BIRDING MONGOLIA

Mongolia is one of the important breeding and stopever sites for palearctic species. Breeding birds occur in many different habitats (from taiga forest through different steppes to Gobi desert including wetlands). Migratory birds pass through Mongolia from Siberian Taiga to wintering grounds. It means that you will have a unique opportunity to see not only breeding Palearctic species but also migratory species during both breeding and migration seasons. Untouched landscape and nomadic lifestyle give chance to discover a new species for the birds list of the country. The peaceful country and friendly field company attract many birdwatchers to Mongolia.

Day 1. Capital - Ulaanbaatar.

Day 2. Khustai National Park

Day 3. Ugii Lake

Day 4. Kharkhorin-Erdenezuu.

Day 5. Khugshin Orkhon –Sangiin Dalai lake.

Day 6. Arvaikheer- Ongiin khiid

Day 7. Bayanzag.

Day 8. Baruunsaikhan Mountain

Day 9. Khongor sand dunes

Day 11. Yol Valley - Dalanzadgad – Ulaanbaatar

Day 12. Terelj National Park

Day 13. Departure

Day 1. Capital - Ulaanbaatar. Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, transfer to hotel and start city tour in Ulaanbaatar, the nation’s capital, visit Chinggis square, Zaisan Hill; Museum of National History, famous for its exhibition for Stone and Bronze Age, Turkic and Mongol Empire, rise of Buddhism and communist regime, Gandan Monastery a centre of Mongolian Buddhism. Traditional cultural performance. Overnight and relax in the hotel.

Day 2. Khustai National Park After breakfast, we will drive to Khustai National Park. This is the place to find re-introduced Przewalski’s Wild Horse in the country. On the way to the park, we will walk along cultivated areas and steppe in search of Mongolian Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Pere David’s Snow Finch and Small Snowfinch. In the meantime, we can see soaring Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon, and Steppe Eagles along the hill side. After lunch, we will drive to the Khustai National Park Research Centre to meet with a researcher of the park and visit the wonderful birding sites of the park. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 3. Ugii Lake. In the early morning, we will to the west to get the large fresh water lake, Ugii lake. We will see thousands of Swan Goose at the south-western end of the lake. We will see Black-throated Loon, Bar-headed Goose, Common and White-naped Crane, breeding Waders, Common Tern (longipennis), Mongolian Gull, Rock Sparrow amongst many others. This site gives us the greatest opportunity to see Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Relict Gull and White-tailed Eagle. After a long time bird watching, we will reach a tourist ger camp near the lake and spend the night there.

Day 4. Kharkhorin-Erdenezuu. After breakfast, we will drive south of the lake to watch around the lake and continue to head south. Driving through the mountain steppe, we will get to Kharkhorin – ancient capital of the Mongol Empire. We will visit the Erdene-Zuu Monastery, which was built in 1586. On the way, we will see Steppe raptors, Isabelline Wheatear, Short-toed Larks, Mongolian Larks, Demoiselle Crane and visit the monastery and will have a chance to see a Golden Eagle on the hand of Kazakh eagle hunters. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 5. Khugshin Orkhon –Sangiin Dalai lake. Early morning, we will drive to the south west and reach to Sangiin Dalai Lake, a steppe lake with reed beds. We will see Eurasian Spoonbill, Black-throated Loon, Whooper Swan, Citrine Wagtail, Pallas’s Grasshopper Warbler, Mongolian Gull, Fork-tailed Swift. We will visit to nomadic families on the way. Overnight in tented camp.

Day 6. Arvaikheer- Ongiin khiid. Drive to south of Arvaikheer town and reach the ruins of Ongi monastery. We will see Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Desert Warbler, Desert Wheatear. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 7. Bayanzag. After breakfast we will continue to drive south and will reach the flaming cliff or Bayanzag (Dinosaur’s fossils discovery sites) where we can camp in Saxaul forest. We will see Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Desert Warbler, nesting Great Grey Shrike and Isabelline Shrike. Saxaul Sparrow and Mongolian Ground Jay rarely occur here. Overnight in tented camp in Saxaul forest.

Day 8. Baruunsaikhan Mountain. We will visit to south eastern end of Gobi Altai Mountain. On the way to Bulgan sum, we will be able to see Crested Lark, breeding Isabelline Shrike, Desert Wheatear, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Mongolian Finch in planted trees near the village. Visit to Gegeetiin Am, one of the hottest birding sites and camp between high cliff faces with a stream running through. We will see high mountain birds, Himalayan Vulture, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Kozlow’s or Mongolian Accentor, Desert Warbler and Wall Creeper This is an ideal place to take photos of interesting high mountain species at close distance. Overnight in tented camp.

Day 9. Khongor sand dunes. After birding near the stream in the morning, we will drive to the west of the mountain range to reach Khongor sand dunes. This is a wonderful landscape to take photos of sand dunes and different habitats of the Gobi desert. Visit to local family and ride two-humped camel. We will see wonderful nesting Saxual Sparrows and Common Sandpiper, Ruddy Shelduck, Great Grey Shrike, Isabelline Shrike, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Asian Desert Warbler, Desert Wheatear and Mongolian Finch. Overnight in tourist ger camp.

Day 10. Zuunsaikhan Mountain. From the Khongor sand dunes, we will drive east towards the Zuunsaikhan mountain (Bearded Vulture Valley). Bird watching near ground spring. At midday, many small birds arrive at spring to drink water. There will be Mongolian Ground Jay (on the way), Chukar, Mongolian Finch, White-winged Snow Finch, Black Redstart, Beautiful Rosefinch, Wall Creeper, Mongolian Accentor, Alpine Accentor and soaring raptors such as Bearded Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle and Saker Falcon. Overnight in tented camp

Day 11. Yol Valley - Dalanzadgad – Ulaanbaatar. We will wake up very early morning to see Altai Snowcock near the camp. However, it is not an easy species to see in the region. We will walk up to 3500 m above sea level in order to see the Snowcock. After breakfast, we will walk down to spring in Yolyn am area. We will see Mongolian Finch, White-winged Snow Finch, Black Redstart, Common and Beautiful Rosefinch, Wall Creeper, Mongolian Accentor, Alpine Accentor, Bearded Vulture and Twite. Afternoon, we will drive to Dalanzadgad town to catch a flight to Ulaanbaatar. Overnight at the hotel.

Day 12. Terelj National Park. After breakfast, we will drive to the Taiga forest area named as Terelj. We can see Taiga forest species. We will see Taiga Flycatcher, all species Woodpeckers listed in the trip bird list, Siberian Rubythroat, Olive backed Pipit, Oriental Cuckoo, breeding Daurian Jackdaw, White-cheeked Starling, Yellow-browed Warbler, Dusky Warbler, Great Tit, Willow Tit and Pine Bunting.  Overnight in tented camp near river and cook a traditional meal. Optional for returning Ulaanbaatar and overnight at the hotel.

Day 13. Departure. Breakfast at the hotel. Our birding Mongolia tours ends here by transferring to the airport.