Itinerary

DAY 1: ARRIVAL IN ULAANBAATAR

Welcome to Mongolia! Upon arrival in Ulaanbaatar, the capital city of Mongolia, we will meet our local guide and driver, and transfer to our hotel. This afternoon we can rest and enjoy a relaxing welcome dinner and prepare for the start of the tour. 

DAY 2: ULAANBAATAR CITY TOUR

After breakfast, we will explore this culturally rich city, including a visit to largest Buddhist center in Mongolia – Gandan Monastery. This active monastery hosts a Buddhist University and is home to the majestic 26-meter-high gilded statue of Megjid Janraisig, which was crafted in 1911 to celebrate independence and freedom from Manchu. Buddhist philosophy, linguistics, medicine, astrology, and tantric practice have been taught and practiced since the early 20th century. Depending on our time, we may also visit the main square, called Chinggis Square, where locals spend some leisure time. Next to the square is the National History Museum, which offers real insight into Mongolian origin and history. There is also the option to visit the largest fine Cashmere store in the square. We will also have time to visit Mongolia’s famous Black Market (Naran Tuul). Everything from fruits and vegetables to textiles, rugs, clothing, and even gers can be found here. 

DAYS 3-6: GOVI GURVAN SAIKHAN

After breakfast, we will depart for the Govi Gurvan Saikhan (3 beauties of Gobi) National Park. The 700 km drive will take us through some of Mongolia’s unique landscapes, with stops to stretch our legs. Once in Govi Gurvan, we will spend our time searching for the Snow Leopard, while also watching for other mammals and birds including Bearded Vulture, Cinereous Vulture, Himalayan Griffon, Golden Eagle, Chukar, Wallcreeper, Chinese-beautiful Rosefinch, Kozlov’s Accentor, Brown Accentor, Black Redstart, Godlewski’s Bunting, Twite, and Mongolian Finch. If conditions are favorable, we will be able to stay next to a nomadic family and experience a bit of the nomadic way of life. We can learn how to cook Mongolian food, try milking a goat, or herding livestock. During our stay, if we have good luck finding snow leopards, we will have the option to visit Havtsgait Petroglyphs, an incredible collection of early bronze-age rock carvings.

DAY 7: KHONGOR SAND DUNES

Early this morning, we will head to Khongor sand dunes. Along the way, we will watch for Mongolian Ground-Jay, Desert Warbler, Saxaul Sparrow, and Great-grey Shrike around the dunes. We will also keep our eyes out for mammals including Goitered Gazelle and Mongolian Gazelle, which can sometimes be seen along the drive. The dune itself is around 200m high. We will have a chance to climb the dunes and enjoy the amazing scenery from the top.   

DAY 8: ONGI RIVER

Early morning after breakfast, we will head to Ongi River, where the transition from central Mongolia to the Gobi Desert begins. After arrival at camp, we will visit the Ongi Monastery ruins. This complex was built in 1660 and traversed the north and south sides of the Ongi River. At its peak, this monastery boasted over 30 temples, 4 Buddhist universities, and over 1,000 monks. Both complexes of the monastery were destroyed in 1939 during anti-religious Stalinist purges. 

DAY 9: KHARA KHORUM

After breakfast, we will drive to Khara Khorum, which was the ancient capital of the Great Mongol Empire founded by Chinggis Khan’s sons. We will visit the museum and explore the archaeological expedition’s research results and the history of the Mongolian Empire. We will also visit a 430-year-old Buddhist monastery.  

DAY 10: ELSEN TASARKHAI

Today we will visit Takhilt Lake around Elsen Tasarkhai, giving us a great opportunity to see some waterbirds and shorebirds. White-naped Crane, Little Bittern, Bar-headed Goose, Whooper Swan, Ruddy Shelduck, Garganey, Common Pochard, Great Crested Grebe, Eared Grebe, Little Ringed Plover, Wood Sandpiper, Spotted Redshank, Pied Avocet, Black-winged Stilt, White-winged Tern, Gray Heron, Eurasian Spoonbill and Black Kite.  

DAY 11: HUSTAIN NURUU NATIONAL PARK

Hustain Nuruu National Park is home to some iconic mammals including Przewalski’s Horse, Red Deer, and Siberian Marmot. We will also search for some of the 170 bird species found here including Golden Eagle, Steppe Eagle, Cinereous Vulture, Saker Falcon, Amur Falcon, Mongolian Lark, and Daurian Partridge. 

DAY 12: TERELJ NATIONAL PARK

After breakfast, we will visit Narantuul (aka the Black Market), a buzzing outdoor market where we will find everything one might need and more, including Mongolian gers, clothing, household items, and antiques. This afternoon, we will drive to Terelj National Park. Picturesque forests, granite rocky hills, rivers, and green meadows will serve as a backdrop over the next two days. We will explore the park by car and on foot, through mountain forests, along the Tuul River riparian forest and forest edges while we search for two main target bird species: Black-billed Capercaillie and Chinese Bush Warbler. Other species we can find here include Great Tit, Marsh Tit, Willow Tit, Azure Tit, Black Woodpecker, Grey-headed and Greater-spotted woodpeckers, and also Pine Bunting and Tree Pipit. 

DAY 13: SONGINO TO ULAANBAATAR

After breakfast, we will head to Songino and explore along the Tuul river riparian forest. Avifauna that can be found here include Mandarin Duck, Common Merganser, Common Pochard, Whooper Swan, Ruddy and Common Shelduck, Common Tern, Azure Tit, Great Tit, Lesser-spotted Woodpecker, Black Woodpecker, Marsh, Willow, and Penduline tits, Long-tailed Rosefinch, Daurian Redstart, Desert Wheatear, Meadow Bunting, Red-throated Thrush, Black-throated Thrush, Cinereous Vulture, Saker Falcon, Lesser Kestrel, Common Kestrel and Upland Buzzard. We will then make our way back to Ulaanbaatar and enjoy a final dinner together.

DAY 14: DEPARTURE

After breakfast, we will transfer to the airport to catch our return flights home. Our Mongolia wildlife and culture tour concludes in Ulaanbaatar.