The Big Cats of Qinghai-Tibet

16 - 26 March 2026

ESAURITO

The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, located at an average altitude of 3000 meters, is the largest and highest plateau in the world. Three of China's main rivers originate here: the Yangtze, the Yellow River and the Mekong.

Snow-capped mountains, deserts, vast pastures and a myriad of lakes make the landscapes of this region unique, fascinating and wild. During our expedition we will search for the three big cats that inhabit the region: the Snow Leopard present here with over 2000 specimens, the Asian Lynx and the Pallas's Cat during their breeding season when they are less elusive and easier to spot. We will visit Sanjiangyuan, the reserve that hosts the largest concentration of wild animals in a high-altitude region in the world as well as important wetlands, and Kekexili which is a remote protected area of grassland located over 4000 meters above sea level. In addition to the big cats, we will have excellent opportunities to observe Tibetan Wolves and Foxes, and other interesting and rare animals, some of which are endemic, such as: White-lipped Deer, Tibetan Wild Ass, Golden Eagle, Goral, Wild Yak, Tibetan Antelope, Himalayan Blue Sheep. Trip exclusively designed for our group on board 4x4 vehicles limited to 8 people, maximum 3 passengers per car.

Qinghai-Tibet, Snow Leopard, 4x4, Pallas Cat, Linx

Program

16 March
Arrive in Yushu.
Transfer to hotel.
Overnight at Hotel Yushu Taiyanghu Holiday Inn or similar***.

17 March
After breakfast we will begin our exploration of the vast Qinghai-Tibet Plateau by moving to Qumalai, famous for the monument “The Head Water of Yellow River” located at the source of the Yellow River, the Tibetan Buddhist temples and Mount Kunlun. The most important feature of this area is the great density and variety of wild animals. In particular we will go in search of the endemic and rare White-lipped Deer, the curious Pallas’s Cat, the Tibetan Wild Ass and the Wild Yak, and also the Golden Eagle.
Overnight at the Qumalai Baixiang Business Hotel or similar***.

18 March
In the morning we will move to the Hoh Xil reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which despite the extreme climate, is home to more than 230 species of wild animals, 20 of which are under the protection of the Chinese government, including the Wolf, the Wild Yak, the Kiang Wild Ass, the White-lipped Deer, the Tibetan Gazelle, the Tibetan Fox, the Lynx, the Pallas’s Cat, the Brown Bear which however we will hardly be able to see as it is in hibernation, and the Tibetan Antelope in danger of extinction present here with as many as 40,000 specimens. The abundant presence of the Plateau Pica, a small rodent that digs, is the main food of the predators of the region.
Overnight stay at the Hotel Xidatan Huacheng Hanyang or similar***.

19  March
This morning we will be able to enjoy an even more majestic view, if possible, the snow-capped and icy peak of Yuzhu Feng (6178 meters), towering over the wild Kunlun range. Here we will explore the wonderful Wild Yak Valley. The mammals are absolutely fantastic in this area, which is unusual for Asia. We should encounter Tibetan Wild Asses and Tibetan Gazelles, and also the rare Tibetan Antelope, heavily hunted in the past for its beautiful horns and very soft wool. The Wild Yak is another of the main attractions. Another fairly common presence is the Pallas’s Cat, while the Snow Leopard and the Lynx, although present in the area, are more difficult to spot. The Tibetan Fox, the Himalayan Marmot, the Woolly Hare and the Big-eared Pika complete the list of mammals. In the late afternoon we will take the legendary Qinghai-Tibet Highway that connects Xining and Lasha, and after crossing the spectacular Kunlun Pass that reaches 4772 meters above sea level, we will reach Golmud.
Overnight at the Hotel Mehood or similar****.

20 March
After breakfast, we will drive to Balong territory which is quite large but sparsely populated, thus providing an ideal habitat for a wide range of rare and endangered wildlife, including the Blue Sheep or Bharal, Tibetan Gazelle, Argali or Asian Wild Sheep, Wild Yak, Kiang or Wild Ass, Siberian Muscovy, Goitered Gazelle, White-lipped Deer and Central Asian Deer. With a semi-desert and desert terrain, Balong enjoys a continental climate with many windy and sandy days.
Later we will head to Xiangride.
Overnight at Xiangride Jinxiang Hotel or similar***.

21 – 23  March
Three days of adventure await us in the wild and remote Goulixiang Valley in search of the rich wildlife that inhabits it, especially the Big Cats and Wolves. We will set off early in the morning aboard our 4×4 vehicles, carrying our picnic equipment so that we can prepare hot coffee or tea and provide snacks at any time of the day, thus optimizing our time. We will spend the whole day exploring the valley and will have a picnic lunch.
This valley long about 30 kilometers is home to a high density of Snow Leopards, who patrol the territory in search of Blue Sheep, their main prey, as well as Wolves. We will also have a good chance of seeing some relatives of the Snow Leopard such as the Lynx and the Pallas’s Cat, and some other animals that share the same habitat such as the Tibetan Fox, the Red Fox, the Wild Ass, the Eagle Owl, the Little Owl, the Golden Eagle, the Buzzard, the Bearded Vulture, the Tibetan Gazelle and the Weasel.
It will be right on the middle of the breeding season of the Felines, a period in which they are less shy allowing us to optimize the probability of sighting.
In the evening we will return to the Goulixiang Conservation Station where we can enjoy dinner around the hot stove and spend the night in the hostel.
In the late afternoon of the third day we will return to Xiangride.
Overnight at Xiangride Jinxiang Hotel or similar***.

24  March
Today we have the longest transfer of the entire trip, from Xiangride to Gangcha. We will make some stops to observe the mammals that are quite common along the road: the Goitered Gazelle, the Tibetan Gazelle and the Wild Ass.
Overnight at Hotel Gangcha Plateau Sapphire or similar***.

25  March
On the way from Gangcha to Xining, we will visit an area where we will try to spot Przewalski’s Gazelle, another endemic species at risk of extinction. Afterwards we could also enjoy the beautiful scenery of the vast Qinghai Lake.
Overnight at Hotel Haidong International or similar****.

26  March
Transfer to the airport in time for the flight home.

* This is a real expedition in poorly explored areas so the program could be carried out differently due to weather conditions or animal sightings; it is essential to be flexible.

Program

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Included in the price:

  • All overnight stays in a double room with breakfast included.
  • All meals from Yushu to Xining.
  • All transfers.
  • All indicated excursions.
  • English speaking guide.

Not Included:

  • Not mentioned meals.
  • Alcholic drinks.
  • Flights.
  • Any unexpected additional costs due to delays and/or forced stops due to flight connections, including flight changes, hotels and additional meals.

Price:

Euro 6600,00
(Supplemento singola Euro 700)
*Cambio 1 USD = 0,90 Euro