Birding Mongolia
Steppes, Marshes and Taiga

Bordered in the north by the Siberian Taiga and in the south by the Gobi Desert and the Gobi-Altai Mountains, Mongolia is one of the most remote areas on this planet. With its unique combination of widespread dry steppes and extensive wetlands Eastern Mongolia is the most important biological and ecological area of the country. It is an ideal destination for birders seeking peace and tranquility in stunning landscapes seen by few westerners. Currently, over 430 species of birds have been recorded in Mongolia; about 250 of these species are migratory and about 100 species non-migratory. The famous Daurian mountain steppe south of the Russian border is probably the area with the richest variety of bird species. More plant species grow here per square meter than in other regions of Mongolia. White-necked Cranes have their protected breeding areas in the vast lake landscapes. Here you can see five of the six crane species which have their habitat in Mongolia. Other exciting species are Pallas' Sea Eagle and Steppe Eagle, Whooper Swan, Great Bustard, Relict Gull, Swan Goose, Little Curlew, Upland Buzzard. In the alluvial forests you can find Three-toed and White-backed Woodpecker, in the Taiga Hazelhen, Rufous-throated Thrush, Red-flanked Bluetail, Indian Tree Pipit, Daurian Jackdaw, Daurian Redstart. The uninhabited forests are home to the Wolf, Maral Stag and Steppe Fox.

click here to download tour-programme

Dates

1. Sun., 17. May. 2009 - Sun., 07. Jun. 2009

Price includes

• Flights
• Airport Taxes and fuel surcharge
• Airport transfers
• All transport during trip
• Accommodation in hotel, tent and jurts
• Camping equipment apart from sleeping-bag
• Full board (packed lunch)
• Tour guide
• Breach of warranty certificate

Number of participants

8 - 12 persons

Note

- We recommend travel insurance.
- visa £35
- This tour should be booked early to allow for visa application!

Alterations

The programme is subject to change.

Day 1

Departure

Flight to Ulaanbaatar

Day 2

Ulaanbaatar

Early morning arrival. After checking in at hotel city sightseeing tour - Natural History Museum with famous dinausaurian remains. Excursion to the Tuul wetlands.

Day 3

Bayanzurkh, Khurkh River

Drive eastwards through the lonely, thinly populated mountain steppe; cross over the Kherlen, the longest river in Mongolia (1254 kilometers). We will take a break in the Kherlen alluvial forest. In the evening we will reach the Khurkh River. Various small birds and waders rest here.

Day 4 and 5

Bayangol, ‛Binder-Ovoo’

Drive on further along the Khurkh River to Bayangol. Birding on the shore of the Khurkh and excursions in the forests of the Khangai Mountains (Siberian Taiga with birch, fir and other conifers). Visit to the Uglugechyn fortress dating back to the Kidan period (IX-XI century) and the rock carvings at Rashaant Khad (12,000 - 40,000 years old).

Day 6 and 7

Dadal, birthplace of Dschingis Khan

Travel northeast to the Dadal the main town of the area.We will make our way through large wetlands and over small rivers and brooks to the Onon River and the Tsagaan Nuur Lake. Here you can see various cranes, Whooper Swan, Pallas' Sea Eagle and Black Stork.

Day 8 and 9

Mongol Daguur - Dashbalbar Nature Reserve

Further observations in the area around Daschbalbar at the River Ulz and in the Khangai Mountain forests. Here a combination of freshwater lakes and wetlands forms the Nature Reserve. It was established in 1992 with the purpose of preserving a representative portion of Dagurian steppe with its characteristic flora, fauna and landscape, and creating a reserve for some of the world’s most endangered rare birds. The area serves as a resting place for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds. It is also one of the last retreat areas for the endemic Relict Gull and the Japanese White-naped Crane (Grus vipio). In the numerous reeded areas along the Ulz River and in the surrounding fields you can see rails, cranes and Great Bustards. A particularly abundant variety of birds can be found in the swampy areas. Near the estuary of the Dutch River flowing from the north and at the Tsagaan Nuur Lake we can expect to see not only the Common Cranes but also Hooded Crane, Manchurian and Great White Crane.

Day 10 and 11

Yakhi Nuur Nature Reserve

Drive further south to the Yakhi Nuur salt lake. At migration times you can see many Siberien bird species which rest here on the salt swamps and the dry saltpans on their way to Southeast Asia. Amongst others you can see Swan Goose, White-winged Tern, gulls, cormorants, Pallas' Sea Eagle and various waders.

Day 12 and 13

Province city of Undurkhaan

The bird rich Kherlan Lake wetlands and the vast grasslands accompanies us as far as the province city of Undurkhaan. We will make various stops to observe Great Bustards and Little Curlews.

Day 14-16

Kherlan wetlands and Booroljuut River

On the Booroljuut and Kherlan rivers we can observe various waders and numerous birds of prey i.e. Steppe Eagle and Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon and owls. Due to a plentiful supply of food these species breed on the flat areas.

Day 17 and 18

Baga Khentii Forest and Kherlan Wetlands

Excursion in the alluvial forests of Baga Khentii and Kherlan. Here you will find Wryneck, White-backed, Three-toed, Black and Grey-headed Woodpecker.

Day 19

Terelj National Park

During various excursions to different locations in the national park we will see Red-flanked Bluetail, Common Rosefinch, Chinese Bush Warbler, Black-faced Bunting, Dusky, Orange-barred Willow and Pallas' Leaf Warblers, Siberian Flycatcher, Woodland Pipit, Hazel Grouse, Brown Shrike, Rufous-throated Thrush, Black Stork, Daurian Jackdaw, Daurian and Common Redstart to name but a few.

Day 20

Drive back to Ulaanbaatar

Numerous stops in the alluvial forest

Day 21

Ulaanbaatar

Visit the Gandan Monastery. After lunch birding in the wetlands around the Tuul River.

Day 22

Departure

Transfer to Ulaanbaatar Airport for departure flight.