Mongolia Snow Leopards Scouting Mission 2024

Workshop Information Packet

Contents:

I.             General Information

II.            To Do Checklist

III.         Daily Itinerary

Mongolia Snow Leopards Scouting Mission

General Information  

Workshop Dates:  Oct 31–Nov 16, 2024

Trip Leader/Instructor: Leighton Lum

Welcome to the Adventure!

Thanks again for joining our 2024 Mongolia Snow Leopards Scouting Mission.  We’re as excited as you are for this adventure. This document contains important information to help you prepare for our journey. Please read it carefully and let us know if you have any questions.

WORKSHOP OVERVIEW

Our expedition begins when we pick you up from Chinggis Khan International Airport (airport code: UBN) in Ulaanbaatar (aka ‘UB’), Mongolia on Oct 31 and ends when we drop you off at the same airport on Nov 16 for your homeward flight. 

In between, we will explore and photograph two regions in central and western Mongolia. Besides our nights in UB, our two field base camps are:

• Mountain Camp - in the Altai mountains about 1500km west of Ulaanbaatar. Our target species here is the majestic snow leopard but we may encounter other wildlife including Siberian ibex, saiga antelope, black-tailed gazelle and various bird species.  Elevation range in this area is 5900 – 9850 ft.

• Steppe Wildlife Camp – about 570 km east of UB is Pallas cat territory. Other species found here include Corsac fox and Mongolian gazelle

Both camps are operated by local conservation organizations dedicated to the preservation of the environment and wildlife through collaboration with local communities. A camp wildlife biologist at each location will serve as our main guide.

Lodging, Meals, Transport & Activities ­– we’ll stay in traditional Mongolian gers (yurts) at both camps which are spacious and shared by up to 3 participants.  A generator provides electricity (not necessarily 24 hrs.) and Wi-Fi is available. Each ger includes a sink but toilet and showers are located outside.

Expect hearty but basic cuisine. See Daily Itinerary Day 2 for more details/examples of the food we will eat.

We’ll get around mostly in 4-wheel drive vehicles with a local guide & driver. In general, trackers will scout the general territory. When a cat or other wildlife is spotted, we will approach as close as possible by vehicle and then by foot – there is no way to know how far we may have to hike for a given sighting.

Physical fitness – although our guides assure us this expedition is suitable for mere mortals of mature age, the cats don’t care about our guides promises and Mother Nature will do as she pleases. You should be in the best physical condition possible. Start preparing now. Take a look at this video to get an idea of the terrain & conditions. Porters are available at a cost $50/day if you need help carrying your gear.

Scouting Mission – remember this trip is a Scouting Mission. That means we’ve done our research, but this is our first time doing this trip and things may not go exactly as envisioned. Flexibility and a sense of adventure are mandatory. Click the link to read more about what to expect on a scouting mission.

Take a look at the Daily Itinerary in this packet or on the workshop page of our website for more details about the locations we will visit and the things we can expect to see and photograph throughout our journey.

BALANCE OF FEES

The balance of your workshop fees is due as follows:

• $3000 due April 1, 2024

• Remaining balance due July 15, 2024

You will receive an invoice by email approximately 30 days before the due date. Payment can be made online by credit card. Let us know if you wish to use another form of payment. Your prompt payment is much appreciated.

Reminder: if you selected the Shared Lodging option but we cannot match you with a same gender roommate, you will be charged the Single Supplement fee ($1000).

TRAVEL LOGISTICS & DOCUMENTS

International Flights

• Arrival – book your flights to arrive in Ulaanbaatar (airport code: UBN) no later than ~2 pm on Oct 31. Our representative will meet you at the airport and transport you to our hotel. Look for someone holding a sign with your name after you clear customs and pick up your luggage.

• Departure– book your departing flight for anytime on Nov 16. We will transport you to the airport in time for your flight.

Please send us a copy of your travel itinerary to us ASAP to facilitate pickup/drop-off planning.

Internal Flights -  we have 1 round-trip  domestic flight (cost included in  workshop fees) which may use smaller jets or propeller planes with limited overhead storage. Domestic flights have a 15kg (33 lbs) weight limit for all baggage with excess baggage allowed at roughly $1 per pound but these limits and fess are enforced inconsistently. All excess baggage fees are your responsibility.

Additional Hotel Nights – if you are arriving earlier than Oct 31 or staying after the workshop ends and need additional hotel nights in Ulaanbaatar, let us know and we can book them for you (cost ~$160/night).

Passport – make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. Please send us a scan/photo of the picture page of your passport (a cell phone snap is fine).

Visas – travelers from the United States or Canada do NOT need a visa to visit Mongolia. If your passport was issued by another country, check online for any visa requirements.

Travel Insurance – a policy that covers medical evacuation is a requirement for participation on this trip. Such policies typically cover other things like trip cancellation/delays, lost luggage, theft/loss, etc. and are widely available and relatively inexpensive. Please send us a copy of your proof of coverage.

Notify Banks & Credit Cards – notify your financial institutions about your travel plans to prevent problems using credit cards or ATM’s while traveling.

Local Currency - you can convert USD to MNT (Mongolian Tugrik) in Ulaanbaatar. ATM’s are also available in UB but not in the countryside. Don’t rely on ATM’s, credit cards or US Dollars outside of UB…convert some cash for personal expenses & gratuities.

Cell & Wi-fi – check with your provider about their policies and fees BEFORE you leave or you could come home to a horrific phone bill. Outside of UB, cell service is spotty. It’s quite possible that we could be completely disconnected from the outside world (no cell service or Wi-fi) for extended times. Let your loved ones know in advance.

WhatsApp – is a free communications app that is used widely in Asia. We will be using this for inter group communications. Please download & install WhatsApp and create an account before arriving in Mongolia.

HEALTH/MEDICAL

Medications –make sure to pack an adequate supply of any prescription and non-prescription medications you take (pain relievers, sleep aids, supplements, etc.), as they may not be available in Mongolia. You may also want to carry a course of antibiotics, just in case. Request a prescription for ‘traveler’s diarrhea’ from your health provider or travel clinic. 

Immunizations - No specific immunizations are required to visit Mongolia, but you should check with your health provider’s travel clinic or consult the CDC website for health/immunization recommendations.

Allergies – please let us know about any allergies you have AND the severity of your reactions. It is your responsibility to carry appropriate medications (e.g. Epi Pen) in case of accidental exposure.

THINGS TO PACK

The following are suggestions for items to bring along on this trip. It is not meant to be a complete packing list.

Weather Note – be prepared for a cold, dry conditions. The historical average high/low temps where we will be is:

October:         43/19 °F

November:    27/1 °F

Clothing – layering is essential since we will be both active (hiking) and stationary (waiting/shooting) at various times.

• Base layers (top & bottom) –great base layers are a secret weapon for staying warm in cold temperatures. Synthetics/blends are ok, but you can’t beat merino wool for performance. Investing in a set of medium or heavy weight merino wool base layers for this trip will pay off when temps get cold or if we must stand around in cold weather for extended times.

• Mid Layers – down (i.e., puffer) jackets/vests, wool sweaters or fleece should make up your mid layer tops. Lined pants made for cold weather or heavyweight corduroy on top of your base layer are the best option to keep your legs warm. Jeans are NOT a good choice for warmth.

• Outer Layers – it can get quite windy so a windproof jacket will help retain heat. Rain isn’t likely but is possible.

• Warm socks – merino wool again is unbeatable. A thin pair next to the skin with a thicker second pair on top work best.

• Footwear – insulated shoes/boots suitable for hiking. Non-insulated boots are NOT recommended.

• Gloves and/or mittens – you need protection to keep your hands warm but also allows you to work camera controls. A pair of thin gloves with a second pair of gloves or mittens attached to your wrists by lanyards are a good option to keep your hands toasty. There are also photography-specific gloves/systems  available – do a bit of googling.

• Warm hat or beanie – very important

• Balaclava, scarf, or buff – to protect your face & neck from cold and wind.

• Hand & Toe warmers – cheap, long lasting, and very effective, especially for those whose extremities get cold easily.

• Sunglasses

Photo Gear – it’s tempting to bring everything you own, but that usually works against you. The following are what we consider to be the essentials. We’re happy to give more specific brand/model recommendations for specific items. Just ask.

• Camera Body(s) – dSLR or mirrorless (full frame or crop sensor). ‘Bridge’ cameras with a long zoom (400mm+) are also an option.

• Lenses – Everyone’s kit will be unique, but here are some general recommendations:

  • Your longest lens will be the workhorse of this trip. It should reach at least 400mm, preferably 500mm+ before adding teleconverters. You simply cannot have too much ‘reach’.

  • You will also want 1 or 2 shorter focal length lenses such as a 70–200mm.

  • A wide angle is optional or use your phone camera for landscapes & behind-the-scenes shots.

• Batteries and Memory cards – you will be shooting a lot, maybe more than you ever have, easily in the thousands of images and hundreds of gigabytes total. Bring PLENTY of extra cards and batteries. You should NOT erase/overwrite any memory cards until you get home, even if you have downloaded the images to your laptop or hard drive.

• Camera Battery Charger – do not forget! As a backup, you might consider purchasing USB powered battery charger. They are cheap and let you charge your camera batteries without a wall outlet. Search  “(your camera model) USB charger”.

• Card reader – if not built-in to your laptop.

• Tripod and/or monopod–Sturdy, but light with a ballhead or gimbal and a quick release mount is the way to go. Make sure your tripod can solidly support your longest lens and that you don’t have to bend over uncomfortably WITHOUT extending the center column.  Don’t forget to pack your tripod quick release plate(s) and wrench! We recommend purchasing an extra quick release plate(s) to leave permanently attached to your long lens(es) or better yet, buy a replacement foot that has a built-in tripod mount.

• Camera bag or backpack – there are an infinite number of options out there – it’s really a matter of personal preference. My advice is to choose something that is no bigger than it has to be. The real key is to be sure that it fits into a standard airplane overhead compartment.

• Small camera bag/daypack – besides your camera and a lens or two, all you need to bring for most game drives is a few spare batteries and some personal items (chapstick, etc). Leave the huge camera bag in camp.

• Cleaning kit – nothing fancy, a small microfiber towel, lens cloth, lens cleaner and maybe a blower. A travel toothbrush is also very handy for cleaning around the buttons & dials of your camera.

• Headlamp – MUCH better than a flashlight because it leaves both hands free.

• Camera Rain Protection – mountain weather is unpredictable, so having a cover to protect your expensive gear is a good idea.  There are many choices available, but we haven’t found anything better than O/P Tech’s Rainsleeve, which happens to be one of the least expensive options. Make sure to get the right size(s) to fit all your lenses

• Flying with Camera Gear – Nobody even wants to think about being forced to check precious photo equipment so make sure your camera bag easily fits into an overhead compartment or under the seat. Don’t attract unwanted attention by bringing a huge photo backpack!

Other Things to Pack

• Passport & Travel Docs

• Power adapters – Mongolia runs on 220volt electricity and most outlets/plugs are Type C (“euro”) or Type E). This means that most power cords for phones/tablets, laptops and other electronics will work just fine with a simple adapter. Check higher power devices like hair dryers to make sure they are compatible with 220 volt power.  I like to travel with a small power strip so I can charge multiple devices simultaneously – make sure yours is rated for 220 volts. Finally, if your device has a 3-prong plug, make sure your adapter will accept it or you may need a 3 prong to 2 prong adapters. Here is a link to a good article on travel adapters if you need more info.

• Laptop or tablet –highly recommended. Your photography will improve if you review your images daily. Doing preliminary selects and ratings also makes the mountain of images more manageable when you get home. Make sure you have enough available space on your internal hard drive or bring a small external drive. If you are going to purchase a drive, I recommend getting a ‘bus powered’ model like this one because they don’t require external power (runs off laptop’s usb port). Remember to pack all your power/charging/data cables.

• Chargers and cables for your mobile phone and other electronics

• Power bank – extremely handy when traveling to charge up your phone, other electronics or even a camera battery (usb battery charger required) 

• Sunglasses 


• Spare eyeglasses and contact lenses 


• Personal toiletries – don’t forget lip balm, contact lens solution, lotion, etc

• Sunscreen

MISC

A Word About Gratuities – Like many service businesses, outfitters & guides rely on gratuities for a substantial portion of their income. If you feel you’ve received good service, a token of your appreciation is greatly appreciated. People always ask for guidance on amounts and I always feel uncomfortable answering – what I can say is that the typical range I see is anywhere between

• Main guide - $10 – $20 USD/day

• Drivers - $2 – $5 USD/day

• Tipping at hotels and restaurants is not expected, but small gratuities are appreciated.

Any Questions?

Again, if you have any questions about the information contained here or any other aspect of this workshop, please contact us.

Ken Lee                                                    Leighton Lum

+1 949-282-9660 mobile/WhatsApp                     +1 808 398-7689 mobile/WhatsApp  

ken@artofseeing.com                                          photographybyleighton@yahoo.com

Mongolia 2024

To-Do Checklist

___     Book international flights to/from Ulaanbaatar (UBN) and send us a copy of  your flight itinerary.

___     Let us know if you need any extra hotel nights

___     Check with your Doctor/Travel Clinic about any recommended immunizations

___     Send us a copy of your Passport picture page (phone photo is fine)

___  Purchase Travel Insurance. Send us a copy of proof of coverage

___  Notify Banks & Credit Cards of your travel plans

___     Check mobile phone carrier’s international roaming policies and plans

___     Make personal packing checklist. Click here for a downloadable Photo Trip Packing List template you can customize to your own needs

Snow Leopards Scouting  Mission

Daily Itinerary