Pallas Cat Photo Workshop
Dates: June 14-19, 2026
Embark on an unforgettable adventure to Mongolia’s vast open wilderness in search of the elusive Pallas cat, also known as the manul. This fascinating small wild cat, famed for its cryptic coloration and exceptional camouflage, has long remained a mystery, with little data available on its population trends in Mongolia. Predominantly crepuscular, the Pallas cat is most active during dawn and dusk. Sir David Attenborough aptly described it as “the world’s grumpiest cat.” Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to observe and photograph the enigmatic Pallas cat in its natural habitat.
Accommodation and Food
Welcome to our eco-friendly ger camp, where you can experience a traditional nomadic lifestyle by staying in a cozy ger. Each ger accommodates three beds and includes bedding layers, blankets, sheets, pillows, and a handwashing sink. Modern conveniences are provided, with electric plugs in each ger powered by two on-site generators. Toilets and showers are located outside the gers, ensuring an authentic yet comfortable stay.
The kitchen and dining ger are separate from the living quarters, offering a dedicated space for meals. Manul Camp is conveniently situated 4 km from Halzan village, providing a stable 4G mobile and internet connection, including Wi-Fi. We use water from a deep well for food preparation, and bottled pure water is provided in the field. A knowledgeable, English-speaking biologist guide will accompany guests throughout their stay.
Meals:
- Breakfast: Oatmeal, fried eggs, cheese, sausage, bread, and homemade traditional cookies.
- Lunch: A mix of Russian and Mongolian cuisine, including eco-friendly meats (mutton, bacon, and chicken), rice, noodles, vegetables, and salads.
- Dinner: Soups, main dishes, and desserts.
- Beverages: Coca-Cola, coffee, bottled fruit juices.
If you have specific dietary preferences, please let us know in advance. We also cater to vegan diets, offering options like tofu, soy meat, and vegetables.
Experience the charm of Mongolia’s wilderness while enjoying a balance of tradition and comfort at our Ger camps.
Itinerary
Day 1 (14th June):
- Pick up in Ulaanbaatar or Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN) and drive to Manul Camp (500 km on a paved road and 70 km on an unpaved road).
- Overnight stay in a traditional ger camp.
Days 2 – 5 (15th – 18th June):
Morning Routine:
- Search and photograph Pallas’s cats, oriental plovers, eagle owls, steppe eagles, various small birds, steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanni) and corsac foxes, two sympatric carnivore species that inhabit the steppe zone.
Evening Routine:
- After lunch, embark on Pallas’s cat observation. Visit the spot identified the previous day and continue observing until sunset.
Day 6 (19th June):
- Drive to Ulaanbaatar (500 km on a paved road and 70 km on an unpaved road). Overnight in hotel in Ulaanbaatar.
Day 7 (20th June):
- Departure from Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN).
Additional Details:
The workshop starts in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. It is $4399 for a double occupancy room, or $4599 for a single occupancy room. A deposit of $1000 is due at sign-up to hold your spot, or $1200 for a single occupancy deposit. You can use the ‘balance remaining’ buttons to pay the balance (due 90 days prior to the workshop start date). All prices are in USD.
If you wish to pay with e-transfer, please email me at rossrachel@mac.com. If you wish to pay via PayPal or credit card, a 3.5% PayPal fee will be added to the transaction fee.
Difficulty Level: Easy, no long hiking.
Maximum Group Size is 12 participants.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions to rachel@astralisphotography.com