AMAZING WILDLIFE OF MONGOLIA TOUR

Nature & Wildlife Tours

In the world of depleting wildlife resources Mongolia stands up as a unique place with most of its original wildlife species preserved to these days. This tour is a chance to see animals and birds one can only find in museums and zoos. However, this will require walking, tracking and hiding as wildlife would not really be wild if enclosed in corrals and available for patting by an unassuming visitor. So the more accessible species you can hope to see include Argali – largest sheep, gazelles, red deer, marmots and Przewalski’s horses ancestor of modern horse. The range of available birds is much wider. A pair of good binoculars will allow you observe even more of the great wildlife.

HIGHLIGHTS

Admire virgin grasslands and arid steppes
See and photograph rare birds and wild animals
Overnights in traditional ger hotels
Visit museums and attractions of Ulaanbaatar
Learn of lifestyle and mores of Mongolian nomads

Day 1: Arrival in Ulaanbaatar

Upon arriving in Ulaanbaatar (UB) transfer to a 4 star hotel in city center. After a short rest take a guided excursion to some of the city’s highlights: the Gandan Temple – city’s main Buddhist center, featuring a 26 meter tall gold-plated statue of Lord Buddha, the central city square with a grand memorial complex dedicated to Genghis Khan and the Zaisan Memorial, an elevated hill on the city’s edge providing a panoramic view of UB. You will certainly enjoy the Dinosaur museum of Mongolia with first nests of dinosaur eggs, eggs containing dinosaur embryos, herbivores fighting with carnivores and fossils of early mammals that co-existed with dinosaurs. A show of traditional song and dance, as well as contortion and throat singing will be followed by a welcome dinner.

Day 2: Travel to Gun Galuut national park

Early morning departure from UB and in an hour’s driving time stop at a gigantic mounted statue of Genghis Khan, founder of the great Mongol empire. Take a panoramic view of the surrounding steppe and mountains from an observation deck on the horses head. We travel further east across open grassland with rolling hills in the background. Gun Galuut literally meaning “deep and with lots of geese” is a few small lakes where Whooper Swans and Swan Geese nest as well as a number of waders. Quite often Stejneger’s White-winged Scoters, Garganey, White-naped Cranes can be spotted here. Overnight today will be in a hotel comprised of traditional felt walled tents.

Day 3: Wildlife watching day

We spend the day watching animals & birds. White-naped cranes can be observed through the most of the summer and in some years Siberian Cranes drop by. Sighting Argali sheep will require a bit of patience, tracking and waiting. One of the largest Mongolian rivers, the Kherlen flows in the vicinity of the resort and is a place for watching various water fowl and waders. Optionally, you can ride Mongolian horses accompanied by local guides.

Day 4: Travel to Ikh Nart nature reserve (NR)

We travel to Ikh Nart NR. First we drive across vast arid steppes interrupted by rugged mountains which are later replaced by more arid plains with sparse vegetation and saline shrubs. Large flocks of grazing sheep, goats, horses and cattle herded by nomads and their traditional homes, known as the ger, is a common sight. After covering three quarters on tarmac road we go off road before arriving to the NR, an area of rocky outcrops and dry riverbeds with elm trees. Upon arrival we settle in a local ger hotel and relax until dinner. This evening you may explore the granite formations that lie in the immediate vicinity of the camp.

Day 5: Wildlife watching day

It is recommended to get up early to make most of the day. The extensive rock formations provide home for many nesting and migrating birds as well as rare and threatened animals such as Siberian Ibex, Argali, Mongolian Gazelle and marmots. But of course you will need some luck to be able to see them close enough.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)

Day 6: Travel to Khustai National Park

It is the longest travelling day that finally brings us to Khustai NP. It is here that in 1993 a small number of last remaining wild horses known as “Przewalski horses” was brought from several European zoos and re-introduced to their historic homeland after they had been extinct for 5 decades. Today is the most successful wild life preservation project ever seen in Mongolia with over 300 wild horses living in wilderness withstanding predators and harsh climate. Impressively, the park is also home to 220 species of birds, 1200 Red deer and 20,000 marmots. On arrival we get a short introduction to the park’s activities and settle in the park’s visitor resort.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner, ger camp)

Day 7: Wildlife watching day

After breakfast we set out on a wild life watching hike. We walk through lush grassy valleys alternated by rocky ridges that shelter patches of birch forests. Species you can expect to see include Przewalski’s horse, Red deer, marmot as well as Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Upland Buzzard, Saker Falcon and various smaller falcons. This evening well content with the day’s “trophies” we talk about our adventures with other likeminded people.
(Breakfast, lunch, dinner /ger camp)

Day 8: Return to UB, optional city visits

2 hour driving brings us back to UB and to our lunch venue located next the country’s largest Cashmere shop. Mongolia produces quarter of the world’s raw cashmere, one of the mainstays of rural economy. This evening we gather for a splendid good-bye dinner to celebrate our adventure.
(Breakfast, dinner / hotel).