Bird Watching · BM-EMBS1

Birding the East - Siberian And East Asian Birds on Spring Migration

Eastern Mongolia is a real paradise for birders as there

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Birding the East - Siberian And East Asian Birds on Spring Migration

Duration: 13 days; Duration
Group size: Max 4; Group size
From, per person: $2,085; From, per person

Overview

Eastern Mongolia is a real paradise for birders as there are many shy and illusive bird species passing through the region and they are easier to see on open area. There will be many attractive and sought-after species, all in full breeding plumage, including Mandarin & Falcated Ducks, Baikal Teal, White-winged Scoter, Hooded, White-naped and Siberian Cranes, Oriental Plover, Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Relict Gull, Northern Parrotbill, White-cheeked and Daurian Starlings, White’s and Dusky Thrushes, Oriental Pratincole, Red-necked, Little and Long-toed Stints, Asian Dowitcher, Grey-capped Greenfinch, and Yellow-browed and Yellow-breasted buntings.

The trip starts at Ulaanbaatar and fly to Choibalsan. Driving through the great Mongolian plateau, reach the bird-rich Lake Buir and do birding at the site for several days. During this trip, we do camping near the birding site. Please note that our camping accommodation is a traditional Mongolian ger/yurt which is comfortable and warm. And the journey will take us to the historic Khalkh River and Ikh Tashgai Lakes which are all known to be the best stopover site for migrating birds.

At a glance

Duration: 13 days
Group size: 4-14 Pers.
Price: from $2,085 per person
Departures: 15 - 27 May 2023
Physical rating: Easy/Moderate with optional hard walks.
Trip code: BM-EMBS1

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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. Choibalsan Town

Transfer to the Chinggis Khaan airport to catch flight to Choibalsan. Upon arrival, we will check in a hotel and drive to river woodland and a marshland near the town. You would not expect high standard hotel in this local town. Anyway it will have a clean room and hot water shower. We will see White-naped Crane, Mongolian Gull, Eastern Marsh Harrier, Pallas’s Grasshopper and Oriental Reed Warblers, Citrine Wagtail (nominate, calcarata –Black-backed Citrine Wagtail), Grey-capped Greenfinch, Pallas’s and Yellow-breasted Bunting,. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 50 km on paved road (2-3 hours’ drive and 1 and half-hour’ flight).

Day 3-4. Buir Lake through Menen Steppe

Early morning we start our long journey to the east to get lake Buir. On the way, we will see Asian and Greater Short-toed Larks, Mongolian Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Upland Buzzard, Steppe Eagle and possibly Oriental Plover depending on precipitation of the year.

We will spend a whole day at the lake to find the highlight species including several hundreds of Swan Goose, Spot-billed Duck, Falcated and Mandarin Ducks, Baikal Teals, Relict Gull, Hen and Eastern Marsh Harrier, Red-necked, Little, and Long-toed Stints, Asian Dowitcher, Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Naumann’s and White’s Thrushes, Pallas’s and Black-faced Buntings. Overnight in our tented camp near the lake. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 200 km dust road (4-5 hours’ drive).

Day 5-6. Khalkh Gol/River

Drive to the Khalkh gol and set up our camp near the river. We will bird along the river including several habitats of willows and aspens. The target species include Grey-headed Lapwing, Chinese Grey Shrike (used to be breeding), Daurian Jackdaw, Dusky Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher, Azure-winged Magpie, Amur Falcon breeding colony, White-cheeked Starling, possibly Daurian Starling, and Black-faced Bunting. Overnight in a tented camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 110 km on paved (3-4 hours’ drive).

Day 7-8. Ikh Tashgai Lakes

Early morning we leave for the Ikh Tashgai lakes, saline lakes on the steppe with reed beds. We will bird the shallow pools and reed beds for the following sought-after species: White-winged Scoter, Hooded, White-naped and Siberian Cranes, Broad-billed and Sharp-tailed Sandpipers, Relict Gull, Northern Parrotbill, Marsh Grassbird, White-cheeked and Daurian Starlings, Red-necked, Little and Long-toed Stints, Asian Dowitcher, Japanese, Yellow-browed and Yellow-breasted buntings. Overnight in a tented camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 60 km dust road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 9. Khalkh Gol/River

Return to Khalkh river and set up our camp. We will search for the missing species. Overnight in a tented camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 60 km on dust road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 10. Buir Lake

Early morning drive to Buir lake and set up our camp in the most scenic area. The same species of birds will be seen including Sand Martin nesting colony and other waterfowls. On the way to the lake the illusive Japanese Quail is the possibility. Overnight in a tented camp. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 110 km dust road (3-4 hours’ drive).

Day 11. Choibalsan Town

After breakfast, we will head to Choibalsan town through small lakes where we can try again Relict Gull. Rest and have refreshment at the hotel in town. Overnight in a hotel. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 200 km on dust road (5-6 hours’ drive).

Day 12. Ulaanbaatar

Fly to Ulaanbaatar city and do birding for missing species in the marshlands and Tuul river valley near Ulaanbaatar. Shopping and city tour available. Overnight in a hotel. Food: Breakfast, Lunch, Farewell Dinner. Road: Total coverage 15 km paved road (30 minutes’ drive).

Day 13. Departure

Transfer to Chinggis Khaan International Airport will be the end of our services in Mongolia.

Trip details

Physical rating: Easy/Moderate with optional hard walks.

The price includes: The price includes all transport and accommodations within Mongolia, and meals, expert bird guide, drinking water, nomad family visit, entrance fees to all protected areas, and road tolls.

Trip InformationDate & Duration: This tour will run in May 2023. And it continues for 13 days including arrival and departure date in Mongolia. Group Limit: 4-13 participants, 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 a 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; 2-night hotel in Choibalsan town; 8 nights’ tourist ger lodges)
Transport (Ground transportations by 4WD vehicles, including petrol; Two-way domestic flight between Ulaanbaatar city and Choibalsan town)
Meals -11 breakfast, 11 lunch; 12 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 26 May (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 for 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 200 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 early and mid-May, mostly being 15-20 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: Menen Steppe, Buir Lake, Khalkh River, Ulaanbaatar, Choibalsan Town