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Mongolia - Birding in the Steppes of Genghis Khan
Tour Code: MON01A pioneering 18-day holiday to Mongolia that journeys from the Altai Mountains in the west of the country to Ulaanbaatar, in search of central Asia’s wonderful variety of birds and mammals.
£6,595 (Inc flights)
£5,745
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
The very mention of ‘Mongolia’ conjures up images of Genghis Khan and hordes of fearless horsemen charging across the open steppe! Thankfully the marauding hordes have long since vanished and in their place remain peaceful nomadic families dotted over this seemingly timeless landscape of distant horizons, blue skies and exotic wildlife! On this unique and pioneering, tour we will take you on an overland journey across some of Mongolia’s most dramatic landscapes, from the remote Altai Mountains in the far west of the country (realm of the elusive Snow Leopard), through endless steppe – dotted with graceful Demoiselle Cranes – past desert-encircled lakes and into rugged forest-clad hills. We will journey from the Altai Mountains back to Mongolia’s historic capital of Ulaanbaatar, enjoying the scenery and looking for some of central Asias’s most iconic birdlife enroute, including Black-billed Capercaillie, Oriental Plover, Henderson’s Ground Jay, Pallas’s Sandgrouse and many more. We will be hoping for a few exciting mammals too, such as Saiga Antelope and Pallas’s Cat, probably the most grumpy-looking feline in the world!
This is a unique and pioneering holiday following a birding route that few have trodden, but one that is sure to yield many unforgettable experiences and wildlife encounters. It will take us through Mongolia’s vast and unspoilt landscapes, a country three times the size of France but home to only 3.3 million people (nearly half of which live in the capital!). There are no hotels whatsoever over most of the route we will be covering and so we will be staying in simple, but comfortable, tented camps and looked after by a friendly team of local staff.
- Journey through the breathtaking landscapes of Mongolia from the Altai Mountains to Ulaanbaatar.
- Look for Pallas’s Sandgrouse, Asian Dowitcher, Oriental Plover, Black-billed Capercaillie, Altai Snowcock & many more.
- Explore steppe, taiga forests, mountains & desert-fringed lakes
- Mammals may include Saiga Antelope, Corsac Fox, Wolf &, if fortunate, Pallas’s Cat
- Look for waterbirds on Airag and Bayan Lakes
- Explore the taiga forests of the Bulnai and Dayan Mountains
- Led by expert naturalist guides.
Grading
Grade B – Although this is a straightforward birdwatching and wildlife tour, with no long treks or arduous walks included, we have graded it ‘B’ to reflect the long overland journeys that are necessary to explore this vast country and the camping element of the itinerary due to the lack of suitable hotels or tourist ‘ger camps’ on our route.
Outline Itinerary
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation:
When staying in Ulaanbaatar we will use a modern tourist hotel, each room with private facilities. Hotels in Uliastai and Arvaiheer are more simple in nature but are clean and comfortable and also have private toilet and shower.
For the majority of the holiday (12 nights in total) we will be staying in a mobile tented camp, each campsite surrounded by the wonderful landscapes of Mongolia. The twin person tents are two metres high and four metres across and equipped with inflatable mattresses, a rug, a chair and small table. There are separate toilet and shower tents positioned on the edge of the campsite and all camp chores will be taken care of by our friendly team of local camp staff and cooks. For more information please refer to the tour itinerary.
- Food:
All food is included in the price.
Dates & Prices
2025
Tour Leader: Andy Smith
Andy lives on the edge of Dartmoor in South Devon. He’s been a keen birder and naturalist for as long as he can remember and has enjoyed a varied career divided between conservation work in Britain and Ireland, school teaching and wildlife tour leading. He started leading for Naturetrek way back in 1997 and has now led over 150 tours to a wide range of destinations in Europe, Africa, Asia, the Americas and Antarctica. When not currently leading tours Andy teaches geography and history to teenagers and in his spare time he explores the natural history of Dartmoor and the South Hams and serves on the records committee of Devon Birds. He also makes regular trips to the west of Ireland to visit his children and grandchildren.
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Prefer to Travel in a Private Group?
For any interested natural history club or society, we can arrange for a private departure of this tour.
Enquire
Tour Reports
Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
