Snow Leopard Photography in high Altai mountain range
Every photographer knows that the photographing wildlife is the most challenging game, especially photographing the Snow Leopard in their wild natural habitat is the biggest dream of any wildlife photographers. The world’s one of the rarest cats, an endangered snow leopards are only about 6000, left in the wild on our planet and can be found in Central Asian 12 countries. So photographing them is undoubtedly the big game.
The second-largest population of snow leopards – estimated at 500–1,000 individuals – survives mostly in the west of Mongolia. Snow leopards live in high alpine areas, mostly above the tree line and up to 18,000 feet in elevation. Snow leopards are capable of killing prey up to three times their own weight. They eat blue sheep, Argali wild sheep, ibex, marmots, deer and other small mammals. Snow leopards typically hunt—such as the Argali sheep—are also hunted by local communities. As their natural prey becomes harder to find, snow leopards are often forced to kill livestock for survival, in many cases leading to retaliatory killings of snow leopards by local farmers or herders.
Quick Facts About the Snow Leopard
Name: Snow Leopard
Mongolian name: Цоохор Ирвэс
Habitats: Cold, high mountains
Diet: Ibex, Argali wild sheep, domestic goat, sheep, horse
Body Length: 75 – 150cm /29,5- 60in/, plus tail length of 80-105cm
Weight: 25-55kg /55-121lb/
Mating Season: January to mid-March
Brief Itinerary
Day 1.Transfer to hotel. Have a rest for a while. Have a dinner at restaurant. Prepare for the trip. Overnight in the hotel. Early morning fly to Western Mongolia.
Day 2-9. Early morning take a flight to Western Mongolia
Our journey will take us to western Mongolia, where we’ll embark on an 8-9 day expedition in pursuit of the enigmatic snow leopard amidst the grandeur of the Altai mountain range. Throughout the entire tour, our guests will stay in Ger camps specifically arranged for the journey. Gers, the traditional portable dwellings with a round shape, have been home to Mongolians for centuries. These Ger camps offer a cozy and spacious experience, akin to motels, and are often warmed by wood or coal fires. Each Ger is equipped with twin or double beds, complete with bedding—blankets, sheets, pillows, and duvets. While the washing and toilet facilities at these camps are basic, they do include separate buildings for toilets and showers.
Note: While we cannot provide a guarantee of encountering a Snow Leopard, we put forth our utmost effort to locate one. To participate in this endeavor, you should be physically prepared for hiking over several kilometers at altitudes ranging from 2,200 to 2,800 meters.
Day 11. After getting your unforgettable lifetime experience, you will fly back to Ulaanbaatar.