All DestinationsAfricaTanzaniaAsiaIndiaSouth AmericaCosta RicaOur PicksPantanalIrkutskCommander IslandsOlkhon IslandLake BaikalKurile Lake
All JourneysJourney ThemesBig Cat SafarisBirdingGreat MigrationLandscapesMarine WildlifeNorthern LightsPolar ExpeditionsPrimate TreksRare SpeciesWildlifeBirdsCheetahElephantsJaguarLeopardLionMarine MammalsPenguinPrimatesPumaRhinosSnow LeopardTravel StylesPrivate JourneysPhotography ExpeditionsSlow TravelLuxury Lodges & CampsConservation-Led TravelFamily AdventuresOn FootSmall Group JourneysFly-In SafarisSignature Journeys
Expeditions
JournalGalleryFilmsBrochures
EnquireTravel CalendarFirst-Time Safari GuidePacking GuideFAQ
Our StoryConservationPressGuest ReviewsContact
Enquire
Home  /  Mongolia  /  Altai Mountains
Snow leopards & eagle hunters · Mongolia

Altai Mountains

The high Altai — the realm of the snow leopard, the argali and ibex it hunts, and the Kazakh golden-eagle hunters of western Mongolia.
Getting there
By flight to western Mongolia, then 4x4 into the high Altai
Best for
Snow leopards, argali, Siberian ibex, golden eagles, eagle hunters, high mountains
The land
High, glaciated mountains on Mongolia's western frontier
Good to know
The Altai is one of the few places on earth offering a real chance of a wild snow leopard
What it is
The Altai is the high mountain realm of the snow leopard — and of the Kazakh golden-eagle hunters of western Mongolia.
On Mongolia's western frontier, the glaciated Altai Mountains are among the very few places on earth offering a genuine chance of a wild snow leopard. Patient expedition camps and local trackers search the high valleys, where argali, Siberian ibex and golden eagles live — and the Kazakh eagle hunters still hunt from horseback with trained golden eagles.
PhotoAltai Mountains — snow leopards & eagle hunters.
The reason to come

The snow-leopard mountains

The Altai offers a real chance of a wild snow leopard, and the eagle hunters.

Snow leopards

Tracker-led searches for the wild snow leopard in the high valleys.

Argali & ibex

The snow leopard's prey on the high slopes.

Eagle hunters

The Kazakh golden-eagle hunters of the Altai.

Worth knowing

A chance at the ghost cat

The Altai is one of the only places on earth to seek a wild snow leopard — the elusive 'ghost of the mountains'.
PhotoThe high Altai, realm of the snow leopard.
When to come — honestly

A high-mountain wilderness.

February – April
Best
Snow-leopard season — cats range lower on the winter-spring snow.
September – October
Best
The autumn eagle-hunting season and argali rut.
Year-round
Good
A harsh high-mountain wilderness; access is seasonal.
Snow-leopard searches are demanding, in deep cold and at altitude, and sightings are never guaranteed — this is a patient expedition.
Context

The snow-leopard range

The Altai is Mongolia's high-mountain wilderness — snow leopards and eagle hunters.

It anchors the snow-leopard and eagle expeditions.

We base the Altai at expedition camps with local trackers, for the snow leopard and the eagle hunters.

Beyond the obvious

More to Altai Mountains.

PhotoSnow-leopard search

Snow-leopard search

Tracker-led in the high valleys.

PhotoArgali & ibex

Argali & ibex

On the high slopes.

PhotoEagle hunters

Eagle hunters

The Kazakh tradition.

Why Wild Voyager

We reach Mongolia's remotest wildlife.

From the Gobi to the Altai snow leopards, Mongolia's wildlife is far-flung, seasonal and logistically hard. We handle the ger camps, light flights, permits and the specialist local trackers who find the wildlife.

Handpicked stays

We choose the lodge and guides that fit your goals, not whatever is left.

We time it right

We build your visit around the season and the wildlife that delivers.

Journeys

Trips through Altai Mountains

10 Days · 9 Nights

Snow Leopard Expedition
12 Days · 11 Nights

Gobi & Altai
12 Days · 11 Nights

Mongolia Wildlife Photography
14 Days · 13 Nights

Ultimate Mongolia
15 Days · 14 Nights

Snow Leopard & Eagles
18 Days · 17 Nights

Mongolia Grand Expedition
Where to stay

Where you’ll stay in Altai Mountains

Classic Collection
PhotoSnow Leopard Expedition Camp
Classic

Snow Leopard Expedition Camp

A mobile expedition camp in the high Altai, base for the snow-leopard search.
Wildlife you may see
Leopard Snow Leopard

Plan your Altai Mountains trip.

Search the high Altai for the snow leopard. Tell us your dates and we will build the route around it.

Plan a trip

Field notes, now and then.

Where to go · When to go · Wildlife in season

A few times a year, never more. Unsubscribe anytime. See our Privacy Policy.