Wildlife Photography Hides in Mongolia

Khovd Altai Mountains and Sukhbaatar Province steppe

A 15-day photography expedition split between 7 nights in traditional gers in the Khovd Altai for snow leopard tracking and a second week on the eastern Sukhbaatar steppe for Pallas's Cat photography, with expert local trackers throughout. Operates exclusively in February for optimal snow-tracking conditions; temperatures reach −20 °C to −25 °C. £5,250 GBP per person; max 6 guests.

Far Eastern Steppe & Buir Lake, Dornod Province

A 16–18-day birding expedition (led by Bolormunkh Erdenekhuu) to the far eastern steppe near the Chinese border, targeting critical waterbirds at Buir Lake wetlands and riparian forests along the Khalkh Gol river. Spring (May) and autumn (August–September) departures available; camping in North Face tents with marquee dining tent. Contact: info@snowleopardtours.mn (+976 88069307).

Tsagaan Lake, Binder Soum, Khentii Province

A 4-day conservation-tourism tour centred on the annual Crane Festival on Tsagaan Lake shores in Binder soum, a key White-naped Crane breeding wetland. Participants work alongside crane-ringing researchers and attend cultural performances alongside scientific fieldwork. Exceptionally affordable at $390–590 USD per person; supports local wetland conservation.

Altai Mountains, Bayan-Ölgii Province

An 11-day photography workshop (17–27 September 2026) led by Glenn McKimmin, David Oliver and Clare Oliver, giving exclusive access to a private Kazakh eagle hunter festival in the Altai Mountains. Participants learn portrait and action photography alongside nomadic families, with ger accommodation and specialist instruction. Maximum 15 participants (8 of 12 original places filled at time of research). Price USD $7,400 per person (twin share).

Eastern Gobi Desert, Eastern Steppe, Onon Valley & Ikh Nart NR

A 14-day Nomadic Journeys off-grid expedition through the heartland of Chinggis Khan's Mongolia: Eastern Gobi Desert, the world's greatest Mongolian gazelle grasslands in Toson Hulstai Nature Reserve, Ikh Nart Nature Reserve argali habitat and the ancient Onon Valley. Accommodation in spacious tent-ipis with bed-cots; mobile ger restaurant. Price USD $4,550 per person (2 participants); mid-June to end-September departures.

Dornod Province steppe and Khurkh Valley, Khentii Province

An 11-day camping-and-4WD expedition to Mongolia's easternmost steppe — WINGS describes this as the only international operator running this specific itinerary. Visits the Khurkh Valley Ramsar wetlands during spring crane migration, where all five Asian crane species can be seen simultaneously at one location. Mongolian gazelle herds regularly exceed 100,000 animals. From $5,980 USD.

East Taiga Forest, Khuvsgul Province (Tsagaan Nuur area)

A 10-day Sayat Travel photography and cultural immersion tour to the East Taiga Forest, visiting Tsaatan (Dukha) reindeer herder camps. Activities include reindeer milking, cheese-making, firewood gathering, reindeer riding and horse trekking through boreal forest. A full day is dedicated to photography sessions at camp. Based in Ulaan-Uul village, with horse trekking into the taiga to reach the camps. English-speaking guide; national park entry fees included. Contact for pricing via sayattravel.com.

Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, Ömnögovi Province

Mongolia's largest national park (27,000 km²) with self-drive 4WD access from Dalanzadgad. Yolyn Am gorge delivers Siberian Ibex year-round; snow leopard tracks are visible in winter; Cinereous Vultures soar above the canyon walls daily. Khongor sand dunes and Nemegt fossil valley complete a photographic landscape like no other. Small per-site entrance fees; no booking required.

Ölgii Town and Bugat Soum festival site, Bayan-Ölgii Province

A 6-day festival tour with the unique option of homestay accommodation with active eagle-hunting families, providing evening and early-morning access to eagles and hunters in authentic domestic settings. Includes domestic flights, festival entry and all meals; two accommodation tiers (homestay vs. ger camp) available. From approximately $1,575 USD per person.

Shar Nuur festival grounds, Bayan-Ölgii Province

A photographer-specific festival tour built around the annual Golden Eagle Festival at Shar Nuur (15 km from Ölgii), where 35–40 Kazakh eagle masters compete with their birds. Discover Altai arranges pre-festival access to eagle-hunting families for intimate dawn portrait sessions before the crowds arrive. Festival dates 3–4 October.

Khustai Nuruu National Park, Töv Province

Mongolia's flagship Przewalski's Horse reintroduction site, 100 km west of Ulaanbaatar, with a current population of 380+ horses across 50,000 ha. Self-drive visitors follow dedicated vehicle tracks to river-bank viewing areas at dawn and dusk; a visitor centre and on-site ger resort facilitate overnight stays. Also home to Pallas's Cats, Steppe Eagles and over 250 bird species.

Ikh Nartiin Chuluu Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Province

A 4-day accessible wildlife photo tour to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve (300 km SE of Ulaanbaatar), home to one of Mongolia's globally significant Argali sheep populations, Siberian ibex, Cinereous Vultures nesting on granite cliffs, and Bearded Vultures. The dramatic granite rock formations provide unique photographic backdrops. Rated Easy; priced $898–1,248 USD.

Khomiin Tal Wildlife Reserve, Zavkhan Province

A multi-day guided horse-riding and photography expedition to Khomiin Tal, Mongolia's second Przewalski's Horse reintroduction site in remote Zavkhan Province (35,600 ha), accessible only by horse or off-road vehicle. Far less visited than Hustai, delivering far more intimate encounters with the free-ranging herd of 50+ horses.

Khövsgöl Lake National Park, Khövsgöl Province

Mongolia's premier taiga wilderness (840,000 ha), entered at Khatgal village on the south shore of Lake Khövsgöl. Self-drive visitors follow ranger-designated tracks into larch-permafrost forest; brown bears, Siberian moose and Eurasian otters are most reliably seen at dawn along river deltas and the 136-km lake shoreline. Khatgal ranger station provides current wildlife locations.

Eastern Mongolian Steppe, Sükhbaatar Province

A 9-day dedicated Pallas's Cat photography tour timed precisely to kitten emergence from dens in early summer — offering rare access to kittens exploring outside for the first time. Six full days at den-site photography blinds with local manul researchers; a portion of fees directly funds the local manul research NGO in Sükhbaatar Province. From $9,950 USD per person.

Delgerkhaan NR, Shaazan Lake, Buir Lake & Eastern Steppe, Khentii & Dornod Provinces

A 15-day Mongolia Quest expedition (1–15 May 2027) exploring Mongolia's role as a critical staging ground on three major flyways: West Asian–East African, Central Asian and East Asian–Australasian. Visits Delgerkhaan Nature Reserve, Shaazan Lake crane staging area, Buir Lake wetlands and the Khalkh Gol floodplain. Toyota Land Cruisers; hotels and tent camps. Price from USD $4,115/person (groups of 10–15) to $5,890/person (2–3 people).

Western Altai to Ulaanbaatar (countrywide transect)

An 18-day pioneering ornithological traverse of Mongolia led by Naturetrek (tour code MON01), travelling from the Altai Mountains westward across steppe, taiga, mountains and desert-fringed lakes to Ulaanbaatar. Long overland drives reflect the vast distances involved; accommodation is mainly tented camp with local staff support. Targets over 200 species including Central Asian endemics and rarities. Register interest via Naturetrek; pricing to be confirmed.

Gobi-Altai Mountains, Steppe & Taiga (countrywide)

A 14-day Rockjumper birding expedition crossing diverse Mongolian habitats from taiga forest and mountain steppe to Gobi sand dunes. The tour targets a suite of Central Asian specialities and typically records 200+ species. Accommodation alternates between ger camps and camping. Price from USD $6,595 (2027); late May to early June departures.

Taiga, Steppe, Gobi Desert & Hustai NP (countrywide)

A 17-day Ornis birding tour across Mongolia's main habitats, targeting over 30 specialist species. Groups are strictly capped at 7 to guarantee quality experiences; camping throughout remote wilderness areas. Price from USD $5,800 (2026); departures May–June. A 5-day extension is available.

Taiga, Altai Mountains, Gobi Desert & Hustai NP (countrywide)

A 15-day small-group birding tour led by Martin Kennewell, visiting taiga forests near Mongon, the Altai Mountains, Gobi Desert, Yolyn Am gorges and Khustai National Park. Entirely camping-based, maximum 9 participants; expects 210–240 species. Price £4,325 / USD $5,750 including internal flights, all meals and guiding.

Central and Northern Mongolia (Khustai NP, Ughii Nuur, Kharkorin, Terelj)

An 18-day comprehensive birding itinerary led by specialist Phil Gregory traversing Khustai NP, Ughii Nuur lake, Elsen Tasarkhai dunes and Gorkhi-Terelj NP. Covers the full sweep of Mongolian habitats from treeless steppe to Siberian taiga, targeting steppe raptors including Saker and Amur Falcon, Pallas's Fish Eagle and Mongolian steppe endemics. From $8,725 USD.

Gun-Galuut NR, Terelj NP, Gobi, Jargalant Mts & Uvs Lake

A 15-day birding tour led by Nick Upton covering Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve, Gorkhi-Terelj NP, the Gobi, Jargalant Mountains, Homyn Tal steppe and Uvs Lake. Approximately 100+ species expected including mountain, steppe and wetland specialists. Price £4,550 (2027, plus £540 single supplement); maximum 10 participants; June departures.

Taiga, steppe, Gobi, wetlands & mountains (countrywide)

A 12-day Birding Ecotours expedition (led by Andrew Walker in 2026) targeting ~200 species across Mongolian taiga, steppe and desert habitats. Includes Gun-Galuut NR, Gorkhi-Terelj NP, Bayanzag Flaming Cliffs, Khongoryn Els sand dunes and Yolyn Am gorge. Ger camps throughout; domestic flights and all meals included. Price USD $9,845 (2026 guaranteed departure); maximum 8 participants.

Central Mongolia: wetlands, taiga, steppe & Hustai NP

A 17-day Zoothera Birding expedition across central Mongolian wetlands, larch taiga forests, grasslands and mountains, led by Nick Bray with specialist local guides. Ger camps and tented accommodation throughout. Ground cost from £4,350 (Ulaanbaatar to Ulaanbaatar); internal flights and all meals included.

Khovd Region, western Mongolia (Altai Mountains)

A 15-day Wildlife Trails expedition to western Mongolia's Khovd region — promoted as the best place to see Pallas's cat in Asia. Based at specialist wildlife camps, participants search rocky valleys and desert margins for snow leopards and Pallas's cats with expert local trackers. Optional 2-night extension to Hustai NP for Przewalski's horses. Price £5,400 per person (twin share; excludes international flights); August departures.

Gobi Desert, Terelj NP, Yol Valley & Hustai NP (countrywide)

A 16-day Whitehawk birding and wildlife tour (led by Marta Curti) focusing on the Gobi Desert and key birding areas, combined with monastery visits and nomadic family encounters. Over 100 bird species and 7 mammal species expected; 520 species total recorded in Mongolia. Hotels in cities, ger camps in the field. Price USD $7,895 per person (minimum 8 participants); April departures.

Gobi Desert, Dornogobi Province (Gobi steppe & Ikh Nart NR)

A bespoke Eternal Landscapes expedition partnering with Association Goviin Khulan (the only operator offering citizen-science khulan tours in the Gobi) to track the endangered Mongolian wild ass and contribute to conservation monitoring. Participants travel with wildlife biologists on transects across the Gobi steppe, visiting Ikh Nart NR. Sliding-scale pricing (2 guests ~USD $5,125; 6 guests ~USD $3,830); minimum 2 people. Contact: jess@eternal-landscapes.co.uk.

Khovd Region (Altai) & Hustai NP, western & central Mongolia

A 14-day Wildlife Worldwide tour led by ecologist Terry Goble, basing participants at ger camps rented from local families near Khovd for 7 nights to scan rocky Altai valleys for snow leopard, then returning to central Mongolia for Pallas's cats near Hustai NP. Includes domestic flights; all meals at wildlife camps. Price from £7,495 including UK flights (£6,595 land-only); August–September.

Taiga forests, Khangai Mountains, Gobi Desert (central countrywide)

An 18-day WINGS grand birding tour from Ulaanbaatar through taiga forests, steppe, mountains, wetlands and into the Gobi Desert sand dunes. Led by Stephen Menzie or Paul French; 360+ species recorded on the route. Expect long drives (up to 10 hours) on rough tracks and altitudes to 3,450 m. Accommodation in ger camps, tepee tents and one Ulaanbaatar hotel. Price USD $8,650 (2026); May–June.

Altai Mountains & Eastern Steppe, Khovd & Sukhbaatar Provinces

A 15-day expedition combining big-cat tracking in the Altai Mountains with autumn songbird and raptor migration on the eastern steppe. Snow leopard and Pallas's cat are the headliners, with Mongolian saiga, corsac fox and migrating Siberian cranes adding extra depth. Price from USD $7,200 (2027); August–September departures.

Western Altai, Terelj NP, Hustai NP, Khongor & Steppe (countrywide)

A 15-day classic Mongolian birding itinerary by Wise Birding, spending 14 nights across mountain ranges in the west, Terelj forest, Hustai steppe, Khongor sand dunes and the open steppe. Mix of hotels, tourist ger camps and tented nights; maximum 8 participants. Includes a £300–400 conservation donation. Price from £5,299 per person plus flights (2027).

Dornod Province & Eastern Steppe (Dornod Mongol Biosphere Reserve)

An 11-day WINGS birding expedition into the remote far-eastern Mongolian steppe, camping at Dornod Mongol Biosphere Reserve. Participants have a chance to witness one of the world's great mammal spectacles — Mongolian gazelle herds estimated at over 100,000 — alongside critically endangered Jankowski's Bunting and a suite of rare waterbirds at Buir Lake. Price from USD $5,980 (2026); led by Paul French; maximum 8 participants.

Altai Mountains & Hustai NP, Khovd & Töv Provinces

An 11-day winter expedition in February searching for snow leopards during the mating season and Pallas's cats on the steppe. Accommodation in heated traditional gers; expect daytime temperatures around −15°C. Groups capped at 4–6 participants. Price £5,150 per person plus ~£800 return flights from London (2027 departures).

Northern Taiga, Khuvsgul Province (Murun–Jargant–Lake Khuvsgul)

An 8-day photography expedition (14–21 September 2026) by landscape and wildlife photographer Daniel Kordan into the pristine northern taiga to document the Tsaatan reindeer herders — one of the last nomadic peoples of the Arctic boreal forest. Includes intimate dawn and dusk sessions with reindeer herds, nomadic culture portraiture and alpine lake landscapes. Domestic flights included; twin accommodation throughout; led by Andrew Marty and Erdenebulgan Battsengel. Price USD $6,500 per person.

Altai Mountains & Margaz Mountains, Khovd Province

A 14-day Naturetrek expedition into western Mongolia led by specialist guide Bayanmunkh Dashnyam, with a 100% snow leopard success rate to date. The itinerary bases participants at ger camps in the Altai and Margaz Mountains, spending days scanning cliff lines and rocky gorges for Mongolia's iconic big cat. Saiga antelope herds on the surrounding steppe and Przewalski's horses at Khomyn Tal add to the mammal list. Price £6,995 including flights from the UK (land-only £6,195); multiple July–August departures.

Altai Mountains, Bayan-Ölgii & Khovd Provinces

Wild Images Photography Tours specialises in small-group wildlife photography expeditions to western Mongolia's Altai range. The tour focuses on snow leopards and Pallas's cats in their winter habitat, with expert local guides and tracked camera positions. Provisional price from £5,620 / USD $7,700 (2026); February–March departures.

Altai Mountains & Margaz Mountains, Khovd Province

A 14-day winter wildlife expedition with Naturetrek searching for snow leopards during the mating season, when individuals are more active and easier to track in the snow. Bases include a 5-night ger camp in the Altai foothills and 3 nights in the Margaz Mountains; a second heated ger camp at Khomyn Tal gives access to Pallas's cat habitat. Price £6,995 including UK flights (land-only £6,195); December departures.

Eastern Mongolian Steppes & Hustai NP, central/eastern Mongolia

A 14-day expedition led by award-winning wildlife photographer and zoologist Nick Garbutt, spending 8 nights on the eastern Mongolian steppes for intensive Pallas's cat searching alongside Przewalski's horses and gazelle herds, and 2 nights at Hustai NP. Small groups of 6–8. Price from £7,995 including UK flights (£7,395 land-only); July departures.

Central Steppe and Khustai NP environs, Töv Province

An 8-day year-round private tour (winter and spring most productive) combining Pallas's Cat fieldwork on the Central Mongolian steppe with a visit to Hustai National Park for Przewalski's Horses. Led by award-winning photographer Molomjamts Naranzul; all sessions at dawn and dusk aligned with peak cat activity windows. From $2,000–$5,500 USD per person depending on group size.

Segs Tsagaan Bogd Mountain, Great Gobi SPA, Bayankhongor Province

An 18-day ecotourism expedition into the Great Gobi Strictly Protected Area, accompanying rangers at the six supplementary feeding stations for the world's rarest bear — fewer than 30 Gobi bears remain. Participants join conservation patrols, distribute feed, and hike at Segs Tsagaan Bogd Mountain. While direct sightings are rare, camera-trap footage and track sign are regular finds in this extraordinary desert wilderness. Price from €2,390 per person (groups of 8+); June–August.

Western Altai Mountains, Bayan-Ölgii Province

A 9-day expedition combining wildlife photography with genuine conservation fieldwork: participants check camera traps and track radio-collared snow leopards alongside the protected area's resident research biologist. Camp is 180 km off-road from Ölgii; camouflaged hide tents are positioned two weeks in advance to minimise disturbance. From $4,500 USD per person.

Altai Mountains, Bayan-Ölgii Province and Hustai NP

A 15-day dual-species winter expedition at 2,000–3,500 m in the Altai, combining days with Kazakh eagle-hunting families and snow leopard tracking in extreme cold (−25 °C to −40 °C), before transitioning to Hustai NP for Przewalski's Horses on Day 13. The only Mongolia itinerary pairing Altai snow leopard with wild horse photography in a single trip. From $5,550 USD per person.

Altai Mountains, Hustai NP & Eastern Steppe

A 14-day specialist tour by Mongolian-based Snow Leopard Tours (led by Otgonbayar Baatargal), marketed as the only operator guaranteeing both snow leopard and Pallas's cat sightings in the wild on a single itinerary. Accommodation in ger camps at elevations of 2,200–2,600 m minimises altitude concerns; primarily vehicle-based observation with short walks. October–November and February–March departures. Contact: info@snowleopardtours.mn.

Gobi-Altai Mountains, Bayan-Ölgii Province

An 11-day private photography expedition led by award-winning Mongolian photographer Molomjamts Naranzul, based at nomadic herder winter camps in the Gobi-Altai range. Pre-positioned camouflaged hide tents, strictly no-bait methods, and pre-dawn start times aligned with natural snow leopard movement patterns. Solo price from $8,500 USD; groups of 4–5 from $4,000 USD per person.

Altai Mountains, Khovd Province

A 10-day ultra-small group (max 4) photography tour led by specialist guides Sebastian Kennerknecht and Rachel Tobias, with a personal gear porter for each guest on steep terrain. Cat Expeditions records snow leopard sightings on every past departure; local herder-spotters are directly employed, channelling conservation income to communities. From $10,950 USD per person.

Tost-Tosonbumba Nature Reserve, Ömnögovi Province

Participants join the Snow Leopard Trust's Long-Term Ecological Study team at their base camp in the world's first protected area created specifically for snow leopards (7,400 km²). Daily fieldwork includes following GPS-collared cats and checking camera traps alongside the resident science team, with 20+ individual leopards historically tracked in this valley. $18,200 per person including a $10,000 conservation donation.

Hustai NP, Eastern Gobi Steppe & Altai Mountains (countrywide)

An 11-day luxury small-group expedition by Natural Habitat Adventures traversing three biomes: mountain steppe at Hustai NP (with exclusive access to the core research zone), Eastern Gobi steppe, and the Altai Mountains. Tracking grey wolves with a local biologist is a highlight; accommodation in private mobile ger camps. Price from USD $18,995 plus airfare; May–June departures; maximum 10 travellers.

Altai Tavan Bogd NP and Khoton Lake, Bayan-Ölgii Province

A 9-day photography workshop led by Kris Andres and Paul Zizka at Khoton Lake (2,073 m) in Altai Tavan Bogd NP and the White River valley, blending Kazakh eagle-hunter portrait sessions with Altai wilderness wildlife photography and Neolithic petroglyph visits. One-on-one instruction plus vehicle-based wildlife shooting; includes lifetime OFFBEAT membership. CAD $9,500.

South Gobi / Great Gobi A Strictly Protected Area

Designed and led by Mongolian wildlife photographer Molomjamts ("Mo"), this 15–22-day expedition in a fully equipped Toyota Land Cruiser Troopy with rooftop tent systematically covers the South Gobi and Great Gobi A SPA — one of the only commercial tours accessing wild Bactrian camel habitat in this critically protected zone. Strictly no baiting; no staged encounters. From $3,500 USD per person.

Ikh Nart Nature Reserve, Dornogobi Province

A 14-day citizen-science expedition to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve (666 km²) led by scientist Ganchimeg Wingard for the Denver Zoo. Participants assist with wildlife monitoring, vegetation surveys, argali tagging and bird-nest tracking in a remote rocky-steppe landscape. Accommodation in wilderness camp gers/tents. Price from USD $4,871 (with discount) to $6,495; multiple June–September departures in 2026. Book via Natural Habitat Adventures: 1-877-877-8238.