Bird Watching · BM-SAM1

Birding Mongolia for Siberian Star Birds

Stints, Sandpipers, Thrushes, Buntings, Warblers & moreThis trip gives you

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Birding Mongolia for Siberian Star Birds

Duration: 14 Days; Duration
Group size: Max 4; Group size
From, per person: $2,745; From, per person

Overview

Stints, Sandpipers, Thrushes, Buntings, Warblers & more

This trip gives you the best chance to watch and photograph all Siberian and central Asian illusive and shy bird species on open ground or scattered bushes, and in planted trees. Sometimes you will find 3-5 species of rare warblers in a single tree during the migration period in Mongolia. Pallas’s Leaf and Yellow-browed, Arctic, Dusky and Greenish Warblers are proved to be difficult species to photograph or even get a good view in the field, but this trip will surely bring you to them at close distance.

Drive varied natural habitats found in Mongolia with excellent company and professional guides for watching fantastic birdlife and long-lived nomadic culture. The top birds include the uncommon Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, smart Broad-billed, Terek & Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Little Curlew, Relict Gull, White’s and Dusky Thrushes, and internationally threatened Asian Dowitcher and Siberian Accentor, Little Bunting and more.

Expect more than 200 species, many of which being rare Siberian migrants.
Unpredictable and “Strange” species for habitat will be seen during the migration period.
The trip makes a great effort to find migrants through the eastern and central Mongolian steppes, freshwater and salty lakes, marshlands, and taiga.

At a glance

Duration: 14 Days
Group size: 4-14 Pers.
Price: from $2,745 per person
Departures: 10 - 23 AUG 2023
Physical rating: Easy/Moderate with an optional hard walk.
Trip code: BM-SAM1

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Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar

Our crew picks you up at the Chinggis Khaan international airport upon your arrival in Ulaanbaatar, capital of Mongolia and transfer to the reserved hotel. Optional rest for few hours at the hotel. After lunch (in case you arrive before lunch), visit Tuul river valley for introduction birding at the wetland and a beautiful mix of cherry, elm, willow and poplar. Interesting birds here include Long-tailed Rosefinch, Azure Tit, White-crowned Penduline Tit, White-cheeked Starling, Black Stork, and truly wild and uncommon Mandarin and Falcated Ducks. Welcome dinner at one of the better restaurants in Ulaanbaatar. Food: Welcome dinner. Road: Total coverage 30 km paved road (30 minutes’ drive).

Day 2. Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

After breakfast, drive east of the Ulaanbaatar city to get the nature reserve which is a well-known place for its healthy population of Argali Wild Sheep and a good stop-over site for migratory birds. The habitats here vary from shallow pools with small reed beds to the willows grown between the rocky mountains and wonderful Kherlen river. Here we find the most sought-after Siberian migrants such as Siberian Accentor, Little Bunting, White’s, Dusky & Naumann’s Thrushes, Arctic, Greenish & Lanceolated Warblers, Dusky, Pallas’s Leaf and Yellow-browed Warblers, and shorebirds including Red-necked, Little and Long-toed Stints, Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Asian Dowitcher, and probably Pintail and Common Snipe and more. Overnight in a traditional ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 130 km paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 3-4. Chinggis Town through Murun Plantation

After breakfast, start driving further east to the town Chinggis. En route, visit a planted poplar trees which is also considered to be a good stop-over site for migrants such as Asian Brown, Dark-sided and Taiga Flycatchers, Oriental Cuckoo, Siberian Rubythroat, Red-flanked Bluetail, Pallas’s Leaf, Arctic, Dusky and Greenish Warblers, Oriental Honey Buzzard etc.

Next day, do birding along the beautiful Kherlen river near the Chinggis town for better views of above mentioned species. The place provides a good chance for White’s, Dusky & Naumann’s Thrushes. Stay in a local hotel. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 200 km paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 5. Gun Galuut Nature Reserve

In order to minimize the long drive, the group has to spend one more night at the nature reserve which provides a better chance to have good views of some shy species and find missing species. Overnight in a traditional ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 200 km paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 6-7. Gorkhi-Terelj NP

Drive to the national park do not take too long so those who want to visit Chinggis Khaan Equestrian Monument which is located close to the main road. The national park is located on the southern tip of the great Siberian boreal forest (taiga); the rear side of mountains covered by a mix of trees dominated by Siberian Larch, Pine, Birch and Poplar. The mountains intercepted by the bushy valleys provide a suitable habitat for breeding and migratory birds. The top birds breed here include Daurian Jackdaw, Hoopoe, Grey-headed, Black, Lesser Spotted & Three-toed Woodpeckers, Pine Bunting, Olive-backed Pipit, Red-throated Thrush, Red-flanked Bluetail, Siberian Rubythroat, Chinese Bush Warbler, Asian Brown, Dark-sided and Taiga Flycatcher and Eastern Buzzard. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 70 km paved road (1-2 hours’ drive).

Day 8. Khustai NP

Drive west to Khustai national park, the land of the reintroduced Przewalski’s Wild Horse (Equus przewalskii). Thanks to the park’s good conservation management, the species which was on the brink of extinction is now exceeded well over 220 individuals. Along with other interesting mammals, watch its fascinating birdlife including Golden & Steppe Eagles, Saker & Amur Falcons, Cinereous & Himalayan Vultures, Meadow Bunting, Daurian Partridge, Isabelline & Brown Shrike and Mongolian Lark. Interesting migrants list Eye-browed & Dusky Thrushes, Pallas’s Leaf & Thick-billed Warblers, Little Bunting and more. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 150 km paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 9. Khugnu-Tarna NP

The place provides wonderful contrasting scenery of sand dune, wetland, and rocky mountain. If you are interested, you have a chance to ride a well-trained Bactrian camel on the sand dune. A pair of White-naped Cranes breeds at the wetland every year, symbolizing the ever-lasting life of the place, which yields a long list of lifers for many birders from around the world. The top birds include Lammergeier, Bar-headed & Swan Geese, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Chinese Spot-billed Duck, Black-throated Loon, Asian Dowitcher, Pallas’s Grasshopper and Oriental Reed Warblers, Citrine and Eastern Yellow Wagtails, and migrating waders including Red-necked and Long-toed Stints, Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Little and Earasian Curlews and many more. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 170 km paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 10. Kharkhorin

Stay in the ancient capital of Mongolia back in 13th century. Unfortunately, it has been destroyed several times and there remained an old monastery Erdenezuu and a very informative Kharkhorin museum. Visits to the cultural attractions are optional. Birding opportunity takes the group to the sea buckthorn plantation which usually produces special migrants including Greenish, Pallas’s Leaf, and Dusky Warblers, Taiga, Dark-sided and Asian Brown Flycatchers, Pallas’s Reed Bunting, and Blyth’s Pipit. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 90 km paved road (1 hour’ drive).

Day 11-12. Ugii Lake

The lake’s shoreline and surrounding pools are a paradise of waders during the migration period. Considering its importance for wetland birds, the lake has been designated as Ramsar Site of International Importance. The top waders include

Little, Long-toed and Red-necked Stints, Broad-billed, Wood, Curlew, and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Asian Dowitcher, Pacific Golden Plover, Little Curlew, Avocet, Black-winged Stilt and many more. Besides the waders, lake is a home to many waterfowls including Pintail, Garganey, Common and Red-crested Pochards, Ruddy and Common Shelducks etc. Highest opportunity for Pallas’s Fish Eagle and Relict Gull and Pallas’s Gull. The passerines include Pallas’s Reed Bunting, Citrine, White and Yellow Wagtails, Rock Sparrow and Small Snowfinch e.g. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 70 km dust/paved road (1-2 hour’ drive).

Day 13. Ulaanbaatar through Tsagaan Lake

Early morning start to the Tsagaan lake, a shallow salty water lake which attracts many waders and other birds during this period of the year. Apart from the wetland missing species, we may add following birds to the list: Gull-billed and White-winged Terns, Bluethroat, Paddyfield Warbler etc.

Arrive in Ulaanbaatar in the afternoon. Optional shopping and city tour available. Overnight in a hotel. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 300 km paved and 30 km dust road (4-5 hours’ drive).

Day 14. Departure

A transfer to the airport will be the end of our services in Mongolia.

Trip details

Physical rating: Easy/Moderate with an optional hard walk.

The price includes: Price is per person, double occupancy. For a single room, add USD 350. Price includes all transports and accommodations within Mongolia, and meals, expert bird guide, drinking water, nomad family visit, entrance fees to all national parks, and road tolls.

Trip InformationDate & Duration: This tour will run in August, 2023. And it continues for 14 days including arrival and departure date in Mongolia. Group Limit: 12 persons, plus guidesAccommodation: Please note that the hotels you are staying at are below the average of international hotels, but those are clean, comfortable, and has en suite rooms. No tented camping during this trip. You will stay overnights in permanent tourist ger camps, which have gers (yurts) for accommodation, and separate blocks with European style toilets and shower rooms, as well as a restaurant. Each ger is equipped with small wood or coal-burning stove, which fired by a worker of the camp. Deluxe en suite gers are also possible in some sites, but it charges a little bit higher than the standard ones.Meals: All main meals are included in the price. The breakfasts will be very simple. We will have bread/toast, cheese, butter, jam, eggs, sausage and cereals for breakfast. Depending on the time possibilities, we will have picnic lunches packaged from the tourist ger camps or restaurants. Sometimes we will have lunches in local restaurants. Evening meals will be well prepared Mongolian and European-style dishes served in the hotel restaurants and at the ger camps. Food is generally good, it may lack a variety (e.g. meat, vegetables, rice, French fries).Payment: The deposit 30% of all cost per person should be paid by wire transfer before 3 months. Be sure that you have read our terms & condition on our website before you make payment. If you pay it through our website, our collaboration with Golomt Bank has been taken care of the transfer security.Includes:

Accommodation (2 nights’ hotel in Ulaanbaatar city; 11 nights’ tourist ger lodges)
Transport (Ground transportations by 4WD vehicles)
Meals -12 breakfast, 12 lunch; 13 dinner
Entrance fees to all National Parks and road tolls
English speaking bird guide
Drinking water will be provided. It will be appreciated if you could bring your refillable bottle.

Excludes:

Last dinner on 22 August (It will be your free choice)
International transportation
All types of insurance
Visas
Departure tax
Alcoholic drinks and items of personal nature
Binoculars, telescopes and tripods
Extra luggage
Optional tours

We cannot warranty:

Occasional flight delays or cancellations
Poor road conditions
Items of personal nature
Adverse weather conditions

Physical Rating: The tour is suitable to every bird watcher with different levels of skills and ages. Our experienced guide will do his/her best to explain everything about birds, wildlife, culture etc.We will do easy and moderate walks during this trip. There will be optional hard walks in the mountains.Road and Transport: We will mostly drive on the paved road during this trip. The longest drive will cover 300 km a day, which will take about 4-5 hours with shortstops. Mitsubishi Delica or Russian Furgon or County Bus will be employed depending on the number of participants and their interests. 3-4 clients will occupy a car in case we do not hire a county bus. Our experienced and skilful drivers will drive safely on the occasion of the off-road journey. Weather: Temperature is generally warm or hot during days in mid-August, mostly being 20-24 degrees Celsius. You can check the weather forecast on http://www.tsag-agaar.gov.mn/eng while you are packing or staying at the hotels in Mongolia where it is possible.Money: You can change your US Dollar or Euro and other foreign currency into Mongolian tugriks (MNT) at the Chinggis Khaan International Airport just after your arrival. Alternatively, you can ask your guide and drivers to stop for changing money at any bank or official currency exchange offices in Ulaanbaatar. Remember it might be a problem if you try to change them outside of Ulaanbaatar as the banks there could have a limited amount of foreign currency. You can change the money only for your need for beers or any other alcoholic drinks, snacks, and personal items. A fine bottle of beer costs about 4000 -6000 MNT at the restaurants of tourist ger camps, but in the supermarkets, it will be cheaper. The official currency rate can be found at https://www.mongolbank.mn/eng/default.aspx.

Destinations on this trip: Gorkhi-Terelj National Park, Gun Galuut Nature Reserve, Kharkhorin, Khugnu-Tarna National Park, Ugii Lake, Ulaanbaatar, Chinggis Town, Khustai Nuruu National Park