The vast and virtually uninhabited lands of Mongolia have captivated the minds of explorers for as long as people have known of it. The landscapes and wildlife have had a draw on naturalists looking for something different. Long recognised for its scenic beauty, wonderful birdlife and plentiful mammalian fauna, it is now set to become the premier place to encounter the enigmatic Snow Leopard.

We begin near the capital of Ulaanbaatar with a visit to Gorkji Terelj National Park to search for the elusive Black-billed Capercaillie, and perhaps Daurian Pika. From here, we’ll make our way to the far west of the country. Based in relatively comfortable ger camps, we’ll spend time visiting the stunning Margaz and Altai Mountains, as well as Khomyn Tal National Park and several lakes. With time to properly explore this remote area, we stand a very good chance of encountering the once near-mythical Snow Leopard. Compared with the other places in the Himalayas where one might seek out the ‘Grey Ghost’, this site is at low elevation, and you only need to walk small distances to access the very best areas for seeing this big cat! Other mammals abound in this region, including Siberian Ibex, Pallas’s Cat (Manul), Przewalski’s Horse, the fast-declining Saiga and Goitered Gazelles, Argali, Asian Wapiti, Corsac Fox, Grey Wolf and even Steppe Polecat. Special birds may include Altai Snowcock, Pallas’s Sandgrouse and Mongolian Ground Jay.

Many other smaller mammals and some excellent birds are all on offer in this truly wild and remote setting!