Mongolian Bird Watching Tour through Northern and Central Region

Day 1. Ulaanbaatar | Capital City of Mongolia

Arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia. Meet with Mr. Enkhbat and driver at Chinggis Khaan International airport and then transfer to your hotel. Depending on your arrival time, we can take a short city tour. Stay in hotel. /L, D/

Day 2. Khurkh River Valley | Steppe grassland

Leave the city early in the morning. Drive to Khurkh river valley, located on the boundaries of Batshireet, Binder, Umnudelger and Bayan-Adraga soums of Khentii province, the eastern part of Mongolia. Khurkh river valley is the valley along Zuunbayan river stretches 13 km. There is 3-4km long bushy grove which provides good stopover for small birds during spring and autumn. Will be have lunch on the way. Almost full day of driving about 400 km. Stay overnight in the tent (B, L, D)

Day 3-5. Khurkh River Valley | Steppe grassland

We spend 2 full days doing observation in the Khurkh River Valley which runs to Onon river, one of the biggest rivers of Mongolia. In the last 50 years’ expedition groups of Mongolia-Russia, Mongolia-Germany and Mongolia-Hungary have been conducting scientific research, banding or singing small birds in the Valley. Therefore, you can imagine that how this place is rich in birds. Stay overnight in the tent (B, L, D)

Day 6. Back to Ulaanbaatar | Capital City of Mongolia

Early in the morning drive back to Ulaanbaatar city. En route we will stop to get good views of Steppe Eagle and probably gatherings of the Black Vultures. If time allows city tour and shopping available. Stay overnight in hotel (B, L, D)

Day 6. Murun Town | Mountain grassland

We will fly over one hour to the Murun capital town of the Khovsgol province in the north. Visit local museum and do shopping in local market. Have a good night sleep and get ready for busy birding for the next days. Stay overnight in hotel (B, L, D)

 Day 7. Erhel Lake | Mountain grassland

After one-hour driving, arrive at the Erhel Lake, surrounded by grassy steppe in Alag-Erdene soum/village. Freshwater springs feed the lake on the northwestern side, the bay and islands in this area are favored by aquatic birds. There is no cultivation in the area, and the land is used for nomadic animal husbandry. Stay overnight in tourist camp (B, L, D)

Day 8. Darkhad Depression | Mountain Taiga

We head to the north and drive on earth road for 250 km to reach Renchinlhumbe village. This beautiful depression contains a group of freshwater lakes, situated in Ulaan Uul, Renchinlkhumbe and Tsagaan Nuur villages. The depression is about 150 km long and 40 km wide, and is surrounded by high mountains. The depression receives water from many mountain rivers, such as the Bagtakh, Khug, Ar Khoridol, Arsai, Tengis and Shishkhed Rivers, and is that make the area habitat of diverse. Stay overnight in tented camp (B, L, D)

Day 9-10. Darkhad Depression | Mountain Taiga

We will stay here for 2 days doing observation around depression. Waterbirds use the wetlands of the Darkhad Depression for breeding, molting and as stopover sites during migration. It includes about over 200 hundred small lakes. The extensiveness of the lakes and wetland habitat in the bottom of the Darkhad Depression-as well as the its location as one of the most northern extensions of steppe habitat with wetlands in Mongolia-means that the Darkhad Depression likely provides critical habitat for aquatic birds breeding and migrating through Mongolia on the Central Asia flyway, including for threatened species. The valley is classified as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International.   Stay overnight in tented camp. (B, L, D)

Day 11.  Khovsgol Lake | Mountain grassland

Drive to the Lake Khuvsgul National Park. Lake Khuvsgul National Park is extraordinarily rich in birdlife. This is because it encompasses many different “habitats” – distinct environments, including forest, steppe and various wetlands in addition to the lake itself – that meet the needs of a great variety of species. Scientists and birdwatchers have recorded more than 250 species of birds in the park. Stay overnight in tourist ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 12. Terkhiin Tsagaan Lake | Mountain grassland

An immense mass of white-hot lava once blocked the bed of the River Terkh and it is water formed Lake Terkhiin Tsagaan. In the middle of the lake, there is volcanic Island is covered with nests made of the fragrant grass Sam Khan. All day long you hear the hum and cries of birds, quacking of ducks and geese. Stay overnight in tourist ger camp. (B, L, D)

Day 13. Ugii Lake | Grassland mountain steppe

Today we arrive at Ugii Lake, the Ramsar Site. Along the road to the lake local nomads, livestock, mammals and raptors are seen.  /B, L, D/

Day 14. Hustai National Park | Grassland mountain steppe

On the way to Ulaanbaatar, we visit Hustain Nuruu NP, designated as reintroduction of Przewalski's Wild Horse (Equus przewalskii), which was once extinct in the wild comprises an area of mountain forest steppe, grassland steppe and river valley, located in a southwestern extension of the Khentii Mountains. The area is important for a variety of bird species during the breeding season and on migration, due to the diversity of habitats in a small area. To date, a total of 169 bird species have been recorded here. We stay in tourist ger camp at the entrance of the park. /B, L, D/

Day 15. Ulaanbaatar | Capital City of Mongolia

Drive for 100km on paved road to arrive at capital city. On the way we can see some falcons, harriers and buzzards. In the city we give you a free time to explore city birds. All meals are included. Have nice dinner and stay in hotel. /B, L, D/

Day 16. Departure

Transfer to the airport for the departure. /B/