Bird Watching in Eastern Mongolia Tour (code:24)
Mongolia
has a rich composition of bird species due to the migration routes from Pacific
and Indian Oceans to the Mediterranean Sea and to the Arctic Ocean and northern
tundra. The best seasons to visit are the migration times.
In Mongolia 427 different species of
birds, out of which 108 species are transitory birds, 74 species are
non-migrant and 231 species are migratory birds, which are come from countries
with hot climate, 13 species are birds which come from southward from Siberia
in winter.
This
bird watching tour takes you to amazing Ulaanbaatar, Khustai National Park and
Moltsog els, Kharkhorum
and Erdenezuu mounastry, Orkhon river, hot springs of
Tsenhkher, Ugii Lake, Khogno Khan mountain and Elsen tasarkhai. These areas are the best spot to see forest,
steppe and water birds.
TOUR OVERVIEW
Tour
Length: 11 days
Group size: 2 to 10 people
Tour cost: US$ 1390- (including taxes)
Transport
type: Vehicle
Tour level: Moderate
Schedule
2011: June- September (You can choose when you come and the date.)
Highlights:
Ulaanbaatar, Khustai National Park and Moltsog els, Kharkhorum and
Erdenezuu mounastry, Orkhon river, hot springs of Tsenhkher,
Ugii Lake, Khogno Khan mountain, Elsen tasarkhai
ITINERARY
Day-1 Arrival in Ulaanbaatar.
After transferring to a hotel, there will be some sightseeing around town. We
visit the Dinosaur Exhibition Hall of the Natural Historical Museum, and Gandan
monastery. There will be an overnight stay in the hotel. (L+D)
Day-2
Khustai
National Park and Moltsog els
After breakfast
drive to Khustai National Park and Moltsog
els. The central part
of the site is mountainous with steep south-facing slopes and shallow
north-facing slopes. The Tuul River runs to the south of the mountains, separated
from them by areas of steppe and mountain steppe. There are also isolated forests
of birch and aspen, mainly in the centre of the site. In 1993, the site was
designated as a national park for the reintroduction of Przewalski's Wild Horse
Equus przewalskii, which was once extinct in the wild. The site is a
popular destination for domestic and foreign tourists due to the successful
reintroduction project. The site was also designated as a biosphere reserve core
area in 2003. Poaching for Siberian Marmot Marmota sibirica and Red Deer
Cervus elaphus is the main threat to wildlife populations. Otherwise,
the site is one of the best protected national parks in Mongolia. 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 relatively small area. To
date, a total of 169 bird species have been recorded. Globally Threatened
species occurring at the site include Steppe Eagle /Aguile nipalensis/ and
Golden Eagle /Aguila chrysaetos/, Saker falcon (Falco cherrug), Kestrel (falco
tinnunculus) and Lesser Kestrel or the Falco naumanni, as well as Upland
Buzzard /Buteo hemilasius/ and Long legged buzzard /Buteo lagopus/, Mongolian
lark, Calandra lark, Crested lark, Horned lark, Thrushes, Pipits, Magpies-
Hoopoes, Owls- Tawny-Owls, : White Naped Crane /Grus Vipio/, Siberian Crane
/Gurs leucogeranus/, Demoiselle Crane /Anthropoides virgo/ and Hooded Crane /Grus
Monacha/ also occurs. The site also supports an assemblage of species
restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert biome. Overnight in the "Ger” tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Day-3
Kharkhorum and Erdenezuu mounastry
After breakfast drive to Kharkhorum and Erdenezuu
mounastry, in the way to see Elsen tasarkhai. The city of Kharkhorin of today
is located at the same place where Genghis Khan had planned his capital. At the
time, however, the city was only erected after his death. The Kharkhorin of
today is a small settlement with little focus on tourism. The Ger camps are
rather situated near Erdene-Zuu and other attractions. The locals in the town
stay mostly among each other. Erdene Zuu (translated: "hundert
treasures") was founded in 1586, as the first buddhist monastery in
Mongolia. At its most glorious days it housed more than 1000 monks. It was
destroyed by the Manchu together with Kharkhorin. The area is surrounded by a
big wall with 108 stupas. Overnight in the "Ger” tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Day
4- 5: Orkhon
river, hot springs of Tsenhkher
The Orkhon River is a river in Mongolia.
It rises in the Khangai Mountains of Arkhangai aimag and flows northwards for
1,124 km (698 miles) before joining the Selenge River, which flows north
into Russia and Lake Baikal. The Orkhon is longer than the Selenge, making it
the longest river in Mongolia. Major tributaries of the Orkhon river are the
Tuul River and Tamir River. There are two sets of ancient ruins along the river
valley: Khar Balgas, the ancient capital of the Kharkorum, the ancient capital
of the Mongol Empire. UNISCO lists the Orkhon Valley as a World Heritage Site. Also
many species of falcons such as Saker falcon (Falco cherrug), Kestrel (falco
tinnunculus) and Lesser Kestrel or the Falco naumanni, as well as Upland
Buzzard /Buteo hemilasius/ and Long legged buzzard /Buteo lagopus/. Mongolian
lark, Calandra lark, Crested lark, Horned lark, Thrushes, Pipits, Magpies and
Hoopoes, Owls and Tawny-Owls are seen here. Overnight in the "Ger” tourist camp.
(B+L+D)
Day-6-7:
Ugii lake and Bird
watching days
Ugii lake, locates on the centre of Mongolia, in
the territory, of the Arkhangai province is one of the biggest lakes of
Mongolia and has 27 km squire area. Average depth is 6.64m, in some sections
15.3m, coastal length is 23.5m. Delicate sand and whetstone coast, the soft
wave and it is very convenient to have boat adventure. Also it is enthusiastic
to swimming, having sunbath, horse and camel ridding and hiking. There are 14
kinds of fishes in Ugii lake and there are fishery effective fishes such as
taimen, pike, lenok, perch, silurus and etc. The experts said 47.6 thousand
tones of fishes could be in fishery per year from this lake. Also this lake is
beautiful lake that has 144 kinds of birds. We can expect to see Loons, Grebes,
Pelicans, Bitterns, herons and egrets, Ducks, geese and swans, Osprey, Hawks,
kites and eagles, Caracaras and falcons, Grouse, Cranes, Plovers and lapwings,
Sandpipers and allies, Gulls, Typical owls, Larks, Wagtails and pipits, Old
World warblers, Old World flycatchers, Crow, jays, ravens and magpies, Siskins,
crossbills and allies. Overnight in the "Ger” tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Day
-8- 9 Khogno Khan Natural Reserve
Khogno Khan Natural
Reserve covers 46,990 hectares of land and is situated in the territory of
Bulgan Province. The taiga and steppe plants grow in this area and represent
two or three different natural zones. This area was taken under state
protection in 1997. You can see this 1967 m peak to the north of the main road.
The ruins of the earlier destroyed monastery are lovely 45 minutes of walk
along a well-defined path up the valley to the right. The surroundings belong
to the 46,900-hectare Khogno Khan Natural Reserve and you might spot ibex,
wolves, birds and many varieties of hawk. Expected species are include
Osprey,
Hawks, kites and eagles, Caracaras and falcons, Grouse, Pheasants and
partridges, Bustards, Plovers and lapwings, Sandpipers and allies, Pigeons and
doves, Typical owls, Swifts, Thrushes and allies, Old World warblers and Old
World flycatchers. Overnight in the "Ger” tourist camp. (B+L+D)
Day-10:
Ulaanbaatar
We arrive in Ulaanbaatar from Ganga
Lake in midday .Before the farewell dinner, there will be a quick
shopping tour including Mongolian national souvenir stores and cashmere
garments shops. Overnight Ulaanbaatar. (B+L+D)
Day-11:
Departure
After breakfast, will be transferred
from hotel to train station or airport. (B)
B- Breakfast
L- Lunch
D- Dinner
Included:
- Twin bedded rooms in a hotel
- Shared accommodation in tourist ger camp
- Guiding and interpreting service
- All meals as listed in the itinerary
- Daily supply of bottled water
- Transfers by vehicle 4x4
- Local guides
- All entrance fees
- Horse, camel, yak ride trial
Not included:
- international airfare
- visa cost
- alcoholic drinks
- travel insurance
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