Photographing Snow Leopards, Pallas’s Cats, and Eurasian Lynx in China (12days)

There’s never a 100% guarantee when observing wildlife. Snow leopards are wild animals, and are used to traversing freely in the highland environment. However, we’ve selected multiple high-probability locations, scheduled multiple attempts, and coordinated with local villagers who scout in advance to maximise your chances of seeing a snow leopard.

Xining has only one international airport: Xining Caojiabao International Airport (IATA: XNN).

• Snow Leopard: Typically observed at distances of 200–500 m. In very lucky situations, an individual may appear as close as 10 m by the roadside. In other cases, sightings may occur on distant ridgelines at around 500 m.

• Other Animals: Pallas’s cats are usually observed at distances of 100–200 m. In rare and fortunate cases, sightings may be as close as 60–80 m. As they are extremely shy, all approaches must be made with great caution.

• Each group is provided with two spare binoculars. We strongly recommend bringing your own binoculars suggested 8×42 or 10×42.

Use a camera system you are familiar with and carry sufficient spare batteries.

• Primary setup: A 600mm prime lens, or an 800mm prime lens with a 1.4× teleconverter.

• Recommended: Dual camera bodies. For backup lenses, a 70–200mm or 100–400mm zoom works well.

• Please also bring a stable tripod with a gimbal head.

• Guests with specialised or professional shooting plans are encouraged to contact our customer service team in advance. We will coordinate with the guide to provide tailored equipment advice.

Snow leopards are highly sensitive to heat. During colder months, they descend to lower elevations, making sightings more likely. In warmer seasons, they retreat to higher altitudes, which makes observation much more difficult. The highest probability of sightings occurs in late January and February, during their mating season.

However, this also coincides with the harshest conditions—temperatures can drop below -30°C, and oxygen levels are significantly lower, which increases the risk of altitude sickness.

As an alternative, we recommend November or as early as April, when the probability of sightings still ranges from 60–80%. For most travelers and wildlife photographers, we suggest October and November as the ideal months. The climate is more stable, snow leopards are active at more accessible altitudes, and conditions are generally more comfortable for travel and observation.

Hiking Made Easy Don’t worry if you’re new to hiking — our journey is designed to be comfortable and beginner-friendly. Each day’s walk is no more than 4 hours, along a mix of roads, trails, and gentle mountain paths. With just basic outdoor gear, you’ll be ready to go. And rest assured, our experienced guides are by your side the whole way, ensuring a safe and enjoyable adventure at high altitude.

The journey ranges from 2,261 to 4,700 meters above sea level. We will arrange one night in Xining (2,661m) for acclimatization. If time allows, you may adapt at this city for 1–2 days before arriving. Our team is experienced in managing altitude sickness, and our local guides hold Emergency First Response first aid certification. Please inform your guide immediately of any discomfort during the journey, as safety is our top priority. In the case of serious symptoms, the route may be adjusted or the trip shortened accordingly.

• Snow leopard – Best observed in late January – February during mating season.

• Palla’s cat and Erusian Lynx – Best observed in February –April during mating season.

• Marmot & Tibetan blue bear – Hibernate in winter, visible again in warmer months about May-September.

• Bearded & Himalayan vultures – Widely distributed, easy to spot year-round.

• Wolf – Harder to see in summer (often hidden in valleys), more visible in spring, autumn, and winter on grasslands or roadsides.

• Blue sheep & Tibetan gazelle – High probability of sightings in every season.

• White-lipped deer – Little to no distribution in this area.

Drones are not allowed inside the reserves. Please follow your guide’s instructions.

Please bring shoes that are comfortable for walking outdoors and also waterproof. We’re always happy to provide further advice and recommendations. Each group is provided with two spare binoculars. We strongly recommend bringing your own binoculars, suggested 8×42 or 10×42.

For safety and comfort considerations at high altitude, the recommended age range is 10 to 70 years old. Participants outside this range may still join, but a doctor’s certificate of good health and prior approval from the organizer are required.

Please check your country’s visa requirements for travelling to China. If you are from a visa-exempt country, you will have a 15/30-day visa-free stay. Our trip lasts no more than 13 days, leaving plenty of time for departure. If you wish to stay longer than 15 days, please apply for a visa in advance.