge and experience of our naturalist guides, the chance of sighting stands at 80%. Trackers find SLs for you following the footprints in the snow.
The average sighting distance is about 50 m – 100 m, which allows photographers to make their dream come true. Often, the SLs spend a lot of time lying down in the sun, giving us a fair opportunity to scrutinize them in day time. They tend to hunt on big animals such as ibex, argali sheep, and domestic livestock, which is a good opportunity to put up the hides.
The advantage of the trip is no strenuous walks are required at high altitudes. Our SL camp is located average altitude of 2,000 MAMSL at the foot of high mountains where we wander at 2,400 – 3,100 MAMSL.
The most favorable habitat for Pallas’s Cat occurs in Margaz Mountains where we spend few days to find the Pallas’s Cat with the help of local nomad trackers. We also promise 80% for this species as this is a truly elusive one.
Tour Highlights
ITINERARY DETAILS
Our team greets you at the airport. Transfer to the reserved hotel located in the Valley of Tuul River near airport. We have chance to go birding in the riparian forest outside the hotel. (Mongolica Resort Hotel, B-L-D)
Key birds: Ruddy Shelduck, Cinereous Vulture, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Azure Tit, Black-throated Thrush, Bohemian Waxwing, Alpine Accentor, Siberian Accentor, Brown Accentor, Long-tailed Rosefinch, and Meadow Bunting.
Fly Ulaangom town for about 2 hours and we decide whether we go to Altai Mountains or stay overnight in the town depending on available time. (Hotel or Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Based at our comfortable community-based ger camp run by friendly and hospitable Mongolian nomads, we spend these days exploring the mountain to accomplish our ultimate goal to enjoy the ‘Mountain Ghost’ and other exotic animals in this pristine wilderness – breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks, jaw-droppingly gorgeous deep narrow valleys, pure and untouched lakes, and ancient desert plains. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Key birds: Chukar, Altai Snowcock, Hill Pigeon, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Upland Buzzard, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Little Owl, Eurasian Kestrel, Saker Falcon, Northern Shrike, Mongolian Ground-Jay, Red-billed Chough, Azure Tit, Black-throated Thrush, Bohemian Waxwing, Siberian Accentor, Brown Accentor, Rock Sparrow, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Mongolian Finch, Black-headed Mountain-Finch, Twite, Common Redpoll, and Meadow Bunting.
Key mammals: Alpine Pika, Pallas’s Pika, Tolai Hare, Red Fox, Wolf, Stoat, Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, Argali, Goitered Gazelle, and Asian Wapiti.
Embark on a panoramic drive to Ulaangom and enjoy a comfortable stay at a local hotel in the town. (Hotel, B-L-D)
Travel on to the next site savoring stunning views of desert plains, rock tors, sand dunes covered by snow. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Savor elusive Pallas’s cat along with other steppe mammals and birds while exloring variety of landscapes including awe-inspiring granite rock tors and mountains, tranquil and verdant steppes, and massive sand dunes. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Key birds: Hill Pigeon, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Golden Eagle, Rough-legged Hawk, Upland Buzzard, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Little Owl, Eurasian Kestrel, Saker Falcon, Red-billed Chough, Mongolian Lark, Asian Short-toed Lark, Bohemian Waxwing, Siberian Accentor, Brown Accentor, Rock Sparrow, White-winged Snowfinch, Pere David’s Snowfinch, Mongolian Finch, Twite, Common Redpoll, and Meadow Bunting.
Key mammals: Red Fox, Corsac Fox, Pallas’s Cats, Snow Leopards, Eurasian Lynx, and Siberian Ibex.
Embark on a panoramic drive to marvelous Khomyn Tal and discover elegant wild horses. Khomyn Tal is a successful reintroduction site for the last wild horse living in the native environment. As a result of well-managed planning, there are now about 150 wild horses roaming in the area, where lies the panoramic steppes and sand dunes. (Takhi Eco Camp, B-L-D)
Key birds: Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Cinereous Vulture, Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon, Mongolian Ground-Jay, White-winged Redstart, and Meadow Bunting.
Key mammals: Pallas’s Pika, Tolai Hare, Red Fox, Corsac Fox, Wolf, Przewalski’s Horse, Mongolian Gazelle, Goitered Gazelle, and Mongolian Saiga.
Take scenic drive to Hovd town and we pinpoint ancient Mongolian Saiga on the Great Lakes’ Depression, where we savor interesting bird species. (Hotel, B-L-D)
Return flight to Ulaanbaatar and transfer to the Hotel. (Hotel, B-L-D)
Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
SUMMER WILD CATS Observation Tour
Imposing Altai Mountains we venture into an ‘island’ mountain, which means it is isolated from neighboring mountains by wide valleys. After snow melts in the spring, it is easy to drive up onto the mountain, allowing more chance from April to October. With the help of 2-3 experienced local trackers based on the mountain and insider’s knowledge and experience of our naturalist guides, the chance of sighting stands at 80%.
The average sighting distance is about 500 m – 1,500 m, which allows us good views through fine spotting scopes. Often, the SLs spend a lot of time lying down in the rock shadow, giving us a fair opportunity to scrutinize them in day time. During each sighting, we spent plenty of time watching the elusive SLs.
The advantage of the trip is no strenuous walks are required at high altitudes. Our SL camp is located average altitude of 2,000 MAMSL at the foot of high mountains where we wander at 2,800 – 3,200 MAMSL.
The most favorable habitat for Pallas’s Cat occurs in Margaz Mountains where we spend a few days to find the Pallas’s Cat with the help of local nomad trackers. We also promise 80% for this species as this is a truly elusive one.
Tour Highlights
ITINERARY DETAILS
Our team greets you at the airport. Transfer to the reserved hotel located in the Valley of Tuul River near airport. We have chance to go birding in the riparian forest outside the hotel. (Mongolica Resort Hotel, B-L-D)
Key birds: Pacific Swift, Booted Eagle, Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Azure-winged Magpie, Red-billed Chough, Daurian Jackdaw, Azure Tit, White-crowned Penduline-Tit, White-cheeked Starling, Red-throated Thrush.
Key mammals: Daurian Pika, Tolai Hare, Long-tailed Ground Squirrel, Brandt’s Vole, Corsac Fox.
Fly Hovd town for about 2 hours and transfer to Altai Mountains (3-4 hours). (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Based at our comfortable community-based ger camp run by friendly and hospitable Mongolian nomads, we spend these days exploring the mountain to accomplish our ultimate goal to enjoy the ‘Mountain Ghost’ and other exotic animals in this pristine wilderness – breathtaking vistas of snow-capped peaks, jaw-droppingly gorgeous deep narrow valleys, pure and untouched lakes, and ancient desert plains.
After completing the mission to enjoy and view SLs, we go birding above 3,000 MAMSL, shake marshlands, Zereg Lake and Khar-Us Lake, and different parts of the mountain. We also look for other interesting mammals around the mountains and accomplish night drive for nocturnal mammals on the desert plain. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Key birds: White-headed Duck, Chukar, Altai Snowcock, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, Eurasian Eagle-Owl, Saker Falcon, Isabelline Shrike, Steppe Gray Shrike, Mongolian Ground-Jay, Savi’s Warbler, Asian Desert Warbler, Barred Warbler, Altai Accentor, Brown Accentor, White-winged Snowfinch, Western Yellow Wagtail, Water Pipit, Mongolian Finch, Black-headed Mountain-Finch, Twite, Godlewski’s Bunting, and Gray-necked Bunting.
Key mammals: Long-eared Hedgehog, Alpine Pika, Pallas’s Pika, Tolai Hare, Tarbagan Marmot, Pallid Ground Squirrel, Mongolian Five-toed Jerboa, Gobi Jerboa, Thick-tailed Pygmy Jerboa, Red Fox, Wolf, Snow Leopard, Siberian Ibex, and Goitered Gazelle.
Embark on a panoramic drive to marvelous Khomyn Tal and discover elegant wild horses. En route, we pinpoint ancient Mongolian Saiga on the Great Lakes’ Depression, where we savor interesting bird species. (Takhi Eco Camp, B-L-D)
Key birds: Bar-headed Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Greater Sand-Plover, Pallas’s Gull, White-winged Tern, Arctic Loon, Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Upland Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Saker Falcon, Isabelline Shrike, Steppe Gray Shrike, Mongolian Ground-Jay, Crested Lark, Bearded Reedling, Great Reed Warbler, Savi’s Warbler, Pale Sand Martin, Asian Desert Warbler, Isabelline Wheatear, Desert Wheatear, Pied Wheatear, Pere David’s Snowfinch and Gray-necked Bunting.
Key mammals: Long-eared Hedgehog, Pallas’s Pika, Daurian Pika, Tolai Hare, Tarbagan Marmot, Pallid Ground Squirrel, Brandt’s Vole, Midday Jird, Mongolian Five-toed Jerboa, Gobi Jerboa, Thick-tailed Pygmy Jerboa, Red Fox, Corsac Fox, Wolf, Przewalski’s Horse, Mongolian Gazelle, Goitered Gazelle, Mongolian Saiga.
Travel on to the next site savoring stunning views of desert plains, rocks, sand dunes, and oasis. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Savor elusive Pallas’s cat along with other steppe mammals and birds while exloring variety of landscapes including awe-inspiring granite rock tors and mountains, tranquil and verdant steppes, massive sand dunes, impressive oasis, and birdlife-rich lakes. (Community-based Ger Camp, B-L-D)
Key birds: Bar-headed Goose, Swan Goose, Red-crested Pochard, Hill Pigeon, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Demoiselle Crane, Asian Dowitcher, Pallas’s Gull, Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Steppe Eagle, Golden Eagle, Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Long-legged Buzzard, Upland Buzzard, Lesser Kestrel, Saker Falcon, Mongolian Ground-Jay, Mongolian Lark, Pale Sand Martin, Asian Desert Warbler, Mongolian Accentor, Rock Sparrow, Pere David’s Snowfinch and Mongolian Finch.
Key mammals: Long-eared Hedgehog, Pallas’s Pika, Daurian Pika, Tolai Hare, Tarbagan Marmot, Long-tailed Ground Squirrel, Daurian Ground Squirrel, Brandt’s Vole, Mongolian Jird, Midday Jird, Mongolian Five-toed Jerboa, Gobi Jerboa, Red Fox, Corsac Fox, Least Weasel, Steppe Polecat, Pallas’s Cat and Siberian Ibex.
Embark on a panoramic drive to the Uliastai city and unwind at the comfortable hotel. (Hotel, B-L-D)
Fly back to Ulaanbaatar and unwind at the comfortable hotel. (Hotel, B-L-D)
Transfer to the airport according to your flight schedule.
TRIP DETAILS
Important notes
This is not a normal tour. We spend several days searching for truly elusive animals including Snow Leopards and Pallas’s Cats with help of local trackers. The chance of observation is 80%. We will not get closer to the cat than 500 m if the cat has cubs. Please do not wander around the mountain without asking your guides as there stands a danger from wildlife. We do not promise decent shots because this is not photography tour.
No sound and/or wandering. We spend a lot of time scanning for SLs and PCs while staying and sitting at one spot. Any sound or movement have to be kept at minimum such as talking loudly, any noise such as vehicle door closing and walking around. The cats have sharp eyesight and good hearing sense. They easily hid when seeing or hearing men from long distance.
Dates
The recommended dates for observation – April to October. Please check with us when you book the flight, tour dates may change due to schedule of domestic flights.
The recommended dates for photography – October to March. Please check with us when you book the flight, tour dates may change due to schedule of domestic flights.
Trip Cost
Per person price by US Dollars
The cost includes all transport and accommodation in Mongolia and two-way flight between Ulaanbaatar and Altai Mountains, meals, local expert guides and cook, trackers, and road tolls and entry fees to national parks and protected areas, and drinking water.
International Flights
Soaring Expeditions does not book international flights and is happy to give you a choice to book your favorite airlines or cheapest or shortest flights.
Physical Rating
Moderate to hard
We designed this trip involving the least possible strenuous walks and treks throughout the trip. Depending on the sighting, we might ask you to walk maximum 2 km on comparatively flat terrain.
Accommodation
We will stay in the 3-4 star hotels in Ulaanbaatar. These hotels might be just below the international standard, but clean and comfortable. We will stay in a community-based ger camp when we stay at Altai Mountains in pursuit of the Snow Leopards and other wild animals. The campsite is a real heaven located on the mountain slope, facing the sublime scenery to all directions. Average altitude of the camp and surroundings is 2,000 m above sea level. The camp provides clean and comfortable traditional Mongolian gers with two beds in it. The gers will be heated by stove. The toilet with European style will be secured in the secluded area of the campsite. There will be a place to wash hands and face and shower room.
Food and meals
13 breakfasts, 13 lunches, and 13 dinners is included in the price, which covers all the main meals during your stay in Mongolia.
Our cook in the community-based camp will cater for your special food requirements. Please let us know your dietary requirements in advance so that we can prepare the supplies accordingly. We will provide our guests with fresh fruits every day. However, the meals in the camp might lack a variety comparing to the European standards. There will always be hot drinks and snacks.
Weather
Mongolia is the ‘Land of Blue Sky’, the nickname comes from the number of sunny days throughout the year in the country – two third of the year. Temperatures should be relatively moderate and skies are usually brilliantly clear. The days will usually be sunny and cool, and pleasant. Nights will be considerably cooler after the sunset. The temperature should be lower in the mountains and snow is possible.
As there is no weather station in the mountain we visit for the tour, following is the climate data collected at Hovd town during 2005 – 2015. Source: timeanddate.com.
Electricity and Power Sources
We have a limited electric power in the community-based ger camp, which provides electricity power (220 KV) between 18:00 – 21:00 with the help of generator.
The common socket type is type E. The recently built buildings have the combination of Type G and Type E. Please see the details of socket types at https://www.power-plugs-sockets.com/.
How to book the tour
The payment should be done in wire transfer according to our invoice. The deposit payment of 1,500 US$ should be transferred by the time of booking in order to secure your place in the tour. Before you make the final due payment, you should check if the number of participants have reached the minimum limit. All our trip payments should be made in US Dollars.
Cancellations and Refunds
If you find it necessary to cancel your trip, please notify us as soon as possible. The cancellation fee after you’ve made your deposit can range up to the entire trip cost, based upon the number of days prior to your trip that we receive your cancellation notice. We regret we cannot make exceptions for personal emergencies. For this reason, we strongly urge you to consider purchasing travel insurance by the time of booking.
| DATE OF CANCELLATION
90 or more days prior to your trip 89 to 60 days prior 59 to 30 days prior 29 to 0 days prior to your trip | CANCELLATION FEE
Only deposit payment/person 40% of the trip price/person 70% of the trip price/person 100% of the trip price/person |
Contact Us
If you have any queries related to tour, please contact us at soaring@expeditions.mn. For more awe-inspiring tours, visit our website www.expeditions.mn.
Taxonomical Check List of the Birds
The list provides the potential birds that could be seen during the whole trip. As our trip date is organized in winter, we might miss some early migrants. Hope you understand that the birds do not stay in a place for long time because of the season. However, we have tried to include the most potential birds to the list. The taxonomical order and nomenclature follows the Howard and Moore 4th edition (incl. corrigenda vol.1-2). See the list in xls. file.
Dates & Prices
In order to CUSTOMIZE or BOOK the tour please contact us via email.
2025
2026
Want to customize this tour?
We are most welcome to consider your request.
WHY TRAVEL WITH US?
Domestic Horses 
Snow Leopard Pallas's Cat Grey Wolf Wallcreeper Expedition Team Eversmann's Redstart Khovd River Snow covered Altai Mountains Pallas's Cat Altai Mountains Snow Leopard Mongolian Altai Pallas's Cat Snow Leopard Red Fox Eversmann's Redstart Fullmoon Herd of Siberian Ibex Male Siberian Ibex Siberian Ibex Bearded Vulture Must Peak of Kharkhiraa Mountains Male Siberian Ibex Majestic Altai Mountains Flock of Altai Snowcocks Siberian Ibex Brandt's Mountain Finch Brown Accentor Siberian Ibex Altai Mountains Twite
WATCH THE ELUSIVE CATS!
Silently Hunting Snow Leopard, 2022:
Home-range of Snow Leopards:
Three Cubs of a Snow Leopard:
Preys of Snow Leopard:
Tail of a Snow Leopard:
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