Frequently Asked Questions

Mongolia has distinct seasons for different wildlife experiences:

• December–February: Best for snow leopard (mating season, cats at lower elevations)
• April–May: Gobi bear emerges from dormancy; wild camel calving; spring migration
• May–June: Birding peak; gazelle calving; wildflowers on steppe
• June–September: Best for Tsaatan/reindeer; general wildlife; comfortable temperatures
• September–October: Ideal overall — clear skies, autumn colors, all species active, gazelle rut

Each expedition page indicates optimal timing for that specific journey.

Difficulty varies by expedition:

• Easy-Moderate: Takhi (Przewalski's horse), Pallas's Cat — mostly vehicle-based with short walks
• Moderate: Gobi Bear, Wild Camel, Saiga, Gazelle, Raptors — desert conditions, some hiking, long drives
• Moderate-High: Snow Leopard, Tsaatan, Ultimate Mongolia — altitude, cold weather, extended hiking, horseback travel

We're happy to discuss your fitness level and recommend appropriate expeditions. Most guests with average fitness complete our moderate trips comfortably. For snow leopard and Tsaatan expeditions, we recommend some pre-trip conditioning.

We're honest about wildlife sighting probabilities:

• Przewalski's Horse: 99%+ (resident herds, known locations)
• Mongolian Gazelle: 99%+ (migration herds in thousands)
• Wild Camel: 85-90% (at oases during optimal timing)
• Saiga Antelope: 80-90% (with telemetry assistance)
• Pallas's Cat: 70-80% (with researcher guidance)
• Snow Leopard: 30-40% (remote habitat, but camera trap footage nearly guaranteed)
• Gobi Bear: 15-25% (extremely rare, but camera trap images likely)

Our expeditions focus on the full experience — research participation, landscape, culture — not just a checklist sighting. That said, we use every advantage (telemetry, local knowledge, optimal timing) to maximize your chances.

We recommend booking 6-12 months in advance for several reasons:

• Small group sizes (4-8 guests) fill quickly
• Research permits require advance coordination
• Winter snow leopard dates book earliest
• Custom expeditions need planning time

Last-minute spots do occasionally open, so contact us even on shorter timelines.

Accommodation varies by expedition and location:

• Ulaanbaatar: Quality hotels (Kempinski or similar 4-5 star)
• Tourist Ger Camps: Traditional gers with beds, sometimes private bathrooms, restaurant service — used on accessible routes
• Expedition Ger Camps: Our own mobile camps in remote areas — comfortable but basic, shared facilities
• Spike Camps: High-altitude expedition tents for snow leopard and deep wilderness work — warm sleeping bags provided
• Tsaatan Ortz: Traditional reindeer-herder teepees when visiting the Dukha people

Each expedition page details specific accommodation for that trip. These aren't luxury tours — they're high-end expedition experiences. We prioritise authenticity and location, with exceptional comfort and attention to detail throughout.

Included:

• All accommodation during the expedition
• All meals (from lunch Day 1 through breakfast final day)
• All ground transportation (4x4 vehicles)
• Internal flights where specified
• Expert guides and expedition leader
• Research participation and permits
• Conservation contribution to partners
• Equipment as listed per expedition
• Airport transfers in Ulaanbaatar

Not Included:

• International flights to/from Ulaanbaatar
• Travel insurance (required)
• Visa fees (if applicable)
• Personal gear and clothing
• Tips for guides/staff
• Alcoholic beverages
• Pre/post hotel nights in UB

We keep groups small for quality wildlife experiences and minimal environmental impact:

• Snow Leopard: 4-6 guests maximum
• Gobi Bear: 4-6 guests maximum
• Most expeditions: 6-8 guests maximum
• Birding: Up to 8 guests

Private expeditions can be arranged for couples, families, or your own group at any size.

Absolutely. We specialize in tailored experiences:

• Add pre/post days in Ulaanbaatar for culture and museums
• Extend any expedition with additional wildlife areas
• Combine multiple expeditions (Ultimate Mongolia does this)
• Design entirely custom routes based on your interests
• Add photography mentorship or scientific participation depth

Contact us with your ideas — we love creating unique journeys.

We provide specialized equipment depending on the expedition:

• All trips: Spotting scopes, binoculars (if needed), reference materials
• Snow Leopard: Expedition-rated down parkas (-40°C), insulated boots, cold-weather sleeping bags, thermal imaging cameras
• Research activities: Camera trap equipment, GPS units, data collection tools
• Gobi expeditions: Sun shelters, adequate water supplies
• Tsaatan: Horse/reindeer tack and riding equipment

See our Packing Lists for what you should bring versus what we provide.

We accommodate most dietary needs with advance notice:

• Vegetarian and vegan options available
• Common allergies (gluten, nuts, dairy) can be managed
• Traditional Mongolian cuisine features heavily — meat-based, but we supplement with vegetables and grains
• In remote areas, options may be limited but we plan ahead

Please discuss specific needs when booking so we can plan appropriately.

Connectivity varies dramatically by location:

• Ulaanbaatar: Excellent — 4G, WiFi everywhere
• Tourist ger camps: Usually have WiFi, sometimes slow
• Remote areas: No cell coverage or internet

We carry satellite phones for emergency communication in all remote locations. Consider this an opportunity to disconnect — many guests cite it as a highlight.

Research involvement varies by expedition but may include:

• Setting up and checking camera traps
• Recording wildlife observations for databases
• Participating in transect surveys
• Assisting with animal processing (if appropriate)
• Learning data collection protocols
• Reviewing camera trap footage

Participation is always optional — you can engage as much or as little as you like. Our researchers are happy to explain their work regardless of involvement level.

Every expedition includes a conservation contribution ($500–$1,500 depending on the trip) that funds a specific, named research project — not a generic fund. Here is how it works:

• Named projects: Each expedition funds an identified research question with a named principal investigator and institutional partner
• Graduate student support: Your contribution directly funds Masters or PhD fieldwork — student universities and thesis titles are specified on each expedition's Impact tab
• Tangible outputs: Every funded project has a defined deliverable — a peer-reviewed paper, a thesis, a technical report, or a conservation plan
• Full transparency: We publish annual impact reports showing which students graduated, which papers were published, and what conservation decisions were informed by the research

We do not take administrative fees from conservation contributions. 100% goes to the research partner. Our business operates from expedition revenue, not from skimming conservation funds.

We are honest about this: you are a funder who gets to see where the money goes and participate meaningfully in fieldwork. Here is what that looks like:

• You do real tasks: Servicing camera traps, recording data on transects, counting animals from survey positions, measuring vegetation plots — under direct researcher supervision
• Your data enters real databases: Observations you record follow standardised protocols and contribute to actual research datasets
• You do not lead research: Professional researchers design studies, analyse data, and write papers. You assist in the field component
• Participation is optional: If you prefer to observe rather than participate, that is completely fine. The research happens whether you pick up a GPS or not

The most important thing you do is fund the work. Your camera trap station operates for two years whether you were the one who bolted it to the tree or not. Your presence in the field is a bonus, not the point.

Safety is our highest priority:

• All expedition leaders are Wilderness First Responder certified
• Comprehensive medical kits on every vehicle
• Satellite phones for emergency communication
• Evacuation insurance included (covers helicopter evacuation)
• Detailed risk assessments for all activities
• Local teams with intimate knowledge of terrain
• Weather monitoring and flexible itineraries

Our team brings 25+ years of field experience across Mongolia's most remote regions, and we prepare thoroughly for any situation.

Yes, comprehensive travel insurance is mandatory. Your policy must include:

• Emergency medical coverage of at least $100,000
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Coverage for adventure activities at altitude
• Coverage for remote area travel
• Trip cancellation/interruption protection

We recommend World Nomads, Global Rescue, or IMG Global for adventure travel coverage. Proof of insurance is required before departure.

Responsible practices are central to everything we do:

• Direct conservation contributions from every expedition
• Strict wildlife approach distances and protocols
• Local employment and community benefit
• Minimal environmental footprint practices
• Support for traditional livelihoods
• Educational rather than extractive tourism model

Our Mongolian and international research team spent 25+ years building these relationships before launching Conservation Mongolia. We're happy to provide references from our conservation partners upon request.