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Wildlife Safari · WS-MWS

Mongolia Wildlife Safari

Driving through wonderful landscapes, watching the fascinating wildlife, and visiting

Mongolia Wildlife Safari
Duration
14 days
Duration
Group size
Max 4
Group size
From, per person
$2,950
From, per person

Overview

Driving through wonderful landscapes, watching the fascinating wildlife, and visiting true nomadic families from Siberian Taiga to through Vast Mongolian Steppes to the Central Asian Gobi Desert

This tour will give you the best opportunities to watch and photograph many different species of wildlife in different habitats in the meantime experiencing the unique nomadic lifestyle and stunning natural landscapes in Mongolia. As wildlife photography tours require very specific knowledge and skills, our conservation-oriented experts will help you find many vertebrates including amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals of Mongolia. This is open to everyone who loves wildlife photography and filming. Throughout this tour, we will be assisting the Mongolian ornithological society to collect information on birds of this poorly known country, which will update the Mongolian National Bird Database run by the Mongolian Ornithological Society. Expect more than 160 species of birds, 20 mammal species, 6 species of amphibians and reptiles for the trip depending on a season.

At a glance

  • Duration: 14 days
  • Group size: 4-14 persons
  • Price: from $2,950 per person
  • Departures: 30 Aug - 12 Sep 2022
  • Physical rating: The tour is suitable for every birder with different levels of skills and ages.
  • Trip code: WS-MWS

Itinerary

Day 1. Arrive in Ulaanbaatar City

Our crew will pick you up at the Chinggis Khaan International airport after your arrival in Ulaanbaatar which is the capital of Mongolia and check in a hotel. You will have a bit rest at the hotel. After lunch (in case you arrive before lunch), will visit Tuul river forest near Ulaanbaatar. We will see Azure Tit, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Azure-winged Magpie, White-crowned Penduline Tit and Ruddy Shelduck. Will have WELCOME DINNER at one of the most famous restaurants in Ulaanbaatar and return to the hotel. Food: Welcome dinner at a restaurant. Road: Total coverage 30 km on paved road (30 minutes’ drive).

Day 2-3. Khustai National Park
After breakfast, we will drive to Hustai National Park which is a home for re-introduced Przewalski’s Wild Horse (Equus przewalskii). Following highlighting photographic opportunities:Local family: Local family with horses, sheep, and goats near Tuul river valley and mountain steppe. Habitats: Mountain steppe, rocky outcrops, river valley, mountain valley and patched forested areas and livestock.Wildlife: This is the best place to watch and photograph Przewalski’s Wild Horse, Mongolian Marmot, Red Deer, and Long-tailed ground squirrel. Not only mammals but also Mongolia bird specialties including Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Daurian Partridge, Amur Falcon, Eurasian Hobby, Mongolian Lark, Rufous-tailed Rock Thrush and Meadow Bunting. In the park’s comfortable restaurant we can have a dinner with Mongolian cold beer. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Tourist Ger Camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 80 km on paved road and 15 km on dust road (2-3 hours’ drive).
Day 4. Ugii Lake

After breakfast, we will head west to get Ugii lake which is one of the freshwater steppe lakes in Central Mongolia. Following highlighting photographic opportunities: Local family: Local family with horses, sheep and goats near the lake. Habitats: Fresh water lake, mountain steppe, Caragana steppe, river valley, river meadow, vast mountain steppe valley and rocky outcrops. Wildlife: On the way to the Ugii Lake, we will see Brandt’s Vole and Mongolian Gerbil which are the main prey species of many steppe carnivores and raptors. We will see thousands of Swan Geese at south-western end of the lake. Also we will see Bar-headed Goose, most possibly Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneye, Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Tern (longipennis), Mongolian Gull, Rock Sparrow and Small Snowfinch etc… This site is the highest opportunity to see Pallas’ Fish Eagle and White-tailed Eagle etc… Food: Tourist ger camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 240 km on paved road (2-3 hours’ drive). After breakfast, we will head west to get Ugii lake which is one of the freshwater steppe lakes in Central Mongolia. Following highlighting photographic opportunities: Local family: Local family with horses, sheep and goats near the lake. Habitats: Fresh water lake, mountain steppe, Caragana steppe, river valley, river meadow, vast mountain steppe valley and rocky outcrops. Wildlife: On the way to the Ugii Lake, we will see Brandt’s Vole and Mongolian Gerbil which are the main prey species of many steppe carnivores and raptors. We will see thousands of Swan Geese at south-western end of the lake. Also we will see Bar-headed Goose, most possibly Pintail, Northern Shoveler, Common Goldeneye, Pochard, Black-tailed Godwit, Common Tern (longipennis), Mongolian Gull, Rock Sparrow and Small Snowfinch etc… This site is the highest opportunity to see Pallas’ Fish Eagle and White-tailed Eagle etc… Food: Tourist ger camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 240 km on paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).

Day 5. Kharkhorin (Karakorum)
After breakfast, we will head to Kharkhorin town driving along beautiful valley of Orkhon River. This was a capital city of Mongolia after Chinggis khan’s time. We will visit Erdenezuu monastery. Following highlighting photographic opportunities: Local family: Local family with horses, sheep and goats in middle of mountain steppe. Different type of mountain steppe. Local family daily work. Kharkhorin tourist attraction site and old temples. Habitats: Mountain steppe, rocky outcrops, river valley, mountain valley and small wetlands and ponds. We will do birding in the sea buckthorn plantation near this town. We will see Mongolian Lark, Blyth’s Pipit and breeding Upland Buzzard and Common Kestrel. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Tourist ger camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 30 km on paved road and 40 km on dust road (2-3 hours’ drive).
Day 6. Elsen Tasarkhai
After breakfast, we will head to the east and will get Erdenesant mountain, which has large cliffs and granite rocks pillars. Following highlighting photographic opportunities: Local family: Local family with horses, sheep, camels and goats. Habitats: Mountain steppe, granite rocky mountain, rock pillars, rocky outcrops, mountain valley with sticking rocks, and massive mountain range. Wildlife: We will see Bearded Vulture, Saker Falcon, Himalayan Vulture, Lesser Kestrel, and Golden and Steppe Eagles. After birding around the mountain we will drive to the south of the mountain range to get tourist camp. Then we will visit to marshlands and see Black-throated Diver, White-naped Crane and Spot-billed Duck. Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Tourist ger camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 90 km on paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).
Day 7. Ulaanbaatar City
After breakfast, we will drive to the east of the ger camp to get Ulaanbaatar city. On the way, we will see typical steppe birds. If you wish photograph them, we will drive around the site according to your wish. After arrival, we will have a dinner together in classic Mongolian restaurant with Mongolian ornithological society members having a nice presentation on birds of Mongolia. You will stay in the booked hotel. Sorry it will be a bit long drive today. Food: Local restaurant – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 280 km on paved road (4-5 hours’ drive).
Day 8-9. Choiryn Bogd Mountain
After breakfast, we will drive to Choiryn Bogd Mountain which is a good place to see Argali Wild Sheep. We will find Mongolian Marmot, Daurian Ground Squirrel, Mongolian Silver Vole, Brandt’s Vole, and Mongolian Gerbil, Pallas’s Cat (rare), Least Weasel, Mongolian Gazelle and Campbell’s Hamster. During the nights we will find and Daurian Hedgehog and Siberian Jerboa. Also we will see many raptor species including Cinereous Vulture, Upland Buzzard, Steppe and Golden Eagles, Pied Wheatear and Eagle-Owl. Overnight in a hotel located in Choir town. Food: Local restaurant – Breakfast, Dinner. Field camp – Lunches. Road: Total coverage 223 km on paved road and 15 km on dust road (3-4 hours’ drive).
Day 10. Darkhan Mountain
After breakfast, we will start our journey to the east to get Darkhan Mountain. En route we will see large herds of Mongolian Gazelles (10-300 individuals), and Corsac Fox (only a few), Brandt’s Vole and birds such as Asian Short-toed Lark, Greater Short-toed Lark, Mongolian Lark, Isabelline Wheatear, Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon (rare) and Steppe Eagle. We will see Argali and Red Deer on the mountain. Overnight in a tented camp in the middle of the silent steppe. Food: Field Camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 160 km of dust road (3-4 hours’ drive).
Day 11. Gun Galuut Nature Reserve
After breakfast, we will drive through open endless steppe to get Gun Galuut NP. On the steppe, we will search for Corsac Fox and steppe rodents. This will be a long drive through vast steppe. Gun Galuut is well-known site for Wild Argali Sheep (10ind.) sightings near Ulaanbaatar. Interesting birds in the nature reserve are the White-naped crane, Demoiselle Crane, Saker Falcon, Golden Eagle and Steppe Eagle. Overnight in a tourist get camp. Food: Tourist Ger Camp – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 200 km of dust road (5-6 hours’ drive).
Day 12. Gorkhi-Terelj National Park
Upon breakfast, we will straight drive to the national park which is the southern end of the Siberian boreal forest. We will watch forest and forest-steppe mammals: Narrow-headed Vole, Mongolian Vole, Korean Field Mouse (these small ones difficult to see. Use different method), Ochotona hyperborea, Daubenton’s Bat and Whiskered Bat. Challenging species will be Musk Deer and Siberian Roe Deer. At the meantime, we will see Red Squirrel, Chipmunk, and Daurian Pika. The birds will be Oriental Cuckoo, Hoopoe, Daurian Redstart, Pine Bunting, Red-throated Thrush, Siberian Stonechat, Red-flanked Bluetail, Dusky Warbler, Greenish Warbler, Yellow-browed Warbler, Asian Brown Flycatcher and Common Buzzard (japonicus). Overnight in a tourist ger camp. Food: Tourist Ger Camp – Breakfast; Tourist Ger Camp – Lunch, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 100 km on paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).
Day 13. Ulaanbaatar City
After lunch, we will drive to the west of the ger camp to get Ulaanbaatar. We will do a city tour and visit few shops. A farewell dinner together with crew. Overnight in a hotel in the city. Food: Restaurant – Breakfast, Dinner. Road: Total coverage 70 km on paved road (2-3 hours’ drive).
Day 14. Departure

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

Trip details

Physical rating: The tour is suitable for every birder with different levels of skills and ages.

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

Date & Duration: This tour will run in early September. And it continues for 14 days including arrival and departure date in Mongolia.

Group Limit 4-14 participants, plus guides

Accommodation 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.

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 the 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.

We will be camping in the field for a few days close to the wildlife-abundant sites. Tents, sleeping bags, and mattress will be provided. There will be a field table, chairs, and other equipment.

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 the Trade and Development Bank of Mongolia has been taken care of the transfer security.

Includes:

      • Accommodation (3 nights’ hotel in Ulaanbaatar city; 3 nights’ in tented camp; 7 nights’ tourist ger camps)
      • Transport (Ground transportations by 4WD vehicles, including petrol)
      • Meals -13 breakfast, 13 lunch; 13 dinner
      • Entrance fees to all national parks and road tolls
      • English speaking expert guide
      • Drinking water will be provided. It will be appreciated if you could bring your refillable bottle.

Excludes:

      • 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 birder with different levels of skills and ages. Our experienced guide will do his/her best to find all the lifers in the region.

We will mostly do easy to moderate walks during this trip. There will be optional hard walks in the mountains.

Road and Transport We will drive on the paved and dust roads during this trip. The longest drive on dust road will cover 150 – 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 during days in early September, mostly being 20-30 degrees Celsius. In the boreal forest, it is likely to rain and be foggy during this period. 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/.

For more information, please visit our website www.mongolica.org.

Dates & prices

Group sizePrice per person (USD)
4-14 Persons persons$2,950

Departure dates: 30 Aug - 12 Sep 2022

Trip map

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