18 – 25 August 2025

Double Room: US$4399
Single Room Supplement: US$199

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.

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Our base for this photography tour will be a place called Disko Bay, which rests on Greenland’s west coast. There we’ll be well north of the Arctic Circle – something that will quickly become clear as we get to know some of the local wildlife. Luckily for us, the Disko Bay area is known for regular visits of humpback whales and seals, so we’ll always have one eye on the water! Out on the Icefjord, the water is calm and there are next to no waves, so spotting wildlife and capturing incredible reflections should be well within our grasp.

Disko Bay is a bay on the western coast of Greenland, where for the duration of the trip we will spend our nights at a 4-star hotel. This guarantees that the group will be well rested, properly fed, and within walking distance of plenty of Greenlandic culture. Ilulissat is known for its colourful houses, dog sledges, museums, fish markets, and hospitable locals. In short, there’s plenty to do while you’re waiting for your camera batteries to recharge!

The villages of Greenland aren’t really connected by highways or motorways. Here the sea is king, and the natural waterways offer the best routes to take. Because of this, we will charter a private boat for the entirety of our adventure. On our journey we will visit several Greenlandic settlements, including Qasigiannguit, Aasiaat, and Oqaatsut.

Much of our travelling and photography around Ilulissat’s Icefjord will be carried out at night, when the midnight sun offers the best light to work with and the conditions are unlike anything you will have experienced. More often than not we will begin our sessions late in the evening and continue through the night, chasing the best light and the most spectacular scenes. With the sun low on the horizon the light will become more saturated, with deep icy blues and a sky tinged with fiery reds. This magical light lasts between 2 to 4 hours, so we will try and make the most of it by cruising each evening..

This tour is suitable for all levels of experience and ability. We’ve got a savvy captain who’s used to working with photographers, knows the area well, and has an uncanny knack of sussing out great spots from behind the wheel. However, please note that the itinerary proposed is subject to the weather conditions. One thing we can promise is that we’ll take you to the best locations and help you walk away with a catalogue of inspiring photographs you’ll be proud of.

So what are you waiting for? Six days and five glorious nights in Greenland await…

About the Camp

The basecamp is located in Sukhbaatar Province, 570 km east of Ulaanbaatar, offers an immersive experience in birding and mammal watching, with a special emphasis on observing the elusive Pallas’s cat. The area also provides opportunities to spot corsac foxes, Mongolian gazelles, and a variety of bird species. Enjoy hiking and other outdoor activities while exploring this remarkable region.

Accommodation and Foods

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 (18th August):

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 – 6 (19th – 23rd August):

Morning Routine:

Day 2: Begin with birdwatching at water points and ravines. Observe species such as oriental plovers, eagle owls, steppe eagles, and various small birds, or opt for a hiking excursion.
Day 3: Search for steppe polecats (Mustela eversmanni) and corsac foxes, two sympatric carnivore species that inhabit the steppe zone. Both species are active during the day (diurnal) and at dusk and dawn (crepuscular).

Evening Routine:

After lunch, embark on Pallas’s cat observation. Visit the spot identified the previous day and continue observing until sunset.

Day 7 (24th August):

Drive to Ulaanbaatar (500 km on a paved road and 70 km on an unpaved road). Overnight in hotel in Ulaanbaatar.

Day 8 (25th August):

Departure from Ulaanbaatar Airport (UBN).

Workshop Full Details

Total Price

Double Room: US$4399
Single Room Supplement: US$199

Difficulty Level

Easy, no long hiking. Long driving in the first and last day (600km).

Group Size

Maximum 6 people

Registration

Deposit
US$1000

Full Payment

90 days prior to the workshop starting date.

After you signup, we’ll send you the information about international flight, recommended camera gear, packing list and other important information. Please pay special attention to things that we say are absolutely required.

PHOTO GUIDES

Rachel Jones Ross

Kah-Wai Lin

Included

Accommodation in ger camps
Ground transportation
All meals, water, coffee, tea
Photography guide, tour guide services

Not Included

International flight to/from Mongolia
Visa (we will prepare documents for your visa application)
Travel insurance
Alcoholic beverages
Gratitude for guides and drivers

Cancellation and Refund Policy

Please read the terms and conditions at: https://kahwailin.com/terms-and-conditions/

2025 Workshops, Workshops

Pallas Cat Photo Workshop