Margaz Mountains

The Margaz Mountains are dominated by dramatic valleys and towering peaks. The desolate landscape has a rugged beauty and is home to some particularly hardy wildlife, including the sought-after Pallas’s cat.

In north-west Mongolia, the rocky ravines and dramatic summits of the Margaz Mountains climb higher than 2,000 metres above sea level. It's a land of magnificent extremes, where temperatures range from well below freezing in winter to warm and balmy in the summer. This remarkable variation sees the barren landscape transform from snow-covered peaks and frozen lakes, to arid sand dunes and windswept steppe, offering stunning views and a truly wild experience.

However, even this desolate region of Mongolia supports some particularly resilient wildlife. The Margaz Mountains are home to the grumpy, yet endearing Pallas’s cat, along with a diverse array of other sought-after wildlife including Siberian ibex, argali and Tarbaga marmot, whilst the wonderful bird life includes the bearded vulture, oriental plover and Mongolian accentor. These mountains also provide ideal conditions for two other cat species, snow leopard and Eurasian lynx, but although they're here, the chances of spotting these elusive animals are slim.

There are very few true wildernesses left on Earth, but this remote corner of the world is very much one of them.

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