Big Cats of Tibet and Badain Jaran desert

28 February - 16 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. Winter expedition in the Badain Jaran desert, in Inner Mongolia, aboard 4x4 cars and camels among imposing sand dunes, picturesque lakes and most likely snow. But not only that, we will discover the colorful and unique rainbow mountains in the Danxia National Geological Park. Trip exclusively designed for our group aboard 4x4 cars limited to 8 people, maximum 3 passengers per car.

Qinghai-Tibet, Snow Leopard, Badain Jaran Desert, Pallas Cat, Linx

Program

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

01  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***.

02  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***.

03  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****.

04 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***.

05 – 07  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***.

08  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***.

09  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****.

10  March
Arrive in Zanghye in the morning.
Transfer to the hotel.
In the afternoon we will continue to the Zhangye Qicai Danxia scenic spot in Gansu. We will arrive just before sunset, when the warm colors of the sun flood the rainbow mountains, making their brilliant colors and plastic shapes spectacular.
Overnight at the Hotel Yunxia Hometown Intelligence or similar***.

 11  March
Zhangye Qicai Danxia are mountains with a typical shape that developed in the arid areas of northern China. It is a unique area in which the shapes and colors of the mountains blend together to create spectacular combinations.
In the afternoon we will reach the city of Badan Jilin, located on the edge of the Badain Jaran desert, in Inner Mongolia.
Overnight at the Hotel Jinge International or similar***.

12  March
After breakfast, we will begin exploring the desert on board our off-road vehicles. After crossing an area characterized by the presence of high sand dunes, we will reach the largest body of fresh water in the Badain Jaran desert, Badain Lake.
We will make a short stop here, later entering the least known and most unexplored part of this sea of ​​sand.From time to time, we will come across oasis, where we will stop to observe the Desert Sheep and Wild Camelsgrazing and drinking water.
Later we will reach Xiao Tianchi and from here the most mysterious and interesting lake of Badain Jaran, Yinde Rituo, with its sacred spring. We will not fail to climb the highest sand dune in the world, Bilutu Peak, about 450 meters above sea level, and watch the extraordinary desert sunset from the top.
We will stay overnight in a Yurt camp deep in the desert where we can enjoy authentic desert cuisine and a party around the fire.
Overnight at Yurt Camp.

13  March
Those who want can wake up early to watch the sunrise from the top of a dune. After breakfast, we will visit the area called Sumin Jilin, where a quiet and elegant Tibetan Buddhist temple is nestled between the imposing sand mountains.
At the end of the visit we will continue the journey on camel back towards Dajitu, a lake with magnificent pink waters.
From here, after lunch, we will return on board our off-road vehicles to head towards a lake with brackish waters and bright and unpredictable colors.
Once we reach the camp where we will spend the night, those who want can try their skill at sand boarding by sliding on the dunes.
Overnight stay at the Yurt Camp.

14 March
After two days of exploration, we will have penetrated a hundred kilometers into the desert and today, we will begin the return to civilization following a different route. In the morning we will reach Zeligeri, where we will explore the impressive sand mountains, oases and lakes with unique shapes. Our off-road vehicle will navigate like a small boat between the sand mountains that reach the horizon, and with a bit of luck the slopes in the shade of the dunes will be covered in snow, a unique and incredible spectacle.
Later we will visit the largest oasis in the Badain Jaran desert, Shazao Haizi. The lush aquatic plants and abundant fruits will make us understand firsthand the meaning of oasis.
Overnight stay at Hotel Badain Lake or similar***.

15 March
In the morning, we will visit Badain Lake, one of the few freshwater lakes in the Badain Jaran Desert. Due to its beautiful scenery, like a shining pearl nestled in the southern edge of the desert, the lake is also known as the “Jewel Lake” by the locals. In the afternoon, we will drive to Zhangye.
Overnight at Hotel Yunxia Hometown Intelligence or similar***.

16 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 Zanghye.
  • 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 10000,00
(Supplemento singola Euro 1100)
*Cambio 1 USD = 0,90 Euro