Wildlife Tours to South India Mongolia
Photo:
*Single room supplement.
Tour Destinations :
- Ulan Bator
- Khustai National Park
- Ogiy Nuur
- Gobi Deret – Bayanzag, Khongor Els, Yolyn Am
- Gun Galut
- Jalman Meadows
Tour Summary
Mongolia
Mongolia is one of the most exiting destinations for naturalists in the world with abundant wildlife amongst its diverse scenery which includes snow capped peaks, tranquil steppe lakes, rolling grasslands and sand dune desert. It remains the last unspoiled travel destination in Asia but with its wildlife protected by a well organised system of national parks.
Our first wildlife location is Khustai National Park which boasts a bird list of over 200 species and 44 species of mammal, including the Takhi, the last remaining wild horse in the world. Ogiy Nuur, a large lowland lake renowned for its ducks, waders, and gulls with warblers, buntings and crakes in the fringing reed beds is our next stopping place. A short flight then takes us on to Dalanzadgad and the green Gobi, home to the Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag, which glow red in the evening sun and we will also visit the largest sand dunes in the Gobi. Amongst the dunes and associated Saxual forest, a fresh water river acts as a magnet to migrating birds. Our visit to the Gobi concludes at Yolyn Am, with a dramatic gorge which holds a glacier all year round. The Siberian Ibex may be seen here although the Snow Leopard and Gobi Bear are more elusive.
Our next destination is the newly built Steppe Nomads camp in Gun Galut. Wetlands and areas of wide open steppe are home to yet more new bird species and we will be searching for the White-tailed Gazelle and other smaller mammal species including gerbils, pikas, marmots, and Siberian Chipmunk.
Finally, we travel to Jalman Meadows, where we can expect to see herdsmen galloping bareback across the steppe. Wild flowers abound in the lowland fens and meadows and pipits, flycatchers, and buntings will be present with eagles, kites and vultures overhead.
Mongolia is a truly magical experience – but come soon whilst its special qualities survive!
Itinerary
Day 1 : Depart from UK
Days 2 to 3 : Khustai National Park
After an early arrival at Ulan Bator, the modern capital of Mongolia, we will meet our friendly ground crew over breakfast and after introductions, set off directly by road on the 90 kilometre journey to Khustain National Park, where we stay for two nights. The varied steppe and forest steppe habitats in this specially protected area are home to over 200 species of birds and an impressive 44 species of mammals have been recorded, including populations of deer and gazelle, and even Wolf and Lynx are around. The site is included in many an itinerary as a recognised place to see the exceedingly rare Takhi, or Przewalski’s Horse as it is more commonly known. This is the last remaining wild horse in the world, the forerunner of all the domestic breeds. These are not merely horses that have become wild, but are a genetically distinct species, and we will have good chances of spotting them. They actually became extinct in the wild in 1969, but after assistance from international conservation agencies, a controlled breeding programme has successfully reintroduced them into three national parks in Mongolia.
Days 4 to 6 : Ogiy Nuur
It is a westward journey of several hours to Ogiy Nuur, a large lowland lake renowned for its birds. Large numbers of ducks and waders are likely, whilst gulls include the Great black-headed variety, most adults still in stunning summer plumage at this time of year. The journey will be punctuated by stops for birding as and when required, including a more lengthy stay at Bayan Nuur, a wetland of considerable ornithological interest. Here the small reed beds allow easy access and target species include Paddyfield, Pallas’s Grasshopper and Oriental Reed Warblers, Pallas’s Reed Bunting and even a Baillon’s Crake is not out of the question here. After a mouth-watering introduction to Mongolian wildlife, it will be with reluctance that we head back to the comfort of our hotel in downtown Ulan Bator.
Days 7 to 12 : Gobi Desert
Of the four holy mountains that surround Ulan Bator, Bogdkhan Uul to the south offers easy access by road and we shall spend a relaxing morning in the larch forests here. However, for those that prefer, we may be able to offer a guided tour of the city including visits to the Museum of Natural History which houses complete dinosaur skeletons and to the Winter Palace of Bogd Khaan with its six temples.
After a late lunch on Day 7, a short afternoon flight to the southern city of Dalanzadgad is the gateway to the green Gobi. We will spend five days in the area and our experienced guides will take us across seemingly trackless steppe to witness some of the most spectacular scenery on earth. The Flaming Cliffs of Bayanzag glow red in the evening sun and it was from here that, in the 1920’s, newspapers brought news that Roy Chapman Andrews, an American palaeontologist, had discovered dinosaur eggs. He subsequently unearthed over 100 dinosaurs here, at one of the most famous localities for dinosaurs on earth. His discoveries included several velociraptors, later made famous by the film Jurassic Park.
From Bayanzad, we cross low mountain ridges with their flocks of Mongolian Finch, to reach the spectacular setting of Khongor Els, a place of amazing beauty and spectacular colour as the sun goes down. Here are the largest sand dunes in the Gobi, up to 300 metres high and 12 km wide. You can climb them if you like, obtaining wonderful views from the top, and then slide back down if you have a plastic bag handy! Amongst the dunes and associated saxaul forest, a freshwater river acts as a magnet to migrating birds. Wading birds include both Red-necked and Temminck’s Stints, whilst Pallas’s Reed Bunting and flocks of Citrine Wagtails forage quietly underfoot. Pallas’s Sandgrouse come to drink, and the marshes at the base of the dunes offer shelter to Siberian migrants such as Lanceolated, Pallas’s Grasshopper and Thick-billed Warblers. Wild Bactrian Camels, Wild Asiatic Asses and Black-tailed Gazelles roam the desert landscape, managing to survive despite the rigours of the climate.
The nearby high mountains of Yolyn Am, known locally as Valley of the Lammergeier, will be our final destination in the Gobi. This dramatic gorge is in complete contrast to all around; a valley in the Gobi desert that amazingly holds a glacier all year round! Avian targets here are manifold. The high craggy slopes hold Altai Snowcock, easier to hear than see, and it is whilst scoping for these that the shy Siberian Ibex can be spotted scrambling amongst the crags. The peaks are full of raptors, with Lammergeier, Himalayan Griffon Vulture, Saker and Golden Eagle all likely. Lower down, the valley slopes are home to the endemic Koslov’s Accentor, and other members of that family of birds including Alpine and Brown may be present. Stunted junipers harbour Great and Beautiful Rosefinches and Godlewski’s Bunting, and overhead we can spot the butterfly flight of Wallcreeper. We would be very fortunate indeed to spot a Snow Leopard or Gobi Bear, both of which are here amongst their favoured habitat. Any botanists amongst the group will find plenty to keep them interested, with a mixed alpine and desert flora and over 150 Mongolian plants that are listed as endemic. Mountain species adapted for short growing seasons are typical, and we will look out for saxifrages, rock jasmines and gentians. We would have to count ourselves extremely fortunate to stumble across the rare and mythical Vansemberuu flower (or Snow Lotus), much sought after by locals for its mysterious healing properties and believed by them to make wishes come true. After an exhilarating six nights in the area, we fly back to the comfort of our hotel in Ulan Bator.
Day 13 to 14 : Gun Galut
On Day 13 we travel onwards to the Steppe Nomads camp. This newly built and comfortable ger camp is located in a mix of prime habitats which provide for a variety of wildlife. The park’s most famous inhabitant is the endangered White-naped Crane, and we should soon see a family group of these elegant birds. Just a few kilometres away a series of wetlands hold impressive numbers of wildfowl and waders; Swan Geese and Bean Geese can be found, Pacific Golden Plovers are likely, with Buff-bellied and Red-throated Pipits, Little and Pallas’s Reed Buntings skulking in the margins, and even a Siberian Rubythroat or two! Whilst enjoying our breakfast from the restaurant veranda, we may be lucky and spot an Argali, a huge and endangered form of long horned mountain sheep, standing proud against the skyline of a nearby peak. Whilst traversing the wide open steppe we may see the White-tailed or Mongolian Gazelle, though much more abundant are smaller species of mammal such as gerbils, pikas (a small relative of the Rabbit), marmots and Siberian Chipmunk, all trying to avoid the attentions of passing Sakers or Upland Buzzards.
Days 15 to 16 : Jalman Meadows
Jalman Meadows is part of the Khentii Nuruu Mountains. These mountains give their name to the province where the famed Chinggis Khan was born, and the scenery is more alpine than rugged. A gigantean memorial statue towers above the plains, and we will see herdsmen galloping bareback across open steppe to watch over their livestock, a mix of sheep, horses, goats and Yaks. The hills are well watered, so forested slopes of Siberian Larch abound and wild flowers bloom in the valley bottoms. Lowland fens and meadows are the ideal habitat for delphiniums and primulas, and meadow flowers include large white gentians and hardy species of edelweiss. We are likely to encounter Red-throated Thrushes, Olive-backed Pipits, Taiga Flycatchers and Pine Buntings around our accommodation, whilst overhead Steppe Eagles, Black-eared Kites and Black Vultures are on the look-out for marmots and susliks which abound in the valley grasslands. Nearby riparian woodlands hold Three-toed, White-backed and Black Woodpeckers and migrant Daurian Redstarts. Deep in the forest we may encounter the shy Hazel Hen, though the Black-billed Capercaillie is even harder to find. Pheasant, here within their natural breeding range, live secretly in the forest undergrowth, their calls sometimes announcing their presence from across a valley, whilst at dusk it’s perfectly possible to hear Eagle Owls calling as we doze off to sleep. As evening approaches we find ourselves back in Ulan Bator at the end of a memorable trip.
Day 17 A morning flight takes us back to the UK where we arrive shortly after lunchtime.