Mongolia
After jumping in our trusty 4WD vehicles and departing the capital, there will be no roads as we cross the wilderness for two weeks, our expert logistical team always ahead of us to set up camp so we can focus on enjoying the magnificent scenery and wildlife on this true remote adventure! We will explore some amazing areas in the taiga and the steppes, from the Gobi Desert to the Altai Mountains in search of Black-billed Capercaillie, Altai Snowcock, Oriental Plover, Relict Gull, Henderson's Ground Jay, Pallas's Sandgrouse, Hodgson's Bushchat, and much more.
Next Dates
25 May - 10 June 2025 (17 days)
Leaders:
Joshua Bergmark
Group Size Limit:
8
Single Room Supplement: $
300 USD
Deposit: $
750 USD
Price: $
5500 USD
10 June - 14 June 2025 (5 days)
Leaders:
Joshua Bergmark
Group Size Limit:
8
Single Room Supplement: $
100 USD
Deposit: $
750 USD
Price: $
2100 USD
Siberian Crane Extension
21 May - 6 June 2026 (17 days)
Leaders:
Chris Venetz
Group Size Limit:
8
Single Room Supplement: $
300 USD
Deposit: $
750 USD
Price: $
5800 USD
6 June - 10 June 2026 (5 days)
Leaders:
Chris Venetz
Group Size Limit:
8
Single Room Supplement: $
100 USD
Deposit: $
750 USD
Price: $
2100 USD
Siberian Crane Extension
Note that the single room supplement covers both single tents and single yurts, as well as hotel rooms when in Ulaanbaatar.
Accommodation:
The hotel in Ulaanbaatar will be of good quality. When camping we will use high-quality, North Face tents, as well as warm sleeping bags and comfortable inflatable mattresses. We will have an assistant to help us set up the tents each night. The only camp assistance group members will be asked to give is erecting and dismantling one’s personal tent (an easy and rapid task) on those rare occasions when the camp crew have limited time or if the weather quickly deteriorates. For a couple of nights, we will stay at Ger camps, using large and comfortable Ger tents with beds, where sharing might be necessary.
Walking difficulty:
Mostly easy, with some moderate uphill walking at Khukh Lake.
Tour cost includes:
All accommodation, main meals, drinking water, overland transport, tips to local drivers and guides, travel permits, entrance fees, and guide fees.
Tour cost excludes:
Flights before and after the tour start/end, visa, travel insurance, tips to tour leaders, laundry, drinks, and other items of a personal nature.
Having flexibility during this tour is essential for seeing as many targets as possible. Our itinerary is designed to be modified on the fly, and the exact route we take will depend on water levels, weather and seasonal conditions at the time of departure. All key birds and sites will be visited, but not necessarily in the order specified below!
Day 1: The tour starts early this morning at Ulaanbaatar International Airport (UBN). From there, we will drive a short distance to the Tuul River, searching for Azure Tit, Long-tailed Rosefinch, White-crowned Penduline Tit, Amur Falcon, and possibly some Siberian migrants. In the afternoon, we will head towards Terelij National Park. (If our local guide, based on sightings the week before the tour, thinks we should try at another site for the capercaillie then we will go somewhere else, possibly to Mongon), where we should arrive in the early evening. Night camping.
Day 2: All morning in the forest searching at our secret stakeout for Black-billed Capercaillie, where we should enjoy superb views of these incredible birds. If conditions are right (i.e. cold!), we have a good chance of seeing them displaying. Other birds like Hazel Grouse, Black Woodpecker, Siberian Rubythroat, Pine and Black-faced Buntings, and Red-flanked Bluetail are possible. If the capercaillies have been seen well enough, then in the afternoon we will drive back towards Ulaanbaatar. If not, then we will stay an extra morning. Night camping.
Day 3: All day driving south to Dalanzadgad in the Gobi desert. Night at a Ger Camp.
Day 4: In the early morning, we will visit some plantations that usually attract lots of migrants. Afterwards, we will visit a steppe area where we should get good views of the uncommon Oriental Plover, hopefully doing their petrel-like display flights. Later, transfer to Zuun Saikhan mountain in Gobi Gurvan Saikhan National Park, where, time permitting, we will explore the famous Yolyn am (which means “Bearded Vulture”) gorge. Many resident and summer breeding birds will be seen, including Himalayan Griffon, Bearded Vulture, Golden Eagle, Kozlov’s and Brown Accentors, Chinese Beautiful Rosefinch, Wallcreeper, Mongolian Finch, White-winged Snowfinch, and buntings. The gorge also acts as a migrant trap and the stream that flows through the bottom of the canyon and rough grass could hold thrushes, warblers and buntings. Night camping.
Day 5: After some early morning birding at the gorge, we embark on a long drive through stunning desert scenery, searching for Henderson’s (Mongolian) Ground-jay, Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Saxaul Sparrow, “Steppe” Grey Shrike, Asian Desert Warbler, and more. Night camping.
Day 6: Morning birding around the impressive Khongoryn Els dunes, then travel towards Kholboolj Lake. Night camping.
Day 7: Most of the day will be spent at the birdy Kholboolj Lake. Key targets will be waders such as Red-necked Stint, Asian Dowitcher, and Mongolian Plover, among many other shorebirds, together with waterfowl, terns and gulls, which might include Relict Gull. Night camping.
Day 8: Drive to Buuntsagaan Lake. Night camping.
Day 9: We will spend all day birding at Buuntsagaan Lake, where we will enjoy large numbers of gulls, including Relict if lucky, ducks, wild Mute Swan and shorebirds, as well as good chances of Pallas’s Fish Eagle. Night camping.
Day 10: Long drive to Khukh Lake. Night camping.
Day 11: Full day searching for Altai Snowcock and White-throated (Hodgson’s) Bushchat, Güldenstädt’s Redstart, the nominate form of Pallas’s Reed Bunting, Altai Accentor, and Asian Rosy Finch (sushkini) are also possible here. Night camping.
Day 12: All day at Khukh Lake. If we are still missing Relict Gull at this stage, we will consider driving west to Ikhes Lake or Tseteg Nuur, whe